The Simmons Visa® is a basic credit card with no rewards or VIP perks. However, its selling point is its low interest rates and lack of annual fees. This makes it the best option for those looking to consolidate debt or maintain good credit. Balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening an account get 12 months interest-free after a 3% or $10 fee or the transferred debt, whichever is greater. Once the 12 months are up, there is a 15.25% – 23.25% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
MoneyGeek’s Take
Simmons Visa® Review
With no annual fee and extremely low interest rates, the Simmons Visa® card is a practical choice for people who want to build their credit and those who want to get out from under their debt.
Updated: October 23, 2024
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- PROS
- No annual fees
- 0% APR offer on balance transfers for 12 months
- Low ongoing APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Highly competitive APR on cash advances
- Car rental and travel cover
- No balance transfer fees after the intro period
CONS- Cash advance fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- Balance transfer fees during the first 12 months
- Low interest rate
- No annual fees
- 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 12 months
- Car rental coverage
- Up to $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance
- Cash advance and foreign transaction fees apply
MoneyGeek’s review process for credit cards involves six steps that thoroughly evaluate a card’s benefit for consumers. It involves collecting credit card information from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's database, following standardized data points for easy evaluation, estimating spend profiles, factoring in any card bonuses, establishing the value of holding a card for three years and reviewing data to re-rank as needed.
Simmons Visa® Overview
Quick Take
- Pay no annual fees for as long as your account remains active.
- Benefit by paying low APR on cash advances, purchases and balance transfers.
- Use the intro balance transfer offer to pay off other credit card debt.
- Pay no balance transfer fees for transfers initiated after the intro period.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver provides reimbursement for damage due to theft or collision up to the actual value of most rental vehicles.
- Get up to $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance, should the need arise.
Important Card Details
Before applying for the Simmons Visa card, make sure to understand all the fees and interest rates that come with it.
Low Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The variable APR of 15.25% – 23.25% for the Simmons Visa® applies to both purchases and balance transfers. For cash advances, cardholders can enjoy a variable APR of 19.25% – 27.25%, which is low compared to other cards.
Introductory Balance Transfer Fee
For balance transfers made within the first 60 days of acquiring the Simmons Visa® card, cardholders need to pay a fee of 3% or $10, whichever is higher. This means that if you transfer a balance of $5,000 within the first 60 days, you will need to pay a fee of $150. This 3% fee can eat away at any savings you can make compared to credit cards with no balance transfer fees.
Foreign Transaction Fee
The Simmons Visa® card has a foreign transaction fee of 2%. This means that for every $100 spent abroad, an additional $2 fee will be charged to your account.
Additional Benefits
Beyond the low interest rates and zero annual fees, Simmons Visa® cardholders can benefit from a host of additional perks that the card has.
- Low interest rate: The card’s biggest selling point is the ongoing 15.25% – 23.25% variable APR. This is one of the lowest rates available.
- Zero annual fee: The Simmons Visa® card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
- Car rental and travel accident insurance: Cardholders can benefit from valuable protection and peace of mind on a trip, knowing that the Simmons Visa® card offers some form of coverage in case of an accident.
- 24/7 customer service: Simmons Visa® cardholders benefit from Simmons Bank’s great customer service, which is available 24/7.
- Great customer satisfaction: Cardholders can rest easy knowing that Simmons Bank takes care of their clients. The bank ranked within the top three in the South Central region of J.D. Power’s Retail Banking Satisfaction study in 2020, which analyzed customer satisfaction in the area.
- Easy mobile banking: Through the Simmons Bank mobile application, cardholders can easily view their balance and manage other accounts they may have with the bank.
How the Simmons Visa® Compares To Other Cards
The Simmons Visa® is undoubtedly one of the best low interest credit cards out there, but it may be lacking for some who want the benefits that come with other cards. There are some low interest credit cards that come with a few more perks, but how it ultimately compares to other cards will depend on what you’re looking for.
How the Simmons Visa® Compares
Simmons Visa®
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 15.25% – 23.25% Variable
- Introductory APR on Balance Transfers: 0% for 12 months for transfers made within 60 days of account opening
- Rewards Rate: None
- Mini Verdict: Best for those who want super low interest rates.
Simmons Rewards Visa Signature®
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 17.25% – 25.25% Variable
- Introductory APR on Balance Transfers: 0% for 12 months for transfers made within 60 days of account opening
- Rewards Rate: 1.25 points per dollar
- Mini Verdict: Best for those who want relatively low interest and rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
To get the Simmons Visa®, a credit score of 700 or above is required to qualify.
Yes, Simmons Bank reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian and Transunion.
No, the application process does not take long. You can apply online or at one of their 200 branches within Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee.
When submitting your Simmons Visa® application, you will have to provide personal information like your name, age, Social Security number, address, employer and annual income. You will also have to provide contact details like your email address and contact number. Authorized users must also be identified upon application.
Yes, you can download the Simmons Bank mobile application on your Android or iOS device to manage your account online.
Yes, your credit limit on a Simmons Visa® can increase or decrease automatically based on your financial habits.
Yes, you can freeze or lock your account through the Simmons Bank Card Controls application.
Yes, Simmons Bank offers the Simmons Rewards Visa Signature® and Simmons Bank Foundation Visa.
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.
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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