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Side-by-side

Bilt Palladium vs Citi Simplicity Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Palladium comes from Bilt / Cardless at $495/yr; the Citi Simplicity Card from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Bilt Palladium is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,125 more in estimated value) than the Citi Simplicity Card's. Get the Bilt Palladium first; revisit the Citi Simplicity Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt PalladiumCiti Simplicity Card
Annual fee$495$0
Sign-up bonus50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold statusNo welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no late fees, no penalty APR, and no rewards program
Bonus value (est.)$1,125-
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo-
IssuerColumn N.A.Citi
Card categorytravel
Best earning category (Other)2x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $400 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • $200 Bilt Cash every year
  • Priority Pass + 2 guests
  • Flat 2x on everyday spend
    Read the full review
    Bilt Palladium
    $495/yr · 50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status
    Read the full review
    Citi Simplicity Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no late fees, no penalty APR, and no rewards program

    Editorial take: Bilt Palladium

    Bilt 2.0's top tier ($495 AF), launched February 7, 2026 with Column N.A. as issuer and Cardless as servicer. A flat 2x everyday card that stacks $400 of Bilt Travel hotel credit, $200 of Bilt Cash a year, and Priority Pass with 2 guests. It does not have Obsidian's 3x category, so it wins on credits and lounge access rather than on multipliers. For Bilt loyalists who use the hotel credit and the lounges, the math works; for everyone else, Obsidian is plenty.

    Editorial take: Citi Simplicity Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Palladium or Citi Simplicity Card?
    The Bilt Palladium has a public bonus (50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status, worth roughly $1,125), while the Citi Simplicity Card doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Bilt Palladium's $495 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Simplicity Card?
    At $495/yr, the Bilt Palladium is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Simplicity Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Bilt Palladium and Citi Simplicity Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Column N.A. and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the Bilt Palladium or the Citi Simplicity Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Palladium: $4,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Simplicity Card: no published min spend. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.