Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Updated: June 6, 2024

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card both offer appealing no-annual-fee structures and introductory APR periods. If you seek rewards on every purchase, the Quicksilver card leads with its unlimited 1.5% cash back.

But if your focus is on debt management, the Citi Simplicity Card's lengthy 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers may be more beneficial. While both cards serve distinct purposes well, the Quicksilver's cash back feature and welcome bonus offer a compelling case for everyday use. The Citi Simplicity remains a strong contender for its consumer-friendly fee structure.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Quicksilver if you value earning cash back on every purchase. With its 1.5% cash back rate, a $200 cash bonus after a low spend threshold and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, it's a solid choice for everyday spending and managing existing debt.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if your primary goal is to pay down debt without accruing interest over a long period. The card's standout feature is its lengthy 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers, coupled with no late fees or penalty APR, making it a strong candidate if you’re looking to consolidate and pay off your balances.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. Use this section to determine the subtle yet impactful differences, like the Quicksilver's cash back on all purchases versus the Citi Simplicity's focus on balance transfers.

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    Regular APR: Citi Simplicity

    The Citi Simplicity is slightly better due to its lower starting APR of 19.24% than the Quicksilver's 19.99%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Citi Simplicity have no annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity

    The Citi Simplicity is better for introductory 0% APRs, particularly for balance transfers, offering 0% for 21 months compared with the Quicksilver's 15 months. Both cards charge a 3% fee on balance transfers.

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    Rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

    The Quicksilver Cash is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Rewards do not expire and can be redeemed in various ways. The Citi Simplicity does not offer rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

    The Quicksilver is better for welcome offers, offering a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within three months of account opening. The Citi Simplicity has no welcome offer.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver Cash and the Citi Simplicity require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible if you have good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Tie

    The Citi Simplicity offers no late fees, but it does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. The Quicksilver has no foreign transaction fees but imposes up to $40 for late payments.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Quicksilver

    Capital One edges out slightly with a higher issuer satisfaction rating of 4.2 compared with the Citi’s 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Quicksilver

    Quicksilver includes up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership, unlimited 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One and no foreign transaction fees. Citi Simplicity offers no perks beyond standard card features.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Quicksilver and Citi Simplicity using a tailored scoring system for different use cases. Quicksilver scores highest for cash back, with a significant emphasis on the effective reward rate and the cost of the annual fee.

Citi Simplicity leads in balance transfers, where the introductory APR on purchases and the regular APR are weighted heavily. These factors, among others, contribute to a comprehensive score reflecting each card's strengths in its category. For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you can explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Quicksilver vs. Citi Simplicity

What are the cash back benefits of the Quicksilver?
How long is the 0% intro APR period for balance transfers with the Citi Simplicity?
Is there a welcome bonus for the Quicksilver?
Does the Citi Simplicity® Card charge late fees?
What are the APR rates after the introductory period for both cards?

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.


*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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