Best Credit Card Rates & Offers - September 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
- Location-Based Rate Tables
- Bank & Credit Union Star Ratings
- Finance Calculators
Current competitive credit card options include: VAPR Federal Credit UnionVAPR Federal Credit UnionStreet 54, San Juan, PR, 00969A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.33%'s Mastercard has an APR of 1.99%, GFA Federal Credit UnionGFA Federal Credit Union99 Grove St, Winchendon, NH, 03461A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.93%'s Cash Back Credit Card has an APR of 1.99%, Monterra Credit UnionMonterra Credit Union575 Middlefield Rd, South San Francisco, CA, 94402 3098A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.09%'s Credit Cards has an APR of 1.99%, Greater Together Credit UnionGreater Together Credit Union2901 MILITARY RD, NORTH TONAWANDA, NY, 14304 1251A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 1.67%'s VISA Balance Transfer has an APR of 2.34%, and ILWU Federal Credit UnionILWU Federal Credit Union95 Linden St Ste 12, Wilmington, HI, 96817 5388A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 3.34%'s Platinum CARGO Rewards Visa has an APR of 2.95%. Credit card rates as of September 18, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
Whether you want to earn cash back on everyday purchases, rack up travel miles, or save on interest with a 0% intro APR balance transfer offer, comparing credit card rates from top-rated banks and credit unions can save you significantly over time.
We empower cardholders with transparent, proprietary financial health metrics, including A-F Safety Grades, verified Star Ratings, and Texas Ratios, so you can confidently choose a card from a stable, highly-rated institution.
Credit card APRs reflect current market offers available to borrowers. Rates shown are typically “as low as” APRs for applicants with excellent credit. Your final approved rate will depend on your credit history, credit score, and income. Credit Card Rates Last Updated and Verified: September 18, 2026
Oferta en cuentas nuevas, primeros seis meses, valida hasta el 30/9/26
As Low As
Credit Cards as low as 1.99% APR
No additional details provided.
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 11.45% - 17.95%
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 9.95% - 15.95%
No additional details provided.
As low as; subject to credit approval and lowest rate includes regular rate plus qualifying discounts
APR* above Interest
As low as
Annual Percentage Rates as low as...
As Low As; * Minimum Amount May Apply. Please call (518) 483-8668 for more information.
No additional details provided.
As Low As; Please Call for Current Rates
Introductory period
Annual Percentage Yield*
As Low As; Approval based on credit worthiness. Membership eligibility required.
As Low As
Determined by account funds
As low as; Credit card
Subject to Approval
As Low As
Secure and Credit Builder Options Available Great Introductory Rates
Introductory APR for Purchases; Variable rate - Click here for current rate
Intro rate expires: 12 months
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: variable with the market based on the Prime Rate, based on your credit score, will apply
Life Is Expensive Enough. Create Some Breathing Room.
No additional details provided.
As Low As
Balance transfer special: 4.90% APR fixed for the full repayment of the transferred amount. Regular APR: 9.9% APR*. Contact us to view the Visa Disclosure.
Intro rate expires: 4.90%**; Regular APR: See cardholder agreement for details.
Regular APR: 9.90%
Any new purchases or advances using your Central Maine Federal Credit Union card would be at a low 9.90% APR.
Introductory rate for first 6 months
Intro rate expires: 6-month introductory period; Standard variable APR will apply after promotional period, based on creditworthiness and account agreement; Maximum credit amount is $25,000; Cash advance fees do apply; Some other fees may apply; Contact the Credit Union for additional information and a full copy of our Visa disclosure.
No additional details provided.
Introductory APR on purchases in the first 6 months. Regular APR: Varies
Promotional APR is effective on balance transfers for the first 12 months. After 12 months, remaining balances will begin incurring interest at your card's standard Retail/Purchase APR as disclosed in your cardholder agreement. Your account must be in good standing. Rewards and/or rebates are not eligible with this offer. Make as many transfers as needed with no balance transfer fees.
Intro rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first 9 months from the open date of your credit card.
Introductory rate
Introductory APR until February 28, 2027
up to $10,000.00; As low as
Term: Payment Based Upon Balance; Maximum Credit Limit is $10,000. Lower Limits may be applicable. $25.00 Annual Fee. Secured Visa secured by Credit Union shares.
As Low As;
Balance transfer fee of 3.0% on the transfer amount. Regular APR: 18.0%
APR = Annual Percentage Rate; All Rates & Terms are subject to change without notice.; Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide written disclosures before or at time covered borrower becomes obligated on a transaction. The written disclosures will contain the following:; MAPR description applicable to the extension of credit; Any disclosures required by Regulation Z; A clear description of the payment obligation; Disclosures will be given in writing. In addition, Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide the disclosures verbally in person or provide a toll-free telephone number.
Intro/promo APR: 4.99%; Intro rate expires: 01/31/2028; Regular APR: 5.49% to 13.49%
As low as*
Offer based on individual credit worthiness. After initial 12 monthly billing cycles, rate automatically reverts to a variable rate of interest as low as Prime minus 0.50% as published in the Wall Street Journal 30 days before the date of any rate adjustment. As of 09/17/2026 Prime Rate was 7.00%. Interest rate and line amount determined by individual creditworthiness and subject to loan-to-value ratio of 80%. Offer limited to 1-4 family owner-occupied primary residence properties only. Property insurance (and flood insurance if applicable) required. Offer and rate is subject to change at any time without notice. Other terms and restrictions may apply. APR will not exceed 18% with a minimum APR of 3.50%. Existing GCU home equity lines/loans are not eligible for refinance with this promotion. Advertised APRs are the lowest available. Interest rate will be determined by individual creditworthiness. An additional 0.25% discount is available for automatic payment from a Greenwood Credit Union checking account. ++Advertised Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 5.74% is the lowest available and is fixed for the first 12 months.
No additional details provided.
As Low As
Intro APRs from 5.9%
Balance transfer special - 9 months 5.90% APR New account special - 6 months Offer available from July 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026. Contact a credit union representative today to find out how to apply!
Introductory balance transfer offer. After 6-month intro period, your rate will be 9.90%-16.90% based on creditworthiness. No balance transfer fee. Offer expires ninety (90) days after the Account opening date. Any portion of a 5.90% balance transfer not paid in full within six (6) months of the transfer date will thereafter be subject to the Standard Rate.
Balance Transfer Offer; After the intro period, the rate will convert to our standard variable APR. Kinecta APRs won't exceed 18%.
RATES AS LOW AS 5.99%
Annual Percentage Rate
Standard
Promotional balance transfer rate until April 30, 2020. Low qualifying rate thereafter.
As low as; *
+2.00% above Share Savings Dividend Rate*
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
Maximum Line of Credit: $500.00 - $10,000.00
As Low As; Rates range from 6.00% to 11.50%
Regular APR: 6.0%
Transaction must post between 7/1/26 - 9/30/26. Will Revert to normal rate 10/1/2027.
After 6 months, members will receive 9.49%.
Regular APR: 6.49% - 11.99%. Credit card disclosures are available on our website at https://www.brazosstarcu.com/cards/visa-credit-cards/. Not all applicants may qualify for the lowest rate.
As Low As
No additional details provided.
Secured Visa Platinum Credit Card
As Low As
$5,000 - $30,000; Intro/promo APR: 4.99%; Intro rate expires: 90 days; Regular APR: Prime Rate + 6.65%; The APR will not exceed the ceiling, or highest APR of 18.00%. Rates are subject to change at any time and are subject to approval. Offer valid for existing First New York credit card holders only. Offer not valid for current cardholders or cardholders currently in another promotional program.
As Low As;
No annual fee; No balance transfer fee; Same low rate for purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers; $5,000 maximum credit limit. Your credit limit will be determined based on creditworthiness and other factors.
Regular variable APRs, subject to change. Credit history, loan terms, and the amount borrowed are all factors that determine the rate. Not all borrowers will qualify for the lowest rate. Prime Rate is 6.75% APR as of 01/01/2026. 4.00% over savings dividend rate.
As Low As
Intro/promo APR: 1.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 6.74% APR and 18% APR
Cash Advance APR: 6.74% - 15.74%. The cash advance APR is a variable rate which will be adjusted quarterly to an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Eastern Edition of the Wall Street Journal's prime rate plus (ii) a margin rate of 6.74% - 15.74%. Maximum rate: 18.00%.
As Low As; Please contact one of our friendly Member Service Representatives for more details. We offer a 0.25% rate discount on new and used vehicle loans when 20% cash down is made (the First-Time Buyer program is exempt from the discount).
Rate and approval subject to lender's credit criteria, certain conditions and restrictions may apply. All rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Prime Rate as of 1/1/2026 is 6.75%.
As Low As; Promotional Rate
Equals Prime Rate; Based on prime. Prime rate is 6.75% as of December 11, 2025. This is a variable rate product.
As Low As;
As Low As;
As Low As
As Low As; Variable Rate
Introductory APR* for 12 months; Regular APR: 6.75%*
Intro/promo APR: 1.90%; Intro rate expires: 12 billing cycles; Regular APR: 6.75% - 19.75%
Intro APR: 0.00%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 6.75%
No additional details provided.
APR = Annual Percentage Rate; All Rates & Terms are subject to change without notice.; Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide written disclosures before or at time covered borrower becomes obligated on a transaction. The written disclosures will contain the following:; MAPR description applicable to the extension of credit; Any disclosures required by Regulation Z; A clear description of the payment obligation; Disclosures will be given in writing. In addition, Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide the disclosures verbally in person or provide a toll-free telephone number.
No additional details provided.
Maximum loan to value of 80%. Loans up to $832,750.
purchase and cash advance APR
APR for purchases 6.90% to 14.50%; APR for balance transfers 6.90% to 14.50%; APR for cash advances 6.90% to 14.50%; Credit line $5,000.00 to $25,000.00; Due date At least 21+ days after billing cycle close; Late payment fee Up to $20; Over the credit limit fee $0.00; Foreign transaction fee 1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars; Balance transfer fee $0.00; Cash advance fee $0.00; Rewards program No
Fixed interest rates as low as 6.9%; No annual fee, cash advance fee or balance transfer fee; The maximum interest rate is 17.9% annual percentage rate, calculated at the periodic rate of 1.492%.
As Low As
As Low As
Rates Start at 6.9% APR, Based on Credit Score; No annual fees, no balance transfer fees and no cash advance fees. Score Card Rewards program.
Rates Start at 6.9% APR, Based on Credit Score; No annual fees, no balance transfer fees and no cash advance fees. Score Card Rewards program.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
Platinum, Gold, and Classic Cards available; Rates starting as low as 6.90% APR*; Periodic Low-rate Balance Transfer specials; NO ANNUAL FEE
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
Helps establish or rebuild your credit. All the same great benefits as a Platinum Mastercard! Limit up to $25,000. Regular APR: 6.9%.
Receive a rate as low as 6.90% APR*, along with a spending limit that reflects your credit history. No Annual Fee. Cash Advance up to $500 per day. No Transfer Fee. Online Access 24/7. Make payments and more at DX Online.
As low as; Regular APR: 6.90% - 29.99%
****
No additional details provided.
As Low As
As low as
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
As Low As;
No additional details provided.
Rates subject to change. Call to confirm rates shown.
As Low As; Loan Limits: $300 - $25,000
As Low As; Loan Limits: $300 - $25,000
based on creditworthiness
based on creditworthiness
Intro/promo APR: 2.90%; Intro rate expires: 6 months; Regular APR: Prime +6.99%
Fixed 6.99% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for purchases, 25-day Grace Period for purchases. No annual fee. Limit determined by loan officer/loan committee. Please see your Secured VISA disclosure or call (330) 825-2455 for more information. The rate on this product is currently as low as the quoted APR (Annual Percentage Rate), however all rates for these products are based upon an evaluation of applicant credit. Your actual rate may vary. Rates are subject to change at any time.
Limits: Up to $1,000
All Rates above reflect a 0.50% discount for Automatic Payment established; Rates are subject to change without notice; Rates are listed as 'as low as'
As Low As;
As Low As; *
As Low As; * Minimum Amount May Apply. Please call (518) 483-8668 for more information.
For a Limited Time.
As Low As; Regular APR: Varies based on creditworthiness. Fees and terms can change.
No additional details provided.
No Fees
Intro rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first 9 months from the open date of your credit card.
No additional details provided.
Intro/promo APR: 3.99%; Intro rate for 12 months!; Regular APR: 6.99%
Intro/promo APR: 5.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 6.99%
Intro/promo APR: 5.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 6.99%
max. loan amount $20,000
max. loan amount $20,000
As Low As
As low as*
Intro/promo APR: 3.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: Prime + 7.00%
No additional details provided.
As low as
Special 7% APR with NO balance transfer fee.
No additional details provided.
Super low rate for share-secured cards; Maximum combined credit limit for InstaLoan, signature loan, and VISA credit card is $20,000.
Rate: 7.00%
As Low As
Your APR will be a fixed rate based on your credit score. You will be informed of the APR for which you qualify before you become contractually liable for the account.
You set your own credit limit with a deposit to your SouthPoint FCU Regular Savings account.; Rate based on credit-worthiness; Annual Fee: $0
As Low As; Credit Cards
A card with purpose. When you swipe, we donate. - 7.17% APR for life on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 90 days* - No annual fee, cash advance or balance transfer fees *Learn more
Fixed rate; No annual fee; 25-day finance charge grace period on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
May qualify for up to two times gross monthly income.
No Annual Fee; Spending Flexibility with Fraud Protection; Local Service at your nearest MCCU branch; Free Online Banking and Free Access to Fraud & Spend Tracking through card management tool within Mobile Banking
No additional details provided.
As low as; Based on prime. Prime rate is 6.75% as of December 11, 2025. This is a variable rate product.
Fixed Rate; No Annual Fee; No extra fees or charges for balance transfers; uChoose Rewards (including CASH BACK*); Contactless Payments
As Low As; Regular APR: 7.49%
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
Rates as low as 7.5%, depending on credit.; Apply Online
No additional details provided.
Intro rate expires: N/A; Regular APR: 7.50%
Determined by the amount member designates to be secured from the savings or certificate account
Purchases; Regular APR: 7.50% - 16.75%
Maximum loan to value of 80%. Loans up to $832,750.
As low as 7.74%. Earn points for your purchases that can be used for cash back, Amazon, and so much more! Added VISA benefits such as Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance, and more. Competitive Rates. No Cost Balance Transfer. Tap-to-Pay. No Annual Fee. Rewards to choose from: Cash Back, Amazon Pay w/ points, Paypal Gift Cards, Travel, Merchandise and more! Credit lines from $1,000 to $25,000. 25 day grace period on purchases. Low introductory rates.
With our Premier card you have a low-rate credit card with worldwide acceptance. Added VISA benefits such as Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance, and more. Introductory rate for the first 6 payment cycles. Low variable rate that adjusts to prime interest rate plus "as low as" 4.99% after the introductory rate period. Credit lines from $1,000 to $25,000. 25 day grace period on purchases. Low introductory rates.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
Present rate - variable rate subject to change semi annually at prime + 1.00%
Introductory APR* for 12 months; Regular APR: 7.75%*
Introductory APR* for 12 months; Regular APR: 7.75%*
The type of card issued and your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) are based upon credit qualification. The range of APRs for Visa cards is 7.75% to 13.75%.
No annual Fee
APR = Annual Percentage Rate; All Rates & Terms are subject to change without notice.; Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide written disclosures before or at time covered borrower becomes obligated on a transaction. The written disclosures will contain the following:; MAPR description applicable to the extension of credit; Any disclosures required by Regulation Z; A clear description of the payment obligation; Disclosures will be given in writing. In addition, Beacon Federal Credit Union will provide the disclosures verbally in person or provide a toll-free telephone number.
As Low As
Funds will be held in share account
Minimum Credit Limit: $5,000; Maximum Credit Limit: $20,000; Minimum Payments: The minimum payment for all programs is the greater of $10 or 3.0% of the outstanding balance.; Annual Fee: NO FEE; Grace Period for Purchases: Twenty-five (25) days; Method of Computing the Balance for Purchases: Average daily balance (including new transactions); Late Fee: 5% of the past due amount with a minimum charge of $5, or the amount of the required minimum payment: Not to exceed $25.; Over Limit Fee: $20 for each payment period account balance exceeds the credit limit; Free Additional Benefits: Rental Car Collision Damage, $1,000,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Concierge program, $1,000 ID Theft Protection, Purchase Security & Extended Protection
Regular APR: 7.90%*
Actual rate will be determined by your Experian FICO 2 Credit Score.
Term: Revolving (no set term, closed upon member request); Interest only; Held until loan is paid off; 3% of balance (min. $20)
As low as
As Low As
No additional details provided.
As Low As
Rates as low as 7.9%*
As low as
No additional details provided.
As Low As
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 11.45% - 17.95%
Determined by account funds
Intro rate expires: 4.90%**; Regular APR: See cardholder agreement for details.
Introductory balance transfer offer. After 6-month intro period, your rate will be 9.90%-16.90% based on creditworthiness. No balance transfer fee. Offer expires ninety (90) days after the Account opening date. Any portion of a 5.90% balance transfer not paid in full within six (6) months of the transfer date will thereafter be subject to the Standard Rate.
No additional details provided.
As Low As
Intro rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first 9 months from the open date of your credit card.
Intro/promo APR: 5.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 6.99%
Intro/promo APR: 3.99%; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: Prime + 7.00%
No additional details provided.
As low as 7.74%. Earn points for your purchases that can be used for cash back, Amazon, and so much more! Added VISA benefits such as Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance, and more. Competitive Rates. No Cost Balance Transfer. Tap-to-Pay. No Annual Fee. Rewards to choose from: Cash Back, Amazon Pay w/ points, Paypal Gift Cards, Travel, Merchandise and more! Credit lines from $1,000 to $25,000. 25 day grace period on purchases. Low introductory rates.
Introductory APR* for 12 months; Regular APR: 7.75%*
No additional details provided.
As Low As; * Minimum Amount May Apply. Please call (518) 483-8668 for more information.
Introductory period
Intro rate expires: 12 months
Life Is Expensive Enough. Create Some Breathing Room.
Regular APR: 9.90%
Any new purchases or advances using your Central Maine Federal Credit Union card would be at a low 9.90% APR.
No additional details provided.
Promotional APR is effective on balance transfers for the first 12 months. After 12 months, remaining balances will begin incurring interest at your card's standard Retail/Purchase APR as disclosed in your cardholder agreement. Your account must be in good standing. Rewards and/or rebates are not eligible with this offer. Make as many transfers as needed with no balance transfer fees.
Balance transfer fee of 3.0% on the transfer amount. Regular APR: 18.0%
Introductory balance transfer offer. After 6-month intro period, your rate will be 9.90%-16.90% based on creditworthiness. No balance transfer fee. Offer expires ninety (90) days after the Account opening date. Any portion of a 5.90% balance transfer not paid in full within six (6) months of the transfer date will thereafter be subject to the Standard Rate.
based on creditworthiness
For a Limited Time.
No Fees
Special 7% APR with NO balance transfer fee.
Introductory APR for Purchases; Variable rate - Click here for current rate
Credit Card Rate Trends
Weekly average APRs, compiled from 8,500+ banks & credit unions, updated nightly.
Standard Credit Card rates rose 0.087 points this week to 11.842%, up from 11.756% last week.
Cash Back Card rates fell 0.111 points this week to 13.754%, down from 13.865% last week.
Credit Card Rate Trends
Weekly average APRs. Hover to see exact rates for each week.
Credit Card Rate Forecast, Next 12 Months
Most credit card APRs are variable and tied directly to the prime rate, which moves in lockstep with the federal funds rate. Our model projects the likely path of card averages from the current national figures.
Forecast Methodology & Assumptions
Key assumptions: the Federal Reserve holds the federal funds rate at its current level over the next 12 months, with the possibility of one 25 basis point increase; variable-rate cards reprice within one to two billing cycles of any prime rate change, passing increases through nearly one-for-one.
Important notice: this forecast is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. Rate forecasts carry significant uncertainty. The actual trajectory will depend on Federal Reserve decisions, economic conditions, and competitive dynamics among financial institutions.
What Carrying a Balance Actually Costs
Unlike a car loan or mortgage, a credit card balance has no fixed payoff date. Interest compounds on whatever you leave unpaid. At the current average APR of 11.84%, here is what a balance costs you per month, and how long it takes to clear at a fixed $250 monthly payment.
| Balance | Interest Accrued per Month | Payoff Time at $250/mo | Total Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $9.87 | 5 mo | $25 |
| $2,500 | $24.67 | 11 mo | $145 |
| $5,000 | $49.34 | 1 yr 11 mo | $597 |
| $10,000 | $98.69 | 4 yrs 4 mo | $2,782 |
| $15,000 | $148.03 | 7 yrs 8 mo | $7,830 |
Assumes a fixed $250 monthly payment, no new purchases on the card, and monthly compounding at the average APR. Most issuers actually compound daily, which makes the real cost slightly higher. Your APR is set by your credit profile and issuer and may differ substantially from the average.
The Minimum Payment Trap
Minimum payments are calculated to keep you in debt as long as possible while staying current. Because the minimum shrinks as the balance falls, the last stretch of the payoff crawls. Here is a $5,000 balance at 11.84% APR under a typical minimum payment versus fixed monthly amounts.
| Monthly Payment Strategy | Time to Pay Off | Total Interest | Interest Saved vs. Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum only (interest + 1% of principal) | 17 yrs 4 mo | $4,182 | — |
| Fixed $150 every month | 3 yrs 5 mo | $1,093 | $3,089 |
| Fixed $250 every month | 1 yr 11 mo | $597 | $3,585 |
| Fixed $400 every month | 1 yr 2 mo | $363 | $3,819 |
Minimum payment modeled as accrued interest plus 1% of principal, subject to a $25 floor (the most common issuer formula). Yours is stated in your cardholder agreement and may differ; some issuers use a flat percentage of the balance, which stretches the payoff even further. All rows assume no new purchases. The lesson holds regardless of the exact formula: a fixed payment that does not shrink with the balance is what ends the debt.
About Our Credit Card Rate Database
The tables on this page surface the lowest-APR credit card offers we track: standard, cash back, travel, balance transfer, secured, and business cards, drawn from the thousands of verified rates in our database. Every APR is sourced directly from the issuer’s own website and re-verified regularly.
The lowest verified credit card APR in our database right now is 1.99% APR from VAPR Federal Credit Union. Card APRs are usually published as a range, and the rate you receive depends on your credit profile. Treat the advertised figure as the floor. Note that federal credit unions are capped by regulation on the APR they may charge, which is why credit union cards cluster at the low end of these tables.
How to Pay Less Credit Card Interest
Pay the Statement Balance in Full
This is the only strategy that reduces your interest cost to exactly zero. Pay the full statement balance by the due date and the grace period covers your purchases. The APR on the card becomes irrelevant. Carrying a balance does not help your credit score; that myth costs cardholders a great deal of money every year.
Run the Balance Transfer Math
A 0% intro APR offer can wipe out interest for a promotional window, but transfer fees typically run 3–5% of the amount moved. Compare that one-time fee to the interest you’d otherwise pay over the same period, and make sure you can clear the balance before the promo ends, whatever remains reverts to the regular APR.
Look at Credit Union Cards
Federal credit unions operate under a regulatory ceiling on the APR they can charge, so their cards consistently sit at the low end of our tables. If you carry a balance even occasionally, that ceiling is worth more than any rewards rate. Membership is usually easier to obtain than most people expect.
Call and Ask for a Lower APR
It costs nothing and works more often than people assume. If you’ve paid on time and your credit has improved since you opened the account, call the number on the back of the card and ask. Issuers would rather cut your rate than lose the balance to a competitor offering a transfer.
Once a balance is large enough that you can’t clear it inside a balance transfer promo window, a fixed-rate personal loan is often the cheaper path. It converts revolving debt at a card APR into an installment loan with a lower fixed rate and a guaranteed payoff date. Either way, the strategy only works if the paid-off cards stay paid off.
Which Type of Credit Card Fits You?
The right card depends almost entirely on one question: do you carry a balance, or do you pay in full every month? Rewards are only worth chasing if you never pay interest.
| Card Type | Best If You… | APR Matters? | Typical Annual Fee | Main Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Back | Pay in full monthly | ✗ Not if you pay in full | Often $0 | Rewards are erased by even one month of interest |
| Travel / Miles | Pay in full and travel often | ✗ Not if you pay in full | $0 to premium | Fee only pays off with consistent redemption |
| Low Interest | Sometimes carry a balance | ✓ Yes. The whole point | Usually $0 | Little or no rewards program |
| Balance Transfer | Are moving existing debt | ✓ Yes, after the promo ends | Usually $0 | 3–5% transfer fee, and the promo expires |
| Secured | Are building or rebuilding credit | ● Yes, but limits are small | Varies | Requires a refundable cash deposit |
| Business | Need to separate business spending | ● Depends on your usage | $0 to premium | Often requires a personal guarantee |
General comparison for educational purposes. Features, fees, and eligibility vary by issuer and by applicant credit profile. MonitorBankRates is not an issuer or financial advisor.
Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See how long your balance will take to clear and what the interest will cost. We’ve prefilled the APR with the current average, or click any rate on the right to apply it instantly. Raise the monthly payment and watch the payoff date move.
Assumes a fixed monthly payment, no new purchases or cash advances on the card, and monthly compounding. Most issuers compound daily, so real-world interest runs slightly higher. Fees, penalty APRs, and promotional rates are not modeled. This tool is for illustration and is not an offer of credit.
Methodology & Data Sources
Independent, Free, and Unbiased Rate Comparisons: MonitorBankRates.com is an independent rate comparison service. Our credit card rate tables are free for consumers to use, and we do not receive payment from any issuer to be included or to be ranked in any particular order. Listings are based solely on the rates each issuer publicly advertises on its own website.
A Note on Third-Party Rate Tools: Some pages on our site also feature rate comparison widgets and tools provided by third-party partners. These tools may include sponsored listings or affiliate links, and we may receive compensation when users click through them. We clearly label these widgets so you can tell at a glance which rates come from our independent MonitorBankRates.com tables and which come from our advertising partners.
Direct-Sourced & Verified Credit Card Rate Data: We aggregate credit card rates and terms directly from the official websites of banks, credit unions, and card issuers using our proprietary rate aggregation technology and a dedicated team of rate updaters. By sourcing data from the issuers’ own digital properties and verifying APRs regularly, every rate on MonitorBankRates.com is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Comprehensive Coverage: Our systems constantly monitor the market to provide a complete picture of available credit card products. We feature a comprehensive mix of issuers, from neighborhood credit unions and regional banks to large card issuers available to applicants in all 50 states.
Regularly Updated APRs: Our rate updaters verify and update credit card rates regularly. Because APRs and promotional offers can change based on market conditions and issuer policies, every product features its own “last updated” date for full transparency. Credit card APRs shown typically represent the lowest available rate for applicants with excellent credit; your actual rate will depend on your credit history, credit score, income, and other underwriting factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to get a credit card from a bank or credit union?
What credit score do I need to qualify for a low-interest credit card?
What is a balance transfer credit card and how does it work?
What is the difference between a cash back and a travel rewards card?
Top Credit Card APRs
- VAPR Federal Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Mastercard)
- GFA Federal Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Cash Back Credit Card)
- Monterra Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Credit Cards)
- Greater Together Credit Union: 2.34% APR (VISA Balance Transfer)
- ILWU Federal Credit Union: 2.95% APR (Platinum CARGO Rewards Visa)
Credit Card Calculators
