Citi Simplicity® Card Review
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Citi Simplicity® Card is a personal credit card designed for business owners who need to transfer a balance from another credit card. It features a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 21 months and purchases for 12 months. While it comes with no annual fee, it doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards.
If you wish to compare one card over another, choose a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Citi Simplicity® Card
BEST FOR:
Startups who need a lengthy 0% APR period fund business expenses
Intro APR
0% for 12 months
Regular APR
16.99% to 26.99% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for their new and existing cardholders.
Pros
- One of the longest 0% APR periods available
- No annual fee
Cons
- No rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Cannot build business credit
- Flexible payment due date: You can choose your preferred due date in the beginning, middle, or end of the month. In addition, you have the flexibility of paying either the full balance or just the minimum payment due every month.
- Citi® Identity Theft Solutions: If you’re a victim of identity theft, Citi® Identity Theft Solutions can help you resolve the matter.
- Zero liability protection: Zero liability protects you against unauthorized charges on your account. You won’t be responsible for a charge that you didn’t authorize.
Intro APR
0% for 12 months
Regular APR
16.99% to 26.99% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for their new and existing cardholders.
Pros
- One of the longest 0% APR periods available
- No annual fee
Cons
- No rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Cannot build business credit
- Flexible payment due date: You can choose your preferred due date in the beginning, middle, or end of the month. In addition, you have the flexibility of paying either the full balance or just the minimum payment due every month.
- Citi® Identity Theft Solutions: If you’re a victim of identity theft, Citi® Identity Theft Solutions can help you resolve the matter.
- Zero liability protection: Zero liability protects you against unauthorized charges on your account. You won’t be responsible for a charge that you didn’t authorize.
How We Evaluate Personal Credit Cards for Business
When evaluating personal credit cards for business like the Citi Simplicity® Card, we first considered the introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APR). After which, we check if the card offers introductory and ongoing rewards and its standout features, such as purchase protection and extended warranty.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Introductory APR | 35 | 35 |
Ongoing APR | 30 | 35 |
Features | 8 | 10 |
Ongoing Rewards | 0 | 10 |
Introductory Rewards | 0 | 10 |
Total Score | 73 | 100 |
Who the Citi Simplicity® Card Is Best For
- Those who don’t need to earn rewards: It doesn’t have introductory and ongoing rewards on purchases.
- Those who need to pay an existing credit card debt: It offers a 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months from the date of the first transfer, which is a much longer 0% APR than other credit cards offer. It isn’t surprising that this personal credit card made it to our roundup of the best business credit card balance transfer offers.
If this card doesn’t fit your business needs, check out our guides to the best business credit card balance transfer offers and top small business credit cards. You can head over to our credit card marketplace for more alternatives.
Citi Simplicity® Card Fees
APR
- Introductory APR: 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months from date of account opening; 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 21 months from date of account opening
- Ongoing APR on purchases, balance transfers, and Citi Flex Plans: 16.99% to 26.99% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Cash advance APR: 27.49% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Due date: At least 23 days after the close of each billing cycle
- Minimum interest charge: No less than $0.50
- Plan fee (fixed finance charge): Monthly fee of up to 1.72% will be applied based on the Citi Flex Plan duration
Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each purchase transaction in United States dollars
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Returned payment: Up to $41
Citi Simplicity® Card Rewards
Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for their new and existing cardholders. However, you can take advantage of the long introductory 0% APR period on both purchases and balance transfers to help you pay off your credit card debt. Additionally, this is the only Citi card that has no late fees, no penalty rate, and no annual fee.
How To Make Payments on the Citi Simplicity® Card
- Online: Log in to your online account, then select the “make a payment” option. Then, indicate how much to pay, when the payment will be processed, and where the payment will be coming from.
- Citi Mobile® App: This is available for iOS and Android users. Similar to paying through the online portal, log in to your account, select your credit card, and click “Make a Payment.”
- Phone: Call Citi at (800) 950-5114.
- In person: Make a payment at the nearest Citibank branch during regular business hours.
- Money order or check by mail: You can send your payment as a check or money order (no cash) to the following address:
PO Box 9001037
Louisville KY, 40290-1037
Alternatively, you can do overnight delivery/express payment by sending the check or money order to the following address:
Citibank Express Payments
6716 Grade Ln., Bldg. 9, Ste. 910
Louisville, KY 40213
Citi Simplicity® Card Features
Convenience
- Flexible due date: Pay your bill on any available due date at the start, middle, or end of the month. In addition, you have the flexibility of paying either the full balance or just the minimum payment due every month.
- Digital wallets: This lets you shop with confidence in millions of online stores, within apps, and in-store. Using a digital wallet, you can speed through checkout and continue to enjoy all the benefits that come with this card.
Protection
- Zero Liability Protection: This protects you against unauthorized charges on your account—you won’t be responsible for a charge you didn’t authorize.
- Citi® Identity Theft Solutions: If you’re a victim of identity theft, this can help you resolve the matter.
- Automatic account alerts: You can set up automatic account alerts to remind you about your balance levels, payments due, and when you go over your credit limit. You can be notified either by email or on your mobile phone.
Support
- 24/7 customer service: Cardmembers have access to 24/7 customer service if they have any concerns related to their credit card. Just call the number at the back of the card and say “representative” to access help from a live rep.
Pros & Cons of the Citi Simplicity® Card
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Has one of the longest 0% APR periods at 21 months for balance transfers and 12 months for purchases | Lacks rewards for new and existing cardholders |
| Charges no annual fee | Can’t help you build business credit since it’s a personal card |
Citi Simplicity® Card Alternatives
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a great alternative if you need a longer APR period on purchases. It’s not surprising that this is our best business credit card balance transfer offers and leading 0% APR business credit card as it offers a 0% introductory APR on both balance transfers and purchases for 18 billing cycles. It’s important to note that while it doesn’t charge an annual fee, it doesn’t provide introductory bonuses and ongoing rewards.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Extended 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Intro APR
Regular APR
16.24% - 25.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good Credit
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.24%-25.24%.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- Offers a long 0% APR introductory period
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Cons
- No introductory and ongoing rewards
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Excellent/good credit score needed to qualify
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double an original manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year for warranties of three years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
- Purchase protection: U.S. Bank offers purchase protection for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. The coverage is limited to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per cardholder, per year.
Intro APR
Regular APR
16.24% - 25.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good Credit
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.24%-25.24%.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- Offers a long 0% APR introductory period
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Cons
- No introductory and ongoing rewards
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Excellent/good credit score needed to qualify
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double an original manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year for warranties of three years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
- Purchase protection: U.S. Bank offers purchase protection for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. The coverage is limited to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per cardholder, per year.
M&T Business Credit Card
M&T Business Credit Card is an excellent option for business owners who prefer to earn unlimited rewards. It’s on our list of the top business credit card balance transfer offers since it provides 2% cash back on all eligible purchases for the first year, then 1.5% cash back thereafter. You can enjoy a 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. Similar to the Citi Simplicity® Card, this comes with no annual fee. However, it lacks introductory rewards and has physical branches in only 15 states.
M&T Business Rewards Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Those with existing M&T checking or savings account wanting cash back rewards
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
Between 15.99% and 22.99% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for 12 billing cycles (a balance transfer fee will apply)
- Variable APR of 14.49% to 21.49% thereafter
- No annual fee
- Add employee cards at no additional cost, plus ability to manage spend limits for users
- Global acceptance with chip technology
- M&T Assurance® for fraud prevention, detection, and resolution
- Multiple convenient ways to make payments, transfer funds, or review account detail, such as online with M&T Online Banking for Business or via the M&T Mobile App, at an M&T Bank ATM, or in person at any local M&T branch.
- Pay for purchases conveniently with Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, and Samsung Pay at millions of stores around the world by adding your card to a supported iPhone®, Android®, or an eligible Samsung device
- Save with no foreign transaction fee
Pros
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- With sign-up bonus
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
Cons
- Charges high balance transfer fees
- Doesn’t offer unique features that make this business credit card stand out
- M&T Assurance®: M&T Bank helps prevent and detect card fraud, letting you use it confidently.
- Chip technology: Each M&T credit card contains an encrypted microchip. So, when your card is used at a chip-enabled terminal, you’re protected from fraudulent or counterfeit transactions.
- Digital wallet: Your M&T card can be linked to digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay. This feature lets you make purchases without your physical card at brick-and-mortar stores and your card details for online payments.
- Employee cards: You can add employee cards at no additional cost and manage each card’s spending limits.
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
Between 15.99% and 22.99% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for 12 billing cycles (a balance transfer fee will apply)
- Variable APR of 14.49% to 21.49% thereafter
- No annual fee
- Add employee cards at no additional cost, plus ability to manage spend limits for users
- Global acceptance with chip technology
- M&T Assurance® for fraud prevention, detection, and resolution
- Multiple convenient ways to make payments, transfer funds, or review account detail, such as online with M&T Online Banking for Business or via the M&T Mobile App, at an M&T Bank ATM, or in person at any local M&T branch.
- Pay for purchases conveniently with Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, and Samsung Pay at millions of stores around the world by adding your card to a supported iPhone®, Android®, or an eligible Samsung device
- Save with no foreign transaction fee
Pros
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- With sign-up bonus
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
Cons
- Charges high balance transfer fees
- Doesn’t offer unique features that make this business credit card stand out
- M&T Assurance®: M&T Bank helps prevent and detect card fraud, letting you use it confidently.
- Chip technology: Each M&T credit card contains an encrypted microchip. So, when your card is used at a chip-enabled terminal, you’re protected from fraudulent or counterfeit transactions.
- Digital wallet: Your M&T card can be linked to digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay. This feature lets you make purchases without your physical card at brick-and-mortar stores and your card details for online payments.
- Employee cards: You can add employee cards at no additional cost and manage each card’s spending limits.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, 3% cash back at gas stations, office supply stores, and mobile phone service providers, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. It also provides a lucrative sign-up bonus and doesn’t charge an annual fee. This card made it to our list of the best business credit card balance transfer offers and best small business credit cards because of its generous rewards program, large sign-up bonus, and extended 0% introductory APR period.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
0% APR for 15 billing cycles
Intro APR
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.24% - 27.24%.
- No annual fee.
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year, per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
Intro APR
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.24% - 27.24%.
- No annual fee.
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year, per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
Bottom Line
Citi Simplicity® Card is an excellent option if you don’t need to earn rewards and want to pay existing credit card debts. It offers an interest-free financing option of 0% on both purchases and balance transfers and doesn’t charge annual fees. However, it doesn’t provide any rewards for new and existing cardholders and won’t help you build your business credit.
If this isn’t the card for your business, compare these top credit cards to find one that’s a better fit.
