BankAmericard vs. Citi Simplicity: Each Has an Edge
Looking to move debt? Pick the one with the lower balance transfer fee. Looking to finance a big expense? Pick the one with the longer 0% period for purchases.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Updated · 1 min read
Written by
Lead Writer & Content Strategist 
Edited by
Managing Editor The BankAmericard® credit card and the Citi Simplicity® Card can both work as get-out-of-debt tools.
Both are $0-annual-fee cards that feature lengthy intro APR periods for balance transfers and don’t charge penalty APRs. However, neither card offers rewards or much in the way of ongoing benefits, meaning neither will provide much value once that promotional interest period ends.
For saving money on new purchases, the BankAmericard® credit card is a clear winner, since it has a longer introductory APR period. But things get a little more complicated for balance transfers. If you need as much time as possible to pay down your balance, the BankAmericard® credit card is still a good option. But you'll pay a higher balance transfer fee than you would with the Citi Simplicity® Card.
Here’s how the cards compare.
Annual fee
BankAmericard® credit card
$0
Citi Simplicity® Card
$0
Welcome offer
BankAmericard® credit card
None.
Citi Simplicity® Card
N/A.
Rewards
BankAmericard® credit card
None.
Citi Simplicity® Card
None.
Interest rate
BankAmericard® credit card
0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 14.99%-25.99% will apply.
Citi Simplicity® Card
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%-28.24% Variable APR.
Balance transfer fee
BankAmericard® credit card
5% of the amount of each transaction.
Citi Simplicity® Card
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Other benefits
BankAmericard® credit card
- No penalty APR.
Citi Simplicity® Card
- No penalty APR.
- No late fees.
Where the BankAmericard® credit card has the upper hand
Longer intro APR period
If you're looking for a card to finance a new purchase or you need as much time as possible to pay off an existing balance, the BankAmericard® credit card is the better choice. You'll get an introductory period that lasts almost two years: 0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 14.99%-25.99% will apply.
The introductory period is three months shorter on the Citi Simplicity® Card: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%-28.24% Variable APR.
Where the Citi Simplicity has the upper hand
Lower intro balance transfer fee
You won't have as long to pay off a balance with the Citi Simplicity® Card, but you'll have a lower up-front balance transfer fee: 3% (minimum $5) for transfers made within the first four months of account opening; after that, you'll pay a 5% fee for each transfer (minimum $5). The BankAmericard® credit card offers a flat 5% fee on each balance transfer.
If you transferred a $10,000 balance, you'd have a $200 higher fee with the BankAmericard® credit card than you would with Citi Simplicity® Card (assuming you made the transfer in the first four months).
No late fees
You should aim to pay off your balance every month if you can. But if you are late, the Citi Simplicity® Card won’t punish you for it. The card doesn’t charge late fees, nor does it impose a penalty interest rate for paying late.
The BankAmericard® credit card won't raise your interest rate if you pay late either. However, the card does charge late fees.
If you're forgetful or have not set up automatic payments, the Citi Simplicity® Card can save you real money. Even so, be aware that paying late could hurt your credit scores if you're more than 30 days past due.
Which card should you get?
Choosing between the two cards really comes down to how long you need to pay your balance off. If you need as long as possible to pay off your balance, the BankAmericard® credit card comes out ahead. But you can save some money on fees with the Citi Simplicity® Card.
Again, neither card comes with long-term benefits like rewards. So once you've paid off your balance transfer, you may want to consider asking the issuer for a product change, which both Bank of America® and Citi allow. You can call the number on the back of your credit card to do this.
But that's not your only option. There are cards that offer both a 0% APR period and ongoing value through rewards. The $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is one such card. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-28.49% Variable APR. Terms apply; rates and fees.
And you’ll earn rewards on everyday spending with the card, too: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent per year; 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year; and 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply; see rates and fees.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
