Both the Citi Simplicity® Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card offer no annual fees and good introductory APR periods. The Citi Simplicity is better for paying off balance transfers with its extended 0% intro APR offer, while the U.S. Bank Altitude Go is better for earning dining points.
Citi Simplicity® Card
vs. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Updated: December 1, 2024
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Citi Simplicity® Card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if you want a long 0% APR period for balance transfers, which is great for paying down existing debt. With no annual fee and no late payment penalties, it helps simplify your finances.
You might prefer the U.S. Bank Altitude Go if you dine out often or spend regularly on groceries, gas and streaming services. The rewards program offers points redeemable for travel, merchandise or statement credits, so it's great for everyday use. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for travelers.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Evaluate APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features to find the right card for you. U.S. Bank Altitude Go's rewards are beneficial if you dine out often. If you need a longer APR period for balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity is the better choice.
Regular APR: U.S. Bank Altitude Go
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card has a lower regular APR, starting at 18.24%, than the Citi Simplicity Card's 19.24%. This makes the U.S. Bank Altitude Go better for those prioritizing lower interest rates.
Annual Fee: Tie
The Citi Simplicity and the U.S. Bank Altitude Go have no annual fee, making them attractive for those who want to avoid extra costs.
Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity
Citi Simplicity's 21-month 0% APR offer on balance transfers is longer than U.S. Bank Altitude Go's 12 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Both cards have similar balance transfer fees.
Rewards: U.S. Bank Altitude Go
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go offers 4X points on dining, 2X points on groceries, gas and streaming services, and 1X point on all other spending. The Citi Simplicity doesn't offer rewards.
Welcome Offers: U.S. Bank Altitude Go
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go is better for welcome offers, giving 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. The Citi Simplicity has no current offer.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
The Citi Simplicity and the U.S. Bank Altitude Go require good to excellent credit scores ranging from 670–850. 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 a $0 late fee compared to up to $41 with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go. However, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, while the U.S. Bank Altitude Go doesn't.
Issuer Satisfaction: Citi Simplicity
Cardholders are more satisfied with Citi Simplicity's issuer, with a rating of 4.1 compared to U.S. Bank's 3.5.
Other Features and Perks: Tie
Citi® Quick Lock on the Citi Simplicity helps prevent unauthorized transactions if you misplace your card. The U.S. Bank Altitude Go offers a $15 annual streaming service credit.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Citi Simplicity and the U.S. Bank Altitude Go based on performance in various use cases. This approach helps ensure the score reflects where the card offers the most value.
The highest score for both cards is in the balance transfer category. We consider factors like balance transfer offers, regular APR, issuer satisfaction and penalties.
FAQ: Citi Simplicity vs. U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card
How do the cash back rewards differ between the cards?
The Citi Simplicity doesn't offer rewards. The U.S. Bank Altitude Go is a great rewards card that provides up to 4X points.
Which card is better for avoiding fees?
Both cards have no annual fee. The Citi Simplicity also has no late fees.
How do the introductory APR offers compare between the two cards?
The Citi Simplicity, one of the best balance transfer credit cards, offers a longer 0% APR for 21 months than U.S. Bank Altitude Go's 12 billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers.
Does the U.S. Bank Altitude Go have any unique perks?
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go offers a $15 annual credit on streaming services and no foreign transaction fees.
What credit score is required for each card?
Both cards require a good to excellent credit score of 670–850.
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.
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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.