01 / Reset
The rate reset
When the 0% intro period expires, the APR jumps to the card's regular variable rate. Depending on the card and your creditworthiness, that is typically somewhere in the high teens to high twenties. Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the new rate from day one.
Here is what that costs in monthly interest on common remaining balances:
| Remaining Balance | @ 20% APR | @ 25% APR | @ 29% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $17/mo | $21/mo | $24/mo |
| $3,000 | $50/mo | $63/mo | $73/mo |
| $5,000 | $83/mo | $104/mo | $121/mo |
| $8,000 | $133/mo | $167/mo | $193/mo |
| $12,000 | $200/mo | $250/mo | $290/mo |
Monthly interest = remaining balance × (APR ÷ 12). Excludes principal payments.
02 / Per Card
Post-intro APR by card
If there is any chance you will carry a balance past the intro period, the regular APR matters. Cards are sorted from lowest revert APR upward.
| Card | 0% Window | Reverts To | Penalty APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| BankAmericard | 18 mo | 16.49% - 26.49% | Up to 29.99% |
| Wells Fargo Reflect | 21 mo | 17.49% - 29.49% | Up to 29.99% |
| Discover it Balance Transfer | 18 mo | 17.49% - 28.49% | Up to 29.99% |
| Amex EveryDay Credit Card | 15 mo | 17.49% - 28.49% | Up to 29.99% |
| Citi Simplicity | 21 mo | 18.49% - 29.24% | None |
| U.S. Bank Visa Platinum | 21 mo | 18.49% - 29.49% | Up to 29.99% |
| Chase Slate Edge | 21 mo | 21.49% - 29.99% | Up to 29.99% |
03 / Options
Four ways to handle the rollover
Pay it off in time (the ideal)
Review your remaining balance about three months before expiry. If you are on track, keep going. If you are behind, increase the monthly payment now. Even an extra $50 to $100 a month can be the difference between finished and rolled over.
Chain to a new card
Apply for a new balance transfer card with a different issuer about two months before your current intro expires. Move the remaining balance. New fee, but a fresh 0% window of 15 to 21 months. This works best when your credit score is still in good shape and the remaining balance is under $15,000.
See chaining guide →Negotiate with your issuer
Call your card issuer and ask for a rate reduction or an extended promotional period. Success rate is roughly one in three or four when you have a clean payment history. Script: 'I have been a good customer and always paid on time. My promotional rate is about to expire. Is there an extended rate or a lower ongoing APR available?'
Convert to a personal loan
A fixed-rate personal loan in the 8% to 14% range is far better than a credit card at 22% to 29%. You get fixed monthly payments and a definite payoff date. Best when the remaining balance is over $5,000 and you need 2+ years to clear it.
See BT vs personal loan →04 / Countdown
90-day countdown checklist
Audit your remaining balance
Work out whether your current monthly payment will clear the balance in time. If not, calculate the increased payment needed and decide if it's realistic.
Apply for a new card if needed
If you will not pay off in time, apply now. Allow time for approval, card arrival, and transfer processing (which can take up to about 3 weeks).
Initiate the new transfer
Request the balance transfer on the new card. Keep paying the old card until the transfer is confirmed. Set up autopay on the new card the moment it activates.
Confirm the transfer completed
Verify the old card shows zero (or near-zero) for the transferred amount and the new card shows the balance at 0%. Then begin the new payoff plan with autopay.
Next Step
Find your next 0% card
If you need to chain to a new card, compare current offers and run the math on the remaining balance.