The well-named Citi Simplicity® Card is a nice fit for consumers with excellent credit who want a simple card that won’t drown them in fees.
Why We Like It
This card has no annual fee, no late fees and no penalty APR. Citi Simplicity® also includes a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 21 months.
Look Out For
Citi Simplicity® has no late fees ever, but a higher regular interest rate will kick in after the 21 month introductory period. Once that interest rate is in effect, failing to pay in full and on time could still put a dent in your wallet. The card also includes a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) balance transfer fee.
I received my card last month, my scores range from 685-705. have 3 other cards with limits from $1k-8k. total debt is about $1,200 or so which will be paid off by next month. got instantly approved with $9k limit and a $13.9% rate. i ruined my credit in the my late teenage years into my early 20's but ive managed to improve it drastically. This is not a rewards card but its not what i was looking for. So far so good.
I recently applied for this card to take advantage of the 21 months 0% interest on new purchases and balance transfers. Got the card in the mail, went to activate it online and thought I completed it. Went to verify some details of the terms before using it for the first time today and logged into the website. Website tells me my registration was not complete, so I finish it online by providing my information. Website tells me great, activation complete, you can use your card immediately. Went out shopping for some new shirts for work as I needed a minor wardrobe refresh, and for the first time EVER in my life I'm the awkward guy at the counter whose card is declined. After it was declined I put it on the card I'm going to transfer balances on. After reading some of the reviews about them refusing balance transfers after that's how the card is marketed (CK pushed it as the best card for balance transfers), that thought has me wary. When I called customer service, I got a script reading foreign call center who was very awkward. After providing all of my personal information and saying the verification was complete and the card was ready for use she asked "And you are the person who signed up for this card online?" Who else would I be if I just provided all information for the account? Even if I wasn't, would a legit ID thief be like "Oh, you got me!"
TLDR= Activated card on website it said ready to use, used card and it was rejected. Customer service was terrible when calling in about the problem.
These reviews were written by current and former cardholders in the last year.
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Data Created: February 02, 2015
Note: Sample data consists of Credit Karma members who hold this card.
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Can't beat 0% for 21 months
I have used this card to transfer balances, and it has helped me in consolidating and paying off my debt! I've never had any issues with the card, or customer service.
21 month...0% Interest
3rd Citi card approval in the past 7 months... 739 Ex Fico; CK 695 TRANS; CK EQ 689... UTI 9%... Approved $4k....
Balance transfer was easy and efficient.
0% intereste for 18% with a small balance transfer fee will beat 16.74% interest every day. This has been a great card. Very happy with Citi.
Good features, bad user experience
I recently applied for this card to take advantage of the 21 months 0% interest on new purchases and balance transfers. Got the card in the mail, went to activate it online and thought I completed it. Went to verify some details of the terms before using it for the first time today and logged into the website. Website tells me my registration was not complete, so I finish it online by providing my information. Website tells me great, activation complete, you can use your card immediately. Went out shopping for some new shirts for work as I needed a minor wardrobe refresh, and for the first time EVER in my life I'm the awkward guy at the counter whose card is declined. After it was declined I put it on the card I'm going to transfer balances on. After reading some of the reviews about them refusing balance transfers after that's how the card is marketed (CK pushed it as the best card for balance transfers), that thought has me wary. When I called customer service, I got a script reading foreign call center who was very awkward. After providing all of my personal information and saying the verification was complete and the card was ready for use she asked "And you are the person who signed up for this card online?" Who else would I be if I just provided all information for the account? Even if I wasn't, would a legit ID thief be like "Oh, you got me!"
TLDR= Activated card on website it said ready to use, used card and it was rejected. Customer service was terrible when calling in about the problem.
Card ok customer service sucks
Ask for CLI twice and was denied my credit score is 724 don't understand. I wouldn't recommend!!
Utilization rate too high?
Card ok customer service sucks
Ask for CLI twice and was denied my credit score is 724 don't understand. I wouldn't recommend!!
No Problems
This is a great card and I've had no issues. My only complaint is the interest rate charged as I have other cards with lower rates. Could call to ask about lowering but don't use card enough.
I feel like I was scammed
I only applied for this card for the no interest for 21 months, I have another card that I will begin paying interest on in May of 2017 so I wanted to transfer the balance, let me add that upon opening this cards I called Citi to make sure that it's an offer they have, I called 2 months ago to double check and see how to proceed with the balance transfer and they assured me that it's not a problem,jusy called again to go through with it and I was told that they no longer offer the balance transfers, I told the rep that there is no expiration date and he said it's not about the expiration, their marketing team decides when they stop offers, how shady is that????!!!!
and to think that they could have warned me 2 months ago!!!
this card will be sitting in my drawer, I will def not use it.
I was just going to apply for the same reason. Thanks for the heads up! 👍
Maybe its new in the details but it says "60 days no charge on balance transfers"
Great benefits, terrible issuer.
Low $900 limit upon issuance. Have had card nearly 2 years and CLI instantly denied twice (requested a year apart) when asked. Always states SP but have had HP show up. Even with instant decision wording. I wonder if it is because I have a no interest offer and they don't want to extend their losses further. They are going to lose a customer for life. Absolutely garbage. Do not waste your time. There are much better cards with better APR's and Interest free offers.
My other cards include AMEX BCP ($12,000), Delta Gold ($10,000), Discover It ($3,000) Chase SW ($2,000), Chase Amazon ($500 - my request), 2 private credit union cards ($9,000 total), other cards ($5,000) and util of 5%. Low inq's (less than 2 in 2 years). Income $120k+ no baddies, always on time.
I used to work in consumer lending. The most likely reason you arent getting a CLI based on what you describe in your review is the total available revolving credit. If you have the ability to borrow too much revolving debt at once, lenders will start getting flighty about offering you more. Hope this helps, best of luck.
Great benefits, terrible issuer.
Low $900 limit upon issuance. Have had card nearly 2 years and CLI instantly denied twice (requested a year apart) when asked. Always states SP but have had HP show up. Even with instant decision wording. I wonder if it is because I have a no interest offer and they don't want to extend their losses further. They are going to lose a customer for life. Absolutely garbage. Do not waste your time. There are much better cards with better APR's and Interest free offers.
My other cards include AMEX BCP ($12,000), Delta Gold ($10,000), Discover It ($3,000) Chase SW ($2,000), Chase Amazon ($500 - my request), 2 private credit union cards ($9,000 total), other cards ($5,000) and util of 5%. Low inq's (less than 2 in 2 years)