Do you need make a major purchase, but are worried about being able to pay it timely? You already pay interest on credit card balances that you can not pay right away? Consider the Citi Simplicity (a NextAdvisor seller). Although there are many other cards with 0% intro APRs, no one can beat the 21-month 0% intro April simplicity can match any other map its toll policy. Although we do not recommend spending more than you can afford, Citi Simplicity can help with the groceries you do now, but might not be able to pay immediately, allowing you to avoid charges interest for 21 months. You can also transfer balances from other high interest cards on simplicity to eliminate the interest you already pay for 21 months.
Below we take a look more closely at Citi Simplicity to help you decide if it is the right card for you. In short, this is a great intro 0% card in April that could save you serious money in interest and fees, as well as give you time to pay off your purchases and balance transfers. Our complete analysis is below.
Highlights
Right out of the gate, the biggest attraction of Citi Simplicity is its incredibly long 21 months 0% Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers . Twenty-one months is the longest introductory 0% APR, we saw on a credit card. In fact, with Citi Simplicity you can literally pay no interest until 2018, which is pretty amazing. This is a great advantage if you want large or small purchases, as you have until 2018 to repay without paying a penny in interest charges. It's almost like a (or 0%) free loan on purchases you make now, as you will not have to pay anything for 21 months and you are paying them altogether, you pay nothing except the cost actual purchase.
More features include strong no late fees and no penalty rate . This means that if you happen to be late on a monthly payment or two Citi Simplicity will not charge you a late fee, and they will not penalize you with a higher interest rate (of course, you will pay 0 % interest for the first 21 months, but after this period, you will not be penalized with higher interest rates). The more no annual fee to worry. Both benefits together, and 21 month 0% APR are a standout card.
Citi Simplicity also provides 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers . You can transfer balance (s) from other high interest credit cards and save a ton of money on interest charges that you will not pay anything until 2018. And because the 0% introductory APR for 21 months is long, you will have a generous amount of time to pay down the balance.
As an added bonus, Citi Simplicity only requires good credit , which is generally considered an above credit score 670. So if you damage your credit history you can still qualify for all the great 0% Intro APR benefits this card offers.
world travelers can relax, as Citi Simplicity Smart Card means it will be accepted outside the US embarked EMT technology is usually mandatory in international countries and the fact that Citi Simplicity offers it means you can shop knowing your card will be accepted.
Things to consider
If you think you will be a balance significantly beyond 21 months 0% Intro period April you may want to look for a card with a lower APR in course. Another Citi, Citi Diamond Preferred Card, is the only other card that corresponds to 21 months 0% Intro APR Simplicity, and it also has a slightly lower APR underway. The disadvantage is that it does not ease no late fees and no APR penalty policies, but if you are convinced that you will make all your payments on time, it is probably a better choice.
Although 21 months 0% intro APR for Citi Simplicity is outstanding, if you plan to transfer a balance from another card there is a 3% balance transfer fee to consider. This fee may be added, but for most people, it is worth and they will still save money during an uninspiring 21 months (to do to ensure that our free balance transfer calculator). If the balance transfer fee is a no-go for you, take a look at the Chase Slate card. Slate has a slightly shorter 15-month 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases, but makes up for it with no balance transfer fee (if you transfer your balances in the first 60 days) and no annual fee.
If you are traveling abroad, Citi Simplicity is the EMT technology feature but will be charged a fee 3% foreign transaction . If this is a deal-breaker, take a look at the Discover it - balance transfer card. It has no foreign transaction fee, offers 18 months 0% Intro APR on balance transfers, premium features in cash and has no annual fee.
With all its features of balance transfer, Citi Simplicity only offers no reward . If you really want a card 0% APR intro which we recommend Chase Freedom. With a $ 150 introductory bonus, 5% cash back in rotating categories and 1% back on everything else, 15 months 0% Intro APR and no annual fee, this might be a better choice for you.
If you apply for Citi Simplicity?
All things considered, Citi Simplicity is a great card to have in your portfolio. This is especially true if you plan to make some big or small purchases and want the cushion of a 21-month 0% Introductory APR to help pay for them without paying any interest. It is also a good choice if you are carrying balances on high interest credit cards and are looking for a solution to repay without interest. In addition, Citi Simplicity is available to those with just good credit and has no annual fee, no late fees and no penalty rate. And the smart card Citi Simplicity means you can use your card abroad. On the other hand, if you are concerned about balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees or winning awards, you might want to get one of the cards mentioned above. Overall, we highly recommend Citi Simplicity and think it's a smart choice.
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This content was accurate at the time of this post, but the terms and conditions of card can change at any time. This site may be compensated by the sending credit card affiliate program.