Citi Simplicity® Card Review [2024]: 21 Months of Interest-Free Glory

CREDIT CARDS - 0% APR CREDIT CARDS
If you carry high-interest debt and have good credit, the Citi Simplicity Card could be a smart solution. (Citi is a FinanceBuzz partner.)
Updated Feb. 28, 2024
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There’s nothing like the sight of an unexpectedly high credit card balance to strike fear in the heart of a borrower. 

But if you have good credit, you may be able to save money with a balance transfer to another credit card with a lower rate.

The Citi Simplicity® Card is one such option. It offers an incredible 21 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)).

No annual fee & 0% Intro APR

4.5

Citi Simplicity® Card

Current Offer

Long introductory APR period on balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

In this Citi Simplicity credit card review: 

Key takeaways

  • The Citi Simplicity is an excellent balance transfer card that can help new cardholders avoid interest rates on balance transfers for a certain amount of time. The best balance transfer credit cards typically have intro APR periods of 15 months or longer.
  • What does 0% for 21 months mean? The Citi Simplicity has a 0% introductory rate for its balance transfer APR and an intro APR period of 21 months (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)).
  • The Citi Simplicity has a $0 annual fee and no late fees.

Who should get the Citi Simplicity Card?

Citi’s Simplicity credit card is likely best for consumers who:

  • Have good credit or better: Citi Simplicity applicants should typically have good to excellent credit for the best chance of approval. That translates to a credit score of about 670 or higher.
  • Worry about fees: Another benefit that makes the Citi Simplicity card unique is that Citi won’t charge you late fees.
  • Want to save money on high-interest debt: Where this card really shines is its generous 0% introductory APR period for balance transfers for 21 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable). It’s one of the longest periods of interest-free payoff available.
  • Need to pay off a large purchase over time: If you don’t have credit card debt but know you have a big upcoming expense, the Citi Simplicity card can help you save money. That’s because purchases are also 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable).

Card basics

Card type Balance transfer
Credit card issuer Citi
Credit card network Mastercard
Annual fee $0
Recommended credit score Excellent, Good
Intro APR 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

Foreign transaction fee 3%

Citi Simplicity Card benefits and perks

Long story short, Citi’s Simplicity card is a great option to consider if you want to save money on interest. But there are even more reasons why Citi’s Simplicity card offers consumers more value.

  • One of the best intro balance transfer offers around: If you have high-interest debt and (at least) good credit, the Citi Simplicity's introductory offer could help. Transfer a balance within four months of account opening and you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 21 months from date of first transfer. However, you will be responsible for a balance transfer fee (intro balance transfer fee could be applicable) on any transferred balances: 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends. After the introductory APR period, your rate will increase to the standard variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable).
  • You’ll also love the 0% intro purchase APR: You can also save on interest charges for new purchases you make with this card. You’ll pay 0% interest on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. Once the intro period ends, your rate will increase to the card's regular APR of 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable). Note that the Citi Simplicity is essentially like any other high-interest credit card after the intro APR period ends.
  • Citi Simplicity won’t nickel and dime you with fees: Nothing chips away at the value of a no-interest offer more than costly late fees and annual fees. Citi doesn’t charge Simplicity cardholders late payment fees, penalty rates, or annual fees, which can help you keep some cash in your pocket, even if you're late on a monthly payment.
  • You can choose your payment due date: Nobody likes cash flow problems or making late payments. If you want the flexibility to choose your payment due date, then the Citi Simplicity credit card is a great option. With Simplicity, you can opt for a due date in the beginning, middle, or end of the month. You can also choose to receive automatic account alerts to remind you when a payment is due.
  • Identity theft protection: As a cardholder, you get access to Citi Identity Theft Solutions. If you fall victim to identity theft, Citi can help you resolve the issue.

Drawbacks to the Citi Simplicity Card

  • No rewards program: While the Citi Simplicity card does come with a generous intro APR offer, it doesn't have a rewards rate. That means cardmembers won't earn travel rewards or cash back on spending with their new card. 
  • No sign-up bonus: This credit does not offer a welcome bonus, so if that's important to you, another card may be a better fit for your personal finance goals. 
  • Foreign transaction fees: The Citi Simplicity card charges 3% in foreign transaction fees. Other cards don't charge this fee, so if you're planning to travel abroad, this card may not be the best fit. 

Citi Simplicity Card FAQs

Is the Citi Simplicity a Visa or Mastercard?

The Citi Simplicity is a Mastercard.

What credit score do I need to get a Citi Simplicity Card?

You typically need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the Citi Simplicity Card. That’s at least a 670 FICO score.

Keep in mind that Citibank and other lenders also consider other creditworthiness factors to determine your eligibility for their credit card offers. This could include your overall credit history, the types of credit you already have, and how many new cards you’ve opened recently.

For these reasons, it’s important to check over your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You might discover errors with credit limits, credit inquiries, or debt reporting on recent billing cycles. 

Is it easy to get a Citi Simplicity Card?

Getting a Citi Simplicity Card depends on your creditworthiness. Applicants should typically have good credit before applying for the Citi Simplicity Card. If your FICO credit score isn’t at least 670, you can work to improve your credit score by paying all your bills on time, reducing credit card balances as much as possible, and limiting the amount of new credit you apply for.

Can I have two Citi Simplicity Cards?

Though there are exceptions to every rule, it’s been reported that you can apply for one Citi card every eight days and two Citi cards every 65 days.

If you’re hoping to get a second Citi Simplicity card to double-dip on the 0% intro APR offers, you may be disappointed. The introductory APRs are valid for new accounts only, and there’s likely a waiting period for you to be eligible to receive these special deals a second time.

If you’d like to add another person to your Citi Simplicity account, you can inquire about adding an authorized user to your account.

Is the Citi Simplicity a good card?

The best credit card for you depends on your unique financial situation and goals. If you are interested in a card that offers a lengthy introductory APR offer on both balance transfers and new purchases, the Citi Simplicity may be a great option. While you won't earn rewards or a welcome bonus with this card, it may help you save money on costly interest charges as you pay down your credit card debt. It also doesn't charge late fees or have penalty APRs.

Is the Citi Simplicity Card accepted everywhere?

The Citi Simplicity Card is part of the Mastercard payment network, so it is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Currently, Mastercard is accepted in 210 countries worldwide. 

Other cards to consider

If the Citi Simplicity Card isn’t the right fit, there are other balance transfer credit cards you can consider.

First, there’s the Citi Double Cash® Card. Not only does the Citi Double Cash offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR), but you’ll also earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the citi travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. The Citi Simplicity is not a rewards credit card, so if cash back or other rewards are important to you, consider the Citi Double Cash card. Learn more in this Citi Double Cash review or compare the Citi Simplicity vs. Double Cash cards side-by-side to see which better fits your needs.

A second option is the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. Another Citi credit card, the Citi Diamond Preferred comes with a $0 annual fee. It also has a 0% intro APR that lasts for 21 months on balance transfers (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR). This card has some unique benefits for those who are big fans of entertainment and frequently attend events. Learn more about this card in this Citi Diamond Preferred review or see how the Citi Simplicity vs. Citi Diamond Preferred cards compare and determine which is the better fit for you.

No annual fee & 0% Intro APR

4.5

Citi Simplicity® Card

Why We Like It

Long introductory APR period on balance transfers

See how these cards compare:

Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR
  • No annual fee
  • Rates and fees
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR
  • Choose your payment due date
  • No annual fee
  • Rates and fees

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