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The Citi Simplicity® Card sets itself apart with an incredible offer of 21 months on Balance Transfers of 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and no annual fee, making it a top pick for anyone looking for ample time to pay off credit card debt.
Our expert’s summary:
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months on Balance Transfers. This means you’ll pay no interest until well into 2026!
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months on Purchases
- Choose your payment due date
- $0 annual fee
Simply put, if you’re looking to pay off debt by avoiding interest on balance transfers for the longest time possible, it’s hard to beat this card.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Great for: Balance Transfers
Credit Score: 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)
Best for Balance Transfers
0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers on balance transfers is one of the longest interest-free periods available today.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.49% – 29.24% (Variable)
Welcome Offer 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
- 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 18.49% – 29.24%, 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
What We Like About The Citi Simplicity® Card
0% introductory APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers on balance transfers: One of the longest introductory periods on balance transfers we’ve come across, you’ll get a 0% intro APR on the balance transferred for a full 21 months on Balance Transfers, which means you’ll have almost two years to pay off your balance.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on Purchases on purchases: You’ll also get a 0% intro APR on new purchases for the first 12 months on Purchases. This is a helpful perk if you plan on buying anything with the card.
Choose your payment due date: A little flexibility can go a long way when it comes to managing your finances. The card lets you choose from any available payment date, whether it’s in the beginning, middle, or end of the month. That way, you can set up automatic payments that are aligned with your paycheck.
No late fees: One of the most unique perks is that there are no late fees, ever. 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 cards will increase your interest rate to their penalty APR. The Citi Simplicity® Card never charges a penalty rate, so your APR isn’t at risk of increasing due to late payments.
No annual fee: This card comes with no annual fee, which is an important feature if your goal is to pay off debt.
Suggested credit score
With the quality benefits the card offers, it’s primarily aimed at consumers who have a credit score of 670 or better. There are reports of people with scores in the mid 600s being approved for this card. For tips on increasing your credit score above 670, click here.
TIP
Paying down credit balances is the fastest way to improve your FICO® Score. That’s because 30% of your credit score is based on how much of your available credit you’re using. Your credit utilization is reported monthly, which means paying off debt could improve your credit score in one month!
Final take
If your priority is a long 0% intro APR for a balance transfer, the Citi Simplicity® Card clearly outshines the competition. The 12 months on Purchases of 0% intro APR on purchases is also helpful if you have an unexpected large expense and need to spread the cost out over time.