Discover it® Miles
vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Updated: April 12, 2024

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If you're seeking a credit card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Discover it Miles and the Citi Simplicity Card. The Discover it Miles is better for earning rewards, with its 1.5X miles on all purchases and a unique first-year mile match bonus.

In contrast, the Citi Simplicity Card is ideal for those looking to make a balance transfer, offering a longer 0% APR period for this purpose and no penalty fees. Choose the Discover it Miles for everyday spending and rewards, or opt for the Citi Simplicity Card if your priority is managing existing debt.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Miles
Discover it® Miles
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.24% - 28.24% variable
    19.24% - 29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    0% for 12 months on purchases
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    0% for 21 months on balance transfers
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
    -
    Recommended Credit
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Discover it® Miles vs. Citi Simplicity® Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it® Miles if: You're looking to earn rewards on every purchase. With an effective reward rate of 1.5 miles per dollar spent, this card allows you to accumulate miles that can be used for travel or converted to cash back. Additionally, the Discover it® Miles card matches all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards. If you have a good to excellent credit score and enjoy earning rewards without worrying about specific bonus categories, this card could be a great fit for your wallet.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity® Card if: your primary goal is to pay down debt without accruing interest. The Citi Simplicity® Card shines with its lengthy 0% APR period for balance transfers — 21 months, one of the longest available. This feature makes it an excellent choice for those who need a substantial amount of time to pay off existing balances. While it doesn't offer rewards, it compensates with no late fees and a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months, which can be beneficial if you have upcoming expenses that you plan to pay off over time.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles card, with a MoneyGeek balance transfer score of 3.5 out of 5, is tailored for individuals seeking a straightforward rewards program. Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase, making it an uncomplicated choice for everyday spending.

A standout feature is the introductory offer, providing a mile-for-mile match for all miles earned at the end of the first year for new cardholders, effectively doubling the rewards for the first year without a cap. The card boasts no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, enhancing its appeal to international travelers. With a recommended credit range between 670 and 850, it's accessible to those with good to excellent credit.

Discover it® Miles
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Miles
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5

Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the Citi Simplicity® Card

The Citi Simplicity® Card, with a MoneyGeek balance transfer score of 4.6 out of 5, stands out for those seeking a reprieve from high-interest debt. It offers a lengthy 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers, which is among the longest available, making it a strong candidate for balance transfers. The card also boasts a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, providing a window for planned expenses without interest.

With no annual fee and a recommended credit score between 670 and 850, the Citi Simplicity® Card is tailored for consumers with good to excellent credit who want to manage existing debt without accruing additional charges. Notably, this card does not offer rewards or cash back, positioning it as a tool for financial management rather than a vehicle for earning on spending.

Citi Simplicity® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5

Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 12 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
N/A
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Discover it® Miles vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Our breakdown will help you compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features of the Discover it® Miles and Citi Simplicity® Card. By examining these aspects side by side, you can identify which card aligns with your spending habits and financial goals.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    The Discover it® Miles card offers a better regular APR range between 17.24% and 28.24% variable, compared to the Citi Simplicity® Card, which is between 19.24% and 29.99% variable.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee

    Both the Discover it® Miles and the Citi Simplicity® Card have no annual fee. This makes them equally attractive for users looking to avoid extra costs.

    lowInterestAPR icon

    Introductory 0% APRs

    For balance transfers, Citi Simplicity® Card offers a better deal with a 0% APR for 21 months, compared to Discover it® Miles' 15 months. However, for purchases, Discover it® Miles is more favorable, providing a 0% APR for 15 months, versus the 12 months offered by Citi Simplicity® Card.

    coins icon

    Rewards

    Discover it® Miles is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase. In contrast, the Citi Simplicity® Card does not offer any rewards. For those interested in a rewards card, Discover it® Miles offers a more beneficial program.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    Discover it® Miles is better for welcome offers due to its Discover Match® feature, offering an unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers at the end of their first year, whereas the Citi Simplicity® Card has no current offer.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score

    Both cards require a credit score between 670 and 850 (good to excellent). This indicates that individuals with good to excellent credit are the target audience for both the Discover it® Miles and the Citi Simplicity® Card.

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees

    Discover it® Miles is better for penalties and fees due to its no late fee on the first late payment and no foreign transaction fees. Both cards have the same cash advance fee structure.

    points icon

    Issuer Satisfaction

    Discover it® Miles has a higher issuer satisfaction rating at 4.5, compared to Citi Simplicity® Card's rating of 4.1. This indicates a better customer satisfaction level with Discover Bank's services.

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    Other Features & Perks

    Neither card outperforms the other in this category, as the best choice depends on what perks and features are most valuable to you.

FAQ: Discover it® Miles vs. Citi Simplicity®

What are the APRs for Discover it® Miles and Citi Simplicity® Card?
How do the fees for Discover it® Miles compare to Citi Simplicity® Card?
What credit score is required for each card?
How do the rewards for Discover it® Miles and Citi Simplicity® Card differ?
What are the introductory offers for each card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


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