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When it comes to cash-back credit cards, it’s hard to find anything that surpasses the value of the Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner Citi. It’s not only a rewarding card for everyday purchases but also incredibly easy to rack up points. You’ll earn 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill—for a total of 2% cash back on all purchases.
With no bonus categories to memorize and no annual fee to worry about, the Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent go-to card, whether you’re filling up your tank, shopping online or paying your monthly bills. Below, we’ll do a deeper dive into who should—and shouldn’t—apply for the Citi Double Cash Card.
Citi Double Cash® Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
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Sign-Up Bonus
$200Cash 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.
The Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner Citi, is among the top cards on the market for general spending. Forget the cards that offer 1% and 1.5% cash back. The Citi Double Cash Card offers you a whopping 2% cash back for all spending. Earn 1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay your account balance.
Overview
The Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner Citi, offers attractive and uncomplicated cash back for people who value a flexible credit card reward program. The Citi Double Cash Card gives you the chance to earn 2% cash back on your purchases. You can receive 1% cash back when you make a purchase and an additional 1% cash back once you pay your bill.
Pros
- No category bonuses to remember, unlimited 2% cash back on everything
- Earns ThankYou Points, which gives the potential to unlock valuable travel rewards
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees are applied
- Limited perks
Benefits of the Citi Double Cash Card
With the card’s 2% cash back rewards rate, this translates into 2 ThankYou points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to redeem your rewards with the Citi Double Cash Card. You can exchange your points for cash back, with the choice between a statement credit, direct deposit or a check. Additionally, you can redeem your points for gift cards, on Amazon.com, travel and more.
Plus, the Citi Double Cash Card comes with a balance transfer offer for new applicants. You’ll enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 18 months, although balance transfers must be completed within the first four months of account opening. Afterward, a 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) APR will apply.
Finally, your Citi Double Cash Card acts as a golden ticket to unlock presales and seats to thousands of concerts, sporting games and other events worldwide through the Citi Entertainment program.
Who Should Get the Citi Double Cash Card?
Here's a look at who could really benefit from adding this card to their wallet:
- Someone who needs an everyday card for all purchases: If you don’t want to keep up with more than two to three credit cards, the Citi Double Cash Card is a reliable pick for a standalone card. While some cards may offer a better return in certain bonus categories, the Citi Double Cash will always earn 2% cash back—no matter the purchase.
- Someone who already has a Citi travel credit card: If you hold the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, for example, adding the Citi Double Cash Card makes for the perfect pair. The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers 3x points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels, but its base rewards rate is just 1x points per dollar. With the Citi Double Cash Card, you’ll leverage its 2x earning rate to earn extra points outside of the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card's bonus categories. This strategy can help you accrue thousands more points per year.
Quick Tip
Citi’s travel credit cards give you exclusive access to more than a dozen airline transfer partners, from Air France/KLM Flying Blue to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. You can combine your points balance to maximize your rewards further, particularly with award redemptions in premium cabins worldwide.
Compare Citi Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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$200Cash 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. |
$0 |
2%Cashback
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. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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70,000Citi ThankYou® Points
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Dollar Equivalent: $1,260 (70,000 Citi ThankYou® Points * 0.018 base) |
$95 |
1X-10XPoints
10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations 1x -- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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. |
$0 |
1% - 5%Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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$0Cash Bonus |
$0
Active Costco membership required |
1% - 4%Cashback
Earn 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in annual gas and EV charging purchases (and then 1% after), 3% back on restaurant and travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% everywhere else. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Who Shouldn’t Get the Citi Double Cash Card?
No card is right for everyone, so keep these factors in mind before you decide on applying for this card:
- Someone with predictable spending: Say your family spends $1,000 per month on restaurants and $500 per month on groceries. With the Citi Double Cash Card, you’d earn 3,000 points per month, or $30 cash back. But with a card that earns 3% on groceries and dining, you’d earn $45. While $15 may not seem like much, that’s $180 in cash back per year. Many people get the Citi Double Cash Card to earn points on non-bonus purchases and leverage other cards for dining, groceries, gas and more.
- Someone who travels internationally: When traveling abroad, you’ll want to avoid paying with the Citi Double Cash Card, which charges a 3% transaction fee on each purchase made in a foreign currency. Fortunately, there are plenty of other credit cards that waive these pesky foreign transaction fees.
- Someone with a history of missing payments: With the Citi Double Cash Card, you can earn 1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back when you pay your statement. If you miss a payment, you’ll still earn the other half of your cash back, but you’ll accrue interest and fees, which can cut into your rewards earning. (But this applies to any rewards card—if you miss a payment, you might negate the value of any rewards earned.)
Recommended Travel Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base) |
$95 |
1x- 5xPoints
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. |
Apply Now |
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50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base) |
$69 |
1x - 2xPoints
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
Apply Now |
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$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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. |
$0 |
1% - 5%Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
|
|
70,000Citi ThankYou® Points
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Dollar Equivalent: $1,260 (70,000 Citi ThankYou® Points * 0.018 base) |
$95 |
1X-10XPoints
10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations 1x -- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Bottom Line
The Citi Double Cash Card has always been a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re looking for a starter credit card or a one-stop shop for all of your everyday purchases.
Ready to Apply? Start Here.
Marielle Lee
Marielle Lee is a digital nomad, working as a freelance writer in personal finance and travel rewards. Her first job was as a tour guide in France for several years, specializing in the country's great wine regions. After that, Marielle continued on to travel to more than 40 countries, all made possible by leveraging the 10-plus credit cards in her wallet.
