Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Citi Simplicity vs. Citi Diamond Preferred: Which Is Better?
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Citi Simplicity vs. Citi Diamond Preferred: Which Is Better?

The Citi Diamond Preferred and Simplicity cards don't offer rewards or welcome bonuses - just a long 0% intro APR. Here's our winner:
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: June 3, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: June 3, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred are two credit card offerings from Citibank, offering long 0% intro APR and a couple of additional benefits. But, none of them offer rewards or welcome bonuses.

Let's compare them side by side.

General Comparison: Citi Simplicity vs. Diamond

The Citi Diamond Preferred and Simplcity cards don't offer rewards or welcome bonuses. Instead, cardholders are eligible for a long 0% intro APR. 

While both cards have the same intro APR period, the Simplicity card has the edge due to a couple of extra benefits such as no late fees and intro balance transfer fee.

citi diamond preferred

citi simplicity

Citi Diamond Preferred
Citi Simplicity
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
None
None
Welcome bonus
None
None
0% Intro APR
21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases then 18.24% – 28.99% (Variable) APR
12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers then 19.24% – 29.99% (Variable) APR
Balance Transfer Fee
$5 or 5% (the greater)
$5 or 5% (whichever is greater) – Intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.99% (Variable)
19.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
Read Review
Read Review

Which Extra Benefits You'll Get On Both Cards?

Both cards offer additional benefits including:

  • Automatic Account Alerts: Citi Diamond Preferred provides peace of mind with automatic account alerts, notifying you about balance levels, upcoming payments, or exceeding your credit limit through email or mobile notifications.
  • $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: With Citi Diamond Preferred, you enjoy complete protection against unauthorized charges, ensuring you won't be held responsible for any unauthorized transactions online or otherwise.
  • Free Access to Your FICO® Score: The card offers complimentary access to your FICO® Score, empowering you with valuable insights into your credit health.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
70,000 points 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
70,000 points 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Benefits You'll Get Only With The Citi Simplicity Card

Here are some benefits which available only to the Citi Simplicity cardholders:

  • No Late Fees and No Penalty Rate: The Citi Simplicity Card offers the benefit of no late payment fees or penalty interest rates, providing peace of mind if you miss a payment deadline.
  • Intro balance transfer Fee: for the first 4 months, cardholders will be charged 3% balance transfer fee instead of 5%.

When You Might Prefer The Citi Diamond Preferred?

  • You Have a Lower Score: The Diamond Preferred card offers a bit lower threshold, so if you can't get the Simplicity card, that may be a good option if you need 0% intro APR.

When You Might Prefer The Citi Simplicity Card?

  • You prioritize no fees: If you value a card with no late fees, no penalty rates, and a commitment to keeping things simple, this card may be your preferred choice.
  • You Want Intro Balance Transfer Fee: if you want to transfer your balance from another card, the lower balance transfer fee may be a game changer and save you a lot of money.

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for cards with 0% intro APR, here are some good options:

Capital-One-Savor-One

chase freedom unlimited card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor card
Chase Freedom Unlimited® card
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
$0
$0
Rewards
1% – 8% Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 1 percent on all other purchases. 10% percent cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats. 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel.
1.5% – 5% 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
1.5% unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$200 $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
3%
3%
Purchase APR
19.99% – 29.99% variable
20.24%–28.99% variable
18.24% – 28.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Compare Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Each of these cards has its own goal – transferring your balance and use the long 0% intro APR, or getting decent rewards & sign up bonus

Citi® Diamond Preferred® vs Citi Rewards+® Card: Which Card Is Best?

In terms of 0% intro APR, the BankAmericard outshines the Diamond Preferred card. But what about other benefits? Here's our comparison

BankAmericard vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: How They Compare?

Both the Citi Diamond Preferred and the Wells Fargo Reflect card don't offer rewards or welcome bonuses, but a 0% intro APR. Which card wins?

Wells Fargo Reflect Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Which Card Is Best?

Compare Citi Simplicity Card

The BankAmericard and the Citi Simplicity card don't offer rewards or welcome bonuses, only a long 0% intro APR. Here's our winner:

BankAmericard vs. Citi Simplicity Card: How They Compare?

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.