Both the Citi Simplicity Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card offer attractive features for those looking to transfer balances or finance purchases without interest for nearly two years. The Citi Simplicity Card edges out Citi Diamond as it has a lower balance transfer fee. Despite this, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card is a strong card as it has a lower starting APR and exclusive access to Citi Entertainment. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your preference for lower upfront costs or additional perks.
Citi Simplicity® Card
vs. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Updated: June 4, 2024
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Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Regular APR19.24% - 29.99% variable18.24% - 28.99% variable0% APR Offer0% for 12 months on purchases0% for 12 months on purchasesIntro OfferNo current offerThis card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or pointsNo current offerThis card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or pointsRewards Summary-This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or points-This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or pointsBalance Transfer Offer0% for 21 months on balance transfers0% for 21 months on balance transfersBalance Transfer Fee3% for each balance transfer, minimum $55% of each balance transfer; $5 minimumAnnual Fee$0$0Recommended Credit670-850 (Good to Excellent)670-850 (Good to Excellent)Penalty APR-Up to 29.99% variable, may apply indefinitely for late payment or returned paymentNot sure?
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if you're seeking a balance transfer card with a generous introductory period and a lower fee for transfers. Its forgiving policy on late payments and lack of penalty APR is helpful if you're occasionally late with a payment.
You might prefer the Citi Diamond Preferred if you're interested in a card that offers a slightly lower regular APR and value-added perks like exclusive access to ticketed events. Its free FICO® Score access is a bonus if you're focused on monitoring and improving your credit score.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements and other card features will illuminate which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if avoiding penalties is a priority, Citi Simplicity's lack of late fees may appeal to you. Use this section to match card benefits with your personal finance strategy.
Regular APR: Citi Diamond Preferred
The Citi Diamond Preferred offers a lower starting APR, ranging from 18.24% to 28.99% variable, compared to the Citi Simplicity card's APR range of 19.24% to 29.99% variable.
Annual Fee: Tie
Both the Citi Simplicity and the Citi Diamond Preferred offer the advantage of a $0 annual fee.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
The Citi Simplicity and the Citi Diamond Preferred offer 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers.
Rewards: Tie
Neither Citi Simplicity nor Citi Diamond Preferred offers rewards such as cash back, miles or points.
Welcome Offers: Tie
Both Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred do not currently offer a welcome bonus, making this feature a tie between the two. Both cards do not offer cash back, miles or points as part of an introductory offer.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
Both the Citi Simplicity and the Citi Diamond Preferred require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.
Penalties and Fees: Citi Simplicity
Citi Simplicity is better for penalties and fees, offering no late fees and no penalty APR, in contrast to Citi Diamond Preferred's up to $41 late fee and up to 29.99% variable penalty APR. Both cards have a 3% foreign transaction fee and similar cash advance fees.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Since both the cards are issued by Citibank, they share the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.1.
Other Features & Perks: Tie
Both the Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred offer unique perks. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card provides special access to Citi Entertainment® and free access to your FICO® score online. Meanwhile, the Citi Simplicity Card features Citi® Quick Lock, enhancing security. Given the variety of benefits, the best card for other features and perks depends on your personal preferences.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred based on their performance in specific use cases. For these cards, the balance transfer score is most relevant. This score considers factors such as the quality of balance transfer offers and the cost of carrying a balance.
The balance transfer offer rating and the regular APR rating are the most significant contributors to this score. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.
FAQ: Citi Simplicity vs. Citi Diamond Preferred
What are the balance transfer fees for each card?
Citi Simplicity charges a balance transfer fee of 3%, while Citi Diamond Preferred charges 5%.
Do either of the cards offer rewards or cash back?
Neither card offers rewards or cash back.
Are there annual fees associated with these cards?
Both cards have no annual fees.
What are the APR rates after the introductory period?
APR rates range from 18.24% to 28.99% for Citi Diamond Preferred and 19.24% to 29.99% for Citi Simplicity.
Can I access my credit score for free with either card?
Citi Diamond Preferred provides access to your credit score for free.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.