The Citi Simplicity® Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card have great introductory APR offers and no annual fees. Citi Simplicity Card's longer 0% APR period for balance transfers helps minimize interest on existing debt. Citi Double Cash's 2% cash back on all purchases benefits everyday spenders who want to maximize rewards.
Citi Simplicity® Card
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
Updated: December 1, 2024
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Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if you want to minimize interest on existing debt or new purchases. Its long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers helps manage large expenses without accruing interest.
You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you want 2% cash back on all purchases. It also offers a $200 cash back after you meet the initial spending requirement.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Evaluate APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features to find the right card. If avoiding fees is important, Citi Simplicity's no penalty rates may appeal to you. If you want to earn cash back, choose Citi Double Cash.
Regular APR: Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash has a slightly better regular APR range, maxing at 29.24% compared to Citi Simplicity's 29.99%. This makes the Double Cash a better card for those concerned with interest rates.
Annual Fee: Tie
The Citi Simplicity and the Citi Double Cash have no annual fees, allowing cardholders to avoid extra costs.
Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity
The Citi Simplicity offers 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers, compared to Citi Double Cash's no introductory APR on purchases and 18 months on balance transfers. Citi Simplicity's balance transfer fee is also lower at 3%.
Rewards: Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash Card is better for rewards. It offers 2% cash back on every purchase, non-expiring rewards and flexible redemption options, including cash back, gift cards and travel. The Citi Simplicity doesn't offer rewards.
Welcome Offers: Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash gives $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 in the first six months of account opening. The Citi Simplicity doesn't offer a welcome bonus.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
The Citi Simplicity and the Citi Double Cash require good to excellent credit scores from 670 to 850. Neither card has an advantage in this category, as both are accessible within the same credit score range.
Penalties and Fees: Citi Simplicity
The Citi Simplicity is better for penalties and fees, with no late payment fees or penalty APR. The Citi Double Cash charges up to $41 for late fees and up to 29.99% for a penalty APR.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Since both are Citi-issued cards, they have the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.1.
Other Features and Perks: Tie
Both cards feature Citi Quick Lock, allowing you to temporarily lock and unlock your card via the mobile app or online. This helps prevent unauthorized transactions if you misplace your card.
Methodology
MoneyGeek offers insights and reviews on credit card options like the Citi Simplicity and the Citi Double Cash based on performance in various use cases. This approach helps ensure the score reflects where the card offers the most value.
We consider factors like balance transfer offers, regular APR, issuer satisfaction and penalties.
FAQ: Citi Simplicity vs. Citi Double Cash Card
How do the cash back rewards differ between the cards?
The Citi Simplicity doesn't offer rewards. The Citi Double Cash is a great rewards card that gives 2% cash back on all purchases.
Which card offers a longer introductory APR period for balance transfers?
The Citi Simplicity offers a longer introductory APR period for balance transfers at 21 months.
Do these cards have an annual fee?
The Citi Simplicity and the Citi Double Cash are no-annual-fee cards.
Does the Citi Double Cash have an introductory cash back offer?
The Citi Double Cash gives $200 cash back after the cardholder spends $1,500 in their first six months of account opening.
Can I avoid late fees with the Citi Simplicity or the Citi Double Cash?
The Citi Simplicity has no late payment fees or penalty rates.
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.
*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.