If you're looking to pay off your credit card debt in 2020, these are the 9 best cards with intro APR offers

The best credit cards with introductory APR offers in 2020:

• Longest intro APR offer: Citi Simplicity® Card
• Best for earning cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card
• Best for everyday spending if you like Chase points: Chase Freedom Unlimited
• Best for cash back, if you work for it: Chase Freedom
• Best for no balance transfer fee: Chase Slate
• Best for maximizing popular spending categories: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  
• Strong cash back with no bonus categories: Capital One® QuickSilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Strong cash back on dining: Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for rotating cash-back categories: Discover it® Cash Back

The holidays may be over, but your financial problems may have just begun. Many Americans will start this new year and the new decade with lingering credit card bills, and a lot more financial stress. Unfortunately, credit card debt tends to be worse before it gets better - that is, unless you take drastic action to make it disappear.

Believe it or not, another credit card may be exactly what you need to pay off debt for good. The key is finding the right type of credit card, then using it to its full potential.

Of course, we're talking about balance transfer credit cards, specifically those that offer intro APR periods. Cards in this niche let you pay 0% APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both for a limited timeframe that can range from nine to 21 months.

Some cards that allow 0% balance transfers require a balance transfer fee of 3% or 5% upfront, but the interest savings can easily outweigh the fee by hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If you want to make the most of a credit card's intro APR offer, there are a few rules to follow:

• Know your offer. Make sure to read the fine print and understand exactly how long your offer lasts. Also make sure you understand what your new interest rate will be once the 0% APR comes to a screeching halt. 

• Take debt repayment seriously. Pay down all your debt (or as much debt as you can) before your 0% offer runs out. Once it ends, your card's APR will revert to the standard variable rate, which is much higher.

• Stop using credit cards. While it can make sense to use a 0% APR credit for a large expense if you get zero interest on purchases for a limited time, it's best to avoid using cards for regular purchases unless you have the cash to pay your credit card balance off in full each month. If you let 0% APR go to your head, you could wind up with a ton of new debt you didn't plan for. 


Whether your goal is paying off a large purchase without interest for a limited time or consolidating high interest debt on a new card that gives you 0% APR, there are a ton of options to consider. Here are the most lucrative offers of 2020:

Citi Simplicity card

The Citi Simplicity card doesn't offer any rewards, but it does offer the longest 0% introductory offer on the market today. A balance transfer fee of 5% (a minimum of $5) applies, but this card is still ideal for anyone with a ton of high-interest debt they want to consolidate and pay down over time.

Introductory APR offer: Qualify for 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months and purchases for 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24%


Balance transfer fee: 5% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Citi Simplicity card »

Citi Double Cash Card

The Citi Double Cash card is popular with consumers since it offers 2% back for everything you buy - 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. You'll also secure a lucrative 0% APR offer that can help you save thousands of dollars on interest for a limited time.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%


Balance transfer fee: 3% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Citi Double Cash card »

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Freedom Unlimited starts new customers off with $200 in bonus cash when they spend $500 within three months of account opening. They can also earn 1.5% back for each dollar they spend, which can add up fast. When you consider the card's intro APR offer, it's easy to see why it's best for consumers who want to earn rewards on a big purchase and pay down their balance without any interest over time.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 16.49% to 25.24%


Balance transfer fee: Intro 3% fee on balances transferred within 60 days (minimum $5); after that 5% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited »

Chase Slate

The Chase Slate credit card is popular thanks to its lucrative 0% APR offer and the fact there are no balance transfer fees for a limited time. You won't earn any rewards, so this card is geared to consumers who want to pay down debt without interest and without any other out-of-pocket costs.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 16.49% to 25.24%


Balance transfer fee: No fee for balance transfers initiated within 60 days of account opening; after that, 5% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Chase Freedom

The Chase Freedom gives consumers the chance to earn $200 in bonus cash when they spend $500 on the card within three months of account opening. They also earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating bonus categories like gas stations and streaming services when they activate each quarter (then 1%), plus 1% back on all other purchases.

This card is a great option for anyone who wants to avoid interest payments for a limited time while earning rewards on their purchases. Keep in mind that with the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited, if you pair your card with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points - like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - your rewards become more flexible, as you have the option to redeem them for travel in addition to cash back.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 16.49% to 25.24%


Balance transfer fee: Intro 3% fee on balances transferred within 60 days (minimum $5); after that 5% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Chase Freedom »

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday offers a welcome bonus of $150 in cash back after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening. You can also earn 3% back on up to $6,000 spent at US supermarkets each year (then 1%), 2% back at US gas stations and select US department stores, and 1% back on everything else. Of course, you'll also enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 14.49% to 25.49%


Balance transfer fee: 3% (minimum $5)


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Blue Cash Everyday card from American Express »

Capital One QuickSilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One QuickSilver lets consumers earn an unlimited 1.5% back for each dollar they spend, and that's on top of the $150 in bonus cash you earn after you spend $500 within the first three months. Since this card also gives you 0% APR on purchases for a limited time, it's an excellent option for debt consolidation or avoiding interest on large purchases.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%


Balance transfer fee: 3%


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Capital One Quicksilver card »

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards credit card

If your goal is earning cash back while saving money on interest, check out the SavorOne Rewards card. This card gives you a $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 within three months of account opening. You also earn 3% back on dining and entertainment, 2% back on groceries, and 1% back on everything else you buy. There's no annual fee, and you'll qualify for 0% APR for a limited time.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%


Balance transfer fee: 3%


Annual fee: $0


Click here to learn more about the Capital One SavorOne card »

Discover it Cash back

Also consider the Discover it Cash back if you want to earn rewards and save money on interest without an annual fee. This card lets you earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories that change every three months (then 1%) plus 1% back on all other purchases. You'll also have all your rewards doubled after the first year, which works as a delayed welcome bonus of sorts. And that's not to mention the lucrative intro APR offer this card extends, which makes it a good option for anyone who needs a lower interest rate on purchases or balance transfers.

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers that post to your account by March 10, 2020 for 14 months, followed by a variable APR of 13.49% to 24.49%


Balance transfer fee: 3% for balances transferred by March 10, 2020; after that 5%


Annual fee: $0


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Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.