What is a good interest rate on a credit card?

An easy way to determine whether your card has a desirable interest rate is to compare it to average credit card APRs. Currently, anything at or under 20 percent qualifies as a good interest rate for most consumers. Your creditworthiness and financial health play an essential role in the interest rate on your credit card. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate could be.

What’s the difference between low-interest cards and 0 percent interest credit cards?

With low-interest credit cards, the ongoing interest rate is lower than most other credit cards, on average. It may or may not include an intro APR offer. On the other hand, 0 percent interest credit cards are zero-interest for a certain time after opening the account, and then the regular APR kicks in, which may or may not be low. If your goal is strictly paying down debt, a 0 percent intro APR card definitely gives you an edge. However, if unexpected expenses raise your balance after the offer is over, it would be better to have a low-interest card.

Can credit card companies waive an interest charge?

People make mistakes. Sometimes, we forget to pay a bill, or we miss that grace period by a day. In times of widespread economic uncertainty, credit card issuers are offering assistance more than usual, making it possible to waive an interest charge. The only way to know if your credit card company will allow this is to ask, but make sure to keep your personal credit history in mind as you do. Review your creditworthiness and financial health before you call up your card issuer. If you don’t regularly carry a balance, there is a chance that your issuer may waive the charge. Your issuer may be less likely to waive interest or late fees if you have a substantial balance. If this is the case, a balance transfer card may be worth considering to help avoid APR temporarily while you chip away at your debt.

What causes interest rates on credit cards to change?

The Federal Reserve’s prime rate influences credit card interest rates, and the prime rate changes based on the judgment of federal regulators. Such decisions are largely based on the state of the national economy.

Is a low-interest credit card or cash back card better?

It depends on your goals. If you’re in a good place with your credit or don’t carry debt month-to-month, a cash back credit card can be a great advantage. However, if you want a long-term plan to pay off your debt, a cash back card can distract or tempt you to spend more. In that case, it’s better to use a low-interest credit card.

Best Low-Interest Credit Cards of June 2025

Compare Bankrate’s top low-interest credit cards

Card Name	Variable APR	Best for	Bankrate review score
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	Regular APR: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR	Long intro APR offers	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Cash Back	Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR	Rotating-category cash back	4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Best for home improvement	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Bank of America Customers	3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	Families	4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card	Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	Dining and grocery rewards	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	Large purchases	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	1.5% cash back	3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card	Regular APR: 17.24% - 27.99% (Variable)	Balance transfers	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable	Domestic travel	4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Gold Visa® Card	Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR	Credit union customers

On This Page

Researching the best low-interest credit cards

100+

card ratings

400+

APRs tracked

3000

data points analyzed

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best low-interest credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. We evaluated cards with the lowest interest rates and best long term value to help you decide which is the right card for you. Learn more about our methodology below.

What is a low-interest credit card?

A low-interest credit card is defined by its annual percentage rate (APR), which can be variable or fixed. If the low end of the variable percentage is around 19 percent, we generally qualify it as a low-interest card.

Our 2024 Credit Card Debt Report claims that more than half of American adults have credit card balances, and 60 percent have carried a balance for more than a year. If you find yourself strapped with debt like most Americans, it’s worth considering how a low-interest credit card can help you manage your debt.

Several of the cards on this page will be a great place to start when trying to decide on your next credit card, but it’s worth comparing them to narrow down your options to the ones that are best for you. To do this, you’ll need to know your goals, your current financial situation, the features available on low-interest cards and how much you plan to spend over the next year or so. The more you know, the better chance you have of reducing current debt or keeping any new debt low.

What makes a great low-interest card

Low-interest credit cards typically don't have flashy perks or top rewards rates. If you're looking for credit cards with low APRs, you might just want a card that helps you carry a balance with minimal charges. Here's what to look for in this type of card:

Intro APR offers

Great low-interest cards have intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers, and pair them with a low ongoing APR.

Best cards: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Long-term value

The best low-interest cards will also let you access perks, benefits and rewards at no additional cost.

Best card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Low interest rate

Your goal with a low-interest card is to pay less interest than you would without it, so any card below the current average credit card interest rate of 20 percent will be ideal.

Comparing credit card interest charges

The best way to analyze your options is to use your actual spending or balances. You might be surprised by how much low-interest credit cards can save you compared to cards with high APRs.

Here is how one of our low-interest cards compares to a rewards card using average credit card debt from Experian's most recent report. We’ve also included a card from a credit union. These cards can be very cost effective and typically have rates well below the current average interest rate. Navy Federal Credit Union is one option, but there might be several, smaller local credit unions in your area with comparable credit card interest rates.

Credit card	Credit card ongoing APR*	Daily periodic rate	Balance	Interest for a 30-day billing cycle
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	19.99% - 28.24% Variable	0.058%	$6,730	$111.46
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*	10.99% - 18.00% (Variable)	0.030%	$6,730	$61.05
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR	0.049%	$6,730	$96.02

*Using each card’s lowest possible Variable APR.

Learn more: How is credit card interest calculated?

Bankrate Insight

If you're dead set on finding a way to lower your credit card interest rate, contact your issuer. You can call and ask to lower your interest rate or even negotiate a new payment plan entirely. If you've generally been on time with your payments and are a loyal customer, use those points to make your case. With the right approach, you could be successful in lowering your rate.

Where to find a low-interest card

Finding the lowest interest rates for credit cards is much more accessible than you might think. While it sometimes seems like the lowest interest rates are reserved for the people with the best credit profiles, this isn’t always the case. While major issuers typically have interest rates that climb as high as 20 percent or more, your local credit unions are likely offering cards with far more favorable rates.

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) provides a tool for locating credit unions near you. The NCUA provides this service for free and it can help you find a low-interest credit card other than ones offered by issuers like Capital One, Citi, Wells Fargo, Chase and Discover.

If you’re unwilling to explore options from credit unions, your best chance at a low-interest credit card will be to increase your credit score and improve your credit worthiness to qualify for the low end of any variable APR on the products on this page. You’ll obviously have less control with this method, but we recommend having a FICO score of at least 760 for the best odds at the lowest credit card interest rates.

Ask Bankrate: Do you have a low-interest card?

Bankrate credit card writer Garrett Yarbrough has a low-interest credit card from a credit union that he still uses. He shared some insight about how a credit union card fits into his card strategy:

Bankrate staff insights

Although the biggest credit card commandment is to avoid carrying a balance, life happens. I keep a low-interest card from my life-long credit union exactly for this reason, although I initially got it as my starter card.

Low-interest credit cards from major issuers only have APRs that are a few percentage points below average, so I always recommend a credit union card instead since they can provide much lower rates. For instance, mine currently has close to a 10 percent APR (variable).

I only carry a balance in an emergency, and even then only for an extra month. If you're in a similar situation (and want to avoid a credit union card), a rewards card with installment payment plan options could give you more bang for your buck in the long run than a barebones low-interest card.

Garrett Yarbrough, Bankrate credit cards writer

When will credit card interest rates be lower?

Interest rates have become a staple of the economic conversation in the United States over the past five years, and it’s likely because the Federal Reserve dominates the spotlight every few months as consumers hope for lower rates. The Federal prime rate determines how much you pay for a mortgage, credit card APRs, personal loan rates, business loan rates and the rates for several other financial lending products.

The Fed’s decision, however, doesn’t really change credit card interest rates all that much. After all, credit card APRs are nearly 20 percent and the Fed (if it chooses to) typically moves the needle only a quarter of a percentage point. Even if we see interest rates drop by 0.25 percentage points every quarter for the next year, interest rates for most low-interest credit cards will still be more than 18 percent.

Credit card interest rates have always been relatively high, they’re just much higher today than they’ve been before so it will take a long time before they’re down to what most might consider to be a reasonable number. For instance, Bankrate historical data shows that the last time rates were lower than 17 percent was during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 and 2021. It’s unlikely that any rate you see today will drop by a lot in a year or two.

If you’re waiting for the Fed — or for President Trump — to lower credit card APRs substantially before applying for a credit card, you might be waiting for much longer than you realize. A great plan would be to determine the highest APR you’re comfortable with and choosing a product to match. If that number is lower than 18 percent, a credit union card will be your best option. If it’s higher, then most of the cards on this page will be great options.

BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the experts: Is it possible to get a card with a low interest rate if you have bad credit?

Erica Sandberg

Contributor, Credit Cards

There is a strong correlation between the interest rate you are eligible for and your credit score. The higher your credit score is, the better the rate issuers offer you might be. Even if your credit score is poor, however, you won't be charged any interest if you keep the balance to zero. Most cards will give you a 25 to 30 day grace period. It won’t matter how high your interest rate is, issuers won’t charge finance fees as long as you pay your bill in full before or by the due date. The more you do that, your credit score should rise, so if and when you want a new credit card with a low APR, you will be in a better position to qualify.

The information about the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Frequently asked questions about low-interest credit cards

An easy way to determine whether your card has a desirable interest rate is to compare it to average credit card APRs. Currently, anything at or under 20 percent qualifies as a good interest rate for most consumers.

Your creditworthiness and financial health play an essential role in the interest rate on your credit card. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate could be.
With low-interest credit cards, the ongoing interest rate is lower than most other credit cards, on average. It may or may not include an intro APR offer. On the other hand, 0 percent interest credit cards are zero-interest for a certain time after opening the account, and then the regular APR kicks in, which may or may not be low.

If your goal is strictly paying down debt, a 0 percent intro APR card definitely gives you an edge. However, if unexpected expenses raise your balance after the offer is over, it would be better to have a low-interest card.
People make mistakes. Sometimes, we forget to pay a bill, or we miss that grace period by a day. In times of widespread economic uncertainty, credit card issuers are offering assistance more than usual, making it possible to waive an interest charge. The only way to know if your credit card company will allow this is to ask, but make sure to keep your personal credit history in mind as you do.

Review your creditworthiness and financial health before you call up your card issuer. If you don’t regularly carry a balance, there is a chance that your issuer may waive the charge. Your issuer may be less likely to waive interest or late fees if you have a substantial balance. If this is the case, a balance transfer card may be worth considering to help avoid APR temporarily while you chip away at your debt.
The Federal Reserve’s prime rate influences credit card interest rates, and the prime rate changes based on the judgment of federal regulators. Such decisions are largely based on the state of the national economy.
It depends on your goals. If you’re in a good place with your credit or don’t carry debt month-to-month, a cash back credit card can be a great advantage. However, if you want a long-term plan to pay off your debt, a cash back card can distract or tempt you to spend more. In that case, it’s better to use a low-interest credit card.

How we assess the best low-interest credit cards

When evaluating the best balance transfer and low-interest cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders.

This includes users who need to carry a balance long term, need as much time as possible to chip away at debt or are looking for maximum long-term value via rewards.

We analyzed over 100 of the most popular balance transfer and low-interest cards and scored each based on its introductory APR, intro APR period length, ongoing APR, balance transfer fee, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for low-interest cards:

Overall Score

Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 40%
Ongoing APR 35%
Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 13%
Balance transfer, annual and other fees 12%

The primary factor in a balance transfer or low-interest card’s rating and its inclusion in our list is the quality of its introductory APR offer and ongoing APR. This includes both the introductory rate itself and the length of the intro APR on both balance transfers and new purchases.

For cards designed primarily for balance transfers, the intro APR offer on balance transfers has the largest impact on overall score. The quality of these cards’ intro APR on new purchases is also considered, but holds less weight than the intro APR on balance transfers.

For general low-interest cards, the intro APR offer on new purchases has the largest impact on overall score, followed by the ongoing APR and intro APR offer on balance transfers. This weighting assumes cardholders considering a card in this category will prioritize payment flexibility on new purchases or may need to carry a balance long term, whereas cardholders trying to pay off debt will opt for a dedicated balance transfer card.

The cards that score the highest in these categories and are most likely to be included in our list tend to offer long 0 percent intro APRs on both balance transfer and new purchases as well as a lower-than-average low-end APR.
Along with evaluating each card’s intro APR offers, we score balance transfer and low-interest cards based on their fees.

Of primary importance is a card’s balance transfer fee, since this can play a large role in the total cost of a balance transfer. We rate each card’s balance transfer fee based on how it stacks up against the fee you’ll find on competing cards.

While this fee carries less weight when we assess general low-interest cards than dedicated balance transfer cards, it still factors into our evaluation since cardholders may decide to transfer debt to a low-interest card even if it offers no intro APR or an intro APR higher than 0 percent.

And while a lower balance transfer fee could save you more overall than a few extra months of 0 percent intro APR, this fee carries less weight in our scoring system than a card’s introductory APR and intro APR period. This is because many users prioritize getting as much time as possible to pay off debt while avoiding interest.

Other fees considered in our assessment include the presence of annual, foreign transaction, cash advance and late payment fees, along with penalty APRs. Annual fees are weighted most heavily since these are the only “unavoidable” fees in the list and tend to be less common on dedicated balance transfer and low-interest credit cards.
While getting a generous intro APR offer and low ongoing APR are likely to be the biggest priorities for someone looking for a low-interest or balance transfer card, we also consider how much value a card can offer after its intro APR comes to an end.

Balance transfer and low-interest cards receive a higher rating and are more likely to be included in our list of best cards if they also include an ongoing rewards program or unique and valuable perks. Such features make a card more useful long term and make it less likely you’ll need to apply for a new card (and temporarily hurt your credit score) after you pay off debt.

With this in mind, our best cards list often includes a number of rewards and cash back cards alongside dedicated balance transfer cards. These cards tend to offer slightly shorter intro APR periods, but could help you save more overall, either via rewards earned on everyday spending, valuable perks or a lower balance transfer fee.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “Credit Union Locator.” National Credit Union Administration. Accessed on May 27, 2025.
2. “Average Credit Card Debt Increases 3.5% to $6,730 in 2024.” Experian. Accessed on May 27, 2025.

*The information about the Citi Rewards+® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Best low-interest credit cards for June 2025

+ Show Summary

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Discover it® Cash Back

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Gold Visa® Card