Citi Diamond Preferred review: A top-notch balance transfer card

Already considered one of the best balance transfer cards out there, the Citi Diamond Preferred card’s recent refresh has brought with it one of the longest introductory APR periods for balance transfers on the market, making it a solid option if you need a lot of time to pay off debt.

That said, the card comes with a high balance transfer fee, a disappointingly short intro APR period on new purchases and likely won’t hold much long-term value due to its thin perks and lack of an ongoing rewards program. While the Citi Diamond Preferred will help you get the job done if you need to pay off debt, it’s far from your only option, especially if you’d also like a card that earns rewards in the future.

See related: How I use my Citi Diamond Preferred

Why you might want the Citi Diamond Preferred Card

If you need a balance transfer card to pay off credit card debt or hit pause on your monthly interest charges, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card will likely stand out for its exceptional introductory intro balance transfer APR.

Long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers

The Citi Diamond Preferred card comes with one of the longest 0% introductory APR offers for balance transfers on the market: You can get 0% for 21 months, with a 15.24% to 25.24% variable APR thereafter. That’s three months longer than the card’s previous offer and easily beats out the offers you’ll find on many competing balance transfer cards, which typically offer introductory periods of 12 to 18 months.

The only other cards that can match the Citi Diamond Preferred card’s balance transfer offer are the Citi Simplicity® Card – which also offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, followed by a variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24% – and the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card, which offers a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers if you make your minimum payment on time each month during the card’s intro and extended periods (14.49% to 26.49% variable APR after that).

If you’re looking for as much breathing room as possible as you chip away at your balance, having 21 months to pay down your balance could be exactly what you need. Just be sure to transfer your balance early, as you must complete your balance transfer within four months of opening the account to take advantage of the promotional offer.

See related: How to transfer a balance to a Citi credit card

You can borrow against your available credit limit at a fixed rate

While it doesn’t carry many flashy perks, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card could come in handy if unexpected, major expenses pop up. As a Citi cardholder, you may be able to take advantage of a Citi Flex Plan, which allows you to borrow cash against your available credit limit and pay it back at a fixed rate (between 15.24% to 25.24%) over a set term of up to 60 months (depending on your creditworthiness).

Since a Citi Flex Plan uses the existing credit line on your Citi card, you won’t have to fill out an application, go through a credit check or pay an origination fee. Unfortunately, though, you must be offered a Citi Flex Plan and not all cardholders are eligible.

Why you might want a different card

If earning rewards is important to you or if you need a lengthy intro period on new purchases to pay off large expenses, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card may not be your best option. Plus, if you’re assigned the card’s high-end APR, carrying a balance beyond your intro APR period could prove especially costly. Make sure to consider your spending habits and other card options before you apply.

Short 0% introductory APR on new purchases

Though the Citi Diamond Preferred Card got a boost via its extended intro APR period for balance transfers, it took a hit with a shortened introductory APR period on new purchases. You now get a 0% intro APR for your first 12 months on new purchases (15.24% to 25.24% variable APR thereafter) – a six-month decrease from the card’s previous offer.

Whether you’re planning a move, home renovation or even a vacation, being able to spread out payments on large expenses with a card’s extra-long financing period could be a big help. But depending on the size of your purchase, 12 months may not be enough time for you. This short intro APR period is especially disappointing since many low-interest cards offer matching, higher intro APR periods on both balance transfers and new purchases.

For example, the BankAmericard® credit card offers a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles (13.74% to 23.74% variable after that) on both new purchases and balance transfers (transfers must be within 60 days of account opening). Not only is this intro APR period on new purchases longer than the Diamond Preferred card’s current offer, but spending $1,000 in your first 90 days with the BankAmericard can also earn you a $100 online statement credit sign-up bonus.

If you are looking for even more time to make payments on new purchases while avoiding interest, you can also consider the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, which allows you to pay off new purchases (and balance transfers made in the first 60 days) over your first 20 billing cycles (15.99% to 25.99% variable APR after that).

See related: Best credit cards for large purchases

Increased balance transfer fee

Unfortunately, the Diamond Preferred card has increased its balance transfer fee. While the card once charged a 3% balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever was higher), the Diamond Preferred now charges a whopping 5% balance transfer fee (again, with a $5 minimum). This is a major downside and could add up to hundreds more in fees if you have a large balance to transfer.

Though cards with no balance transfer fees can be tough to find, plenty of balance transfer cards offer a 3% balance transfer fee. And though you may need to sacrifice a few months of 0% intro APR, opting for a card with a lower balance transfer fee than the Diamond Preferred could save you more money in the long run.

For example, depending on the size of your transferred balance, the BankAmericard credit card could be a better deal thanks to its lower balance transfer fee, even with its shorter intro APR period (0% for first the 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening account, then 13.74% – 23.74% variable).

The high-end APR could cost you

After the promotional period on balance transfers and new purchases ends, the Citi Diamond Preferred card’s ongoing APR will be 15.24% to 25.24% (variable), depending on your creditworthiness.

While the card’s low-end APR is in line with the average APR for a balance transfer card, the high-end is very high indeed. Additionally, if you struggle to pay on time, you could face a penalty APR of up to 29.99% (variable) and a late payment fee of up to $40.

Carrying a revolving balance can really cost you with this card, so if you have less-than-perfect credit and suspect you’ll only qualify for the higher-end APR, make sure you have a plan in place to ensure you pay off your balance during the promotional period and avoid racking up additional debt.

No rewards program and limited perks

Aside from its generous intro APR period for balance transfers, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers cardholders few ongoing benefits. You’ll get access to Citi Entertainment℠, a program that provides special access to ticket sales, preferred seating and VIP packages at concerts, sporting events and dining experiences, as well as a chance to save with the Citi Easy Deals program, which gives cardholders discounts on a variety of everyday purchases.

Unfortunately, you won’t earn any regular rewards or get any ongoing credits or discounts bundled with the card, which will limit its long-term value. While paying off debt should definitely be your top priority following a balance transfer, you can still take advantage of a balance transfer card that offers rewards to save on everyday purchases.

For example, consider the  Citi® Double Cash Card, which not only offers an 18-month introductory period for balance transfers (15.49% to 25.49% variable APR thereafter), but also gives you a chance to earn cash back on all of your eligible purchases (up to 2% back, 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off those purchases). The ongoing cash back you earn with a card like the Double Cash could even save you more overall than a card with a much longer intro APR period. Meanwhile, if financing new purchases is more of a priority for you, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is another option, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a 0% introductory APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (15.24% to 25.24% variable APR thereafter).

How does the Citi Diamond Preferred Card compare to other balance transfer cards?

The Citi Diamond Preferred card’s main selling point is its extremely long 0% introductory offer on balance transfers, but the card is thin on other perks. Here are a couple of our favorite alternatives, each of which comes with a solid 0% introductory offer on balance transfers as well as other perks like a longer intro APR period on purchases or ongoing rewards.

Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card	BankAmericard® credit card	Citi® Double Cash Card
Introductory period (new purchases) Up to 21 months from account opening	Introductory period (new purchases) 18 billing cycles	Introductory period (new purchases) None
Introductory period (balance transfers) Up to 21 months from account opening (if made in first 120 days). A 3% fee (min. $5) applies (up to 5% after the first 120 days).	Introductory period (balance transfers) 18 billing cycles (if made in first 60 days). A 3% fee (min. $10) applies.	Introductory period (balance transfers) 18 months (if made in first four months). An intro balance transfer fee of 3% (min. $5) applies for balance transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening.
Regular APR 14.49% to 26.49% (variable)	Regular APR 13.74% to 23.74% (variable)	Regular APR 15.49% to 25.49% (variable)
Other things to know Includes cellphone protection Earn cash back with My Wells Fargo Deals card-linked offer program Start with an 18-month 0% intro APR, which you can extend up to three months if you make your minimum payments on time each month for the duration of the intro period and extension period	Other things to know No rewards program Earn cash back with BankAmeriDeals card-linked offer program Includes Fico® Score for free and credit education, zero fraud liability and overdraft protection (if you link an eligible Bank of America checking account to your credit card)	Other things to know Earn up to 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off purchases) Rewards expire if card is not used for more than 12 months

Citi Diamond Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Reflect Card

A hot pick thanks to its long introductory periods on both qualifying balance transfers and new purchases, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers up to 21 months of 0% intro APR from account opening on both qualifying balance transfers and new purchases if you make your monthly payments on time for the duration of your intro period and extension period (14.49% to 26.49% variable thereafter).

See related:  How to transfer a balance with a Wells Fargo credit card

Citi Diamond Preferred vs. BankAmericard® credit card

The BankAmericard offers a slightly shorter introductory period on balance transfers than the Diamond Preferred, but makes up for it with a generous intro APR period on new purchases and a lower balance transfer fee. You’ll get 18 billing cycles to chip away at debt (if you transfer within 60 days of account opening) or carry a balance without being charged interest (13.74% to 23.74% variable APR thereafter). The card also offers a lower ongoing APR and a chance to a sign-up bonus: You can earn a $100 statement credit online bonus after spending at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Citi Diamond Preferred vs. Citi Double Cash Card

Since it’s marketed mostly as a general cash back credit card, the Citi Double Cash card’s generous balance transfer terms may surprise you. While the card lacks an introductory APR on new purchases, you can take advantage of a 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers (15.49% to 25.49% variable thereafter). The card’s flat-rate cash back earning scheme provides better long-term value than you’ll find on the Citi Diamond Preferred and even encourages good spending habits, since you’ll earn 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay off your purchases.

How to use the Citi Diamond Preferred card:

• If your primary goal is to use the introductory offer to pay off debt, try to avoid new purchases that will incur more debt.
• If you use the introductory APR for big purchases, make sure you can pay the card off before the introductory period is over.
• Try out our balance transfer calculator to see if the money you’ll save with the card’s long introductory offer on balance transfers justifies the high balance transfer fee.
• Enroll in Citi Easy Deals to earn special discounts on certain purchases.

See related: Things to do when you get the Citi Diamond Preferred

Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card right for you?

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card’s long introductory APR on balance transfers is hard to beat and may make the card a good fit if you think you’ll need a long time to pay down your balance.