Finding a zero APR credit card deal is not difficult these days. It seems every day brings two or three new offers in the mailbox, and you can’t turn on the television without seeing commercials for special zero APR promotions.

The truth is, credit card companies are facing serious competition these days, and this is turning out to be a great thing for consumers. With so many different cards competing on interest rates, rewards points and other perks, the introduction of the 0% APR “trial period” has helped some companies stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market.

What this amounts to for me and you is, potentially, a much better deal on our next credit card. But before signing on the dotted line to receive your new 0% APR credit card, it is critical to understand the fine print of these offers, and the potential downsides of these cards. In this article we’ll review the details of zero APR credit card promotions, and outline some of the most important points to consider before accepting a credit card deal.

First, consider what the standard APR is for the card. I’m not talking about the introductory APR, which is obviously 0%, but the standard APR that will kick in as in as the initial 0% period has ended. This should be your first consideration when looking at a zero APR credit card deal, otherwise you could wind up stuck with an extremely high annual percentage rate when the zero APR trial period is over.

Credit card annual interest rates can vary from about 6% to well over 30%. In addition there are both fixed and variable interest rates. Most consumer cards these days use a fixed interest rate, and this is overall a very good thing for consumers. Variable interest rates have a bad habit of varying to the high side, increasing the amount of interest you are paying on your credit card debt just when you least expect it. Staying with a fixed rate card will ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises in the future.

Finally, it is very important to shop around and do considerable research before signing any new credit card deal. APR’s and 0% promotions vary greatly among the various credit card companies. For example, many companies are now offering a six-month zero APR period, but if you search thoroughly, you can find credit cards offering as much as 24 months with 0% interest. I don’t have to tell you that paying no interest or fees on your card for two years is a significantly better deal than for six months!

These 24 month, 0% interest deals are not commonly advertised; however, if you call a few of the credit card companies, or even visit a few local banks and inquire, you might be surprised at how competitive the individual companies are, and the great lengths they will go to in order to secure you as a customer.

By doing your homework and shopping around thoroughly, you will find that the high competition among credit card companies means much greater choice and flexibility to you as a consumer. With a little leg-work, or by searching online, you can easily find a Zero APR credit card deal that benefits you both in the short term, and the long run.