Citi Simplicity Review

You can get pre-approved for the Citi Simplicity Card by receiving a pre-approval offer in the mail. Alternatively, you can check for Citi Simplicity Card pre-qualification online. Just note that pre-approval does not actually guarantee you'll get the card.

It is also worth noting that using the online tool or receiving a pre-approved offer will only result in a soft pull of your credit. However, applying for the Citi Simplicity Card will result in a hard inquiry, which may temporarily drop your credit score by a few points.

Here's how the Citi Simplicity Card pre-approval works:

1. Receive an offer. You could get a pre-approved offer in the mail. Citibank also has an easy online form that will immediately let you know if you are pre-qualified for the Citi Simplicity Card, or if there are any other offers. Using this tool won't hurt your credit score in any way. 
2. Fill out an application. If you got an offer by mail, you can fill out the included application and send it back to Citibank. You can also enter your invitation code online. For online pre-qualified offers, submit the application online. 
3. Citibank evaluates your application. You're likely to be approved, but it's possible you could be denied after a more thorough look at your information. If you're approved, you'll typically receive your card within 7-10 business days.

Keep in mind that you need at least good credit to get approved for the Citi Simplicity Card. If you'd like to know where you stand, you can check your credit score for free, right here on WalletHub. 

Your Citi Simplicity Card approval odds are good if you have a credit score of 700+. That means you need good credit or better to have a shot at getting approved. Your approval odds for the Citi Simplicity Card will also be influenced by your annual income and existing debts. 

Ways to estimate your Citi Simplicity Card approval odds:

• Higher odds with at least good credit: Check your credit score beforehand to see if you're within the optimal range. This way, you can avoid affecting your score with a hard inquiry. 
• Check if you are pre-qualified: To get a better sense of your approval odds before applying for a Citi Simplicity Card, you can check to see if you're pre-qualified for any offers on the Citibank's website. Being pre-qualified does not guarantee approval, but it does indicate that you have pretty good odds of getting approved for certain cards. Plus, it won't affect your credit score.
• Respond to a mail offer: If you have been pre-selected for a mail offer, you can respond to it on Citi's website by providing your invitation code and last name. Pre-qualified offers don't guarantee approval. But you have good chances of approval as long as nothing negative has been added to your credit report in the meantime.
• Check your credit report: If you haven't checked your report in a while, you should definitely do it before applying. This way, you'll be able to better assess the impact that the application will have on your credit score. You can get your credit report and check your score for free, right here on WalletHub.
• Update your financial profile: Citibank looks at your credit report, plus your annual income and monthly housing payment. If you are an existing customer and you're currently registered for online access, you can update this info on Citi's website. You can also call Citi customer service at (800) 950-5114.

If you want to enhance your application by improving your credit score, WalletHub's free credit analysis can tell you what steps to take. 

The Citi Simplicity Card credit score requirement is 700 or higher. This means that you need at least good credit to get this card.

It is also worth noting that you never can be 100% sure whether you'll be approved just by credit score alone. Your credit score is only one of the aspects Citi will look at when making a decision on your application. Your debt, annual income, and any past negative marks on your credit report will also matter.

Having that said, it would be better to check your score and only apply if it's 700+.

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 18.99% - 29.74% (V). There is also a balance transfer fee of 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, and 5% ($5 min) for each transfer after that. 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 minimum payment is any past-due amount, plus either $20 or 1% of the statement balance (including any interest and fees) – whichever is higher. If the statement balance is less than $20, the entire amount is your minimum payment. If you recently missed a payment or exceeded your credit limit, Citibank may also add a late fee or the overlimit amount to your minimum payment.

The minimum payment is the smallest amount you're obligated to pay by the due date for your Citi Simplicity Card account to be in good standing. Your credit score will take a hit if you miss multiple minimum payments.

The Citi Simplicity Card annual fee is $0 per year. Citi Simplicity Card's $0 annual fee is lower than the average annual fee among new credit card offers right now. It's not the only fee you need to worry about with the Citi Simplicity Card, though.

Citi Simplicity Card Fees

• Annual Fee: $0
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
• Foreign Fee: 3%
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, and 5% ($5 min) for each transfer after that
• Max Late Fee: $0

The Citi Simplicity® Card credit limit is $500 at a minimum, according to the card's terms and conditions. The maximum credit line could be as high as $5,000, according to anecdotes from cardholders, and the amount an approved applicant gets assigned depends on their credit history, income, and debts.

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.

Yes, it is hard to get the Citi Simplicity® Card because it requires at least good credit for approval. Unless your credit score is 700 or higher and you have a lot of income, it will be difficult for you to get approved for the Citi Simplicity Card.

In order to get the Citi Simplicity Card, you will have to meet the credit score requirement, have a steady income and be at least 18 years old. You'll also need to have an SSN.

Keep in mind that even if you meet all of the requirements for the Citi Simplicity Card, you're never guaranteed to be approved.

The best Citi Simplicity Card benefits are identity theft protection and contactless chip technology. These perks are certainly good to have, though it's important to note that they are also relatively common benefits for credit cards.

Citi Simplicity Card Benefits

• Identity theft protection
• Contactless chip technology
• Account activity alerts
• Zero liability fraud protection

While these benefits aren't bad, the Citi Simplicity Card simply doesn't have as many benefits as a lot of the other credit cards on the market. To learn more about the Citi Simplicity Card, check out WalletHub's full review.

Citi Simplicity is a balance transfer credit card for people with good credit or better. Citi Simplicity is a great balance transfer credit card because of its long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and its $0 annual fee.

Key Things to Know About the Citi Simplicity Card

• The Citi Simplicity Card offers 0% for 21 months on balance transfers. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, and 5% ($5 min) for each transfer after that.
• The card offers an introductory purchase APR of 0% for 12 months.
• The card has a regular APR of 18.99% - 29.74% (V) that kicks in as soon as the promotional periods end.
• The Citi Simplicity Card does not offer any rewards.

For more information, you can check out WalletHub's editors' full review of the Citi Simplicity Card.