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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 Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on balance transfers for 21 months and purchases for 12 months. While it lets you enjoy $0 annual fees, it doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus or ongoing rewards.
Citi Simplicity® Card
BEST FOR:
Startups who need a lengthy 0% APR period fund business expenses
- Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for its new and existing cardholders.
Pros
- One of the longest 0% APR periods available
- $0 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 at 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.
- Mastercard® Identity Theft Protection program: If you’re a victim of identity theft, this 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.
- No additional fees: Citi® does not charge additional fees, such as late fees or penalty rate, on the Citi Simplicity® Card.
- Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for its new and existing cardholders.
Pros
- One of the longest 0% APR periods available
- $0 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 at 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.
- Mastercard® Identity Theft Protection program: If you’re a victim of identity theft, this 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.
- No additional fees: Citi® does not charge additional fees, such as late fees or penalty rate, on the Citi Simplicity® Card.
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When evaluating personal credit cards for businesses like the Citi Simplicity® Card, we first considered the introductory and ongoing 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 | 28 | 35 |
Features | 8 | 10 |
Ongoing Rewards | 0 | 10 |
Introductory Rewards | 0 | 10 |
Total Score | 71 | 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 period than what other credit cards offer.
Citi Simplicity® Card Rewards
Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t offer any rewards for its 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.
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: 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.
- No additional fees: Be assured that Citi® does not charge additional fees, such as late fees or penalty rates, on the Citi Simplicity® Card.
Protection
- Zero liability protection: Receive protection against unauthorized charges on your account—you won’t be responsible for a charge you didn’t authorize.
- Automatic account alerts: 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: Secure access to 24/7 customer service if they have any concerns related to their credit card. Call the number on the back of the card and say “representative” to access help from a live rep.
Citi Simplicity® Card Fees
APR
- Introductory: 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months from the date of account opening; 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 21 months after a transfer was made within four months from the date of account opening (with a minimum interest charge of no less than 50 cents).
- Ongoing: 18.74% to 29.49% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Balance transfer: 18.74% to 29.49% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Citi Flex Plan: 18.74% to 29.49% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Cash advance: 29.99% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
Fees
- Annual: $0
- Balance transfer: An introductory balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer will apply if you make a transfer within the first four months after account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) will be applied.
- Plan fee (fixed finance charge): Monthly fee of up to 1.72% will be applied based on the Citi Flex Plan duration
- Foreign transaction: 3% of each purchase transaction in United States dollars
- Cash advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Returned payment: Up to $41
Your due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing cycle.
- Online: Log in to your online account, click “Make a Payment,” and choose how much to pay, when to pay it, and where the payment will be coming from.
- Citi Mobile®: Log in to your account, select this card, and tap “Make a Payment.” Follow the prompts to make your payment.
- Phone: Call 866-696-5673 or the number found on the back of your card, enter your card information, and then follow the prompts to make a payment.
- Mail: Send either a check or money order (but not cash) to the following address:
- Nearest Citibank ATM: Go to the nearest Citibank ATM, which accepts cash payments of up to $3,000 per monthly credit card account. Visit Citibank’s location finder page to find one near you.
Citi Simplicity® Card Alternatives
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
BEST FOR:
Those wanting to earn up to 5% cash back on selected spending categories
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
- Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Pros
- 0% purchase APR for 12 months
- $0 annual fee
- U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan feature
Cons
- No 0% APR on balance transfers
- Charges balance transfer and foreign transaction fees
- 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.
- U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan: Pay off your eligible balance over time with this feature without interest—just pay a small monthly fee
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
- Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Pros
- 0% purchase APR for 12 months
- $0 annual fee
- U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan feature
Cons
- No 0% APR on balance transfers
- Charges balance transfer and foreign transaction fees
- 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.
- U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan: Pay off your eligible balance over time with this feature without interest—just pay a small monthly fee
Consider the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card if you want a small business credit card that lets you earn up to 5% cash back in spending categories. This card also lets you enjoy $0 annual fees and the ability to divide large purchases into fixed monthly payments through the U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan.
Ramp Credit Card
Ramp Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who are using Ramp as their main financial management tool
- Up to 1.5% cash back on purchases, regardless of spending categories
Pros
- Offers rewards for cardholders
- Does not charge additional fees
- Integrates with accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Requires paying balances in full each month
- Is unavailable to sole proprietors and unincorporated businesses
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator at (800) 397-9010 if you are in the United States or (303) 967-1093 if you are outside of the US if you need emergency assistance.
- Purchase security: Receive a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder in cases of theft or damage to purchases made with your card.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: When using this card for renting a car, you can be reimbursed for damages caused by theft or collision up to the Actual Cash Value of most rented cars. Note that rental periods of 31 consecutive days are covered.
- Extended warranty protection: Extend warranties for eligible purchases made with your covered account and/or rewards programs associated with your account.
- Up to 1.5% cash back on purchases, regardless of spending categories
Pros
- Offers rewards for cardholders
- Does not charge additional fees
- Integrates with accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Requires paying balances in full each month
- Is unavailable to sole proprietors and unincorporated businesses
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator at (800) 397-9010 if you are in the United States or (303) 967-1093 if you are outside of the US if you need emergency assistance.
- Purchase security: Receive a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder in cases of theft or damage to purchases made with your card.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: When using this card for renting a car, you can be reimbursed for damages caused by theft or collision up to the Actual Cash Value of most rented cars. Note that rental periods of 31 consecutive days are covered.
- Extended warranty protection: Extend warranties for eligible purchases made with your covered account and/or rewards programs associated with your account.
If you prefer a corporate charge card with a robust expense management system, then we recommend the Ramp Credit Card. This card also lets you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases and lets you enjoy $0 annual and monthly fees.
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back
BEST FOR:
Those who want double the cash back on your first year
- 5% cash back in rotating categories for each quarter.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- Premium rewards on rotating bonus categories
- Double your cash back for the first year
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- Bonus rewards are capped at $1,500
- Bonus rewards need to be activated every quarter
- Listed spending categories can be limiting to cardholders
- Freeze it®: You can freeze your account on the Discover mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers if you misplace your card
- $0 fraud liability guarantee: Discover will not hold you responsible for unauthorized purchases made with your Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card.
- Free FICO® credit score: Your FICO® credit score, key factors, and other credit information are available on Discover.com and your statement. Note that these are based on data from TransUnion® and may differ from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus.
- Discover® identity alerts: You can get an alert from Discover on the following: Daily monitoring of your Experian® credit report and an alert when a new inquiry or account is listed on your report, daily monitoring of dark websites, and if your Social Security number is found on those sites.
- 5% cash back in rotating categories for each quarter.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- Premium rewards on rotating bonus categories
- Double your cash back for the first year
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- Bonus rewards are capped at $1,500
- Bonus rewards need to be activated every quarter
- Listed spending categories can be limiting to cardholders
- Freeze it®: You can freeze your account on the Discover mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers if you misplace your card
- $0 fraud liability guarantee: Discover will not hold you responsible for unauthorized purchases made with your Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card.
- Free FICO® credit score: Your FICO® credit score, key factors, and other credit information are available on Discover.com and your statement. Note that these are based on data from TransUnion® and may differ from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus.
- Discover® identity alerts: You can get an alert from Discover on the following: Daily monitoring of your Experian® credit report and an alert when a new inquiry or account is listed on your report, daily monitoring of dark websites, and if your Social Security number is found on those sites.
If you want an alternative personal credit card for business that lets you earn cash back rewards, then we suggest the Discover it® Cash Back. This card lets you earn up to 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter, and a 0% introductory period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While small business credit cards could function similarly to personal credit cards, there are two major things to consider:
- Credit reporting bureaus: Personal credit cards report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion and will affect your personal credit score if there are changes made to your credit limit, credit usage, and payment history. On the other hand, small business credit cards usually report to business credit bureaus and will have little impact on your personal credit score.
- Credit limits: While both cards consider your personal credit score and creditworthiness, most banks would need to consider both personal income and business revenue for your small business credit cards when determining your credit limit. On the flip side, personal credit cards only note your personal income for your credit limit.
Yes, Citi may give you the option to transfer a balance as soon as your Card Account is opened. Note that it will take at least 14 days after your Card Account is opened to process any balance transfer payments. Within this time period, you may cancel or make necessary changes with your balance transfer request by calling the number on the back of your card.
Your credit limit with a Citi Simplicity® Card could go as high as $5,000, depending on your credit history, income, and existing debts.
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 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.
