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Best 0% APR business credit cards of 2023 – USA TODAY Blueprint


Usually zeros aren’t great for your business, except when it refers to a 0% APR offer on your credit card. A 0% APR business credit card is a great way to manage business expenses and maximize cash flow. A low interest rate makes it easier to finance large purchases or consolidate existing debt without having to pay additional fees.

The best 0% APR business credit cards offer long introductory periods, generous rewards programs and low annual fees. Additionally, many of these cards come with perks like cash-back bonuses that can be used towards spending and travel. We analyzed a broad swath of credit cards in this category, from a variety of issuers, to curate a list of the very best. Here are our selections.

Best 0% APR business credit cards of April 2023

Compare the best business cards for 0% APR


Best overall: U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard

Card highlights

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard tops our list because it’s the only business card offering a 0% APR for over a year. While most other business cards offer a 12-month intro period, this card has an intro APR for 15 billing cycles. It is also the only card extending that 0% offer to balance transfers too. Note that after the intro APR expires, you’ll have a variable APR of 18.74% – 27.74%.

Cardholders also earn generous rewards on travel and business spending. Plus, the card has no annual fee, yet it provides an annual $100 software credit.

Annual fee: $0.

Intro APR offer: 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then 18.74% – 27.74% variable APR. A 3% balance transfer fee with a $5 minimum applies.

Rewards: 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and rental cars through the Travel Rewards Center; 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cellphone service providers and restaurants; 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome bonus: $500 after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days of account opening.


Best for typical business spending: Ink Business Cash credit card

Card highlights

The Ink Business Cash credit card is a great option for small business owners seeking a low introductory APR for 12 months on purchases. 

The card offers rewards across multiple common areas of business spending, making it a rewarding option for business owners even past the promo period. You earn elevated rewards for spending at office supply stores, gas stations and restaurants, as well as for  internet, cable and phone services.

​​Annual fee: $0.

Intro APR offer: 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.99% – 23.99% variable APR.

Rewards: 5% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each year and 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year. 1% back on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus: $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.


Best for simple rewards: Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Card highlights

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express (terms apply) is a great choice for small business owners looking for a straightforward rewards card with a 0% APR offer. The rewards are simple: 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar. The rewards cap out after you spend $50,000 a year, and then you earn 1 point per dollar. 

This card has no annual fee. It also provides access to expanded buying capabilities if you occasionally need to make a bigger-than-usual purchase.

Annual fee: $0.

Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.99% – 25.99% variable APR.

Rewards: 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar.

Welcome bonus: 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.


Best for ongoing flexible financing: Amazon Prime Business American Express Card

Card highlights

While the Amazon Prime Business American Express Card doesn’t have a traditional 0% APR offer, it is a great choice for businesses that want to finance a purchase over time on multiple occasions. With this card, you can earn elevated rewards of 5% cash back on Amazon spending or opt for 90 days of financing in lieu of the 5% bonus every time you make a purchase. 

Annual fee: $0, but a Business Prime membership, which starts at $69 annually, is required to apply for the card.

Intro APR offer: N/A.

Rewards: 5% back on select U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market (limits apply); 2% back at U.S. restaurants, gas stations and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers; 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome bonus: $125 Amazon gift card.


Best for a great welcome offer: Ink Business Unlimited

Card highlights

The Ink Business Unlimited offers a intro APR period plus earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The card has a generous welcome bonus on top of the low intro APR offer, making it a boon to business owners seeking a card that can benefit their bottom line.

Annual fee: $0.

Intro APR: 0% intro APR on new purchases for 12 months, then a 17.99% – 23.99% variable APR.

Rewards: 1.5% back.

Welcome bonus: $750 after spending $6,000 in the first three months.


Should you get a 0% APR business credit card?

A 0% APR card can be a great option for any business that wants to make a purchase and pay it off over time. However, it’s important to read the fine print and understand what the APR will be after the introductory period ends. If you’re still carrying a balance after the intro period, you’ll likely be paying a painful interest rate. A 0% APR offer is best used when you know you can pay off the balance before the offer ends.

It’s also important to note that generally you’ll need a good credit history to be approved for a business card with 0% APR.

Guide to 0% APR business credit cards

A 0% APR offer can be a great way to finance large business expenses without incurring any interest charges. But, it’s important to understand what that 0% means. APR stands for “annual percentage rate” and it’s the amount of interest that is charged on any balance that isn’t paid off in full each month. 

With a 0% APR you won’t pay interest on a balance, so you can pay off large purchases over time without accumulating debt. A 0% APR offer typically lasts between six to 15 months on purchases, balance transfers or both. When that introductory period expires, the card’s standard variable APR will apply to any balance that’s left on the card and any future purchases made.

Many of these cards come with rewards programs or other benefits that make them even more attractive for business owners looking for financing options. In order to qualify for a 0% APR business credit card, generally you must have a good credit score.

Methodology

Our credit cards team spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each 0% APR business card product. Our analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we evaluated when selecting the top 0% APR business cards included:

  • Intro offer length. 
  • Inclusion of both balance transfer and purchase APR.
  • Annual fee.
  • Rewards value. 
  • Card value after the intro APR expires. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

A 0% purchase APR is good for small businesses that need flexibility to repay their debts. Some credit cards offer up to 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. This can be a great opportunity for cardholders to pay off debt without accruing high amounts of interest.

You don’t necessarily need to have a business credit history to qualify for a business credit card. Most issuers will ask you to personally guarantee the debt on a small business credit card. Some issuers will check your personal credit score to determine your creditworthiness for your business card application.

At the time of writing, there is not a small business credit card on the market offering no interest for 24 months. The longest zero-interest period is offered by the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard, which offers 0% interest for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers and then a 18.74% – 27.74% variable APR.



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