 TITLE: What Happens When Your Intro 0% APR Ends? CONTENT: Do Interest Rates Change After an Introductory Period?\n------------------------------------------------------\nIntroductory offers—as the name implies—are special terms offered to new cardholders and can last anywhere from six to 21 months. Once a card's introductory period is over, the standard interest rates that appear in your cardholder agreement are applied to the account.\nCards have several APRs, but there are two you'll want to pay close attention to as your intro period comes to an end: the interest rate for purchases and the interest rate for balance transfers. The introductory periods for new purchases and balance transfers can vary (some cards offer 0% APR for both new purchases and balance transfers, while some don't), and the ongoing rates charged once interest kicks in may also vary.\n*   **APRs for purchases**: This APR applies to the day-to-day purchases you make with the card. Once an introductory APR for purchases ends, the portion of your balance that comes from new purchases will be assigned a new APR and start to accrue interest at that rate. The specific rate you'll be charged will depend on your creditworthiness, and will be assigned when you're approved for your card.\n*   **APRs for balance transfers**: This APR applies to debt you transfer to the card from other credit cards. It can allow you to avoid paying interest for, say, six to 12 months, but may only apply to balance transfers made during the first few months you have the card. Once a promotional balance transfer APR expires, a new APR will be assigned to any remaining balance. That means if you transferred a total of $5,000 and paid off $3,000 during the introductory period, you will begin paying an assigned balance transfer interest rate on the remaining $2,000 once the intro period is over.\nWhile it's best to pay off your entire balance before the intro period ends—thus paying no interest on the transferred balances and any eligible purchases—that might not be possible. For that reason, it's important to keep track of your card balances, the date your promotional offer ends, and what APR(s) will apply to your balance at that time. END