- Introductory balance transfer rate:0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:13.74% – 25.74% Variable APR
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Introductory balance transfer rate:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:15.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- No rewards
- High APR after the introductory offer ends
- Must meet requirements to get full 21 months of 0% intro APR
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months for balance transfers and 12 months for purchases (then variable APR 15.49% to 25.49%)
- No annual fee
- No late payment fees or penalty APR
- No rewards
- No welcome offer
- 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)
- Get a 0% introductory APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers — start with a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then unlock up to three additional months with on-time minimum payments during the 18-month offer and the extension period, then a 13.74% to 25.74% variable APR thereafter
- Cell phone protection worth up to $600 when you pay your bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Get access to My Wells Fargo Deals: earn cash back in the form of a statement credit when you use your eligible Wells Fargo card with select retailers
- Roadside dispatch
- Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening
- Includes Citi Identity Theft Solutions protection
- Choose your payment due date
- Digital wallet compatible
Both the Wells Fargo Reflect Card and the Citi Simplicity Card can help you save money as you pay down large purchases or consolidate debt, yet the Wells Fargo Reflect Card is superior for many people. Not only is the introductory 0% rate longer for purchases — provided you always pay your credit card bill on time — but you’ll pay a lower intro balance transfer fee as well. You even get cell phone protection with the Wells Fargo Reflect Card, whereas the Citi Simplicity lacks benefits.
Credit card interest is costly. But some cards are designed to help you save on interest with an introductory 0% interest rate — whether you need to pay down existing debt or you have a large purchase to make and want some flexibility with the payoff period.
Among these types of cards, Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card and the Citi Simplicity Card are two of the top options available today. Both have long intro periods for qualifying balance transfers and extend their introductory rates to new purchases as well.
The main differences between these two cards are the time periods you’ll get for qualifying balance transfers and purchases, and the fees you’ll pay to consolidate debt. These may seem like small details, but they can make a big difference in your cost over time.
Here’s what you need to know to determine which of these 0% intro APR cards is right for you:
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Wells Fargo Reflect Card | Citi Simplicity Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Intro APR for balance transfers | 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening, with the possibility for a three month extension when you make at least your minimum monthly payment on time during the introductory and extension periods (followed by a variable APR of 13.74% to 25.74%) | 0% intro APR for 21 months (followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%) |
| Intro APR for purchases | 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening, with the possibility for three additional months when you make at least your minimum monthly payment on time during the introductory and extension periods (followed by a variable APR of 13.74% to 25.74%) | 0% intro APR for 12 months (followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%) |
| Balance transfer fee | Intro 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) on balances transferred in the first 120 days, then 5% (minimum $5) | 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) *Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening |
| Other Benefits | Cell phone protection Roadside dispatch | Citi Identity Theft Solutions |
0% Intro APR for Purchases
If you’re looking for a card to pay off new purchases over time, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card comes with a superior introductory offer. You can avoid interest on purchases for at least 18 months from account opening, then qualify for another 3 months interest-free as long as you make at least the minimum payment on your card during the introductory and extension periods (followed by a variable APR of 13.74% to 25.74%).
This means you can receive the intro APR on new purchases for a full 21 months if you avoid late payments. Making payments on time and in full each month is a good habit to practice anyway, since it can help you maintain good credit and avoid added fees.
By contrast, the Citi Simplicity Card only offers 0% APR on purchases for 12 months (followed by a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.49%). This is a decent intro period length, but if your main goal is paying down a new purchase over time, you’ll get much more flexibility with the Wells Fargo Reflect card.
Introductory Offers for Balance Transfers
These two cards are relatively equal in terms of their balance transfer offers — at least until you read the fine print.
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card gives cardholders 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers for 18 months from account opening with the chance for three additional months, if you make on-time monthly payments during both the intro and extension periods (13.74% to 25.74% variable APR thereafter). The Citi Simplicity Card has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months as its standard offer. After that the variable APR will be 15.49% – 25.49%.
With that being said, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card charges an intro 3% balance transfer fee for balances transferred in the first 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; minimum $5, whereas the Citi Simplicity charges a 5% balance transfer fee. That’s a minor increase, but can add up quickly. If you were using either card to consolidate $10,000 in credit card debt, that’s a difference of $300 or $500 in balance transfer fees.
Rewards and Benefits Comparison
Neither one of these credit cards comes with rewards or many perks, but this is pretty common among balance transfer and 0% intro APR credit cards. Their biggest benefit is the opportunity to pay down balances over time interest-free.
However, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card does come out slightly ahead in this category, since it comes with roadside assistance and up to $600 in cell phone insurance, subject to a $25 deductible.
Fees and Costs
Neither of these cards charge an annual fee, and they have the same 3% foreign transaction fee.
The Citi Simplicity Card does not charge any late fees, which is a minor benefit to consider, but there is a returned payment fee up to $40. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card charges up to $40 in fees for a late payment or returned payment (and you can forfeit the extension period on your 0% intro APR offer with a late payment).
Finally, both cards charge variable APRs after the intro period ends. You’ll pay a variable APR of 13.74% to 25.74% for any balances you carry on the Wells Fargo Reflect, whereas the Citi Simplicity charges 15.49% to 25.49%.
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:13.74% – 25.74% Variable APR
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Apply Now At Wells Fargo’s secure site See Rates & Fees.
Citi Simplicity® Card
- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:15.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more At our partner’s secure site
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:15.24% – 25.24% (Variable)
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more At our partner’s secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
Deciding Between Wells Fargo Reflect Card vs. Citi Simplicity Card
Editorial Independence
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
Whether you are considering these 0% intro APR credit cards for debt consolidation or for a large upcoming purchase, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card is the clear winner. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on purchases for a significantly longer timeline of 18 months from account opening, with the option for a three-month extension (13.74% to 25.74% Variable APR thereafter). That’s compared to the Citi Simplicity’s 12 month offer, then 15.49% to 25.49% variable APR. Plus, the intro 3% balance transfer fee can help you reduce the costs of debt consolidation compared to Citi Simplicity’s 5% fee.
Pro Tip
If you plan to consolidate debt with the Wells Fargo Reflect Card, do so within 120 days of account opening. This will help you secure the intro balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) instead up to 5%.
The Reflect card’s other benefits are minor, but its cell phone protection could also help you save money and stay covered in case of damage or theft.
If you’re looking to save money on interest with a 0% intro APR credit card, make sure you compare all the offers that may best fit your timeline and goals. Comparing different options can also help you see which cards you may be most likely to qualify for before you apply.
Most importantly, make sure you have a plan to pay down your balance in full (or as much as possible) before your intro period ends. Both of these cards — as well as other 0% intro APR cards — carry very high ongoing APRs that can quickly lead to high-interest debts.
