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The Citi Simplicity® Card once topped the list of credit cards used to pay down debt or finance more substantial purchases. But now it has a fair bit of competition in the market for balance transfer offers — which is great news for consumers. In this post, we'll help you determine if the Citi Simplicity is a good fit for you.
This card is also among one of the most forgiving products on the market—with no late payment fees or penalty APR rate—if you miss a payment.
- No Late Fees
- No Penalty APR Rate
- No Annual Fee
- Access to your FICO® Score
Page Contents
Citi Simplicity Pros
- $0 annual fee.
- No late fees or penalty APR.
- Introductory interest offer on purchases and balance transfers.
Citi Simplicity Cons
- Does not earn any rewards.
- No welcome bonus.
- Has a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Citi Simplicity Welcome Bonus
The Citi Simplicity does not have a welcome bonus, but it boasts one of the longest 0% introductory APR offers for balance transfers at 21 months (then a Variable APR of 18.24% - 28.99%). For purchases, you’ll get a 0% introductory APR for 12 months (then a Variable APR of 18.24% - 28.99%).
While the length of the introductory APR period is an important factor, you should always include the balance transfer fee in your calculation. Balance transfer fees go up after an introductory period: There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). A 5% balance transfer fee is a fair bit higher than many of the cards on our list of the best 0% APR credit cards for balance transfers.
Learn More: How Does a Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus Work?
Citi Simplicity Benefits
0% introductory APR on purchases
The Citi Simplicity doesn’t provide traditional rewards, like cash back or travel points. However, you can take advantage of the 12 months 0% introductory APR (annual percentage rate) on purchases to finance large items that may take a few months to pay off. After the introductory period, you'll pay a variable rate of 18.24% - 28.99%.
0% introductory APR on balance transfers
The intro 0% APR on balance transfers is also a great benefit if you have existing debt to pay off. If you find yourself struggling with high-interest credit card debt, or you have a change of circumstance that affects your ability to pay off your card in full, you can transfer the balance to the Citi Simplicity and have 21 months to pay the debt off before you are required to pay interest.
Just keep in mind that there are fees on balance transfers. When compared to other balance-transfer cards that charge a 3% fee, the 5% fee on amounts transferred after the first four months can really add up. For example, if you have the option to transfer a $5,000 balance to the Citi Simplicity with a 5% balance transfer fee or transfer to the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, which charges a balance transfer of the greater of $5 or 3% , you would save $100 by choosing the Amex card.
Related: A Beginner's Guide to Building Healthy Credit
No late fees or penalty APR
The Citi Simplicity can get you out of trouble when you run into financial hurdles that cause you to miss your payment due date. Though you shouldn't make a habit of paying your bill late, you will not be penalized by late fees or an increased interest rate.
However, late and missed payments may still appear on your credit report. This can adversely affect your credit score.
Choose your payment due date
In order to help you pay on time (even though there's no late fee), Citi lets you choose a date to pay your bill in the beginning, middle, or end of the month.
Citi Simplicity Earning Rates
The Citi Simplicity does not earn any rewards on spending. If you're looking to earn cash back or points and miles for travel by using a card to pay for your everyday spending, then this card may not be the best option for you.
It also has a 3% foreign transaction fee, making it a poor choice for use during international travel. For trips outside the U.S., you should use a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Related: An Introduction to the Types of Reward Points
Redeeming Rewards With the Citi Simplicity
There are no redemption options since the Citi Simplicity does not earn rewards.
Application Restrictions
The application states “This offer is valid for new accounts only” and that Citi will be make the final determination about an applicant's eligibility. However, what constitutes a new account is unclear.
There does not seem to be a 48-month restriction, like Citi's ThankYou Points-earning cards or AAdvantage cards have, likely due to the fact that the Citi Simplicity does not earn rewards or have a welcome bonus.
Citi doesn’t have a stated rule on the number of cards you can have. Instead, it restricts the combined total credit limit extended across all of your Citi cards. For application frequency, you can only apply for one personal card per eight-day period and only two cards in a 65-day period.
Related: Understanding Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Cards That Compete With the Citi Simplicity
- Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
- Earn 1% on all other purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
- 5% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- If you'd like to earn cash back or reward points plus have a low intro rate for balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option. Like the Citi Simplicity, it does not have an annual fee. The card earns 2% back on every purchase (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay). Check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash for more details.
- If you'd like to earn rewards for spending in certain bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is an excellent choice. It also has no annual fee and a low intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. However, it goes a step further by offering significant rewards if your purchases fall under the specified bonus categories. You'll get 5% cash back on $1,500 of purchases in select rotating bonus categories that change each quarter, plus 3% back on drugstore purchases and dining. The cash back can be redeemed as points for travel if you have other Chase credit cards for combining rewards. Our Freedom Flex review has more information.
- If you want a 0% introductory APR card that offers a cash-back welcome bonus, take a look at the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. It has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Plus, it's currently offering a new cardmember bonus of $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, in addition to a 0% intro on purchases for 15 months, then a regular Variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%. More details are in Capital One Quicksilver review.
Related: Best $0 Annual Fee Credit Cards With 0% Intro APR
Bottom Line
The Citi Simplicity has no annual fee, and you don’t get charged late payment fees, nor will you pay a penalty APR if you are late paying your bill. The card is forgiving in this respect, but it also could cement poor fiscal habits that could negatively impact your credit score in the long run.
You should do everything in your power to pay the full balance on your credit cards each month to avoid paying interest on purchases. But, if money is tight and you need time to reset your finances, the Citi Simplicity could play an active role in your economic recovery.
This card is also among one of the most forgiving products on the market—with no late payment fees or penalty APR rate—if you miss a payment.
- No Late Fees
- No Penalty APR Rate
- No Annual Fee
- Access to your FICO® Score
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