Citi Simplicity Card vs. Diamond Preferred Card: Similar Cards, One Clear Choice
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Written by
Harlan Vaughn
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
Citi, our advertising partner, offers two credit cards with virtually identical benefits: the Citi Simplicity® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. The similarities outweigh the differences, and it ultimately comes down to a lower balance transfer fee for the Citi Simplicity Card.
While the Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a slightly lower APR, it’s not enough to be meaningful. If you’re choosing between the two, go with the Simplicity Card and call it a done deal.
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How the Cards Compare: Citi Simplicity vs. Diamond Preferred
Side By Side Comparison
Annual Fee
Intro Purchase APR
Intro Balance Transfer APR
Ongoing APR
Balance Transfer Fee
Pros & Cons
- Low intro balance transfer fee
- Generous intro balance transfer period
- Choose your payment due date
PROS
- After the intro period, the variable APR for balance transfers and purchases is high
- Balance transfers increase after the first four months.
CONS
- Very long intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Free FICO® score access
PROS
- Shorter intro APR on purchases
- Balance transfer fee is higher than other comparable cards
- No ongoing rewards program
CONS
Learn More
Welcome Bonuses
Neither card offers a welcome bonus, unless you count their intro APR offers, which put them among the best low APR credit cards and best balance transfer credit cards. There are no rewards for spending on purchases after you open either card.
Citi Simplicity Welcome Bonus
With the Citi Simplicity Card, you can take advantage of 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.74% - 28.49% (Variable) APR. 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).
Citi Diamond Preferred Welcome Bonus
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a similar welcome offer, but with a higher balance transfer fee and potentially lower APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases and 21 months on Balance Transfers then 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable) APR. Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
CardCritics™ Opinion
Because their APRs are so similar, you’d be wise to take the 2% difference up front with the balance transfer fee and save yourself some cash with the Citi Simplicity Card. On a $5,000 balance, for example, you’d pay $250 to transfer it to the Diamond Preferred Card, but $150 with the Simplicity Card. Save the difference and put it toward paying down your balance.
Card Benefits
As Citi credit cards, the Simplicity and Diamond Preferred let you use the Citi Entertainment® platform for access to special tickets to concerts and other events, plus free credit score monitoring and no annual fee. You’ll also get Citi Merchant offers, which are deals you can add to your card.
But these cards are about as skimpy as they come. With no rewards or other built-in benefits, the spotlight is really on the low-interest welcome offers.
Citi Simplicity Benefits
Citi Simplicity benefits include no late fees and no penalty rate, which, if you’re the forgetful type or new to managing a credit card, is an excellent perk to give yourself extra wiggle room. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card doesn’t offer this, so it’s another reason to go ahead and choose the Citi Simplicity Card, all else being equal.
Citi Diamond Preferred Benefits
Other than what we’ve already mentioned, that’s about the full scope of Citi Diamond Preferred benefits: free credit score access, Citi Entertainment and zero liability for unauthorized charges (which is a pretty standard benefit with most credit cards these days). Here’s more about how to know if the Citi Diamond Preferred is worth it for you.
CardCritics™ Opinion
The lower balance transfer fee and lack of late and penalty fees give another mark for the Citi Simplicity Card.
Fees and Costs
The biggest differences are the marginally lower APR with the Diamond Preferred Card and better introductory transfer fee with the Simplicity Card.
Citi Simplicity Fees and Costs
With the Citi Simplicity Card, you get:
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases, followed by a 17.74% - 28.49% (Variable) APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers when transfers are completed within four months from the date of account opening, followed by a 17.74% - 28.49% (Variable) APR
- 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)
- Late payment fee: None
- Penalty fee: None
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Citi Diamond Preferred Benefits Fees and Costs
When you go with the Citi Diamond Preferred Card, you get:
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases, followed by a 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable) APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers when transfers are completed within four months from the date of account opening, followed by a 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable) APR
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Late payment fee: Up to $41
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%, depending on creditworthiness
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
CardCritics™ Opinion
Instead of risking a late fee or penalty APR, you could remove this from the equation by going with the Citi Simplicity Card to begin with. The minor difference in APRs isn’t enough to sway from one to the other, while the lower balance transfer fee is definitely an easy way to save cash on a balance transfer.
How To Choose Between Citi Simplicity and Diamond Preferred
All else being the same with the Citi Simplicity Card and Citi Diamond Preferred Card — which it pretty much is — it really comes down to fees with these cards. Because the Simplicity Card has a lower balance transfer fee for the first four months, no late fees and no penalty APR, you might as well go with that one. Otherwise, both cards offer the same benefits (which are limited) and require the same overall credit profile.
Why Citi has two cards that are so similar is puzzling, but if you want my recommendation, I’ll end this one the same way I started it: go with the Citi Simplicity Card and call it a day.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Citi Simplicity and Diamond Preferred
What is the difference between Citi Diamond Preferred and Citi Simplicity?
You’ll get a lower balance transfer fee with the Citi Simplicity Card for balances transferred in the first four months of account opening. There are also no late or penalty fees. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a higher balance transfer fee and charges late fees and penalty rates.
What are the disadvantages of the Citi Simplicity Card?
The Citi Simplicity Card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus or earn rewards, but it has one of the best intro APRs on balance transfers of any credit card.
Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card hard to get?
To have the best chance of qualifying for the Citi Diamond Preferred Card, you’ll need at least a good credit score (a FICO score of 670 or better).
What is the credit limit for the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
The credit limit you receive with the Citi Diamond Preferred Card will depend on your credit profile, income and other factors. According to Citi’s website, the minimum credit limit is $500.
What is the credit limit for the Citi Simplicity Card?
With the Citi Simplicity Card, your credit limit will also vary based on your creditworthiness, income and other factors. Citi’s website says the minimum credit limit is $500.
