Citi Simplicity Trims 0% Intro APR Period to 18 Months

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The terms on the Citi Simplicity® Card have changed again since this article was published. For the current terms, see our details page for the Citi Simplicity® Card. For other options, see our roundup of the best balance transfer cards.

One of the best balance-transfer offers on the market just got a little less attractive.

Citi has reduced the 0% introductory APR period on the Citi Simplicity® Card. As of January 2018, the card offers 18 months of 0% for purchases and balance transfers. That’s three months less than the card’s previous offer.

Don’t get us wrong: The Citi Simplicity® Card remains a forgiving card. It still charges no late fees or penalty interest rates, a helpful feature if you’re the forgetful type, as your APR won’t shoot up should you fall behind on payments (although we suggest not making that a habit, as it could still hurt your credit scores). And the card’s annual fee remains $0.

Still, the reduction in the promotional APR period means the Citi Simplicity® Card now has serious competition in the field of best cards for balance transfers — and one of them happens to be a sister card: the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card.

Note, however, that the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card doesn’t have the same late-payment forgiveness features as the Citi Simplicity® Card. Both cards charge a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. On that count, too, you may find options that work better for you.