What are the best Citi Simplicity Card benefits?

The Citi Simplicity Card does not offer any rewards. Instead of rewards, this card offers introductory interest rates: 0% for 12 months on purchases and 0% for 21 months on balance transfers. After the intro period expires, the APR is 18.24% - 28.99% (V). There is also a balance transfer fee of 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer. The Citi Simplicity Card also has a $0 annual fee.

If you want to get a credit card with rewards, though, there are several great options available on the market.

Here are some good credit cards with rewards:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This credit card offers 5% cash back on travel through Chase, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases (plus an additional 1.5% cash back on everything, up to $20,000 spent the first year).
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card gives 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases, earned as statement credits.

You can also check out our editors’ latest picks for the best rewards credit cards to see which one suits your needs best.

The Citi Simplicity® Card credit limit is at least $$500, if you get approved. That’s the minimum limit listed in the card’s terms and conditions. However, your maximum credit line could be as high as $5,000, according to anecdotes from credit card holders. It all depends on your credit history, your income, and any potential debt or liabilities you might have. … read full answer

Tips for Getting a Higher Citi Simplicity® Card Credit Limit

1. Watch your utilization. If you already have a credit card, try to use just a fraction of your available credit. You should keep your credit utilization ratio at 30% or less. This will show Citi you’re not desperate.
2. Make more & spend less. Income and assets are a high credit limit’s friends. Lots of existing debt is not.
3. Wait if you need to. This credit card requires excellent credit for approval, for one thing. So, if you need some time to get your financial house in order before applying, take it.

If you get the card but not the credit limit you want, don’t worry too much. You can always ask for an increase later on. I’d wait at least 6 months, assuming you pay your bills on time.

The easiest Citi card to get is the Citi® Secured Mastercard® because it is the only one that will accept applicants with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history). This card requires a $200 refundable security deposit but has a $0 annual fee. It also helps build credit history with monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus… read full answer (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian).

More info regarding Citi credit cards score requirement

Aside from the Citi Secured, nearly all other Citi credit cards require good credit or better (a credit score of 700+) for good odds of approval. Some of these cards include the Citi Double Cash Card or the Citi Premier® Card.

However, there are a number of store cards that also make it among the easiest Citi cards to get. Citi store cards require at least fair credit (a credit score of 640+) for approval. But purchases are limited to the affiliated merchant or its website. The Best Buy® Store Card and the Shell Gas Card, for instance, are among the many store cards that also have a full-fledged co-branded version on either the Visa or Shell Credit Card network, which can be used anywhere the network is accepted. Those cards aren’t as easy to get as the store versions, as they require at least good credit.

Here are some of the easiest Citi cards to get:

The Citi Secured is open to applicants with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history). It has a $0 annual fee.

The Best Buy Store Card requires fair credit or better (a credit score of 640+). It has a $0 annual fee. Earns 2.5 points per $1 spent on Best Buy purchases.

To get the Shell Gas Card, you need fair credit or better (a credit score of 640+). It has a $0 annual fee. Offers savings: 30¢ per gallon (up to 35 gallons) on your first 5 Shell fuel purchases made by 6/30/2023, after that 10¢ per gallon (up to 20 gallons) every time you fill up, 10% Shell rebates on your first $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases (per year).

The Sears Store Card requires fair credit or better (a credit score of 640+). It has a $0 annual fee.

The easiest Citi cards to get come with limitations. They offer low minimum credit limits, high interest rates and few rewards and benefits. And with the Citi store cards, beware of deferred interest promotions. Deferred interest means that there’s 0% interest as long as the balance gets paid in full by the end of the promotion. If it’s not paid in full, Citibank charges interest on the original purchase amount from the date of purchase, at the card’s regular APR.

It may also be beneficial to look outside of Citibank to some of the easiest cards to get from other issuers. Aside from lenient approval requirements, some of these also offer rewards and have annual fees as low as $0. And they report to the three major credit bureaus. So, if you use them responsibly, you'll be able to build or rebuild your credit and have future access to some of the best Citi credit cards, or other excellent options from different issuers.