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.

Last Updated: 6/14/2022
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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 Feature
    Has or Not
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
  • Credit Needed
    Good-Excellent
Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.
OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

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

    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.
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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.
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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
    14.74% - 24.74%
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Balance Transfer Fee
    5%
  • Balance Transfer APR
    14.74% - 24.74%
  • Late Fees
    $40
  • This is an icon

    Regular APR

    Your creditworthiness determines your variable APR. You could pay between 14.74% and 24.74%.

  • This is an icon

    Balance transfer fee

    This costs either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, depending on which is greater.

  • This is an icon

    Foreign transaction fee

    For every international transaction you make, you’ll pay 3% of the total.

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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?

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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.

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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
creditCard

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
creditCard1

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.

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*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.
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