 TITLE: What Credit Score Do You Need for a 0% APR Credit Card? CONTENT: Consider Improving Your Credit Score Before Applying\n----------------------------------------------------\nJust because you received an offer for a 0% APR credit card in the mail or online doesn't necessarily mean you'll be approved. If your FICO® Score is at the low end of \"good,\" taking steps to improve it before you apply for the card will give you a better chance of getting approved.\nFirst, check your FICO® Score. If it's lower than you expected, get a free credit report to look for any issues that need to be resolved, such as incorrect or missing information.\nOnce you've reviewed your credit report and score, follow these tips to improve your score:\n*   Focus on bringing any late accounts current.\n*   Be diligent about making all of your payments on time. If you occasionally forget to pay your credit card bills, use autopay to ensure you never miss a payment going forward.\n*   Pay down credit card balances and other debts. Keep your credit utilization ratio, or percentage of available credit you're using, under 30% to avoid hurting your credit score—or in single digits for the best scores.\nAlso consider signing up for Experian Boost™† to help speed up the process of improving your FICO® Score. This free service gives you credit for on-time utility and cellphone payments, which could give your FICO® Score an immediate bump. END