How to · Tech
Get premium sound for your long flights without draining your bank account by timing your purchase and managing your payments.
How we got that: $300 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.
A good pair of noise-canceling earbuds is an investment in your sanity on long flights. Buy a top-tier pair once so you do not have to replace them every year.
Wait for the next flagship model to drop before you buy. When the new version arrives, the current model usually gets a price cut, giving you the same premium tech for less money.
That 18-month window is a deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance once those 18 months are up, the bank will charge you interest on what is left.
Check tech news sites to see when your preferred brand usually releases their new earbuds. Aim to buy the previous generation about two weeks after the new one hits the shelves.
Aim for a $300 price point for top-tier audio quality. If you find them for less, you are ahead of the game.
The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you split your $300 purchase into small, manageable chunks.
Divide your $300 cost by 18 months to get a monthly payment of $16.67. Set up an automatic transfer for this amount so you never miss a month.
Register your earbuds immediately after buying. Make sure you understand what parts are covered if the battery or hardware fails during travel.
Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.
See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →Usually, no. The upgrades from one year to the next are often minor, and last year's model performs just as well for most travelers.
Missing a payment can end your 0% deal early. It also hurts your credit score, so keep your payments on time.
If you have the cash, sure. But if you would rather keep that $300 in your savings account, the 0% offer lets you keep your cash liquidity for emergencies.
A high-end pair should last you three to four years. The battery is usually the first thing to degrade, so treat them well.