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.

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.

What will my credit card interest rate be?

In most cases, you won’t know your credit card APR until you are approved for a credit card. When you apply for a card, the issuer pulls your credit report and determines your APR, so your credit score has a significant influence.

Best Low-Interest Credit Cards of September 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	4.1 / 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 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	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
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	3.6 / 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 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	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 Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Gold Visa® Card	Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR	Credit union customers

On This Page

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.

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.

Learn more: How is credit card interest calculated?

When is a low-interest credit card helpful?

A low-interest card is helpful for keeping interest charges at a more manageable level. Although credit card interest rates are all quite high, a card with a lower-than-average interest rate is your best chance at saving money if you currently have credit card debt or are making purchases while carrying a balance. Here are some situations that a low-interest credit card can help ease the burden of interest charges:

You carry credit card debt over several billing cycles.
You have new purchases coming up and you can’t pay them off right away.
Your current credit card interest rate is more than 20 percent.

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.

You might also consider a credit card with an introductory zero interest period. These cards can be helpful for managing debt too, but these offers are temporary. Low-interest credit cards are better products for long-term debt management.

Features of the best low-interest cards

A low interest card lets you carry a balance with minimal charges. These cards don’t usually have high rewards rates and flashy perks, but they’re great for long-term stability with minimal interest. Here's what to look for:

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

You might be surprised by how much low-interest credit cards can save you compared to cards with higher APRs. Our minimum payment calculator can help you figure out the specifics of your unique financial situation.

If you’re not sure where to start comparing a low-interest card and another card using your current balance(s), here is how one of our low-interest cards compares to a rewards card and a credit union card using average credit card debt from Experian's most recent report. Cards from credit unions can be very cost-effective and typically have rates well below the current average. 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
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*	10.99% - 18.00% (Variable)	0.030%	$6,730	$61.05
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	19.99% - 28.24% Variable	0.058%	$6,730	$111.46
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.

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

Your local credit unions likely offer cards with more favorable rates than what major issuers offer. Credit unions usually have specific membership eligibility requirements, so you’ll want to research your options before you apply.

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 from issuers like American Express, Capital One, Citi, Wells Fargo, Chase and Discover.

If you’re unwilling to explore options from credit unions, your best chance at a credit card with the lowest interest rate will be to increase your credit score and improve your creditworthiness 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 rates.

Can I get a lower credit card APR?

You can negotiate a lower credit card APR with your issuer after improving your credit profile. If you’ve increased your score since your original application, call your issuers to see if you can get a lower interest rate.

If your issuers deny you a lower credit card APR, you can always apply for a new credit card. You may qualify for a lower APR, but you won't be expected to follow through with opening an account if you don't like your offer. However, a credit union is likely to offer a lower APR than the major issuers even if you do negotiate a lower APR successfully. Be sure to explore your options.

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

Here's why Bankrate staff hold on to their low-interest credit cards for years, even if they don't always use them for purchases.

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

I have an open credit card with Summit Credit Union from when I banked with them ages ago. There's no annual fee, and the card's 14.90 percent APR is significantly below industry averages. I don't charge anything to the card, but it gives me peace of mind to know that the credit line is available in case of a major emergency that exceeds my savings.

Sarah Gage, Bankrate credit cards managing editor

My low-interest card is the Harvard Alumni World MasterCard®*, administered through the Harvard University credit union. I was invited to get it about the time I had a big reunion coming up, about a decade ago. I had to join the credit union, but for a mere $5 savings account, I got this card with a juicy 5-figure credit line and no annual fee! The terms were much better than I could’ve qualified for at the time.

Troy Segal, Bankrate mortgages senior editor

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.

Ask the Experts

Should everyone have a low interest credit card?

Rick Conyers

Assistant vice president of credit card products, Navy Federal Credit Union

A low-interest credit card can be a smart financial tool for many people, particularly if you tend to carry a balance month to month. If you’re in the market for big-ticket items and looking to keep your debt levels manageable, a low-interest card can help reduce the amount you pay in interest. It’s also a great option during periods of large or unexpected expenses where paying the balance immediately isn’t realistic, making it easier to manage debt and maintain financial stability. If you tend to pay your balance in full each month you may find greater value in cards that deliver value through competitive cash back and points without annual fees.

Balance transfers are another feature of some low-interest credit cards, which allows you to consolidate balances from high-interest debt onto a single, lower-interest credit card. This can make it easier to pay off debt and combine multiple monthly payments into just one. The best balance transfer cards have no fees, extremely low interest during the intro period and a low APR after the intro period expires.

Julie R. Bates

CFP Board Ambassador and managing director, Delta Community Retirement & Investment Services

No, not everyone needs one — but some people absolutely benefit from having one. If you occasionally carry a balance, a lower interest rate can reduce the cost of borrowing and prevent debt from snowballing. But for someone who pays their balance in full each month, the interest rate is largely irrelevant because it never comes into play. What matters most is understanding your own habits and building your credit strategy around them. A low-interest card isn’t a must-have — it’s a smart option if it fits your needs.

Rod Griffin

Senior director of public education and advocacy,  Experian

Whether or not you should have a credit card depends on your individual financial situation and habits. With that said, credit cards can be a powerful tool to help reach your financial goals, when managed responsibly. It can help you build credit, allow you to potentially earn rewards, and they usually offer better fraud protection than your debit card.

Ideally, you should pay off your credit card in full each month, meaning you never pay interest. However, having a low-interest credit card is preferable to a high interest one. With a low interest rate, you may have peace of mind knowing that you are accruing less interest charges if you carry a balance. A lower interest rate can help you pay off your credit card faster and pay less in overall interest charges in the long run.

When just starting to build credit, it may be difficult to qualify for a low interest credit card. For that reason, the interest rate may not be the primary consideration. If you make small purchases and pay the balance in full each month, you won’t have to pay interest, so the rate itself won’t matter. As you build your history, you will eventually be able to qualify for lower interest rate cards, at which time you may choose to move to a new account.

The information about the Harvard Alumni World MasterCard® and 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.
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.
In most cases, you won’t know your credit card APR until you are approved for a credit card. When you apply for a card, the issuer pulls your credit report and determines your APR, so your credit score has a significant influence.

How we choose the best low-interest credit cards

100+

card ratings

400+

APRs tracked

3000

data points analyzed

40+

perks evaluated

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

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 July 17, 2025.
2. “Average Credit Card Debt Increases 3.5% to $6,730 in 2024.” Experian. Accessed on July 17, 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 September 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