What happens when my 0% APR period ends?

CNBC

28-05-2025

A 0% APR credit card can be a helpful financial tool when you need to finance a large purchase or consolidate outstanding credit card balances. You can get up to 24 months of zero interest, making it easier to make payments over a longer period without going into debt.
But these types of credit cards are really only best utilized when you have a payment plan in place so that when the introductory 0% APR period ends, you're not then collecting interest on a large balance. Here's more on what happens when your interest-free period ends, plus how to manage a possible ongoing balance when that happens.
Whether you're using a 0% APR card that offers an interest-free period on new purchases, balance transfers or both, that grace period doesn't last forever. Some credit cards offer introductory 0% APR periods for as little as 12 months while some offer periods for as long as two years.
If you're looking for a card with a shorter 0% APR window, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (after, 19.24%, 24.24% or 29.24% variable APR) and earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, plus the card has a $0 annual fee.
On Wells Fargo's site
On Wells Fargo's site
Good to Excellent670–850
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
$0
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is great if you want simplicity thanks to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases and $0 annual fee.Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
3%
If you'd prefer one that gives you a bit more time, the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card has an intro 0% APR on purchases and eligible balance transfers that's double the length, lasting 24 billing cycles (after, 17.74% to 28.74% variable APR). The card comes with 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center and a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.
Personal and small business credit cards issued by U.S. Bank are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.
Personal and small business credit cards issued by U.S. Bank are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.
U.S. Bank cards are currently not available on CNBC Select but you can check out our marketplace to compare offers from other issuers including American Express and Chase.
Good to Excellent670–850
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See terms
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*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Information about personal and small business credit cards issued by U.S. Bank has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Regardless of the time frame, once your APR period ends, you'll begin accruing interest on any unpaid balance at the rate listed on your card's agreement terms. (You can often find this rate via your online account or contact your issuer directly.)
This is why we always suggest having a specific plan in place to pay off your balance by the time the 0% APR period ends. One example is dividing how much you owe over the number of months in the APR period, so you know how much to pay each month to get to zero before interest kicks in. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with a ballooning balance now due that's going to start collecting double-digit interest.
And don't forget that even with a 0% APR card, you still have to make monthly minimum payments at the very least. An issuer can end the interest-free period if you miss a credit card payment.
So, you weren't able to tackle the entire balance by the time your 0% APR period ended; now what?
While this seems like the obvious answer, with how high credit card interest rates can be, this type of debt should almost always be your priority. This is sometimes referred to as the avalanche method, which entails paying off the debt that has the highest APR first.
If you're at a point where you're considering outside help, exploring some debt relief companies can at least provide you with some more information. These companies negotiate with your creditors to help get your balance lowered, but the negotiation can come with some hoops you have to jump through, and success isn't always guaranteed.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.Freedom Debt Relief has resolved over $19 billion in outstanding debts since 2002. It offers free credit card debt relief consultations.Started in 2011, Accredited Debt Relief has helped clients resolve over $1 billion in debt.
While you can request an extension via your financial institution, it's unlikely that this would be approved, but there are some credit card fees you might be able to waive.
Yes, it's generally recommended to keep the credit card open to help boost your available credit and credit history, with an exception being for high-annual-fee cards that you don't intend to use.
The length of your exact 0% APR period is determined by the card you're approved for, but six to 24 months, or billing cycles, is a common range.
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