What happens to my debt when a 0% intro APR period ends?

Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the card's regular 'go-to' APR, which is disclosed when you sign up and is often 20% or higher. Importantly, standard 0% offers do not charge interest retroactively; you only owe interest on the balance that remains after the promo ends, not on what you already paid off.

Watch out for the exception: some store financing offers use 'deferred interest,' where if any balance remains at the deadline, you're charged interest back to day one on the entire original purchase. Read whether your offer is true 0% or deferred interest. Either way, set a reminder for a month before the promo ends and have a plan: pay the balance off, or line up a second balance transfer or consolidation before the higher rate kicks in.