How do I extend 0% APR on a credit card?

Hi! Yes! It is definitely worth calling and asking them. You may need to make more than one call until you get a person who has the authority to make that change, but it can't hurt to call and ask. I'd do a bit of research first to see what the interest ranges are that the credit card company operates in so that you know where you might fall. You could also send an email or letter to ask.... read full answer

You also might want to see if there is a format or form provided online by your credit card company to request a lowered interest rate – that site will provide specific information to help you succeed in your request.

I feel as if it never hurts to ask for discounts and good deals. Many of us shy about doing this - I often am - but if you can get your courage up and try, you may be successful. Good luck to you!

When a 0% APR period ends, the credit card’s regular APR will kick in. That rate will apply to any unpaid balance remaining on the credit card as well as any new purchases made from that point on. The regular APR that applies when a 0% APR period expires tends to be very high, so it’s best not to leave much of a balance for it to affect.... read full answer

The only exception to this rule is a 0% interest period with a feature called deferred interest. General-purpose 0% credit cards don’t have it, but some store credit cards do. This isn’t a true 0% APR deal because the interest is still accruing while it’s “deferred,” and it will apply if you don’t pay your balance on schedule. So when the 0% APR ends on a deferred interest financing offer, you’ll be charged interest on the original purchase amount, as accrued from the purchase date, if you have even $1 of your original balance left to pay. Your deferred interest could also return prematurely if you make a late payment, and it’ll likely be a lot more expensive than a late fee. That’s why it’s very important to make on-time payments on deferred interest credit cards, and to pay off the balance before a deferred interest period is over.

Even though a credit card with a true 0% APR period won’t retroactively charge interest on purchases, be smart with these cards. Interest will apply to any balance remaining when the 0% period ends, so plan out your payments to ensure there’s little left at that point. Using a credit card payoff calculator can be a big help.

A 0% APR credit card won’t hurt your credit score more than other types of credit cards would. Opening a new credit card – whether it’s a 0% APR card or a rewards card, for example – will cause a small credit-score drop, due to the hard inquiry required by most credit card companies when evaluating an application. A 0% APR card won’t hurt your credit simply by existing on your credit report, though, assuming the card is used responsibly.... read full answer

If you use a 0% credit card to spend more than you can afford to repay before the card's regular interest rate takes effect, you may be charged a lot of money in interest. Even if you then transfer a high-interest balance to a 0% APR credit card, you will likely have to pay a balance transfer fee. You can learn more about the potential downsides of 0% APR credit cards below.

How a 0% APR Credit Card Could Hurt Your Credit

• Overspending. A 0% introductory period makes it easier to rack up a bigger bill than you’d planned on or can manage. No interest means there’s less pressure to pay off your balance in full every month, too.
• Missed payments. If your 0% APR period turns into a high regular APR when you’re carrying a large balance, it could quickly become unaffordable. And if you’re unable to make the minimum payments, your credit score will definitely take a hit.
• High credit utilization. Many people get a 0% APR credit card to pay off a large purchase over time without paying interest. That’s a good use of a 0% APR period. But if the purchase takes up most or all of the card’s credit limit, the cardholder’s credit utilization will go up. High credit utilization could damage your credit score.

It is worth noting that if you won’t need your credit score for anything important for a while, temporarily high credit utilization is better than paying a lot in interest. Also, don’t worry about negative remarks on your credit report just because you aren’t paying interest—there’s no truth to that claim.

Ultimately, if you’re considering getting a new credit card for its 0% APR period, the best things you can do to minimize the chances of hurting your credit are to always make payments on time and avoid maxing out your credit limit. Also, it’s not a bad idea to set spending boundaries beforehand to avoid paying the regular interest rate after the promotional period expires.