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Citi Simplicity Card Review: No Fees, 0% APR, and Simple Savings

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Author: Joel O'Leary
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Joel is a full-time writer at Motley Fool Money, where he brings a clear, approachable voice to topics ranging from credit cards to side hustles. He’s been writing about money since 2018, covering topics like credit cards, savings hacks, and the FIRE movement. Before joining the team, he managed editorial content for the How To Money podcast. When he’s not behind the laptop, Joel is likely at the beach surfing, or out and about with his family.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee 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 Motley Fool Money'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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When I first learned about the Citi Simplicity® Card, the words that popped into my head were "breathing room." That's exactly what this card gives you -- a super long 0% intro APR period and a $0 annual fee.

And it's not just great for balance transfers. There's also a 0% intro APR period on new purchases. So if you've got a big expense coming up (my wife and I are eyeing a fancy new couch!) you can spread out your payments over time without paying a dime in interest.

I'll cover all the deets in this Citi Simplicity® Card review -- the good, the not-so-good, and whether it's the right fit for you.

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Citi Simplicity® Card

Rates & Fees External Link Icon
Citi Simplicity® Card
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
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
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)
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 on Purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$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).

Long intro balance transfer APR

  • 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. But it doesn't have much ongoing value after the intro 0% APR period ends.

    • 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 on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, 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
The information related to Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected by Motley Fool Money and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

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

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

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

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

What I like about the Citi Simplicity Card

If you're battling credit card debt, it can feel like sprinting up a downward escalator -- every step you leap forward is short lived because the escalator keeps dragging you back downwards.

That's where balance transfer cards provide relief. Moving your balance to a 0% APR card hits "pause" on that escalator. It gives you time (in this case nearly two years!) to gain ground without interest slowing you down.

Here are the top reasons I recommend this card to friends and family needing debt relief:

One of the longest 0% intro APR periods on balance transfers

The Citi Simplicity offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers. After that, the standard 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR will apply, based on your creditworthiness.

That's nearly two years of interest-free payments. See what I mean about "breathing room"? During the 0% APR period, ALL of your monthly payments get applied directly to your balance, allowing you to attack debt faster.

No late fees, ever

Life happens. And sometimes you miss a payment deadline. The Citi Simplicity Card is one of the only major cards that never charges late fees.

Plus, there's no penalty APR for paying late, either. So you don't have to worry about interest and charges piling up later.

$0 annual fee

Nothing kills the vibe faster than a surprise annual fee. Well, with this card you never have to worry about that! There are no annual fees to worry about.

Balance transfer example

Let's say you owe $10,000 on a credit card charging 27% APR. And let's say you're making $500 monthly payments towards that debt.

By moving that balance to the Citi Simplicity® Card, you could fully clear that debt within 21 months, saving you $3,134 in interest.

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).

In this scenario, our $10,000 balance transfer would incur a $300 fee. But you'd still save $2,834 by switching and crushing that debt during the 0% period.

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, 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
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. INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. 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.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover'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 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: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo'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 1.5-3 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. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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, 18.24% - 28.24% 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. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

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: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Downsides to consider

The real value of the Citi Simplicity® Card is saving money on interest, not chasing points. So you shouldn't be expecting huge rewards or perks. Here are some downsides to this card:

No rewards program

The Citi Simplicity® Card doesn't offer cash back, points, or miles. Remember, this card shines for balance transfers, which can save you WAY more in interest than earning a few miles here and there.

Balance transfer fees

The balance transfer fee is pretty standard. But it's worth factoring into your math when deciding if the move makes sense. Here's a calculator if you want to run your personal numbers to see if a balance transfer card makes sense.

How to apply for the Citi Simplicity Card

Applying is quick and straightforward. And most applicants will get a decision within minutes.

1. Make sure you meet basic credit requirements

Well-qualified candidates for this card will have good or excellent credit scores. This means you'll generally want a 670 or higher.

If your credit score is a little lower than this currently, check out the Citi Double Cash® Card, which has softer requirements and still offers a great 0% APR period.

2. Fill out the application online

You can apply directly from this page. Here's the typical information you'll need to input.

  • Name and address
  • Your SSN
  • Employment and income info
  • Monthly housing payment (mortgage or rent)

Remember to be completely honest and accurate with your information. Errors might cause red flags and delay your approval.

3. Submit and wait for approval

Citi will run a standard credit check and verify all your information. They'll also take into consideration any existing relationship you've had with the bank in the past.

Most approvals happen instantly, then they'll ship out your new card within 10 business days.

If you're not approved right away, don't freak out! You'll get some sort of communication in the mail with the exact reasons you're denied. Sometimes the bank just needs to verify documents or double-chick your info.

4. Transfer your balance, and attack that debt

Once you're approved, get the ball rolling asap. Transfer your balance and start chipping away at that debt while the 0% intro APR window is wide open.

Every dollar you pay down now goes straight toward your balance, not interest. This is your shot to make real progress, and every payment is a step closer to breathing easier.

Final thoughts

The Citi Simplicity® Card is perfect for folks who are working on a financial reset. The lengthy 0% APR period gives you plenty of time to catch up on overwhelming credit card debt, and save a ton on interest.

It may not have flashy perks like other travel or cash back cards. But the savings from paying no interest can be in the thousands. Way better than most rewards cards can ever offer!

Oh yeah, and the $0 annual fee makes this card really low stakes also. It's one you can keep forever.

Take control of your debt today -- apply for the Citi Simplicity® Card and start saving thousands in interest.

FAQs

  • Generally, you'll want a good to excellent credit score (670+). If your credit score needs improvement, focus on getting a card that's easier to qualify for. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a similar card which offers a good 0% APR period.

  • Yes you can, but the intro period is a little shorter. You'll get 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases. After that, the standard 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR will apply, based on your creditworthiness.

  • Yes. 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).

  • The Citi Simplicity Card has one of the longest 0% APR periods available today. So for those who need maximum time to pay off debt and get ahead, this is a perfect card. Even with the balance transfer fee, it can still save you more in interest and help crush debt faster. Bottom line -- yes it's worth it for most folks!