Discover it Miles vs. Citi Simplicity Credit Card Comparison

Q: Are there any annual fees for either the Discover it Miles or Citi Simplicity?

Both cards have no annual fee .

Q: Does either card offer benefits for international travel?

Discover it Miles has no foreign transaction fees , which is beneficial for international travel.

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Both the Discover it® Miles and Citi Simplicity® Card offer enticing introductory APR periods, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to transfer a balance. The Citi Simplicity edges ahead with its longer 21-month 0% introductory APR period for balance transfers, making it particularly suitable for those with existing debt.

However, the Discover it Miles shouldn't be overlooked, especially with its unique first-year miles match offer, which can add significant value for travelers. Neither card is co-branded and promises no annual fee, appealing to cost-conscious consumers.

Discover it® Miles

Citi Simplicity® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.9/ 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
18.49% - 27.49% variable
18.74% - 29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 12 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Discover Match®
No current offer
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
-
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
3% for each balance transfer, minimum $5
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
None
-
Not sure?
The Discover it Miles card is the better option for those who want to earn rewards on every purchase. It offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent and a unique first-year miles match. In contrast, the Citi Simplicity card is tailored for those seeking a longer balance transfer offer, boasting a 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers.
While both cards have no annual fee, Discover it Miles also offers the advantage of no foreign transaction fees, making it a more versatile choice for travelers. Choose the Discover it Miles if you want rewards on your purchases or the Citi Simplicity for an extended interest-free period for debt management.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Miles if you value earning rewards on every purchase. With 1.5X miles on every dollar and a bonus at the end of the first year, it's geared towards maximizing your spending benefits. Additionally, its slightly lower regular APR range can be advantageous in the long run, especially if you occasionally carry a balance.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity if you're looking for a lengthy 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers to manage existing debt or have upcoming large purchases. With no late fees or penalty rates, it's also forgiving for the occasional slip-up. However, it lacks a rewards program, so it's less suitable for those looking to earn points or cash back on their spending.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features clarifies which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if you plan to carry a balance, Citi Simplicity's longer 0% APR period on balance transfers might appeal to you, while Discover it Miles could be more attractive if you're looking for travel rewards.

Regular APR: Discover it Miles

For regular APR, Discover it Miles is the better option, offering a lower APR range starting at 18.24% compared to Citi Simplicity's range starting at 19.24%. The rate difference can affect interest charges over time.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and Citi Simplicity cards have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for those looking to save on yearly costs.

Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity

Citi Simplicity outperforms Discover it Miles in terms of introductory 0% APRs for balance transfers, offering 0% for 21 months compared to Discover it Miles' 15 months. Both cards charge a 3% balance transfer fee. This makes Citi Simplicity the better choice for those looking to transfer a balance and pay it off over a longer period without interest.

Rewards: Discover it Miles

Discover it Miles is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase with no expiration dates. Citi Simplicity does not offer rewards, making Discover it Miles the clear choice for those seeking to earn on their spending.

Welcome Offers: Discover it Miles

The Discover it Miles card is better for welcome offers, featuring the Discover Match program that doubles the miles earned in the first year. In contrast, the Citi Simplicity Card does not offer any welcome rewards.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Citi Simplicity and Discover it Miles require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit. There is no difference between the two cards in terms of the recommended credit score.

Penalties and Fees: Citi Simplicity

Citi Simplicity is better for penalties and fees, charging no late fees and offering a lower penalty structure overall. While both cards do not have a penalty APR, Citi Simplicity's absence of late fees gives it an edge. Discover it Miles has no foreign transaction fees. It also doesn't charge for the first late payment but then imposes a fee of up to $41. Both cards charge the same for cash advances.

Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Miles

Discover it Miles leads in issuer satisfaction, with a rating of 4.5 for its issuer, Discover Bank. Citibank, which issues Citi Simplicity, has an issuer satisfaction rating gof 4.1. This suggests that Discover Bank customers are generally more satisfied with their card issuer.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Discover it Miles provides benefits like online privacy protection. Citi Simplicity focuses on protection with features like Citi Quick Lock, which allows you to lock and unlock your Citi card on its mobile app.

Methodology

MoneyGeek conducts thorough reviews and evaluations of credit cards like Discover it Miles and Citi Simplicity based on their performance in various use cases. For this comparison, we focus on the scenario where each card excels, which is balance transfers.

Our ranking process considers factors such as the quality of balance transfer offers and the terms of introductory purchase APRs. These elements and other considerations, like issuer satisfaction and penalty fees, form the basis of our comprehensive scoring system.

FAQ: Discover it Miles vs. Citi Simplicity

What are the main differences in rewards between Discover it Miles and Citi Simplicity?

Discover it Miles offers 1.5X miles per dollar with a first-year match, while Citi Simplicity does not have a reward program.

Which card offers a longer 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers?

Citi Simplicity offers a longer 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers.

Are there any annual fees for either the Discover it Miles or Citi Simplicity?

Both cards have no annual fee.

Does either card offer benefits for international travel?

Discover it Miles has no foreign transaction fees, which is beneficial for international travel.

How do the APRs compare after the introductory period ends?

Discover it Miles has a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24%, while the Citi Simplicity Card has an APR range of 19.24% to 29.99%.

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.

Read Full Bio »

*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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Discover it® Miles vs. Citi Simplicity® Card