Money feels tight for a lot of people right now. That's just the reality. Between stubborn grocery prices and the pressure to make the holidays "perfect," the end of the year often turns into a giant financial headache. So, when a big player like Affirm launches nationwide 0 days promotion for holiday shoppers, people actually stop and look. This isn't just another coupon or a "buy one, get one" deal that only applies to sweaters nobody wants.
It’s about interest—or the lack thereof.
Affirm officially dubbed this event 0% Days. For a specific window, they basically opened the floodgates on interest-free financing across thousands of brands. Honestly, the timing was surgical. By hitting the calendar in late October, specifically from October 22 to October 24, they aimed to grab those early-bird shoppers before the traditional Black Friday madness even started. They’re betting that if they can get you to use the Affirm app or the Affirm Card once with 0% APR, you'll probably stick around for the rest of the season.
How the 0% Days Promotion Actually Works
You've probably seen Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options everywhere. Usually, Affirm makes a significant chunk of its money through interest-bearing loans. In fact, roughly 71% of their transactions typically carry an interest rate, which can climb as high as 36% depending on your credit. That's why this promotion was such a pivot.
During the 0% Days event, eligible shoppers were able to access terms that stretched out as long as 24 months without a single penny of interest. Imagine buying a $1,200 laptop and actually only paying $1,200 over two years. No deferred interest traps. No late fees. No "gotchas" in the fine print.
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Vishal Kapoor, Affirm’s Senior Vice President of Product, didn't hold back when explaining the "why" behind this. He basically called out traditional credit cards for what he described as "hidden costs hiding in the shadows." He’s talking about that sneaky deferred interest where, if you miss a single payment on a "0% offer," the bank hits you with all the back-interest at once. Affirm doesn't do that. That’s their whole brand.
The Logistics of the Deal
- The Window: October 22 through October 24, 2025.
- The Access Point: You had to use the Affirm mobile app or the physical/virtual Affirm Card.
- The Terms: Up to 24 months interest-free, though the specific length depended on the retailer.
- The Reach: Thousands of retailers across fashion, home, electronics, and travel.
Why 2025 is the Year of the BNPL Wars
Affirm isn't operating in a vacuum. They’re fighting for your wallet alongside giants like Klarna and PayPal. Earlier in October, PayPal launched a 5% cash-back campaign for their own BNPL users that runs through the end of the year. Sezzle has been aggressively adding new merchants. It's a crowded room.
The stakes are massive. An Experian survey from late 2025 found that 43% of consumers planned to use BNPL for their holiday shopping. Compare that to just 20% back in 2023. We are seeing a massive shift in how people handle their cash flow.
People are getting smarter. Or maybe just more tired of credit card debt. According to William Blair analyst Andrew Jeffrey, a 0% offer on a big-ticket item—like a $1,500 iPad—is often way more valuable than the 2% cash back you’d get on a premium rewards card. The math just makes more sense for the average person trying to stay out of a debt spiral.
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The Catch (Because There’s Always a Trade-off)
Look, nothing is truly "free." Even when interest is 0%, there are things to keep in mind.
First, Affirm reports to credit bureaus like Experian and TransUnion now. If you get overexcited by the 0% offers and take on more than you can handle, a missed payment will ding your credit score just as fast as a missed credit card bill.
There's also the psychological side of it. 0% interest makes spending feel... easy. Too easy? Maybe. The Motley Fool’s 2025 BNPL study found that about 55% of Gen Z and Millennials admit to using these services to buy things that were technically beyond their means. Just because you can split a payment into 24 pieces doesn't always mean you should.
Who Benefits the Most?
High-income shoppers are actually using these tools more than you'd think. It’s not just for people who can't afford the full price upfront. It’s for people who would rather keep their cash in a high-yield savings account or the market, earning 4% or 5%, while paying off a purchase at 0%. It’s a liquidity play.
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Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Holiday Season
Even though the "0% Days" branded event was a concentrated three-day burst, the ripple effects are still here. If you're looking to maximize your budget for the rest of the year, here is how to handle these promos:
Check Individual Merchants Directly
While the nationwide event was short, individual brands like Pacsun often run their own Affirm-exclusive deals. For example, Pacsun recently offered 10% off for shoppers using Affirm through mid-December. Many furniture and mattress brands offer 0% APR via Affirm year-round, not just during big promos.
Watch Your "Total Monthly" Number
The biggest mistake is looking at each loan in isolation. $20 here, $40 there... suddenly you have $600 in "tiny" payments leaving your account every month. Use the Affirm app’s "Manage" tab to see your cumulative monthly total before adding a new purchase.
Compare Against Your Credit Card
If you have a credit card with a 0% introductory period, it might be better for "everyday" small gifts. Use Affirm specifically for the big-ticket items where the 12-to-24-month window gives you real breathing room.
Verify the Reporting
Remember that Affirm reports most of its longer-term loans. If you’re planning on applying for a mortgage or a car loan in early 2026, keep your BNPL usage low. Even if you pay on time, a high "amount owed" on your credit report can sometimes impact your debt-to-income ratio.
The way we pay for things is changing fast. Affirm's 0% Days was a loud signal that the old-school credit card model is under serious pressure. For the consumer who is disciplined, these promotions are a massive win. For everyone else, they’re a test of willpower.