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Citi Simplicity Card Review: Long Intro APR on Balance Transfers Is Ideal for Paying Off Debt

Review Updated
Elizabeth Aldrich
Robin Hartill, CFP
By: Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth is a personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, debt repayment, and small business. Her work has appeared on The Motley Fool, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, and Business Insider. She’s an avid credit card points collector and perpetual traveler currently living in Costa Rica.

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 and  Robin Hartill, CFP
Robin Hartill, CFP
Robin Hartill, CFP
Writer

Robin Hartill, CFP®, is The Ascent’s Head of Product Ratings and has worked for The Motley Fool since 2020. Her work has appeared in various national publications, including Yahoo! Finance, NerdWallet, Investopedia, CNN Underscored, MSNBC, USA Today, and CNET Money. She previously wrote The Penny Hoarder’s syndicated “Dear Penny” personal finance advice column. She is based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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Our Credit Cards Experts

Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Fact checker

Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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This credit card is good for those looking to avoid fees while using a lengthy 0% intro APR to pay off purchases, credit card debt, or both. Check out our in-depth Citi Simplicity® Card review to see if this card fits your needs.

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Citi Simplicity® Card

Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Citi Simplicity® Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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).

Lower intro balance transfer fee

  • This is one of our favorite cards for balance transfers. It has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and a discounted balance transfer fee for the first four months. That combo makes it one of the most generous balance transfer offers we’ve seen. Plus, you can choose from any available payment date. That way, you can set up automatic payments that are aligned with your paycheck.

    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No late fees
    • No penalty APR
    • Choose your own payment date
    • No rewards
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
    • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
    • 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).
    • Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock.

Citi Simplicity Card review

Is the Citi Simplicity Card worth it?

The Citi Simplicity® Card is worth it if your goal is to pay off debt. The lengthy 0% intro APR is the main perk here, though there's also a shorter 0% intro APR on new purchases. There's also no annual fee, which is a must when you're paying off debt. However, if paying off debt isn't the goal, a rewards card, such as a travel credit card or cash back card, may be a better option.

Author's note

I wish I'd considered the Citi Simplicity® Card when I was paying off debt. The card has one of the longest 0% intro APRs for balance transfers that I've ever seen, plus no annual fee. That could have given me some breathing room, allowing me to focus on tackling the principal balance before interest starts accruing.

One drawback of the card is its lack of rewards, but that shouldn't be a concern when you're trying to get rid of debt. I've learned the hard way that carrying a credit card balance on a card that's charging interest quickly erodes the value of any rewards earned.

So if I had a do-over, I'd use a card like the Citi Simplicity® Card to take advantage of the intro APR, then focus on rewards after I'd gotten out of debt.

What everyone else is saying

When you're shopping for a credit card, it pays to get multiple perspectives and find out what users are saying. Here's the general consensus surrounding the Citi Simplicity® Card.

What other review sites say

Average competitor rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Other review sites praise the Citi Simplicity® Card as a valuable tool for getting out of debt. In addition to its 0% intro APR, the card doesn't charge late fees or penalty APRs, which is helpful for those who struggle to manage their finances.

However, other sites point out that the card doesn't have much value beyond the intro APR. You can't earn miles or cash back, and you won't get the perks that come with many rewards cards.

Online consensus

Many people on social media express interest in getting the Citi Simplicity® Card for a balance transfer. However, some users complain that they were approved for a low credit limit -- in many cases, users report that their credit limit was too low to transfer their entire balance. Other cardholders report that they'd use the card more frequently if it offered points.

Citi Simplicity Card features and benefits

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers several perks, the most notable of which is its intro APR offer.

Long 0% intro APR offer

Citi Simplicity® Card offers one of the longest intro 0% APR periods among balance transfer cards, at 21 months. It also offers 12 months of 0% introductory APR on purchases.

No late fees

One of the most unique perks is that there are no late fees, ever. In fact, the Citi Simplicity® Card is the only Citi card with no late fees, penalty APR, or annual fees.

While you should always pay your bill on time, because late payments can still affect your credit, it's nice to know that you won't be charged if you do slip up and miss a payment.

No penalty APR

If you miss some payments, most credit card issuers will increase your interest rate to their penalty APR. Citi Simplicity® Card never charges a penalty rate, so your APR isn't at risk of increasing due to late payments.

No annual fee

When you're paying off debt, a credit card with no annual fee is a must.

Choose your payment due date

The Citi Simplicity® Card allows you to select a payment due date that works best for you. For example, you could set up your payments for right after you receive your paycheck, so you don't have to worry about running out of money before your payment is due.

What could be improved

Balance transfer fee

The balance transfer fee 3% ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min.). This means that if you transfer a $5,000 balance, you'll pay $150 in the first four months, or $250 afterward. This is a typical balance transfer fee, but it is a fee nonetheless.

No rewards

The card doesn't have a rewards program, which does reduce the card's luster after the 0% intro APR promo expires.

Foreign transaction fee

You will be charged a 3% foreign transaction fee on transactions made while outside the U.S.

Shorter 0% APR on new purchases

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on new purchases. However, some credit cards offer a 0% intro offer on purchases for up to 21 months.

Find the best credit card for your needs

Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.

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What to know before applying

Citi Simplicity Card credit score

You should have good to excellent credit before applying, which means a FICO® Score of at least 670. That said, there are reports of people with scores in the mid-600s being approved for this card, likely because other income and current debt factors inform a credit decision as well.

You should also be aware of the Citi application rules before applying for this card.

Pre-approval process

Citi's website allows you to check whether you prequalify for offers by providing a few pieces of personal information. This process doesn't result in a hard credit check, so it won't affect your credit score. However, if you apply for an offer you prequalify for, you'll need to go through the regular credit approval process, which typically results in a hard pull.

Intro APR

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and a 0% intro APR on new purchases for 12 months.

After that, the regular APR of 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable) applies. To take advantage of the 0% intro APR for balance transfers, you'll need to initiate the transfer within four months of opening the card.

Fees

The Citi Simplicity® Card doesn't charge an annual fee, late fees, or penalty APRs. However, the following fees apply:

  • Balance transfer fee: 3% ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min.)
  • Foreign transaction fee: 3%

Credit limit

According to Citi, the minimum credit limit for the Citi Simplicity® Card is $500. However, credit limits above $10,000 have been self-reported by cardholders.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. N/A 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Should you apply for the Citi Simplicity Card?

The Citi Simplicity® Card is one of the best credit cards for those seeking to get out of credit card debt. You'll avoid interest temporarily for both balance transfers and new purchases. It doesn't offer a lot of additional perks and rewards, but it is designed to be more lenient than your typical credit card for folks who have trouble paying their bills on time.

READ MORE: Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Our credit card methodology

At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • The Citi Simplicity® Card is a Mastercard.

  • It seems to be fairly easy to get approved for the Citi Simplicity® Card for applicants with good to excellent credit. However, as with any credit card, larger credit lines tend to be reserved for those with higher credit scores.

  • The Citi Simplicity® Card is good for people who are looking to pay off credit card debt with a balance transfer, as it offers a 0% intro period of 21 months on transfers. Because of its lack of rewards, the card isn't a great fit for those who aren't paying off a credit card balance.