Are There Secured Credit Cards with 0% APR?

Advertiser Disclosure Editorial Disclosure

Last updated on June 17th, 2022

Secured credit cards provide an excellent way to build – or rebuild – credit. Because these cards are designed for credit building and credit repair, they often lack the signup bonuses that come with other, unsecured credit cards. One particular signup bonus is popular among new applicants: The 0% APR offer. This introductory promotion waives any interest charges for a period ranging a few months to over a year. But are there any secured credit cards with 0% APR offers?

Do Secured Cards Offer Rewards?

Secured cards get their name from the security deposit their issuers require to open a new account. This deposit acts as both collateral and the line of credit. Most secured cards require a minimum deposit of around $200, with a maximum deposit of approximately $1,000 to $3,000.

The combination of these modest credit limits and the focus on credit repair mean most secured cards lack an intro bonus. Other cards – especially rewards credit cards for people with excellent credit – come with signup perks like extra points and 0% intro APRs.

What Secured Cards Offer Signup Bonuses?

Just because you have bad credit, however, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy signup bonuses like no interest on purchases. There is, in fact, one secured card that offers 0% intro APR when used for transactions.

Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard Secured Credit Card

The Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is unique in that it offers a (relatively) lengthy 0% intro APR offer. All new cardholders receive six months with no interest on purchases after they are approved. This means all purchases made with the card are interest-free for the first six months, which is an excellent bonus for those looking to finance a purchase – or who simply want the peace of mind that they won’t have to worry about interest payments for half a year.

The Assent Platinum Mastercard is far more than just a great introductory offer, however. The card also provides an exceptional APR once the first six months end. The rate is over 6% lower than the average interest rate for a secured card – and lower than the APR expected of a credit card by those with good credit.

Other features of the Assent Secured Card include:

  • Regular reporting to the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
  • 24/7 online account access
  • Mastercard security and global acceptance

Tips for Using Secured Cards to Build Credit

While a card like the Assent does offer a signup bonus, secured cards are designed for repairing bad credit scores and establishing credit for the first time. To accomplish these goals, there are certain best practices that you must get into the habit of using every day. These include:

  • Using your card for smaller purchases. This habit will help you avoid maxing out the credit line and make your payments easier to meet.
  • Making your payments on time each month. Payment history is the most important factor when it comes to your credit score, which means missed payments can really hurt it.
  • Paying off the balance in full each month. This good habit frees up your credit line for the next month and thus keeps your credit utilization ratio down. Plus, you’ll avoid activating that high interest rate.

For more information on rebuilding your credit, please visit our dedicated Bad Credit card listings and resource page.

Related Article: 7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Getting the OpenSky Secured Visa

About: Cory
Cory Santos

Cory is BestCards.com's "Jack of all trades" and resident credit expert, covering all facets of the credit card space. Cory holds academic degrees in both the U.S. and U.K. In addition to credit cards, Cory finds that jogging, cats, and memes are essential parts of a balanced day.

Advertiser Disclosure

BestCards is an independent, Florida-based credit card comparison platform. Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which BestCards receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BestCards does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.

Get the Best Credit Card Content in Your Inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest credit card articles and news so you can stay on top of your financial wellbeing.