If you’re looking for a credit card to help you pay off your existing debt with a low balance transfer offer, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card or the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum may be the best option. MoneyGeek compared the two to help you decide which card is better for your needs.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card vs. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum: Which Is Best for You?


The Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum are two of the best balance transfer cards available on the market. In this guide, MoneyGeek compares them to determine the better option for those looking to consolidate debts.
We considered several factors, including the length of the introductory APR period, balance transfer fees, annual fees and other benefits. For example, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card has 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases. Meanwhile, the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum has 0% Intro APR for 20 months on both.
Comparison Overview: Citi Diamond Preferred Card vs. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
- Citi Diamond Preferred CardU.S. Bank Visa Platinum
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
- Credit NeededExcellentGood-Excellent
Citi Diamond Preferred Card At a Glance
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is a great option for people who want to finance new purchases or pay off debt over an extended period. It has a 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening. Cardholders can also enjoy the absence of an annual fee.
- Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Best balance transfer card for immediate transfers
- ExcellentCredit Needed
- 0% APR on new purchasesAPR Offer
- 12 monthsAPR Offer Duration
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfersBalance Transfer Offer
- 14.74%–24.74%APR
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum At a Glance
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum is best for those who want a long interest-free period to pay off debts or make big purchases. It has a special 0% Intro APR for 20 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers. It also comes with cell phone insurance, which other balance transfer cards rarely offer. Additionally, the card won’t incur an annual fee.
- U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Best balance transfer credit card for short-term debt repayment
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- 0% APR on new purchasesAPR Offer
- 20 monthsAPR Offer Duration
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfersBalance Transfer Offer
- 14.49%–24.49%APR
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek analyzed the differences between the Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum to help you decide which is the best balance transfer card for your needs.
- Card DetailComparison Summary
Intro APR
The annual percentage rate (or APR) dictates a borrower’s interest on carried balances. Both cards offer a 0% APR introductory period.
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card gives its cardholders 21 months on balance transfers, among the longest for any balance transfer card. However, it only offers 12 months on purchases.
On the other hand, U.S. Bank Visa Platinum offers 20 months for both purchases and balance transfers.
Winner: U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Regular APR
After the introductory period ends, there will be a variable APR based on your creditworthiness when you open your account.
For the Citi Diamond Preferred Card, the variable APR will be 13.74% to 23.74%. Meanwhile, the regular APR for U.S. Bank Visa Platinum is 14.49% to 24.49%.
Winner: U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Balance Transfer Fee
To determine if transferring your balance is worth doing, it’s necessary to compare the balance transfer fee you’ll pay with what you’ll save on interest.
For the Citi Diamond Preferred Card, there is a 5% balance transfer fee with a $5 minimum. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum, on the other hand, has a 3% balance transfer fee with a $5 minimum.
Winner: U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Benefits
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers zero liability for any unauthorized charges made on your account. This means you won’t be responsible for a payment you did not authorize, online or otherwise. Cardholders also get special access to purchase tickets for exclusive events, including concerts, sporting events and dining experiences.
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card offers cell phone protection coverage. If you pay your phone bill with this card, you will be covered up to $600 for damage or theft. However, there’s a $25 deductible and the insurance is secondary to any phone insurance you already have.
Winner: Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Which Card Should You Get?
Finding the right balance transfer card for you isn’t always simple. What will help is first considering your needs and situation before choosing the Citi Diamond Preferred Card or the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum.
Who Should Consider the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers a 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, making it ideal for those looking to consolidate debts.
Individuals who want to pay off their credit card debt using balance transfer strategies can take advantage of this card’s lengthy introductory APR period.
People who want special access to tickets for exclusive events, including concerts, sporting events and dining experiences, can enjoy these perks through the card’s Citi Entertainment benefits.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum?
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum is a great card for people who want an extended interest-free period to pay off debts and big purchases.
Individuals who want to avoid costly interest fees while paying off their debt can take advantage of U.S. Bank Visa Platinum’s 0% Intro APR for 20 months on bank transfers.
Those who want to make a major purchase can use their U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card to pay it off over 20 months without any interest.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
If you’re looking for a credit card to help you pay off your existing debt with a low balance transfer offer, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card or the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum may be the best option.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions to help you understand the differences between the Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum before making an informed choice.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum are excellent balance transfer cards for people who want to consolidate debt. However, if you want more rewards from using your card, consider getting a rewards credit card instead.
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sources
- Citi Bank. "Citi Diamond Preferred Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- U.S. Bank. "U.S. Bank Visa Platinum." Accessed January 5, 2022.
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