MoneyGeek's Take
Citi Simplicity® Card Review
The Citi Simplicity® Card is ideal for individuals looking for straightforward terms who want a balance transfer card. It has no annual fee, no late fees and a 0% intro APR period for purchases in the first 12 months.

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With the Citi Simplicity® Card, you have a 0% intro APR period on purchases made in the first 12 months while also having a 0% intro APR period for balance transfers in the first 21 months. These first few months are the ideal period to build your credit history. Then, your variable APR is based on your creditworthiness and ranges from 18.24% – 28.99%. Not having to pay an annual fee or late fees are also major perks.

Card Details to Know Up Front
- Bonus, Fee or FeatureHas or Not
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
- Recommended CreditGood–Excellent
Citi Simplicity® Card at a Glance
With the Citi Simplicity® Card, you can pay off debt easily since it has no annual fee and a long introductory 0% APR period. There are also no late fees.
- Citi Simplicity® Card
A good no annual fee card for balance transfers
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 18.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- 12 monthsAPR Offer Duration
- 21 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
Pros & Cons Explained
Before submitting a Citi Simplicity® Card application, it’s a good idea to understand its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these factors will help you decide if it’s the right card for you.
Pros
- BenefitsDescription
- No annual feeThere is no annual charge to be a Citi Simplicity® Card customer.
- Long 0% APR introductory offerYou get a 0% intro APR period for purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR period for 21 months on balance transfers. This means the card is ideal for customers who are looking to pay for bigger purchases.
- Citi perksWith Citi, you get 24/7 direct-to-rep customer service and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
Cons
- DrawbacksDescription
- 3% foreign transaction feeWhen making purchases outside the United States, you’ll be charged 3% per purchase. This means that for every $100, you’ll pay $3.
- No rewardsSince the card is designed for building credit, it doesn’t offer any rewards or cash back.
MoneyGeek reviews credit cards every month to find the best card in each category. Browse through our top picks for balance transfer cards in 2022 to find the perfect option for your needs.
Other Features Explained
Aside from no annual fee, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers additional features that cardholders may find beneficial.
- Card FeatureDescription
- Contactless paySince the card is chip-enabled, you can tap your card on payment readers for convenience.
- $0 liability on unauthorized chargesYou won’t be held liable if there’s a charge on your account that you didn’t authorize.
- Citi Identity Theft SolutionsWith Citi, you can resolve identity theft issues easily.
Use your card before the purchase and balance transfer APR kicks in. You’ll be able to pay your monthly bills without substantially affecting your credit score.
>>MORE: BALANCE TRANSFERS WITH CITI: AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE
Understanding the Fine Print
Since credit cards come with different fees and terms, it’s wise to understand the fine print before applying.
- Card FeatureAmount or Rate
- APR18.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Annual Fee$0
- Balance Transfer Fee$5 or 3% whichever is greater; $5 or 5% after first four months*
- Balance Transfer APR18.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Late FeesUnspecified
Regular APR
Your creditworthiness determines your variable APR. You could pay between 18.49% – 28.49%.
Balance transfer fee
This costs either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, depending on which is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
For every international transaction you make, you’ll pay 3% of the total.
When comparing the Citi Simplicity® Card to other credit cards (such as the ones currently in your wallet), information can be found on your latest billing statement, online account or the card issuer’s website. You can also check the credit card agreement database maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Citi Simplicity® Card?
Other Considerations for Citi Simplicity® Card
Before you apply for the Citi Simplicity® Card, you should evaluate if it will be your only card or another card in your wallet. Consider your goals to ensure you maximize the benefits this card offers.
Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card
You’ll need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for this card. It’ll help to plan your purchases ahead of time so you can maximize the 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months and balance transfers for the first 21 months.
Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet
Make sure to balance your other cards’ fees with the Citi Simplicity® Card. You can take advantage of the long $0 intro APR period and $0 annual fee. If you have cards with high interest, you can transfer your balance to this card and find potential savings.
MoneyGeek has a thorough and detailed methodology for reviewing credit cards. We gather information from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau database, standardize data points for easy comparison, frequently review our top-ranking cards, estimate average spend profiles and more.
How Citi Simplicity® Card Compares to Other Cards
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers no annual fee, no late fee and more. While these are great perks, it’s advisable to compare them with similar cards to ensure you get the card that best fits your needs.
Quick Comparison of Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
- APR: 18.49% – 28.49% variable
- Annual Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Mini Verdict: Best for individuals that are looking to make big purchases or transfer a balance
Wells Fargo Platinum Card
- APR: 12.99% to 24.99%
- Annual Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3%-5%
- Mini Verdict: Ideal for people who want to rebuild credit
Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As
Understanding the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Citi Simplicity® Card may help you determine if it is the best option for you.
Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.
While the Citi Simplicity is a straightforward card, there may be more suitable options for you. If your financial needs don’t require a balance transfer card, you can consider a rewards card or travel card.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
American Express® Gold Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Mastercard® Black Card™
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Simmons Rewards Visa Signature®
Simmons Visa®
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express® Business Gold Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Iberia Visa Signature® Card
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi® Double Cash Card
United℠ Business Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Explorer Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Destiny® Mastercard®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- Citi. "Citi Simplicity® Card." Accessed March 1, 2022.
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