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The BECU Visa Credit Card has two things going for it — a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and a low APR of 14.24% to 25.24% variable. You’ll also get an introductory APR for any balance transfers within the first 90 days of having the card.
Credit card APRs are on the rise and with that cardholders are paying more and more interest. Americans paid an estimated $133.1 billion in credit card interest and fees to banks, credit unions and finance companies in 2022. If you’re looking to avoid credit card interest, you might be looking for a low-interest credit card.
A low interest credit card is typically defined as either having a rate below 20% or having a 0% intro rate. Many of the cards below can help you save more than a hundred dollars in interest on a large purchase or on a balance transfer from another credit card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Regular APR starting at 14.24% to 25.24% variable, plus a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and new purchases
Get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and a low APR of 14.24% to 25.24% variable
The BECU Visa Credit Card is our choice for the lowest interest card because of its powerful combination of features. Not only does it come with one of the lowest ongoing APRs of any credit card (currently 14.24% to 25.24% variable), it also offers an interest-free offer on both purchases and balance transfers. You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases followed by a low APR of 14.24% to 25.24% variable, as well as an intro APR of 0% Intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers (after which, a 14.24% to 25.24% variable APR applies).
The BECU Visa Credit Card also comes with a $0 balance transfer fee, $0 cash advance fee, $0 foreign transaction fees and $0 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers and purchases
N/A (followed by a 17.24% to 26.24% APR) and 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 billing cycles (followed by a 17.24% to 26.24% APR)
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card offers one of the longest introductory periods on balance transfers and purchases of any business credit card around. If you’re carrying a large balance on another card, or if you want to finance a large purchase, you’ll have over a year to pay it down with no interest.
While it’s light on other benefits, it does come with other useful tools for your small business, including controls for employee cards and expense management.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro APR of 0.99% on balance transfers, plus a low regular APR
0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening (then 11.49% to 18.00% (variable) APR)
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card is one of few cards available to people with fair credit that includes an introductory APR. You’ll get a 0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening. After that, you’ll get a relatively low APR of 11.49% to 18.00% (variable). And unlike many other cards with balance transfer offers, it doesn’t have any balance transfer fees.
There are also no annual fees or foreign transaction fees with the card. However, you’ll need to be a member of Navy Federal Credit Union to apply for this card. Membership requires you to be a member of the armed forces, Department of Defense; a veteran or family member of one of the above.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
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APR of just 29.24% Variable.
This rate is lower than the average interest rate for a secured credit card
If you have bad credit or are working on establishing your credit history, you might consider the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card designed for people with bad or poor credit that happens to feature a lower-than-average APR of 29.24% Variable..
There’s no hard credit check performed when you apply. Instead, you must sign up for the Self Credit Builder plan and meet certain eligibility requirements. Then, you put down a security deposit that will convert to your card’s credit limit.
You can open a card with a deposit as low as $100. Self will also regularly review your account to possibly increase your credit limit as long as your account remains in good standing.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.APR of just 16.25% (variable)
This rate is lower than the average interest rate for a secured credit
The DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card is another option if your credit is less-than-ideal and you’re looking for a secured card. It features an APR of 16.25% (variable), which is one of the lowest rates you’ll find among secured credit cards.
While you are required to put down an initial security deposit, that deposit will turn into your initial credit limit. The DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card also requires credit union membership to apply, but you can be approved even with bad or poor credit. There is also no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, no cash advance fee and no foreign transaction fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
0% APR on purchases for 15 months
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months (followed by a 19.99% - 28.74% Variable APR) and 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months (followed by a 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of best cash back cards you can find with an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. It gives you a longer-than-average intro period to pay down a balance, plus a great cash rewards program that makes it worth keeping in the long run.
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Additionally, if you also have a premium Chase credit card, you can combine the rewards you earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to possibly get even more value from your rewards. The card does usually require a better credit score than other cards, so if your credit is still fair or below, you might want to consider another card on this list.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases (followed by a 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR) and 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (followed by a 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR on balance transfers)
The BankAmericard® credit card comes with one of the longest intro periods for purchases and balance transfers around. You’ll have almost two years to pay down a balance interest-free. While it doesn’t have a rewards program or many other perks, you’ll enjoy that it doesn’t have an annual fee or a penalty APR.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
0% APR for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
0% intro on purchases for 15 months (followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% (variable) APR) and 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% (variable) APR)
If you’re looking to finance an upcoming trip or transfer an existing balance to a travel credit card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card may be your best bet. It features a longer-than-average intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases. It also offers a solid (if not stunning) rewards program.
You’ll earn 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. The card also comes with a solid initial welcome offer that can boost your rewards balance. As a no-annual-fee card, it doesn’t have a ton of travel perks. But it does offer no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good option for foreign travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months
0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers (followed by a 18.49% - 28.49% (variable) APR and 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases (followed by a 18.49% - 28.49% (variable) APR)
The Citi Custom Cash® Card isn’t just a really rewarding card for gas purchases. It also gives you over a year to finance a new purchase or pay down an existing balance, interest-free.
It has a unique rewards structure — you Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. The 5% category includes gas purchases, making a great option for a dedicated gas card.
Keep in mind though that you’ll only earn 1% in any category other than your highest spending one. That means the Custom Cash card is better suited to only be used for one category rather than as an everyday card.
The welcome offer and the ongoing rewards are paid out in ThankYou® points, which you can either redeem as cash or use for travel expenses. The Citi Custom Cash® Card also has no annual fee.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Regular APR | Penalty APR | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BECU Visa Credit Card*
Learn More
on Boeing Employee's Credit Union's secure site |
Lowest interest rate credit card
|
14.24% to 25.24% variable | N/A | N/A |
Learn More
on Boeing Employee's Credit Union's secure site |
|
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card*
|
Low-interest business credit card
|
17.24% to 26.24% | 29.99% | Good / Excellent | |
|
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*
|
Low-interest credit card for fair credit
|
11.49% to 18.00% (variable) | 18.00% | Fair / Good / Excellent | |
|
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Self's secure site Rates & Fees |
Low-interest credit card with no credit check
|
29.24% Variable. | N/A | Poor |
Apply Now
on Self's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card*
|
Low-interest secured credit card
|
16.25% (variable) | 18.00% | Poor | |
|
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Low-interest cash back credit card
|
19.99% - 28.74% Variable | Up to 29.99% | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
BankAmericard® credit card*
|
Balance transfer credit card with a low interest rate
|
15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR | None | Good / Excellent | |
|
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Low-interest travel credit card
|
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) | None | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Low-interest gas credit card
|
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) | Up to 29.99% (Variable) | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
A low interest-rate card is generally one that either has an APR that falls below the average credit card interest rate for its category or an introductory 0% APR offer. Many of the cards in this article have 0% intro APR offers. There are usually two different types of intro 0% APR offers. Some offer a 0% rate on all purchases for a given period of time, while others offer the 0% rate on balance transfers.
It’s important to note that these introductory 0% offers only work for a certain period of time — after that, it’s better to have a card with a low ongoing APR if you’re planning on carrying a balance.
Follow the tips below so you get the most value out of your low-interest card:
Keep your balance under control
Even if you must carry a balance, don’t let that balance keep growing. Plan a concrete amount that you can pay each month and stick to it. If you can, make more than the minimum payment — because when you only pay the minimum, your payment goes toward both interest charges and the principal amount of your debt.
Pay on time
It’s important to pay at least the minimum due every month, as this is the top factor in building a good credit score. If your card has a 0% intro APR, paying late could cause you to lose that intro rate. Setting up autopay is one way to ensure your bill is always paid on time.
Transfer balances quickly
If your card offers a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, be aware that there might be a limited window of time to take advantage of the 0% APR offer. Many cards require you to transfer a balance within 60 days to qualify for the intro APR.
Continue to make payments on any transferred balances
If you request a balance transfer, you should continue making payments on your old card until the balance transfer payment goes through.
The average credit card interest rate currently stands at 24.24%. However, a “good” interest rate will depend on the type of card you have. For instance, cards with few benefits tend to have lower interest rates than cards with rewards programs and travel perks. Additionally, many credit cards offer a range of APRs. In this case, your interest rate will depend on your credit score and history, with lower interest rates being given to applicants with higher credit scores.
You can find the average interest rate by type of credit card in our table below. Cards with good interest rates should fall below these averages:
| Category | Minimum APR | Maximum APR | Average | Previous month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average APR for all new card offers | 21.11% | 28.07% | 24.59% | 24.56% |
| 0% balance transfer cards | 18.74% | 27.86% | 23.30% | 23.30% |
| No-annual-fee cards | 20.61% | 27.71% | 24.16% | 24.15% |
| Rewards cards | 20.88% | 28.13% | 24.50% | 24.46% |
| Cash back cards | 21.04% | 27.79% | 24.42% | 24.33% |
| Travel rewards cards | 20.90% | 28.74% | 24.82% | 24.82% |
| Airline credit cards | 21.27% | 29.37% | 25.32% | 25.29% |
| Hotel credit cards | 21.73% | 29.43% | 25.58% | 25.58% |
| Low-interest credit cards | 13.69% | 22.52% | 18.11% | 18.11% |
| Grocery rewards cards | 20.53% | 28.16% | 24.35% | 24.35% |
| Gas rewards cards | 20.99% | 27.98% | 24.49% | 24.49% |
| Dining rewards cards | 20.69% | 28.47% | 24.58% | 24.56% |
| Student credit cards | 19.56% | 27.85% | 23.70% | 23.70% |
| Secured credit cards | 27.06% | 27.06% | 27.06% | 27.06% |
Applying for a low-interest credit card works in much the same way as applying for any other credit card:
If your credit card has a relatively high interest rate, you may be able to contact your issuer to have them lower it. A LendingTree study showed that 76% of recent requests for a lower APR were granted by the credit card company. Here are a few tips for how to get a lower interest rate on a credit card:
Your interest rate is the rate at which interest is charged on any outstanding balances. The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) reflects the total cost of borrowing. That means that the APR includes the interest rate, but also includes any fees or other charges issued by the bank. That means the APR is almost always equal to or higher than the interest rate for a given credit card.
Yes, it is possible for credit card companies to lower your interest rate. In many cases, all you need to do is call up the customer service department and ask if your interest rate can be lowered. The more valuable you are as a customer (by being a long-time customer and/or regularly paying your bills on time) the more likely the bank is to grant your request.
Interest rates are typically variable, which means that they not only change over time, they also depend on each borrower’s specific financial situation. That means that while one bank may have the lowest interest rate for one borrower, another borrower might have a lower interest rate with a different bank. Many of the credit card offers in this article have relatively low interest rates and might be worth checking out if you’re looking for a card with the lowest interest rate.
Fixed-rate cards are less common than they used to be before the Credit CARD Act of 2009. Now, most credit cards are variable-rate cards, which means their APRs fluctuate based on an index such as the Prime Rate. However, you can sometimes still find fixed-rate credit cards these days, generally through credit unions.
In order to get the best rate a credit card has to offer, you’ll likely need to have a very good or exceptional credit score. Generally, that’s considered a FICO Score between 740 and 850. If you have a lower score, even if you get approved for one of the cards on this list, the APR on your account might be set higher.
Probably not. Most credit cards with good 0% intro APR offers require a good credit score or better. A good credit score is one that’s anywhere from 670 to 739 — credit scores above that are considered very good or exceptional.
The most important criterion in compiling this list was each credit card’s regular APR. The cards listed here don’t offer rewards or premium benefits, but they do offer low interest rates (at least for consumers with good enough credit scores to qualify for the best rates).
In addition, none of the cards here charge an annual fee. If you’re trying to save money with a low-interest card, you probably don’t want to pay a fee just to carry your card.
We also considered accessibility. Many of the cards listed here require credit union membership; however, at least our top pick and the runner-up make it easy for anyone to join.
Finally, we included a selection of 0% intro APR credit cards. While these cards might not have the lowest regular APRs, for consumers who need a set window of time to pay off debt, they offer a chance to avoid interest charges entirely.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the BECU Visa Credit Card, U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card, Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card, BankAmericard® credit card and DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
