Getting a new business credit card can provide a lot of benefits, from earning rewards to getting 0% intro APR offers. If you’re looking to finance a large purchase or simply spread out payments over several months, 0% APR cards allow you to avoid paying interest during the introductory period. This gives your business extra time to pay off the balance without accruing additional charges. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the top 0% APR business credit cards available in 2024 and what makes them stand out. We’ll cover the key details like introductory offers, rewards programs, and fees to help you determine which card is the best fit for your business. 5 Star Processing helps you to get 0 APR Business credit cards for your business.
Why Choose a 0% APR Business Credit Card?
There are a few key reasons why a 0% APR credit card can be useful for business purposes:
Make a large purchase without interest: If you need to make a big purchase like new equipment or inventory, a 0% APR card allows you to pay it off slowly over several months without incurring interest charges during the intro period. This can help manage cash flow.
Consolidate debt: Transferring a balance from a high-interest card onto a 0% APR card stops the accrual of interest and allows you to pay down the debt faster.
Handle irregular income: When business income fluctuates month-to-month, 0% intro APR helps weather uneven cash flow during slower periods.
Build business credit: Applying for and responsibly using business credit cards helps establish and improve your business’s credit profile.
Our Top 0% APR Business Credit Card Picks
Here are some of the most competitive 0% intro APR business cards on the market right now:
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
- 0% Intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 16.24% – 22.24% variable
- Intro Bonus: $1000 cash back after $10,000 spent in 3 months
- Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet/cable/phone services each account anniversary year. 2% back on gas and dining, 1% back elsewhere.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Perks: Cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty
- Our Take: This is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards with a great 12-month 0% intro offer and solid ongoing earning rates.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
- 0% Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 16.24% – 22.24% variable
- Intro Bonus: $1000 cash back after $10,000 spent in 3 months
- Rewards: 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Perks: Cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty
- Our Take: The unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee makes this a simple, solid choice. Good for businesses with regular spending that want an intro 0% offer.
Also Read: The Best US Bank Business Credit Cards in 2024
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Credit Card
- 0% Intro APR: 0% for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers
- Ongoing APR: 16.24% – 27.24% variable
- Intro Bonus: $500 cash back after $4500 spent in 150 days
- Rewards: 3% cash back on eligible gas, office supplies, and cell phone/internet purchases. 1% back elsewhere.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Perks: Cell phone protection
- Our Take: While it has no intro purchase offer, the triple cash-back bonuses and balance transfer intro period make this an appealing choice for many companies.
Also Read: Costco Business Credit Card: Is It Right For Your Business?
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
- 0% Intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Ongoing APR: 17.24% – 27.24% variable
- Intro Bonus: $600 cash reward after $5000 spent in 6 months
- Rewards: 1.5% cash rewards on every purchase
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Perks: Cell phone protection, travel benefits, Visa SavingsEdge automatic discounts
- Our Take: The combination of a year-long 0% intro rate on both new purchases and balance transfers plus automatic discounts make this a robust $0 annual fee card.
What to Look for in a 0% APR Business Card?
Here are some key factors to evaluate when choosing a business card with an intro 0% interest rate:
- Intro 0% term length: Typically 6-12 months on purchases and 12-15 months for balance transfers. Look for a term length that matches how long you need to pay off purchases or transferred debt.
- Ongoing APR: The interest rate after the intro period ends. Variable rates often range from 15-27%. Check current ongoing APRs across cards.
- Balance transfer fee: Transferring debt from another card usually incurs a fee of 3-5% of the amount transferred. This still saves on interest.
- Credit required: Minimal credit history is required for no-fee business cards. High credit scores unlock cards with more benefits.
- Spending categories: If the card earns bonus rewards on categories like gas, dining, or supplies, make sure your business spending aligns.
- Welcome, offer: Cashback and points bonuses incentivize reaching a minimum spend. Ensure the amount is realistic for your business.
- Card benefits: Perks like cell phone insurance, roadside assistance, travel benefits, and merchant discounts provide additional value if utilized.
- Foreign transaction fee: A 3% fee usually applies to transactions made outside the U.S. This adds up when traveling internationally.
- Focus on cards with the right intro term length, solid ongoing rewards, and useful benefits for your business’ spending patterns and needs.
Managing 0% APR Credit Cards
When using a business credit card with a 0% introductory offer, make sure you have a plan to avoid paying interest after the intro period ends. Here are some tips:
- Pay on time: Payment history impacts credit scores and eligibility for the best interest rates. Set up autopay or calendar reminders.
- Pay more than the minimum: Pay above the minimum payment whenever possible to pay off the balance faster. Minimum payments only cover a small portion of the principal.
- Mark your calendar: Note when the 0% term will end to avoid paying deferred interest from the original balance after the intro rate expires.
- Have an exit plan: Before the 0% period ends, either pay off the entire balance or transfer it to a new 0% card. Rollover cards strategically.
- Use sparingly after the intro period: Once cards revert to the ongoing APR, avoid relying on them for large purchases without a plan to quickly pay off the balance.
- Link to business bank accounts: Link cards to primary business checking accounts to easily monitor spending and facilitate making payments.
Top Business Uses for 0% APR Cards
While any business can benefit from 0% financing offers, here are some common and practical ways they provide value for different companies:
Equipment Purchases
For small businesses investing in expensive equipment like machinery, computers and software, POS systems, and company vehicles, 0% APR cards allow breaking up large payments over 12 months interest-free.
Inventory and Supplies
Manufacturing, retail, and product-based businesses can utilize 0% cards to buy inventory and supplies on credit and sell products before the entire balance comes due. The 0% period helps manage cash flow this way.
New Hires and Training
Growing companies can use 0% cards to cover the costs of hiring and training new employees without taking a big one-time cash flow hit. Spreading out training program expenses over an intro period allows time to recoup the investment.
Business Expansion Costs
Whether it’s opening a new location or expanding operations, there are always upfront costs. A 0% credit card makes it more affordable to fund growth over the intro period while business income catches up.
Emergency Expenses
A zero-interest credit card can be a lifeline the next time unexpected equipment repairs, service disruptions, or other issues threaten to sink cash flow. Being able to finance emergency expenses temporarily is invaluable.
Also Read: Boost Your Business Success with Citi Business Credit Card
Questions to Ask When Applying for 0% Business Cards
If you determine a 0% APR credit card makes sense for your business, here are some key questions to consider asking the issuing bank:
- How long does the 0% intro APR last for purchases and balance transfers?
- What is the ongoing variable APR after the intro period?
- Is there an annual fee or other fees?
- What credit score is required for approval?
- Is there a signup bonus offered and minimum spend required?
- What are the options for setting up autopay?
Conclusion
Getting a business credit card with an introductory 0% APR offer can provide immense value under the right circumstances. By spreading out payments over 6-12 months without accruing interest, 0% APR cards allow you to manage large purchases and expenses more smoothly during the intro period. This helps maintain cash flow when you need it most.
Just be sure to have a plan to pay off the balance before deferred interest kicks in when the 0% term ends. Carefully review cards to find one with an intro length and solid ongoing rewards that match your spending profile. Use autopay and payment reminders to avoid missed payments and credit score drops. When used responsibly, a 0% APR business credit card can be a strategic financing tool that saves you a lot of interest and offers flexibility. This lets you focus on what matters: running and growing your business. If you’re looking to accept credit card payments from your customers, check out 5 Star Processing. They provide secure and quick payment processing services tailored for all types of businesses. With 5 Star Processing, you can accept in-person and online payments with ease. Learn more about their top-rated services to start accepting credit cards today.
