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Here's our most up-to-date list of credit card financial assistance programs during coronavirus

Credit card issuers, including Chase and Citi, are offering support through flexible bill payments and waived late fees and interest in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The coronavirus pandemic is altering the way Americans live and work and unfortunately causing financial hardship for thousands of consumers. Whether you've been laid off or have seen a reduction in working hours, you may find it difficult to make credit card bill payments.

Thankfully, most major card issuers have released statements outlining how they plan to assist customers during this challenging time. Cardholders may be able to skip payments, avoid late fees and receive lower interest rates. Keep in mind, the assistance you receive depends on your individual situation. Not everyone will qualify for the same coverage.

Card issuers encourage customers to use online account management and mobile apps for 24/7 account access and call or chat to speak to a representative about available options.

Below, CNBC Select rounds up what assistance card issuers are currently offering credit card holders.

This list is updated on a regular basis.

Credit card issuer customer assistance

Many of the top credit card issuers have released statements and created webpages dedicated to customers' coronavirus concerns. See below for a summary of what card issuers are offering as relief.

American Express

To ease the financial hardship and difficulties many Americans are already facing, American Express is waiving interest and late payment fees for eligible personal and business cardholders. Amex also suggests members consider its Financial Relief Program, which offers both short-term and long-term assistance, such as monthly payment or interest rates temporarily lowered or relief from late payment fees for qualifying cardholders. Learn more about Amex's coronavirus assistance.

Updates

Goldman Sachs, Apple

The Goldman Sachs-backed Apple Card was one of the first to offer relief to cardholders. Apple sent out an email on March 15 that stated: "We understand that the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 situation poses unique challenges for everyone and some customers may have difficulty making their monthly payments. Apple Card is committed to helping you lead a healthier financial life."

Upon enrollment in Apple's Customer Assistance Program, cardholders are able to skip their March credit card payment without incurring interest charges. Learn more about Apple's coronavirus assistance.

Update April 1: Cardholders can now skip April payments. If you previously enrolled in the March Customer Assistance Program, you will need to enroll again to be eligible to skip April's payment.

Bank of America

Bank of America has one of the most extensive webpages dedicated to coronavirus assistance, including statements from top executives. "If you have been negatively impacted by coronavirus and need additional assistance related to your account please visit our website or you can give us a call," Holly O'Neill, head of consumer, small business and wealth management client care at Bank of America, said in a video statement on the client assistance webpage.

Available assistance includes the ability for credit card holders to submit an online request form for a payment deferral. Learn more about Bank of America's coronavirus assistance.

Update April 22: Bank of America gives new cardholders 90 more days to earn welcome bonus amid coronavirus

Capital One

Like Amex, Capital One is also including waived interest and fees in its assistance program for both personal and business cardholders. According to a Capital One spokesperson, "The specific provisions offered really depend on the individual customer's needs, but can include fee suppression, minimum payment assistance and deferred loan payments." Learn more about Capital One's coronavirus assistance.

Update April 16: You can now use your Capital One miles for food delivery, takeout and streaming services, for a limited time

Chase

Chase cardholders may receive assistance with both bill payments and travel bookings. "When customers call us with financial challenges related to coronavirus, our customer service specialists have been helping them with things like waiving fees, extending payment due dates for cards, auto loans and mortgages, or increasing credit lines for consumer and small business customers," a Chase spokesperson tells CNBC Select.

Chase also created a coronavirus trip management page dedicated to changing or canceling travel booking, which states they will work with customers "to help find solutions for changing or cancelling a trip whether you paid with your credit card, debit card, or with rewards." Learn more about Chase's coronavirus assistance.

Updates

Citi

Citi's coronavirus webpage states that eligible Citi credit card customers can receive credit line increases and enroll in collection forbearance programs. If you qualify for assistance, you may be able to ask for a larger line of credit or the ability to temporarily pause minimum payments. Learn more about Citi's coronavirus assistance.

Update April 7: Citi expands assistance to include late fee waivers and deferral of minimum payments for two months. Coronavirus relief options are also extended until May 8, 2020 and Citi will continue to monitor the situation to determine if assistance should be further extended or expanded. Citi credit cardholders can also now submit a request for assistance online after logging in.

Discover

A Discover spokesperson tells CNBC Select that, "Discover customers may receive assistance that can include support related to payment timing, fees and late payments." Cardholders can call customer service or chat with a representative about available options. Learn more about Discover's coronavirus assistance.

Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and other issuers

Other card issuers, such as Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank, encourage customers to call and discuss possible solutions. If your card issuer doesn't provide the assistance you need, consider opening a new credit card with benefits that are better suited to your needs.

Consider 0% APR credit cards to get out of debt

If you're in a temporary bind due to the coronavirus, you may want to consider cards that offer no interest for up to 20 months. These typically require a good credit score, but if you qualify a 0% APR credit card can help you pay off debt or new purchases over time without incurring interest charges, as long as you make the minimum payment and pay off your balance before the intro period ends. Below, we list some of our favorite no-interest credit cards.

Citi Simplicity® Card

CNBC Select Rating
4.3
CNBC Select Rating
4.3

Spotlight

Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and purchases from the date of account opening.

Credit score

Good to Excellent670–850

Regular APR

17.49% - 28.24% variable

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

None

See rates and fees. Terms apply. Read our Citi Simplicity® Card review.

Information about the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers.

  • One of the longest intro APR offers for balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • No rewards
  • No welcome bonus

Balance transfer fee

There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Foreign transaction fee

3%

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

CNBC Select Rating
4.3

Personal and small business credit cards issued by U.S. Bank are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

CNBC Select Rating
4.3

Personal and small business credit cards issued by U.S. Bank are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

Credit score

N/A

Regular APR

See terms

Annual fee

See terms

Welcome bonus

See terms

*See rates and fees, terms apply.

  • Best-in-class intro-APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
  • No rewards
  • No welcome bonus

Information about the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

CNBC Select Rating
5.0
CNBC Select Rating
5.0

Spotlight

New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

Credit score

Good to Excellent670–850

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.74% variable

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

Earn $200 cash back

See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.

  • Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
  • Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
  • No annual fee
  • Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
  • Few rewarding ongoing benefits

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Balance transfer fee

Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee

3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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