Citi Rewards+® Card
vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Shield Insurance

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Both the Citi Rewards+® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card offer no annual fee and enticing introductory APR periods, making them strong contenders if you’re looking to transfer balances or finance purchases. But the Citi Simplicity edges ahead for those prioritizing a longer balance transfer offer, with a 0% intro APR for 21 months compared to the Citi Rewards+'s 15 months.

On the other hand, the Citi Rewards+ brings additional value through its rewards program, rounding up points on every purchase and offering bonus points after meeting spending requirements. While the Citi Simplicity is unmatched in its balance transfer offer, the Citi Rewards+ should not be overlooked if you can benefit from earning rewards on their everyday spending.

Citi Rewards+® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Rewards+ if you frequently spend on travel, groceries and gas, and value earning rewards on these purchases. With its unique feature of rounding up points and a generous introductory offer, it caters to those who want to maximize their points earning potential on everyday spending.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if you're looking for a long introductory APR period for balance transfers and a straightforward card experience. With no late fees or penalty rates, it's a strong choice if you prioritize simplicity and are perhaps looking to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, and introductory offers will illuminate which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if you're planning a large purchase, Citi Rewards+ offers a 15-month 0% APR period, while Citi Simplicity extends a 21-month 0% APR on balance transfers, ideal for debt consolidation. Use this section to match card features with your spending habits and financial goals.

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    Regular APR: Citi Rewards+

    The Citi Rewards+ offers a slightly lower regular APR range starting at 18.74%, compared with the Citi Simplicity's APR starting at 19.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Simplicity have no annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity

    If you’re prioritizing balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity Card outshines with its 21-month 0% APR offer, compared with the Citi Rewards+ Card's 15-month period. However, both cards provide a 0% APR on purchases for 12 and 15 months, respectively, making Citi Rewards+ slightly more favorable for new purchases.

    Balance transfer fees are 3% for Citi Simplicity, which is consistent across both cards initially, but Citi Rewards+ increases to 5% after the introductory period.

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    Rewards: Citi Rewards+

    The Citi Rewards+ outperforms the Citi Simplicity in rewards. It offers up to 5 ThankYou Points per $1 on select bookings through CitiTravel.com, 2X points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 annually, and 1X points on all other purchases.

    Additionally, cardholders receive 10% points back upon redemption, up to 100,000 points per year. By contrast, the Citi Simplicity Card does not offer any rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Rewards+

    The Citi Rewards+ is better for welcome offers, offering 20,000 bonus points after a $1,500 spend within thre emonths, redeemable for $200 in gift cards. The Citi Simplicity Card does not offer a welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Simplicity require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to people with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Citi Simplicity

    For penalties and fees, the Citi Simplicity is better, offering no late fees and no penalty APR, in contrast to the Citi Rewards+, which has a late fee up to $41 and a penalty APR up to 29.99%.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Since both the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Simplicity are issued by Citi, they share the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Simplicity offer unique perks. The Citi Rewards+ automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, with no cap. The Citi Simplicity stands out with no late fees, no penalty rate, and the Citi Quick Lock feature. Choosing between them depends on what perks you value more.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Citi Rewards+ and Citi Simplicity using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. In this comparison, both cards are assessed based on their performance in balance transfers, which is their highest-scoring use case. The evaluation considers factors such as the quality of balance transfer offers and the cost of carrying a balance, among others.

For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you may explore our ranking methodology. This approach ensures that you can make an informed decision when choosing the card that best fits your financial needs.

FAQ: Citi Rewards+ vs. Citi Simplicity Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Rewards+® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card?
Which card offers a longer 0% intro APR period for balance transfers?
Are there any annual fees for either the Citi Rewards+® Card or the Citi Simplicity® Card?
Can I earn cash back or points with the Citi Simplicity® Card?
What are the penalty fees for late payments on the Citi Rewards+® Card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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