The Best Zero Percent Credit Cards for 2012

Is your heart set on looking for the best zero percent credit cards for the year? Below is a list of the most enticing credit cards that offer zero percent interest rate; be careful though, not all 0 percent credit cards are the same. The more you learn about a credit card the more you will know how to use it to your own advantage.

But what do zero percent credit cards actually mean? A zero percent offer for interest rate is a guarantee that you will never pay for any interest rate on a specific period; credit card companies call this their “introductory period”. This is all explained in a company’s terms and conditions so better read this first when you plan to get zero interest credit cards. There are other offers such as cash back on new purchases, special terms on balance transfers and even zero interest rates on select purchases only. It is ALWAYS best to be very keen on offers and read the fine print before you proceed.

• Discover® More® Card – has the most rating when it comes to the best zero interest credit card. It has a 0% introductory APR and balance transfers for 15 months. After the introductory period is over, you will be charged a variable purchase APR of 10.p99% to 20.99%. This Discovery credit card also has 5% Cashback Bonus® when you spend on gas, select restaurants, department stores and other shopping outlets. You can also get up to 20% Cashback Bonus® when you shop at Discover.com  Your Discover® More® Card has no annual fee, no charge for an extension card and no charges when you redeem rewards.

• The New Blue for Business® from American Express – also tops the list for the best zero percent interest credit cards. You get a 0% introductory APR up to 12 months. A 10,000 bonus points welcomes you when you make your first purchase. You will get 10% more points for the first year and more points the succeeding years you stay with American Express.  The New Blue for Business® has no annual fee and no additional fees for additional or extension cards.

• The Chase Freedom® Visa – is a 0 credit card for you when you want more rewards on your purchases. This credit card gives you 0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers and 6 months on purchases. You can earn $100.00 Bonus Cash Back when you accumulate $500.00 in purchases on your first 3 months with Chase. Enjoy a 5% Cash Back when you use your card for gas, and on Amazon.com up to March 31, 2012. Additional Cash Back bonuses up to 10% when you shop online at selected merchants.  With the Chase Freedom® Visa, your rewards will never expire and there is no annual fee.

• Citi Platinum Select MasterCard – is a credit card that also offers 0% introductory APR up to 18 months on balance transfers as well as in purchases. After the introductory offer has expired, expect to pay an ongoing APR of 11.99% – 21.99% variable rate. This rate is based on the customer’s credit worthiness. Citi Platinum Select MasterCard has no annual fees.

• The Chase Freedom® Visa – is one of the best credit cards around with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 6 month and an ongoing interest rate of 11.99% – 22.99% variable APR. Balance transfer fees are free for 12 months and afterwards you will be charged with 3% of each balance transfers made and a minimum fee of $5.00 for the transaction. You earn $100.00 Bonus Cash Back after you accumulate $500.00 in purchases for the first three months. You can avail of the Cash Back offers when you use your Chase Freedom® Visa to buy gas, selected home improvement shops and in selected department stores. There are no annual fees or extension card fees.

• Discover® More (SM) Card – has one of the longest 0% introductory APR period of 15 months on purchases. After the introductory period is over, you will be charged an ongoing APR of 10.99% – 20.99% variable rate. 0% interest on balance transfers also for 15 months afterwards a charge of 3% balance transfer fee is added. You get 5% Cash Back bonus up to $1,500 in purchases like gas, department stores and restaurants. There are no annual fees for the Discover® More (SM) Card.

• The Slate from Chase – has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months and afterwards an ongoing APR of 11.99, 16.99 or 21.99% variable rate. 0% on balance transfers for 15 months and afterwards a balance transfer fee is charged for 3%. With Slate from Chase you can avail of the BlueprintSM and Zero Liability on unauthorized purchases. There are no annual fees for the Slate from Chase.

• The Citi Forward® Card – a short introductory 0% APR for 7 months and 0% on balance transfers for 12 months. After the introductory offer is over, an ongoing APR of 12.99%, 20.99% or 22.99% variable rate. Balance transfer fees afterwards are 3% ($5.00 minimum). You will earn 5 points as a reward for every dollar you spend on selected restaurants, department stores and entertainment centers. You can also earn 1 reward point for every dollar you spend on other purchases as well. There are no annual fees for the Citi Forward® Card.

• The Discover® Open Road – is a 0 credit card that gives you 0% on purchases for a period of 15 months with an ongoing APR afterwards of 10.99 -19.99% variable rate. You get 0% on balance transfer fees for the first 15b months then a 3% fee. You will earn 2% Cash Back Bonus on your first $250.00 purchase on gas and restaurants combined; 1% Cash Back Bonus on other purchases. There are no annual fees for the Discover® Open Road.

• The Subaru Platinum MasterCard – a 0% introductory APR awaits members for 6 months then an ongoing APR of 13.24 – 19.24% or the variable rate. 0% on balance transfer for 6 months then the same as the ongoing. There are no balance transfer fees and no annual fees for the Subaru Platinum MasterCard.

These are just some of the most popular credit cards that offer 0% on interest rates. While some belong to the top ten credit cards to use for the year, never forget to read or learn as much as you can before you use any credit card. It always pays to be a wise credit card owner and to learn terms and conditions before you take advantage of any offer.

There are many resources online that can help you decide on which feature you need to look for in a 0 credit card. Read consumer reviews, credit card articles and many other sites on finance and business sites to get tips and techniques to use a zero percent credit card.