Citi Simplicity® vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back

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Citi Simplicity<sup>®</sup> Card Citi Simplicity® Card Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back Card Discover it® Student Cash Back Card
9.0MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 9.0

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
9.8
Regular APR
9.5
Rewards
6.4
Benefits
9
Welcome Bonus
9.3
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.5
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 9.4
9.0MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 9.0

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
10
Regular APR
8
Rewards
8.8
Benefits
8
Welcome Bonus
8.5
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 10
Cash Advance Fee: 9.5
Balance Transfer Fee: 8.2
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $0
INTRO APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 21 months on qualifying balance transfers 0% APR on purchases for six months from account opening
REGULAR APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR 10.99% intro balance transfer APR for six months from date of first qualifying balance transfer, 18.24% to 27.24% ongoing variable APR
PROS
  • 0% intro rate on new purchases for 12 months
  • Cardholders will pay no annual fee
  • No penalty APR
  • No late fees
  • No annual fee
  • Making it accessible for those with limited or bad credit
  • Earn cash back in bonus categories
  • Take advantage of an introductory APR period
  • Your activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus.
CONS
  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee
  • High regular APR
  • 3 percent foreign transaction fee
  • New credit users may find the quarterly category rewards system complex
  • The card lacks an introductory APR on balance transfers, which may not be ideal for those looking to consolidate debt.
WELCOME BONUS
0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and purchases from date of account opening Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year with the card.
REWARDS
Citi Simplicity® Card Rewards stand out as a highly versatile credit currency, offering a myriad of redemption options to suit your preferences. You can utilize your rewards in a variety of ways, including:
  • No Rewards offer
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Rewards program is renowned for its flexibility in credit currency. Explore various redemption options for your earnings, including:
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories, up to $1,500 per quarter, with enrollment required.
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Plus, receive a cash back match at the end of the first year.
BENEFITS
Flexible payment due date - Cardholders are able to choose a payment due date that works best for them. No penalty APR - You won’t be assessed a penalty APR if you’re late on a payment. 21 month-APR offer on balance transfers - The 21-month offer on balance transfers is one of the longest intro APR offers. They have not paid interest for nearly two years. This gives cardholders the chance to make a serious dent in their debt. 12 month-APR offer on purchases - If you need to pay for purchases over time, you won't have to pay interest on them for a full year. However, there are cards with longer intro APR periods on purchases.  Fewer fees - The Citi Simplicity doesn’t charge an annual fee or late fees. It does, however, charge a balance transfer fee and cash advance fee. Freeze it® - Easily place holds on stolen or missing cards directly through the app for added security and peace of mind. Access to Credit Education - This feature is best for credit scores to improve. Gain access to Discover's Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, monthly updates, and tips to help you understand and improve your credit. Cashback Match™ - At the end of your first year with the card, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned, effectively doubling your rewards without any limit. so students benefit from doubling reward points for other spending. Rotating Bonus Categories - Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases in rotating quarterly bonus categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and more, up to the quarterly maximum. Good Grade Reward - Get a $20 statement credit each school year if your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next five years. it's not a big reward but a small credit combination helps your spend.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
19.24% - 29.99% variable, 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, and 5% ($5 min) for each transfer after that 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 630 - 689 (Poor - Fair)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% None
BEST FOR
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Balance Transfers
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Students
  • Bad Credit
  • U.S. Supermarket Spending
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