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Travel reward credit cards and 0 percent introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers don’t often co-exist. Having travel rewards and 0 percent APR are incredible perks on their own, but when you combine the two, you have a credit card with potential for substantial savings while traveling.
The best travel rewards credit cards make it possible to significantly save on travel-related expenses, while 0 percent introductory APR offers save you money on costly interest charges. Both of these benefits can make a huge difference with your budget, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
Top travel cards with 0% introductory APR offers
We picked the following credit cards and found our list of top contenders, each of which offer at least 12 months of a 0 percent intro APR on purchases or balance transfers, plus earn high rates of travel rewards.
Best for simple travel rewards program
Bankrate score
4.0
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Best for purchases and balance transfers
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Bankrate score
3.6
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Best welcome offer
Bankrate score
3.9
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Best for automatic cash back
Bankrate score
4.4
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
0% for 15 months on purchases
18.24% – 28.24% (Variable)
Best for lengthy intro APR offer
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bankrate score
4.6
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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Comparing the best travel cards with 0% introductory APRs
| Card name | Annual fee | Rewards | Introductory APR offers | Recommended credit score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Autograph® Card | $0 |
|
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (followed by 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR). | 670 – 850 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
|
0% intro on purchases for 15 months and 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable) APR) | 670 – 850 |
| Discover it® Miles |
$0 |
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (followed by a 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR). | 670 – 850 | |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | $0 |
|
0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on balance transfers (Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum., 18.24% – 28.24% (Variable) ongoing APR) |
670 – 850 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | $0 |
|
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply. (Followed by a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers) | 670 – 850 |
How to choose the best 0% APR travel credit card
Finding the right 0 percent APR travel credit card may be easier than finding your next travel destination. To make it as simple as possible, try comparing several different cards and consider what’s most meaningful to you as a cardholder. Here are some steps that can help you get started:
Find out how long you need a break from interest
Find the time period is for each potential card’s 0 percent intro APR offer and whether it applies to purchases, balance transfers or both. Is the time period long enough for you to accomplish your financial goal?
For example, if you have a large purchase to make, then 12 months may be ample time to make monthly payments and pay the entire balance. Or you may need a longer period to consolidate and pay down a balance transfer from a high-interest credit card.
Decide whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee
Some credit cards have no annual fee, while others may charge several hundred dollars per year simply to carry the card. However, higher annual fees typically mean a more robust rewards program and other benefits — such as an attractive welcome offer — which can offset the cost of the annual fee if used wisely.
Compare each card’s ongoing APRs
The ongoing APR is the interest applied to your credit card once the promotional zero-interest rate is over. This rate is actually set when you open the account, even if it’s not in effect for several months. Keep in mind that many credit card issuers use a variable APR instead of a fixed one, which means the rate is subject to change.
Learn what each card’s travel rewards are worth
You’ll want to know how much the travel rewards are worth when you redeem them. The value of the points or miles depends not only on the rewards program you’re enrolled in, but also how you redeem them. For example, Wells Fargo points are worth 1.0 cents each on average and are typically only redeemable for cash back. On the other hand, Capital One miles are worth an average of 1.7 cents each and can vary based on the travel partner you transfer them to.
How to calculate your points and miles value
You can calculate the points and miles value of a reward by dividing the cost of the travel in cash (such as the hotel room or flight) by the cost in points or miles. For instance, if you find a flight that costs $300, or 25,000 points, then the value of the points for this flight would be 1.2 cents per point ($300 ÷ 25,000 = 0.012, or 1.2 cents).
Once you’ve estimated the general value, you can compare it to the rewards points values listed with Bankrate, to see if the value is equal or better than the standard. Bear in mind the value of your points or miles depends not only on the program you’re enrolled in, but also what you’re booking.
How to make the most of your zero-interest period
If your travel rewards card does offer a zero-interest period, there are ways to maximize the benefit, including:
- Don’t miss a payment due date: Most often the zero-interest offer is canceled if you miss a payment and the APR reverts to the ongoing APR, resulting in costly interest charges. This usually applies even if you miss the payment by a day, so set a reminder to pay before the due date.
- Pay off a balance transfer before the period is over: If the zero-interest applies to a balance transfer, your best approach is to pay the entire balance before the end of the promotional period. Usually, whatever balance remains once the time period ends is subject to the ongoing APR interest. Set a reminder in your calendar and pay off the entire balance before the end date.
- Make and stick to a budget: It’s important to stay on top of the monthly payments for the zero-interest card and make it a part of your ongoing budget that you plan for each month. Paying less than the minimum amount due may forfeit the zero-interest.
- Know your credit card’s ongoing APR: The ongoing APR is the interest rate you can expect to pay once your card reverts from its promotional APR. If you think you may carry a balance on the card or will have a remainder after a balance transfer, then look for a card with as low of an ongoing APR as possible.
What’s next?
The bottom line
While earning travel rewards with a credit card and taking advantage of a 0 percent introductory APR may not seem likely, it’s actually quite doable with several credit card options. It’s beneficial to you to compare multiple cards, so you can see which one suits your financial needs the most. If you take advantage of the zero-interest period and maximize your potential travel rewards, you could end up with significant savings.
*Information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on April 25, 2025.
Frequently asked questions about travel cards with 0% intro APRs
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The right credit card for you will depend on your spending habits and the perks that matter most to you. Travel cards are great for people who know they want to redeem rewards for travel expenses or want perks like elite status, free checked bags, free hotel stays or airport lounge access. Cash back cards can be simpler to use and offer more flexibility than travel cards, especially If you don’t travel often enough to justify that type of card.
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Many cardholders with travel cards earn boosted rewards by booking travel through issuer travel portals. Other top categories related to everyday spending include groceries, dining and gas, but it varies by card. Cardholders need to decide which cards offer the best chance to earn top rates in their favorite categories.
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Cash back redemption options include direct deposit into a checking account, mailed checks, statement credits or gift cards, then put it toward travel you’ve already paid for. Travel credit card redemption options can cover purchases including airfare, hotel stays, transit and more. Rewards might be tied to specific airline or hotel chains, or they may be general rewards redeemable for a wide range of travel.
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