Best Citi credit cards with balance transfer offers
Key takeaways
- Citi has several different credit cards that come with a balance transfer offer, although their terms and details vary widely.
- For example, some Citi credit cards in this niche offer rewards for spending, whereas others include longer intro APR offers.
- The best Citi balance transfer offer for you depends on factors like whether you want an intro APR for balance transfers and purchases, and whether you want to earn rewards for spending.
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Like other major credit card issuers, Citi has its share of cards that give customers a 0 percent intro APR offer on purchases, balance transfers or both for a limited time. Some Citi credit cards offer rewards as well, whereas other cards focus on debt consolidation in the form of a longer intro APR offer for balance transfers. There are additional details to keep in mind as you compare cards too, including fees, interest rates and cardholder perks.
Also, be aware that Citi doesn’t allow balance transfers from one Citi credit card to another Citi credit card. This means that, if you have credit card debt on a Citi credit card already, you’ll need to look at the best balance transfer offers from a different issuer (like Chase and Wells Fargo).
Citi Simplicity Card: Best for no fees
Why we picked it: The Citi Simplicity® Card* offers a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months on transfers made within the first four months of account opening, as well as a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (both followed by a variable APR of 19.24 percent to 29.99 percent). Cardholders can also qualify for an introductory balance transfer fee of 3 percent (minimum $5) if the balance transfer is completed within four months of account opening. After the first four months, the balance transfer fee will be 5 percent (minimum $5).
Pros
- Longest intro APR offer currently available for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No late payment fees
- No penalty APR
Cons
- Shorter intro APR offer for purchases
- No rewards for spending
- Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee
Who should apply: Apply for the Citi Simplicity Card if you want to consolidate and pay down debt with minimal fees, and if you prefer a longer 0 percent APR offer over rewards for spending.
Who should skip: Skip this card if you want to earn cash back or another type of rewards for each dollar you spend. Also, consider other cards if you want a longer intro APR offer for purchases.
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Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Best for debt consolidation
Why we picked it: The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card* also offers a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months on transfers completed within four months of account opening, as well as a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (both followed by a variable APR of 18.24 percent to 28.99 percent). There’s no annual fee, either, but there is a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5).
Pros
- Longest intro APR offer currently available for balance transfers
- No annual fee
Cons
- Charges a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5)
- Shorter intro APR offer for purchases
- No rewards for spending
- Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee
Who should apply: Consider this card for debt consolidation if you want a long intro APR offer for balance transfers and you don’t mind paying a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5).
Who should skip: All factors considered, the Citi Simplicity Card is a better deal since it comes with a 3 percent intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5) for transfers completed in the first four months.
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for earning cash back
Why we picked it: The Citi Double Cash® Card* offers up to 2 percent cash back on all purchases — 1 percent when a purchase is made and another 1 percent when it’s paid off. Cardholders can also enjoy a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months on transfers made within the first four months (followed by a variable APR of 19.24 percent to 29.24 percent). There is also no annual fee.
Pros
- Lengthy intro APR offer for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Earns generous cash back rewards
- Intro balance transfer fee of 3 percent applies for the first four months ($5 minimum; 5 percent after the first four months)
Cons
- No intro APR offer for purchases
- Debt payoff can be harder when you’re using a card to earn rewards
- Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee
Who should apply: Consider the Citi Double Cash® Card if you want to consolidate debt with a length intro APR offer for balance transfers, but you also want a rewards credit card you can use for purchases once you’re debt-free.
Who should skip: If you’re worried about mixing debt repayment and rewards, you probably should be. Consider skipping this card if you need to pay off debt but don’t want to be tempted to spend in order to earn cash back.
Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for rewards you can customize
Why we picked it: The Citi Custom Cash® Card is unique because it offers a 0 percent intro APR on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a variable APR of 19.24 percent to 29.24 percent).
Cardholders also earn 5 percent cash back in their top eligible spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1 percent back). A welcome offer of $200 in cash back (as 20,000 ThankYou points) is also available for those who spend $1,500 on new purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Pros
- Earn customizable rewards
- Welcome offer available
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer applies to both purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies
- Shorter intro APR offer for balance transfers than other Citi cards
- Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee
Who should apply: Consider this card if you want to earn rewards for eligible spending and get an intro APR offer that applies to both purchases and balance transfers.
Who should skip: Skip the Citi Custom Cash Card if you have a lot of debt to consolidate and you need the longest intro APR offer you can find.
How to choose a Citi credit card for balance transfers
Now that you know about the best Citi credit cards for balance transfers, you are probably wondering how to choose a card. Here’s a rundown of everything you need to consider before you select a card:
- Decide if you want to earn rewards. Whereas some of the best balance transfer Citi credit cards offer both rewards for spending and an intro APR offer, others give you a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for a longer timeline (without rewards) instead. Make sure you know if you want to earn rewards so you can choose accordingly.
- Compare intro APR offers. Take stock of how much debt you want to consolidate and how long it will take you to pay it off. If you have a lot of debt, focus on Citi credit cards with the longest intro APR offers currently available.
- Look at fees and run the numbers. Since none of the Citi cards on our list charge an annual fee, compare cards based on balance transfer fees. Ideally, you’ll pick a card with a lower balance transfer fee.
The bottom line
The best Citi credit cards for balance transfers can help you pay down debt, earn rewards for spending or both. That said, Citi’s intro APR offers vary widely, as do the perks included for cardholders. Make sure to compare all your options before you decide, and don’t be afraid to check out the best balance transfer credit cards from other issuers, too.
*The information about the Citi Simplicity® Card, Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
