Citi Rewards+ vs. Citi Simplicity Credit Card Comparison

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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

Citi Simplicity® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% variable
18.74% - 29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 12 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Earn 20,000 Points
No current offer
Rewards Summary
Earn 1X–5X ThankYou® Points
-
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, introductory fee for transfers made within 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
3 percent ($5 minimum) intro balance transfer fee for balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, a 5 percent fee for each transfer (minimum $5) applies.
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness
-
Not sure?
The Citi Rewards+ is tailored for those who want to earn points on everyday purchases with a unique round-up feature, while the Citi Simplicity is ideal if you’re seeking to pay down debt with a lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
The Citi Simplicity excels with its longer balance transfer offer, but lacks a rewards program. Conversely, the Citi Rewards+ provides opportunities to earn points but has a shorter intro APR period. Choose the Citi Rewards+ for rewards on spending, or the Citi Simplicity for balance transfer and debt management.

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.

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%.

Annual Fee: Tie

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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?

The Citi Rewards+ offers points for purchases, especially on travel and at supermarkets and gas stations, while the Citi Simplicity does not have a reward program.

Which card offers a longer 0% intro APR period for balance transfers?

The Citi Simplicity offers a longer 0% intro APR period for balance transfers, at 21 months compared with 15 months for the Citi Rewards+.

Are there any annual fees for either the Citi Rewards+® Card or the Citi Simplicity® Card?

The Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Simplicity are both cards with no annual fee.

Can I earn cash back or points with the Citi Simplicity® Card?

No, the Citi Simplicity does not offer a rewards program for earning cash back or points.

What are the penalty fees for late payments on the Citi Rewards+® Card?

The Citi Rewards+ has an up to $41 penalty fee for late payments.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

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.

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*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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Citi Rewards+® Card vs. Citi Simplicity® Card