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The Citi Simplicity® Card, issued by our partner Citi, is a great option if you have a large amount of high interest debt that you need to pay down, need time to finance a large purchase, or if you have a tendency to miss your payment due date.
It has a $0 annual fee, but if you use the card for a balance transfer, you’ll incur a balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Along with offering a long introductory period for balance transfers and a decent period for purchases, the card provides helpful tools, such as automatic account alerts and the ability to choose your payment due date. However, if you do happen to pay your bill late, you will not be hit with late fees or penalty APRs.
Intro Purchase APR
0% for 12 months on Purchases
Regular Purchase APR
16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
Intro BT APR
0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Regular BT APR
16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
Foreign Transaction Fee
3% of each purchase transaction after its conversion into U.S. dollars
Balance Transfer Fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Generous intro 0% APR offers
The Citi Simplicity® Card has two intro APR offers for cardholders:
These deals can save you quite a bit on interest charges if you need to pay off high-interest debt from another card or if you need to make an expensive purchase and pay if off over time.
$0 annual fee
In addition to its intro offers, the Citi Simplicity® Card has a $0 annual fee, saving you even more money if you need the card for its intro APRs.
No late fees or penalty APR
If you have a tendency to miss payments, know that the Citi Simplicity® Card will not assess late fees or a penalty APR. Typically, if you pay late, a card issuer will hike up your APR as well as charge you a late fee up to $41 each time.
No rewards or sign-up bonus
The Citi Simplicity® Card does not come with either a rewards program or a sign up. This is a card you’ll want primarily for its intro APR offers rather than for any type of rewards program or bonus.
Potentially high APR
The Citi Simplicity® Card comes with an APR range of 16.99% - 26.99% (variable). If you are approved at the high end of the APR, be very careful about revolving a balance on this card once you’ve taken advantage of the intro APR offers as the interest charges could make it very expensive to carry any remaining balance.
Balance transfer fee
In exchange for offering a long intro APR balance transfer offer, the Citi Simplicity® Card does charge a balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. That fee will be added to the amount you transfer to the Citi Simplicity® Card . For example, if you transfer a $2,000 balance, a $60 fee will be added to what you owe.
There are credit cards available that don’t charge balance transfer fees; however, those cards typically offer shorter introductory periods on balance transfers than the Citi Simplicity® Card .
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has lengthy intro APR offers on both purchases and balance transfers:
Plus, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has additional benefits, including a $0 annual fee and cell phone coverage for damage or theft up to $600 per claim, with a $25 deductible, for up to two claims (maximum $1,200) per 12-month period, when you pay your cellphone bill every month with your card.
Citi Simplicity® Card | U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | Wells Fargo Reflect® Card |
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Apply Now on Citibank's secure site
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Apply Now on U.S. Bank's secure site
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Apply Now on Citibank's secure site
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Apply Now on Wells Fargo's secure site
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Intro Purchase APR | |||
0% for 12 months on Purchases | 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Purchases | 0% for 12 months on Purchases | 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening |
Regular APR | |||
16.99% - 26.99% (Variable) | 16.74% - 26.74% (Variable) | 15.99% - 25.99% (Variable) | 15.24% - 27.24% variable APR |
Intro Balance Transfer APR | |||
0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers | 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Balance Transfers | 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers | 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers |
Regular Balance Transfer APR | |||
16.99% - 26.99% (Variable) | 16.74% - 26.74% (Variable) | 15.99% - 25.99% (Variable) | 15.24% - 27.24% variable APR |
Annual Fee | |||
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Balance Transfer Fee | |||
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater | Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5 |
Welcome Offer | |||
N/A | No bonus | None | N/A |
Rewards Rate | |||
N/A | None | N/A | None |
Recommended Credit | |||
Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good |
Card Details | |||
Citi Simplicity® Card | U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | Wells Fargo Reflect® Card |
For people looking to escape from high-interest debt or who need time to pay off a large purchase, it’s tough to beat the Citi Simplicity® Card . The card offers a lengthy intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, which can save you a significant amount of money. Additionally, the card offers a $0 annual fee, no late fees and no penalty APR.
Another option worth considering for long 0% intro APRs on balance transfers and purchases is the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. It also has a $0 annual fee, as well as offers cell phone insurance when you pay your bill with the card.
However, both cards do charge a balance transfer fee. Know that there are cards that don’t charge that fee, but in return, you’ll most likely get a shorter no-interest time period. Plus, neither of the cards mentioned offer rewards. That said, it’s best to prioritize paying off your full balance before the intro purchase or balance transfer offer ends over earning rewards on new purchases.