Citi Simplicity® vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

Easily compare up to three credit cards side by side with our intuitive comparison tool. Assess features, offers, and more to find the best fit for your financial needs.

Citi Simplicity<sup>®</sup> Card Citi Simplicity® Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus 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
8.5MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.5

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
9.1
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
8.4
Rewards
9.2
Benefits
8.5
Welcome Bonus
8.4
Recommended Credit Score: 9.1
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.8
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 7.8
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $69
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 No intro offer available
REGULAR APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR 21.49% - 28.49% 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 reward caps
  • No booking fees
  • Unlimited rewards seats
  • 3,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary
CONS
  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee
  • High regular APR
  • 3 percent foreign transaction fee
  • Very high balance transfer fee
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
  • Annual fee
  • No introductory APR
  • Membership fees
WELCOME BONUS
0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and purchases from date of account opening 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
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
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC
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. Various protections and perks - There are enough perks to justify keeping the card year after year. The lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance can reimburse you. They give you peace of mind when traveling. So can the extended warranty and purchase protection. The anniversary point bonus and EarlyBird check-ins also make it worthwhile. Redemption flexibility - There aren’t any blackout dates, so you can use your rewards points whenever you choose. 25% back on inflight purchases - You’ll get a nice discount on any inflight purchases. This includes drinks, meals, and internet access. Extended warranty protection - Southwest Plus cardholders can add a year to the original warranty on eligible purchases made with the card. They can do this up to $10,000 per claim. Baggage delay insurance - This benefit provides reimbursement for emergency purchases of essential items. It applies when your baggage is delayed for over six hours. It covers up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days. 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year - You’ll get a pair of credits you can use for early check-ins twice per year. This lets you check in automatically before the typical 24-hour check-in. It lets you get an earlier boarding position and a better chance to pick your seat and store your bags. EarlyBird check-in typically costs between $15 and $20.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, 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 21.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% 3%
BEST FOR
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Balance Transfers
  • Travelers
  • Frequent Flyers
  • Hotel Stays
  • Foreign Travel
  • Rewards Points Enthusiasts
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