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Citi Simplicity Card Review: 21-Month APR on Balance Transfers With No Late Fees

Review Updated
Elizabeth Aldrich
Robin Hartill, CFP
By: Elizabeth Aldrich and Robin Hartill, CFP

Our Credit Cards Experts

Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.  Citi is an advertising partner of The Ascent.

Citi offers the Citi Simplicity® Card -- one of the few cards we've come across with no late payment fees, no penalty APR, and no annual fee. Even with those impressive perks, the main benefit of this card is its lengthy 0% intro APR. Here, you can read our full Citi Simplicity® Card review and decide if it's right for you.

Citi Simplicity® Card
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

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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.
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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.
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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.

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
    • 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.

Full Citi Simplicity Card review

This credit card is a good fit for: Those looking to avoid fees while using a lengthy 0% intro APR to pay off purchases, credit card debt, or both.

Top perks

Long 0% intro APR offer

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

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.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to earn cash back: The Citi Double Cash® Card offers 2% cash back on purchases -- 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you make your payment. The card also has a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.

If you want a longer 0% APR on purchases: The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases for the first 21 billing cycles after opening the account.

Read more: Best Citi Credit Cards

As of Nov. 27, 2023
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Citi Simplicity® Card Citi Double Cash® Card

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

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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.
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= Excellent
= Good
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Credit Rating Requirement: 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)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: 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: Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: 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)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

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

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

20,000 ThankYou® Points

Welcome Offer:

N/A

Rewards Program:

N/A

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay

Up to 2% cash back

Rewards Program:

N/A

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable).

Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles

Regular APR:

19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

Regular APR:

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Regular APR:

18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee:

$0

Highlights:

  • 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.

Highlights:

  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
    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.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • 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).

Highlights:

  • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.74% - 29.74%.
  • Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
  • Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

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What could be improved

Balance transfer fee

The balance transfer fee is 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.

Learn more: Best Credit Cards

Shorter 0% APR on new purchases

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR 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.

Suggested 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.

The Citi Simplicity Card is right for you if:

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Our Credit Cards Experts