Travel rewards credit cards rarely team up with 0% introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers, yet each feature alone holds immense appeal. Merge the allure of travel rewards with a no-interest introductory period, and you get a card that packs a punch for savvy travelers aiming to stretch their dollars further on the road.
Leading Travel Cards That Serve Up 0% Intro APR Deals
We scoured the market and handpicked standout credit cards boasting at least a 12-month 0% APR deal, along with lucrative travel rewards schemes, ensuring you make the most of your spending.
Effortless Travel Rewards — Best for Simplicity
- Bankrate rating: 4.0/5
- Recommended credit score: 670 – 850
- Introductory Offer: 20,000 bonus points
- Rewards Rate: 1X – 3X points
- Annual Fee: $0
- Standard APR: 19.24% to 29.24% Variable
Reward Breakdown:
Earn an uncapped 3X points on dining, travel, gas stations, transit fares, popular streaming platforms, and phone plans. Other purchases earn 1X points.
Bankrate’s take: This card delivers solid value, translating to roughly 3 cents per dollar spent in bonus categories. With zero annual fees, it’s a cost-effective way to rack up rewards swiftly.
Perks & Pitfalls
- Pros: Points accumulate on a wider range of everyday expenses compared to many rivals. Combined with a juicy welcome bonus and intro APR, it’s a great deal for a no-fee card.
- Cons: Travel benefits are modest versus other travel cards, and longer 0% APR windows on purchases and balance transfers exist on some no-fee cards elsewhere.
Key Features
- Snag 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the initial 3 months (valued at $200 when redeemed as cash back).
- Earn unlimited 3X points on high-impact categories and 1X points elsewhere.
- No annual charge.
- 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, followed by a variable APR range of 19.24% to 29.24%.
- Cell phone protection up to $600 for damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Redeem points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or shop online with PayPal.
- Enjoy 24/7 concierge access for booking tickets to events, travel plans, and dining reservations.
Best All-Rounder for Purchases and Balance Transfers
- Cardholder Rating: 4.3/5
- Bankrate Score: 4.1/5
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 – 850
- Intro Deal: 20,000 bonus miles
- Rewards Rate: 1.25X – 5X miles
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 19.24% to 29.24% Variable
Reward Highlights:
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked via the issuer’s travel portal, with unlimited 1.25X miles on every other purchase.
Insider view: This card flexes its muscles by offering a dual 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, paired with a no-annual-fee structure. It’s a versatile pick for those looking to balance new purchases with settling existing debt.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Pros: The ability to transfer miles to numerous travel partners enhances your redemption options. The intro APR window buys you breathing room financially.
- Cons: It lacks premium perks like trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Additionally, the flat miles rate is less generous than the usual 1.5X many flat-rate cards dish out, and miles lose value outside travel redemptions.
Card Specifics
- No annual fee or foreign transaction charges.
- Limited-time $100 travel credit for flights, stays, and rentals booked through the travel portal during your first year.
- 20,000 bonus miles after $500 spent in 3 months.
- Unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases.
- Miles never expire and no earning cap applies.
- 5X miles on select bookings via the portal.
- Miles can reimburse any travel purchase or be redeemed by booking travel.
- Choose from over 15 travel loyalty programs to transfer miles.
- 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply).
Standout Welcome Bonus — Best for New Cardholders
- Bankrate Rating: 3.9/5
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 – 850
- Intro Offer: Discover Match® (miles doubling in the first year)
- Rewards Rate: 1.5X miles
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 18.24% – 27.24% Variable
Rewards Snapshot:
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase without fuss over rotating or bonus categories.
Expert take: The flat-rate reward structure suits travelers wanting simplicity over complexity. Plus, the Discover Match doubles all miles earned in your first year, which can effectively amplify rewards on big-ticket travel purchases.
Advantages & Drawbacks
- Pros: Flexible redemption options let you cash out miles at a 1:1 rate without losing value. Unlimited miles and no annual fees enhance value for casual travelers.
- Cons: No ability to transfer miles to airline loyalty programs, limiting redemption possibilities. Also, missing travel protections like trip interruption coverage found in other no-fee cards.
Card Details
- Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match in the first year, no hoops to jump through.
- 1.5x miles on every purchase, forever.
- No annual fees attached.
- Redeem miles as cash or as statement credits for travel-related expenses.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases, then revert to standard rates.
Hands-Free Cash Back — Best for Effortless Rewards
- Bankrate Score: 4.4/5
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 – 850
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR: 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
- Intro Bonus: $200
- Rewards: 1% – 5% cash back
Reward Details:
- 5% cash back on your top eligible category per billing cycle (up to $500 spent), then 1% thereafter.
- Special 4% travel bonus on bookings via Citi Travel℠ portal through mid-2026.
- 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Bankrate’s perspective: This card boasts potentially the highest ongoing no-fee rewards rate across several purchase categories, automatically applying the best rate each billing statement. However, the cap on bonus category spending and limitation to one top category per cycle may reduce your total rewards.
Best for Extended 0% APR Periods
- Cardholder Rating: 4.4/5
- Bankrate Score: 3.8/5
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 – 850
- Intro Offer: $200
- Rewards Rate: 1% – 6%
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
Rewards Snapshot:
- 6% cash back in your chosen category for the first year.
- 3% cash back in that category after year one.
- 2% back on groceries and wholesale club purchases.
- 1% on all other spend.
Market insight: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card lets you tailor your highest earning categories, including travel. Its generous intro APR window suits those planning to finance purchases or carry balance transfers.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Preferred Rewards members can amplify cash back by up to 75%. The long interest-free period on purchases and balance transfers is ideal for managing expenses.
- Cons: Quarterly spending caps may restrict earning potential. Other cards might trump it on welcome offers or require lower spending thresholds.
Essential Information
- Pick your 6% category from options like gas stations, online shopping, dining, travel, and more.
- Earn 2% at grocery and wholesale stores, with 1% everywhere else.
- Receive $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Preferred Rewards program can boost your cash back up to 5.25% in the choice category (excludes first-year bonus).
- No annual fee; rewards don’t expire while account is open.
- 15 billing cycles 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (balance transfer fees apply).
- Contactless payment technology included.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Top Travel Cards with 0% Intro APR
| Wells Fargo Simple Rewards | $0 | 3X points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming, phone plans; 1X elsewhere | 0% APR for 12 months on purchases; then 19.24%-29.24% Variable | 670 – 850 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards | $0 | 5X miles on travel bookings; 1.25X miles all other purchases | 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply) | 670 – 850 |
| Citi Cashback | $0 | 5% cash back up to $500 in top category; 1% unlimited elsewhere | 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply) | 670 – 850 |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards | $0 | 6% first year & 3% thereafter in choice category; 2% groceries; 1% all else | 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply) | 670 – 850 |
Picking Your Perfect 0% APR Travel Credit Card
Finding the right travel credit card with a 0% introductory APR might feel less tricky than picking your next getaway spot — but it does require some focus. We suggest sizing up a few cards, weighing what perks matter most to your lifestyle.
Gauge Your Interest-Free Break
First, scope out the length of the 0% APR introductory window for each card. Does it cover purchases only, balance transfers, or both? If you’re juggling high-interest debt, lean towards a longer intro period on balance transfers for maximum savings.
To Pay or Not to Pay Annual Fees
Decide if you’re game to shell out an annual fee. While free cards are tempting, those with yearly charges often bring heftier rewards and welcome bonuses to the table, potentially offsetting the cost. Remember, the ongoing APR (interest rate after the introductory period) is usually variable, meaning it can fluctuate based on market conditions once your promo rate expires.
Get a Grip on Rewards Value
Understanding how much your points or miles are worth is key. For instance, Wells Fargo points typically hold a value of about 1 cent apiece and are mostly redeemed as cash back, while Capital One miles average around 1.7 cents each and can vary by travel partner you transfer them to.
Crunching the Value of Points and Miles
Calculate the worth of your rewards by dividing the cash price of a trip component (like a hotel night or airline ticket) by the corresponding points needed. For example, if a $300 flight costs 25,000 points, each point is worth 1.2 cents ($300 ÷ 25,000 points). Comparing this number against typical values helps decide if the redemption is smart.
Maximizing Your Interest-Free Window
- Don’t miss due dates: Zero-interest offers typically vanish if you miss payments. Any unpaid balance after the intro period often accrues interest at the regular APR. Set reminders to clear your balance on time.
- Stick to a budget: Treat the zero-interest card like any other monthly expense. Falling short on minimum payments can cancel the promotional rate, negating your advantage.
- Know your post-promo APR: If you expect to carry a balance beyond the introductory period, lean towards cards with the lowest possible ongoing APR to avoid costly interest charges.
Final Thoughts
Balancing travel rewards with a 0% introductory APR can unlock impressive savings if you play your cards right. Whether you prioritize bonus mile earnings, flexible redemption, or lengthy interest-free periods, the best travel credit card for you hinges on your personal habits and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I opt for cash back or points and miles?
It boils down to your spending style and desired perks. Travel cards shine if you plan to redeem rewards on trips or want benefits like elite status, free checked bags, hotel nights, or lounge access. Cash back cards tend to be easier to use and more flexible if your travel frequency is low.
Which categories earn the most on travel cards?
Booking travel through your card issuer’s portal often unlocks the highest rewards. Otherwise, everyday spend categories like groceries, dining, and gas frequently rank high, but it varies. Focus on cards rewarding your biggest spending habits.
How do I redeem rewards earned on these cards?
Cash back can be cashed out as direct deposits, checks, statement credits, or gift cards, often usable toward previous travel expenses. Travel reward points can cover flights, hotels, transit, and more, sometimes linked to specific airlines or hotel chains, or broadly redeemable across multiple programs.