Best 0% APR business credit cards for December 2024
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A 0% APR business credit card gives you the opportunity to make purchases and pay no interest for a period of 9, 12, or even 15 months after account opening. This means you don't need to pay the balance in full every month to avoid interest during this time.
At Ramp, we know a thing or two about business credit cards. In this guide, we'll cover the top 0% APR credit card issuers for business owners, along with how to choose the right one for you. Plus, we'll offer some tips for increasing your chances of qualifying for these card offers.
The best low and 0% APR business credit cards in 2024
The Ramp Business Credit Card is designed to help you streamline expenses and optimize your company's financial resources. With 0% APR and no fees, Ramp offers a straightforward solution for managing your spending.
The card integrates seamlessly with your accounting software, providing real-time insights and automated expense management. Plus, with cashback on purchases, you can save more as you spend. Ramp focuses on simplicity and efficiency, empowering you to make better financial decisions without unnecessary costs.
Key features:
- 0% APR and no fees
- Cashback on purchases
- Automated expense management with real-time insights
- Seamless integration with major accounting software
- Virtual and physical cards with custom spending limits
- Built-in expense policies and approvals
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard lets you customize your cashback rewards, aligning them with your business spending. It provides a 0% introductory APR on purchases, helping you manage cash flow without interest charges initially.
Possible drawbacks include that the higher cashback rates are limited to the first $50,000 in combined purchases per year. The introductory APR period is shorter than some competitors, and certain benefits may require a Bank of America business checking account.
Key features:
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles
- No annual fee
- Earn 3% cashback in one choice category, 2% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases
- Option to choose your 3% cashback category monthly
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, providing flexibility in managing your cash flow. With no annual fee, it's designed to help you minimize expenses while accessing credit for essential business needs.
Possible drawbacks include the lack of a rewards program, so you won't earn cashback or points on your purchases. There's also a balance transfer fee, and the standard APR after the introductory period may be high.
Key features:
- 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles
- No annual fee
- Online account management tools
- Fraud protection and security features
The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, allowing businesses to manage expenses without accruing interest. With no annual fee, the card provides unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, simplifying rewards without category restrictions.
Possible drawbacks include a relatively modest rewards rate compared to cards with higher earnings in specific spending categories. Additionally, while the introductory APR is beneficial, businesses with significant travel needs may find more value in cards offering category-specific bonuses beyond Capital One Travel.
Key features:
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free employee cards with spending controls
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, providing businesses with an interest-free period to manage expenses. With no annual fee, it allows for cost-effective spending while earning unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, simplifying rewards without the need to track bonus categories.
However, the card imposes a 3% foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international use. Additionally, while the 1.5% cash back rate is straightforward, other cards may offer higher rewards in specific categories. To maximize the value of earned rewards, pairing this card with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards® card is beneficial, as it enables point transfers to travel partners.
Key features:
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Free employee cards with individual spending limits
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
Summary of the best low and 0% APR business credit cards in 2024
How does APR work on a business credit card?
Small business credit cards typically have annual interest rate you'll pay if you carry a balance on your card. Cardholders usually can't get 0% interest on a business credit card long-term, though many come with an introductory 0% APR period.
In addition to the annual rate, there are a few other forms of APR that you should be aware of:
- Monthly APR: This is calculated by dividing your APR by 12 and then multiplying that number by your credit card balance.
- Daily Periodic Rate (DPR): Instead of dividing your interest per month or calendar year, DPR spreads it out over the course of the month.
- Variable APR: Most APR rates are fixed, but some credit cards offer variable APRs that fluctuate based on what’s happening in an index fund or other financial markets.
How to use balance transfers on 0% APR business credit cards
You might consider doing a balance transfer if most of your debt from one card can be paid off on the other before its intro APR period ends, or if one card has a lower interest rate.
Some business credit cards allow balance transfers during their introductory APR period. You'll need to read through their terms to check if balance transfers are allowed.
Here are some pros and cons of balance transfers:
Pros:
- Lower interest rates. If you’re currently paying 22% in APR, performing a balance transfer to a card that charges even a tiny percentage less in fees can help cut costs substantially.
- Added convenience. If you have multiple credit cards with different providers, consolidating them into just one or two cards can help you more easily track payments and save on fees.
- Lower credit utilization. Increasing your amount of available credit through a balance transfer can help build your credit score.
Cons:
- Balance transfer fees. While some credit card companies offer free balance transfers, others can charge between 3–5%.
- Reduced average account age. A long credit history will reflect positively on your credit score. Reducing it through a balance transfer could have a negative impact.
- Hard inquiry on your credit report. Applying for any new credit card will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Hard inquiries can temporarily reduce your score, so consider limiting yourself to one new card for a balance transfer.
What to consider when selecting a 0% APR business credit card
To pick the best 0% APR card for your company, consider these factors:
- Rewards: The card you choose should offer rewards on purchases you actually make, whether that's in categories like travel, office supplies, or software. Or, consider a card with universal cashback on purchases.
- The 0% APR period length: Figure out how long you'll need 0% APR if you plan to initiate a balance transfer.
- Balance transfer option: Does the card apply the 0% introductory APR to balance transfers? If not, how much is the balance transfer fee?
- Additional fees: Look at the card's fixed and annual costs. Some cards have annual fees, but these may come with impressive rewards programs. Most cards have late fees and spending limits, so examine these to avoid overpaying.
- Variable APR: Cards with a 0% APR period will eventually transition to a standard APR, so try to choose one with a lower interest range.
Tips for maximizing your chances of qualifying for a 0% APR business credit card
Smaller businesses with a shorter credit history can have a hard time applying for certain business credit cards. Here are some steps you can take to maximize your chances of qualifying:
- Check and maintain your credit score. When applying for a business credit card, your personal credit score is also looked at, especially for newer businesses. Make sure you're not maxing out any cards you already have to maintain your credit score.
- Limit your credit card applications to avoid impacting your credit score. Remember that no matter the amount of APR on the card, applying for new credit cards will result in a hard inquiry of your credit. Multiple inquires could result in a short-term negative impact on your business credit score.
- Look for cards that approve based on sales. If you run an ecommerce business, you may qualify for a Ramp card based on your sales history, even if you don't qualify for other cards.
Get 0% APR with Ramp’s Business Credit Card
0% APR business credit cards can lead to overspending and debt if not used responsibly.
The Ramp Business Credit Card has 0% APR and offer businesses an average savings of 5%. Our cards are also connected to expense management software to help you cut costs and automate your expense reporting.
FAQs
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- Cashback rewards on purchases
- No personal guarantee or credit check required for eligibility
- Automated expense management features like spending limits and receipt-matching
- Integration with accounting platforms including NetSuite, Quickbooks, and Xero
- Offers AI-powered cost-saving insights
- Provides up to 30% higher credit limits than traditional credit cards
- Unlimited physical and virtual employee cards
- Primarily focused on cost-cutting, which might not suit all business needs
- Geared mainly towards U.S. businesses, which may limit its appeal for international transactions
- 3% cashback in the rewards category of your choice (choose from gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV, telecom, wireless, computer services and business consulting services) default category is gas stations
- 2% cashback on dining purchases (Earn 3% and 2% cashback in the combined choice category and dining purchases up to $50,000)
- Unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases
- Cardholders with a Bank of America checking account can earn up to 75% more rewards
- Foreign transaction fee makes it difficult to take this card overseas
- 9 months 0% intro APR period is shorter than competing cards
- 0% Intro APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- Intro APR applied to purchases and balance transfers
- Earn 3% cashback on eligible purchases at gas stations/EV charging stations, restaurants, cell phone service providers, and office supply stores
- 1% cashback on all other business purchases
- No limit on cashback earned
- Lacks benefits outside of cashback rewards
- Requires high credit score for lackluster rewards
- Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all business purchases
- Rewards never expire
- Welcome bonus if you spend enough in the first 3 months of account opening
- No bonus reward categories
- Not the best card for balance transfers
- 1.5% cashback rewards on purchases
- 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Free employee cards
- Ability to set up spend control limits for employee cards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks variety of bonus rewards categories
- 0% intro APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- No interest charges or fees
- Cashback on purchases
- Advanced expense management features
- Unlimited cards for employees
- Focus on automation and efficiency
- Requires a business bank account for qualification
- Business must be based in the U.S.
- Long 0% introductory APR period
- No annual fee
- Helpful for balance transfers and large purchases
- No rewards program
- Balance transfer fees apply
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Simple, flat-rate cash back
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period aids in managing large purchases
- Foreign transaction fees apply
- Higher rewards available with other cards in specific categories
- Optimal rewards redemption requires pairing with a premium Chase card
- No annual fee
- Unlimited, straightforward cash back on all purchases
- Introductory APR supports initial business expenses
- Lower rewards rate compared to category-specific cards
- Highest rewards limited to Capital One Travel bookings
- Customizable cashback categories
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases
- Cashback rewards have spending caps
- Shorter 0% APR period
- Benefits may be tied to a Bank of America account