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 14.74% to 24.74%. 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
- Credit NeededGood-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-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 14.74% - 24.74%APR
- 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
- APR14.74% - 24.74%
- Annual Fee$0
- Balance Transfer Fee5%
- Balance Transfer APR14.74% - 24.74%
- Late Fees$40
Regular APR
Your creditworthiness determines your variable APR. You could pay between 14.74% and 24.74%.
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: 14.74% - 24.74%
- 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.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Mastercard Titanium Card
Disney Premier Visa Card
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold
American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card
Chase British Airways Visa Signature
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Jasper Mastercard
American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Capital One Spark Miles
Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa
Capital One Spark Cash Select - Good Credit
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
Disney Visa Card
Mastercard Black Card
Simmons Visa
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit
American Express Hilton Honors Business Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Card
Chase United Business
American Express Hilton Honors Card
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards
Chase United Club Infinite
Indigo Platinum Mastercard
USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Card
American Express Plum Card
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- Citi. "Citi Simplicity Card." Accessed March 1, 2022.
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.
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