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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Citi Double Cash® Card Review: Excellent Catch-All Option for Cash Back

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review tooltip-question

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
4.8
Citi Double Cash<sup>®</sup> Card
Intro BT APR
0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
Regular Purchase & BT APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Key takeaway

The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent cash back credit card that also has an attractive balance transfer option and earns flexible Citi ThankYou® Points.

Pros and cons

  • Great flat-rate rewards
  • Long intro APR period for balance transfers
  • $0 annual fee
  • Access to Citi Entertainment®
  • Ability to use your cash back as ThankYou® Points and transfer to partners
  • Higher credit score isn’t necessary to qualify
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No intro APR period for purchases
  • You don’t earn 2% back immediately
  • Minimal perks

Is the Citi Double Cash® Card good?

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option for people who want a simple, flat earning rate on all purchases without having to worry about earning different amounts in different spending categories. While it doesn’t come with a lot of other perks, it does have a $0 annual fee and earns cash back at one of the highest flat rates you can find.

Plus, the cash back that you earn is paid in the form of valuable Citi ThankYou® Points. You can redeem your ThankYou® Points as cash or transfer them to Citi’s hotel and airline transfer partners. The Citi Double Cash® Card also comes with a good balance transfer offer, so it can be a great card for someone looking to pay down a balance on another card.

If you want a card that offers more protections and benefits, then another cash back credit card could be a better option.

Quick facts

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Regular purchase APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Foreign transaction fee: 3%
  • Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Rewards rate: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
  • Other benefits:
    • Works with digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
    • If you’ve lost your card, Citi can usually replace it within 24 hours
    • 24-hour fraud protection (alerts if Citi spots unusual activity on the account)
    • Citi Identity Theft Solutions
  • Recommended credit: Fair / Good / Excellent

Benefits of the Citi Double Cash® Card

One of the highest-earning, flat-rate rewards cards

Unlike some other credit cards that offer different earning rates in different spending categories, the Citi Double Cash® Card has a flat-rate earning structure. You’ll earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. This is one of the highest rates of cash back you can get for a card with no annual fee.

Rewards are easy to redeem

The rewards that you earn with the Citi Double Cash® Card are fairly easy to redeem as well. Although it’s marketed as a cash back card, your rewards are actually paid out as Citi ThankYou® Points, rather than cash back. You can redeem your points for:

  • Cash back as a statement credit
  • Direct deposit
  • Check
  • Travel
  • Transfer to a few of Citi’s hotel and airline partners
  • Merchandise, gift cards and more

There are no minimums when you redeem your rewards for a statement credit or direct deposit.

 

You can transfer rewards to other Citi cards

The rewards that you earn with the Citi Double Cash® Card are actually paid out in Citi’s valuable transferable currency — ThankYou Points. With just the Citi Double Cash® Card, you can transfer your points to Choice Hotels, Wyndham Rewards and JetBlue TrueBlue. But if you also have a premium Citi credit card like the Citi Strata Premier Card, you’ll get a better transfer ratio with these partners and unlock many other hotel and airline transfer partners.

In fact, the Citi Strata Premier Card and Citi Double Cash® Card make a powerful duo, thanks to their complementary earning categories. This makes the Citi Double Cash® Card one of Citi’s best-kept secrets for travel card enthusiasts.

Tip: If you have the Citi Rewards+® Card, you can redeem your Citi Double Cash® Card points through it for a 10% cash back bonus — which amounts to 2.2% cash back.

 

Long intro APR for balance transfers

One of the benefits that comes with the Citi Double Cash® Card is its long intro APR on balance transfers. You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers. After that, an 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR applies. The long intro period makes the Citi Double Cash® Card one of the best balance transfer cards. It’s an attractive option if you’re looking to save money by transferring a balance from another credit card.

You don't need a higher credit score to apply

The Citi Double Cash® Card has a recommended credit score of fair / good / excellent to apply. This is good news for people with fair credit, since many credit cards for fair credit come with little to no rewards rate. Although it’s never a guarantee you’ll be approved for a credit card, the Citi Double Cash® Card should be one worth considering applying for because of its valuable rewards rate.

Check your credit score on LendingTree Spring.

 

Drawbacks of the Citi Double Cash® Card

You don't earn 2% cash back immediately

With the Citi Double Cash® Card, you don’t earn the 2% cash back immediately when you make a purchase. Instead, you’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. You don’t get the second half of your cash back until you pay what you’ve charged to the card. In comparison, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card will earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases right away.

Tip: You’ll only earn 1% on your purchases if you use statement credits to cover them. This only mildly impacts the amount of cash back that you can earn, and you will earn the full 2% rate for other redemption options including for a deposit into a bank account. Still, you should note that competitors like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card allow you to redeem for statement credits with no loss in value.

 

No intro APR for purchases

While this card has an introductory APR on balance transfers, it lacks a 0% intro APR for new purchases. Many balance transfer credit cards, including the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, offer an introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers. In other words, the Citi Double Cash® Card isn’t the best choice if you have a big purchase coming up.

Charges a foreign transaction fee

Because the Citi Double Cash® Card charges a foreign transaction fee, you’ll want to leave it at home when traveling outside the United States. Opt for a card with no foreign transaction fee instead.

 

Few other benefits

The Citi Double Cash® Card is light on benefits outside its rewards program, especially compared to similar cards. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a flat-rate cash back card with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, car rental insurance and various trip and travel insurances.

Alternatives to the Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

| Disclosures
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card*
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
$0
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a similar rewards rate to the Citi Double Cash® Card but exceeds it in almost every way.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has no annual fee and lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. It also offers a sign-up bonus and an introductory APR on both balance transfers and new purchases. Plus, it has cellphone protection of up to $600. Not to mention, it pays the full amount of cash back as soon as you make a purchase, rather than making you wait for half of your rewards. This may make the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card an all-around better option for simple, flat-rate cash back.

Citi Double Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

| Disclosures
Chase Freedom Unlimited®*
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
$0
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier r
  • Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a $0-annual-fee card that also provides a flat rewards rate. On the surface, its rewards rate looks lower than the Citi Double Cash® Card. However, the bonus categories the card does offer like restaurants, drugstores and Chase TravelSM can end up earning you more rewards in the long run.

It also comes with better shopping and travel protections, like auto rental coverage and travel and emergency assistance. Plus, if you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning card, then you can use this card to earn points instead of cash back — which makes it even more valuable.

Citi Double Cash® Card vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

| Disclosures
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site
Rates & Fees
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), o
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee
  • For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card can potentially beat the cash back earned with the Citi Double Cash® Card, thanks to its generous earnings on food-related purchases. You’ll earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.

If you spend an average amount on dining and groceries, then the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a better card for you than the Citi Double Cash® Card. An elevated rewards rate, even with a cap, can result in bigger earnings than a flat rewards rate depending on your spending.

Is the Citi Double Cash® Card right for you?

If you want to earn cash back on new purchases without rotating categories, the Citi Double Cash® Card has one of the best flat-rate cash back programs on the market. Additionally, this card is a good option if you have credit card debt and need a while to pay it off with a balance transfer.

If you’re looking for similar cash back credit cards, you can also consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card as another great flat-rate card.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Citi Double Cash® Card does have foreign transaction fees. You’ll be charged a foreign transaction fee of 3% for each purchase made in a foreign country. If you’re planning on traveling out of the country, you should use a different credit card to make your purchases.

There are forums that report a starting limit on the Citi Double Cash® Card ranging from $3,000 to $25,000. Your starting credit limit will vary depending on factors like your income and credit score. Even if you start out with a low limit, Citi makes it easy to request a credit limit increase online or in-app. Simply select “Services,” then select “Credit Management” where you’ll find the “Request Credit Limit Increase” option.

Citi Double Cash® Card rewards are issued as Citi ThankYou® Points. Your ThankYou® Points do not expire as long as your account remains open.

No, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not have an annual fee. This can make it a great card to keep for the long term.

No, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not have any sort of rental car or travel insurance. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a very basic card with no annual fee and a high rate of cash back on all purchases, but very few other benefits.

No, there is no extended warranty on purchases made with the Citi Double Cash® Card. If you’re looking for a card that comes with an extended warranty, you’ll want to consider our list of the best cards with extended warranty protection.

Whether you are approved or not for the Citi Double Cash® Card will depend on many different factors, including your credit score, income and other aspects of your overall financial profile. You will likely need fair / good / excellent credit to be approved for the Citi Double Cash® Card.

The Citi Double Cash® Card is issued as a Mastercard. You can use your Citi Double Cash® Card anywhere the Mastercard payment network is accepted.

How we rate cash back cards

We use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them, from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

We rank cards based on the following criteria:

  • Average value over two years (50% of rating): We calculate the cash back earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonus and annual bonuses. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
  • Flexibility of rewards (30% of rating): We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates and minimum thresholds to redeem.
  • Other features (20% of rating): We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase and travel protections, against benefits from other cards.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

The information related to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Citi Rewards+® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.