Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Courtesy Katie Oelker
- My husband and I use 0% APR credit card offers to finance our furniture purchases without paying interest.
- This helps us preserve our cash flow and stick to a budget while still buying the items we need.
- Some of the top credit card offers extend a 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for nearly two years.
- Read Insider’s guide to the best low-interest and 0% APR credit cards.
Years ago, when my husband and I bought our first home, we had very little furniture to go in it. At the time, I was working as a teacher and he was starting out in a new career. We didn’t have a ton of savings after purchasing our home, and we knew we wanted to keep as much cash on hand as possible in the event of an emergency.
At the furniture store, we discovered we could open a store credit card and pay no interest for so many months. My husband and I decided to go that route and purchased a three-piece living room set for our first home on a Synchrony Bank 0% intro APR credit card. Our payments were set up so that we paid off the balance before the promotional 0% APR expired, thus saving us any interest that would have been added to the purchase price.
Insider’s Featured Intro APR Credit Cards
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for 6 months
Regular APR
15.74% – 26.74% Variable
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months
Regular APR
16.74% – 27.49% Variable
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Regular APR
18.74% – 27.49% Variable
Using this tactic we were able to seamlessly fit the payments into our budget and didn’t have to worry about paying for everything all at once. Since then, we’ve done the same thing to purchase furniture for our newer home, including our dining room table and sectional, as well as our Tempurpedic bed, on zero-interest credit cards.
Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of using the same strategy.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How we use 0% APR credit cards to finance furniture purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.74% – 27.49% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Even if we have the cash on hand to make these purchases outright to us it makes sense to hoard our cash and use the zero interest financing, knowing we aren’t increasing our bill with interest payments. As a rule, we only purchase things we know we can afford the monthly payments for and always pay our credit cards in full before any interest is tacked on.
This tactic has allowed us to furnish our latest home without the worry of decreasing our savings by a substantial amount in one go, and helps us feel more financially confident in the event something else comes up that we need cash for.
While store credit cards aren’t our top choice these days, we are still fans of zero-interest credit cards if we need to make a big purchase and don’t want to cash flow it. These 0% intro APR cards can be great choices if you know you will be buying a bigger ticket item or spending a higher amount on something. Home improvement projects, holiday gift giving, or even uncovered medical expenses are reasons to use these cards — as long as the payments are set up to pay off the balance before the 0% APR promotional rate ends.
Before deciding to open and use a 0% intro APR credit card, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this something I can afford?
- Will I be able to pay off this purchase before interest kicks in?
- Is this purchase something I really need (or want)?
Credit cards are not something to mess around with, as racking up credit card debt can take years to pay off and cost many times more than paying in cash. If you’re certain the purchase is something that’s really necessary, the payments will fit into your budget, and you will be able to pay off the purchase before interest kicks in, then 0% intro APR credit cards can be a good choice. They allow you to save cash in the event of an emergency and lessen some of the sticker shock of paying all at once.
0% intro APR cards to consider for furniture purchases
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Details
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.74% – 28.74% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (three months intro APR extension with on-time minimum payments during the intro period)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Here are a few cards to consider when looking for a 0% APR offer:
Longest intro APR period: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice if you’re looking for an extra-long intro APR offer on both balance transfers and purchases. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (three months intro APR extension with on-time minimum payments during the intro period) (then 16.74% – 28.74% variable). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate.
Even though the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card doesn’t earn rewards for spending, it does come with a few benefits, including cell phone protection and roadside dispatch. Read our Wells Fargo Reflect review for a closer look at this card.
Easy cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
For a no-annual-fee card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers remarkable cash rewards earning. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no limits.
The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (followed by a 18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74% variable). That’s not as long as other 0% APR offers, but it’s among the best of cards that earn rewards for spending. Here’s our Wells Fargo Active Cash review with all the details.
Good for building credit: Chase Slate Edge℠
The Chase Slate Edge℠ doesn’t earn rewards, but it offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (then a 18.74% – 27.49% Variable APR). Plus, new cardholders can receive $0 plan fees when they split up large purchases into monthly installments with My Chase Plan during the 0% APR introductory period.
If you pay your card on time and spend at least $500 in the first six months of opening the card, you can receive an automatic, one-time review of your credit for the chance of a higher limit. And on each account anniversary, you’ll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you’ve paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction isn’t limitless — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.00% as of November 3, 2022).
Read our Chase Slate Edge review to help decide if this card is right for you.
Bigger potential cash back: Discover it® Cash Back
Along with offering a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 15.74% – 26.74% Variable APR), the Discover it® Cash Back will match all the cash back you earn in the first year.
Cardholders can 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 (from October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees to worry about, either. Here’s our Discover it Cash Back card review with all the details.
Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Courtesy Katie Oelker
- My husband and I use 0% APR credit card offers to finance our furniture purchases without paying interest.
- This helps us preserve our cash flow and stick to a budget while still buying the items we need.
- Some of the top credit card offers extend a 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for nearly two years.
- Read Insider’s guide to the best low-interest and 0% APR credit cards.
Years ago, when my husband and I bought our first home, we had very little furniture to go in it. At the time, I was working as a teacher and he was starting out in a new career. We didn’t have a ton of savings after purchasing our home, and we knew we wanted to keep as much cash on hand as possible in the event of an emergency.
At the furniture store, we discovered we could open a store credit card and pay no interest for so many months. My husband and I decided to go that route and purchased a three-piece living room set for our first home on a Synchrony Bank 0% intro APR credit card. Our payments were set up so that we paid off the balance before the promotional 0% APR expired, thus saving us any interest that would have been added to the purchase price.
Insider’s Featured Intro APR Credit Cards
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for 6 months
Regular APR
15.74% – 26.74% Variable
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months
Regular APR
16.74% – 27.49% Variable
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Regular APR
18.74% – 27.49% Variable
Using this tactic we were able to seamlessly fit the payments into our budget and didn’t have to worry about paying for everything all at once. Since then, we’ve done the same thing to purchase furniture for our newer home, including our dining room table and sectional, as well as our Tempurpedic bed, on zero-interest credit cards.
Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of using the same strategy.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How we use 0% APR credit cards to finance furniture purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.74% – 27.49% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Even if we have the cash on hand to make these purchases outright to us it makes sense to hoard our cash and use the zero interest financing, knowing we aren’t increasing our bill with interest payments. As a rule, we only purchase things we know we can afford the monthly payments for and always pay our credit cards in full before any interest is tacked on.
This tactic has allowed us to furnish our latest home without the worry of decreasing our savings by a substantial amount in one go, and helps us feel more financially confident in the event something else comes up that we need cash for.
While store credit cards aren’t our top choice these days, we are still fans of zero-interest credit cards if we need to make a big purchase and don’t want to cash flow it. These 0% intro APR cards can be great choices if you know you will be buying a bigger ticket item or spending a higher amount on something. Home improvement projects, holiday gift giving, or even uncovered medical expenses are reasons to use these cards — as long as the payments are set up to pay off the balance before the 0% APR promotional rate ends.
Before deciding to open and use a 0% intro APR credit card, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this something I can afford?
- Will I be able to pay off this purchase before interest kicks in?
- Is this purchase something I really need (or want)?
Credit cards are not something to mess around with, as racking up credit card debt can take years to pay off and cost many times more than paying in cash. If you’re certain the purchase is something that’s really necessary, the payments will fit into your budget, and you will be able to pay off the purchase before interest kicks in, then 0% intro APR credit cards can be a good choice. They allow you to save cash in the event of an emergency and lessen some of the sticker shock of paying all at once.
0% intro APR cards to consider for furniture purchases
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Details
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.74% – 28.74% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (three months intro APR extension with on-time minimum payments during the intro period)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Here are a few cards to consider when looking for a 0% APR offer:
Longest intro APR period: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice if you’re looking for an extra-long intro APR offer on both balance transfers and purchases. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (three months intro APR extension with on-time minimum payments during the intro period) (then 16.74% – 28.74% variable). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate.
Even though the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card doesn’t earn rewards for spending, it does come with a few benefits, including cell phone protection and roadside dispatch. Read our Wells Fargo Reflect review for a closer look at this card.
Easy cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
For a no-annual-fee card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers remarkable cash rewards earning. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no limits.
The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (followed by a 18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74% variable). That’s not as long as other 0% APR offers, but it’s among the best of cards that earn rewards for spending. Here’s our Wells Fargo Active Cash review with all the details.
Good for building credit: Chase Slate Edge℠
The Chase Slate Edge℠ doesn’t earn rewards, but it offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (then a 18.74% – 27.49% Variable APR). Plus, new cardholders can receive $0 plan fees when they split up large purchases into monthly installments with My Chase Plan during the 0% APR introductory period.
If you pay your card on time and spend at least $500 in the first six months of opening the card, you can receive an automatic, one-time review of your credit for the chance of a higher limit. And on each account anniversary, you’ll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you’ve paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction isn’t limitless — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.00% as of November 3, 2022).
Read our Chase Slate Edge review to help decide if this card is right for you.
Bigger potential cash back: Discover it® Cash Back
Along with offering a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 15.74% – 26.74% Variable APR), the Discover it® Cash Back will match all the cash back you earn in the first year.
Cardholders can 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 (from October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees to worry about, either. Here’s our Discover it Cash Back card review with all the details.
