What is the average credit score needed to get approved for a Citi Simplicity® Card?

To qualify for the Citi Simplicity® Card, you’ll need good to excellent credit.

Does the Citi Simplicity® Card report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes, this card reports to the three credit bureaus.

Is the Citi Simplicity® Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

It is not lengthy to apply for this card, nor does it take a lot of time. The application process to get pre-approved with Citi takes a few minutes.

What information is needed to apply for the Citi Simplicity® Card?

To apply for the Citi Simplicity® Card, you’ll need to provide your name, birthday, Social Security number, address and other important financial information.

Does the Citi Simplicity® Card have good customer service or helpful information online?

Citi offers a 24/7 phone helpline so that you can get in touch with a representative almost immediately.

Does the Citi Simplicity® Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Yes, you can manage your account on the Citi website or through their mobile app.

Does the Citi Simplicity® Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

To [increase your Citi Simplicity® Card credit limit](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/advice/increase-credit-limit-with-citi/), you need to fulfill specific eligibility criteria and then make a request.

Does the Citi Simplicity® Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?

Yes, it does. You’re not liable for unauthorized charges and Citi will work with you to resolve any identity theft issues.

Does Citi offer other credit cards besides the Citi Simplicity® Card?

Yes, Citi offers other cards such as the Citi® Double Cash Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card.

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.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/13/2022

Reviewed By

Brett Holzhauer

Last Updated: 11/13/2022

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 17.74% – 28.49%. Not having to pay an annual fee or late fees are also major perks.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Recommended Credit
Good-Excellent
Has Balance Transfer Fee
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
High APR

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

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
- 17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)APR
- 12 monthsAPR Offer Duration
- 21 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
Pros
No annual fee
Long 0% APR introductory offer
Citi perks
No penalty rate
No late fees

Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
No rewards
You need to pay an Introductory Fee- either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after the first four.
You can have a flexible payment due date that can adjust to your unique situation.
0% intro APR for purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, then variable APR will be 17.74% – 28.49% thereafter
No annual fees.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated credit cards.

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

Benefits
Description
No annual fee
There is no annual charge to be a Citi Simplicity® Card customer.
Long 0% APR introductory offer
You 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 perks
With Citi, you get 24/7 direct-to-rep customer service and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
3% foreign transaction fee
When making purchases outside the United States, you’ll be charged 3% per purchase. This means that for every $100, you’ll pay $3.
No rewards
Since the card is designed for building credit, it doesn’t offer any rewards or cash back.

INTERESTED IN COMPARING THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

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 Feature
Description
Contactless pay
Since the card is chip-enabled, you can tap your card on payment readers for convenience.
$0 liability on unauthorized charges
You won’t be held liable if there’s a charge on your account that you didn’t authorize.
Citi Identity Theft Solutions
With Citi, you can resolve identity theft issues easily.
24/7 customer service
If you need quick access to a representative, Citi offers help whenever you need it.
Flexible payment date
You choose the monthly date when you pay the minimum or full balance on your card.

MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

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 Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
5%
Balance Transfer APR
17.74% – 28.49%
Late Fees
$40
Cash Advance Fee
5%
Cash Advance APR
28.99%
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%

Regular APR
Your creditworthiness determines your variable APR. You could pay between 17.74% and 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.

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

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.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

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: 17.74% – 28.49%
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.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Citi. "Citi Simplicity® Card." Accessed March 1, 2022.

*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.
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.
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.