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Review · Money

Citi Diamond Preferred Credit Card review

A no annual fee Mastercard built around Citi's longest intro rate on balance transfers.

By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 12, 2026

Performance (40%)
9.1
Ease of use (25%)
8.8
Value (35%)
9.3

Diamond Preferred is the card Citi itself describes as its longest-lasting intro rate on balance transfers, and the published terms back that up: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on balance transfers, with an intro transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) on each transfer completed in the first 4 months. After the intro period the variable APR is 16.74% to 27.49%, and later transfers cost 5%. Purchases get a shorter 0% window of 12 months. That gap matters: Citi's terms say that if you transfer a balance, interest is charged on new purchases after the purchase intro ends unless you pay the entire balance in full each month. The card has no annual fee, no authorized user fee and no rewards. Extras are practical rather than flashy: Citi Flex Pay for fixed monthly payments, Citi Quick Lock in the app, a choice of due date and free FICO Score access. For a pure debt payoff plan, the 21 months plus 3% fee combination is the cheapest structure on this list.

Who it is for

People moving a large balance who want 21 months at 0% and a 3% intro fee

Price

$0 annual fee.

There is no annual fee 1 with the Citi ® Diamond Preferred ® Credit Card.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

  • 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from account opening
  • Intro balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) on transfers completed in the first 4 months
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Variable APR of 16.74% to 27.49% after the intro periods
  • Citi Flex Pay, Citi Quick Lock and free access to your FICO Score

Strengths and weaknesses

  • Strength: Pairs a 21 month 0% window with a 3% intro transfer fee
  • Strength: Lowest post-intro APR range of the Citi cards here, starting at 16.74%
  • Strength: No annual fee and no authorized user fee
  • Weakness: Transfers must be completed within the first 4 months to get the intro terms
  • Weakness: Purchase intro period is only 12 months, so new spending can start costing interest before the transferred balance
  • Weakness: No rewards on purchases

Key facts

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Balance transfer intro APR: 0% for 21 months
  • Intro transfer fee: 3% ($5 minimum), first 4 months
  • Purchase intro APR: 0% for 12 months
  • APR after intro: 16.74% to 27.49% variable

Where it ranks

Citi Diamond Preferred Credit Card is No. 1 in our Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards verdict.

Alternatives we scored

Visit citi.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org