Even in these financially-shaky times, there are still credit card issuers out there willing to make a deal on a new credit card that features an interest rate of 0%. Of course, understanding the best zero percent credit cards available from the best issuers will be necessary, not only for personal financial health but to ensure that as much benefit from them as possible is derived.

It's always the case that any credit card offered at no interest rate will come with a set of exclusions, requirements and caveats. Usually, most any non-interest rate credit card comes that way for only a limited time. The best zero percent credit cards will come with such a rate for quite a bit longer than those that aren't as finely featured, so keep that in mind, too. In some cases, the really good cards will feature no interest rate for 12 months.

One should understand that that length of time is an eternity in the credit card industry. Many credit card companies and issuers look at interest rates as factors that can move up and down on a regular basis, and will make semiannual or annual adjustments to those interest rates as a matter of course. In reality, interest rates are tied to certain financial markets and rise or fall almost on a daily or even hourly basis.

Fortunately for people looking for the best zero percent credit cards, banks and other issuers are bound to obey the law when it comes to interest rates and cannot constantly adjust them. Additionally, it would cost far more to readjust their programs than they would make from constantly adjusting interest rates, even for a credit card that is offered with a non-interest rate feature.

In general, most of these cards feature 3 to 6 months of no interest rate, though – as was said – the best cards will come to a consumer with up to a year of such a characteristic. They will usually also have a balance transfer feature, though a credit card issuer offering no interest rate credit cards will try to extract a fee on the balance that is transferred. This can run to 3% of the balance, though many issuers today prefer to ask for a flat fee.

One shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that one will automatically qualify for one of the best zero percent credit cards, though. Generally speaking, only those with good-to-excellent or even outstanding credit usually qualifies for such a card, and the expectation is that they will also be transferring the balance over to the new card.

It's very important to keep in mind that the caveats or stipulations when it comes to finding a card that features no interest rate, at least initially, be followed to the letter. Read the stipulations carefully before accepting, because if even one rule or regulation from the credit card issuer isn't followed, it's a sure bet that the interest rate will rise steeply almost immediately, and certainly by the next billing cycle. As always, be well informed prior to jumping into any such credit card or offer and everything should be fine.