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When it comes to 0% intro APR credit cards, the Citi Simplicity® Card and Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (see rates and fees) stand out as two of the best options for avoiding interest. Whether you're looking to transfer an existing balance or finance a large purchase, these cards offer some of the longest interest-free periods available. But which one is the better fit for you?
Personally, I prefer credit cards that don't penalize me with late fees, which is why the Citi Simplicity Card's no-late-fee policy is appealing. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a longer intro APR purchase period. The key is understanding how each card's perks align with your financial goals.
Below, I'll compare their 0% intro APR offers, fees, and benefits so you can confidently choose the right one.
Key differences between Citi Simplicity Card and Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Both cards offer no annual fee and a long 0% intro APR period, but their policies differ when it comes to late fees, balance transfer fees, and extra perks. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two cards:
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
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).
Long intro balance transfer APR
Welcome Offer:
N/A
Rewards Program:
N/A
Rewards Program:
N/A
Intro APR:
Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers
Intro APR:
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR:
18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)
Regular APR:
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Annual Fee:
N/A
$0
Annual Fee:
N/A
$0
Highlights:
No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for 12 months on purchases; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
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).
Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
Highlights:
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
0% intro APR: Which card gives you the longest interest-free period?
Both the Citi Simplicity Card and Wells Fargo Reflect Card offer impressive 0% intro APR periods, but there's a key difference:
Citi Simplicity® Card: 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases. (Then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR applies at the end of the intro period.)
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: 0% intro APR on both qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 21 months from account opening. (The go-to 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR applies at the end of the intro period.)
If you need an interest-free period of 21 months on Balance Transfers only and don't want to pay late fees, the Citi Simplicity Card is the better choice. But if you also plan to make new purchases, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card's 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases makes this card the stronger option.
Balance transfers: Which card saves you more money?
Both cards have similar 0% intro APR periods, but their fees are slightly different:
Citi Simplicity Card: 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).
Wells Fargo Reflect Card: The balance transfer fee is 5%, min: $5.
For larger balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity Card could save you money if you transfer within the first four months.
Fees and penalties: Citi Simplicity Card is more forgiving
Both cards have a $0 annual fee, but the Citi Simplicity Card is better designed for those who want to avoid penalties. The Citi Simplicity Card boasts no late fees (ever), no penalty APR, and lower balance transfer fees. (Note: The Citi Simplicity Card is the exception for late fees -- Citi does charge late fees on other cards).
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card does charge late fees and a penalty APR, which means your interest rate can increase if you miss payments.
Safe to say, if you occasionally miss due dates, the Citi Simplicity Card is the safer choice.
Extra benefits: Wells Fargo Reflect Card has more perks
Unfortunately, neither the Wells Fargo Reflect Card or the Citi Simplicity Card offer many rewards. That's simply the downfall of a card with an extremely long 0% intro APR period. If you're looking for rewards, consider a card like Discover it® Cash Back (see rates and fees), similarly with a $0 annual fee and a slightly shorter 0% intro APR period of 15 months for purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, the go-to 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR applies. Apply for theDiscover it® Cash Back today.
However, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card does provide a few extras that make it stand out vs. the Citi Simplicity Card: up to $600 in cellphone protection when you pay your bill with this card, and My Wells Fargo Deals, which offers personalized deals from select merchants.
Final verdict: Citi Simplicity Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Both cards are great for avoiding interest, but the right choice depends on your priorities. If you're still not sure, think about whether late fees, balance transfer costs, or extra perks matter more to you. Either way, both cards can help you manage debt more effectively without paying interest for a long time.
Choose the Citi Simplicity Card if:
You're not confident you can always pay on time, you want the longest guaranteed 0% intro APR period for balance transfers, and you want to avoid late fees and penalty APRs.
You always pay on time, you plan to use the card for purchases and want the longest 0% intro APR, and you want extra benefits like cellphone protection.
No, neither the Citi Simplicity Card nor Wells Fargo Reflect Card offer rewards like you'll see on other cards. These 0% intro APR cards are designed for minimizing interest rather than earning points or cash back. If rewards are a priority, consider using a separate rewards card for everyday purchases.
The Citi Simplicity Card doesn't charge late fees or penalty APRs, making it the more forgiving option. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card, however, does charge late fees, so make sure you can pay on time.
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Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Brooklyn Welch has positions in Visa. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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