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Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash
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Rates & Fees
  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$0
  • Sign-Up Bonus $200Cash Bonus More Info

    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.

A Flat-Rate Cash Back Card With No Annual Fee

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 cash-back card also comes with a competitive 18-month, 0% APR introductory balance transfer offer for new cardholders. After that, a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies based on creditworthiness.

On top of an easy-to-navigate rewards program and balance transfer offer, the Citi Double Cash Card features a $200 sign-up bonus for new customers; all with no annual fee. So, it’s an easy card to open and keep for the long term — especially if you’re looking for simple 2% rewards without the need to navigate bonus spending categories.

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

Citi Double Cash Quick Facts

  • Earn up to 2% cash back on all purchases: You'll get 1% back when you buy anything and another 1% when you pay it off. To earn cash back, you must pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • New customer bonus: New customers can earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. This bonus offer is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers: Following that, the regular variable APR will range between 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) , depending on creditworthiness. In addition, there is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is higher, of each transfer's value made within the first four months of account opening. Afterward, each transfer will incur a cost of 5% (minimum $5).
  • Options for digital wallets and contactless payments: These features add convenience to everyday shopping.
  • 24-hour monitoring for fraud: Cardholders can tap into these tools to help keep their accounts and identification protected.

What Slickdealers Are Saying

“My everyday card, literally I use this for everything. It’s like 2% discount on any purchase for life.”

-Slickdeals User, SlickCrowd6832

Sign-Up Bonus

New customers can earn $200 with the Citi Double Cash Card after they spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. This bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

While this isn't the largest sign-up bonus currently on offer, it's competitive with the bonuses offered by many of the best no annual fee cards. It's also noteworthy that Citi gives new customers six months to earn this bonus, as many similar bonuses only give customers three months to meet similar spend requirements. But with the current Citi Double Cash Card bonus, you only need to spend $250 on the card each month to earn the $200 cash back.

Recommended Credit Card Bonuses

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

1.5%Extra Cash Back More Info

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

$0 1.5% - 5%Cashback More Info

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)

$95 1x- 5xPoints More Info

The card offers 5x points per dollar on Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery services), as well as 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). This card earns 2x points on all other travel spending and 1x point per dollar everywhere else. Chase broadly defines travel to include not just airfare, hotels and rental cars, but expenses like parking, tolls and public transit too.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

20,000Points More Info

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base)

$0 1x - 3xPoints More Info

Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

$200Cash Bonus More Info

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

$0 2%Cashback More Info

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Introductory Balance Transfer Offer

One of the standout features of the Citi Double Cash Card for new applicants is the card's introductory balance transfer offer. Eligible cardholders have the option to take advantage of 0% APR on balance transfers for a lengthy 18-month period (after which a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies based on creditworthiness). This is one of the best balance transfer credit card offers currently available. 

Cardholders have four months from account opening to take advantage of the introductory balance transfer offer. After that time passes, Citi applies a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR to all unpaid balances.

Here are a few other details to know about the introductory balance transfer offer: 

  • After the 0% APR period expires (18 months after account opening), you'll have to pay the regular 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR on any remaining account balance. 
  • The regular variable APR will be determined by your credit rating.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • You will not earn cash back on balance transfers. 
  • The 0% APR applies to balance transfers only, not to new purchases. 
  • If you make a late payment, you could lose your introductory APR, and Citi may opt to apply the Penalty APR to your account.

A balance transfer credit card can be a helpful tool to help you pay down your existing credit card debt. Just keep in mind that this debt consolidation method works best if you can find a way to aggressively pay off your debt before the 0% APR promo period ends, or the 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR will apply. 

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Earning Rewards

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. 

Here's an example of how it works: 

  • Say you make an eligible purchase of $1,000.
  • You earn $10 in cash back once the charge posts to your account. 
  • You then earn another $10 in cash back after paying off the $1,000 balance. 
  • Your total cash back earnings is $20 (or 2% cash back). 
  • The card doesn't have spending categories to track, and there are no limits on the amount of cash back you can earn. 

Certain transaction types are not eligible for cash rewards, including: 

  • Cash advances
  • Balance transfers
  • Returned transactions
  • Account fees
  • Interest fees

For a limited time, cardholders can also earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. This helps the Citi Double Cash Card stand up against similar cards that offer elevated rewards rates on travel purchases. You'll need to make at least the minimum payment due on time to be eligible for cash rewards.

If you fail to make your minimum payment, you won't earn any cash back on the payments or purchases that post to your account during that billing cycle. (And you might get hit with late fees, derogatory credit history and other negative consequences as well.) 

How Much Are Rewards Worth?

Cash back is typically worth 1 cent for every percentage point. If you use the Citi Double Cash card to make $500 in purchases each month and pay it off in full, you will wind up with $120 in cash back rewards after a year.

Given that you receive cash back rather than ThankYou Points, the Citi Double Cash is not advertised as a Citi credit card that earns points. However, as a redemption choice, you can quickly change your cash back into ThankYou Points. 

But ThankYou Points obtained with Citi's no annual fee credit cards are regarded as "basic" and can't be exchanged for rewards that are worth more than Citi's standard one cent value. You can combine "basic" points with one of Citi's premium travel cards, like the Citi Premier® Card, to maximize your use of them.

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Redeeming Rewards

Not only is it easy to earn cash rewards with the Citi Double Cash Card, it's easy to redeem those rewards as well. Once you earn $25 or more in rewards, Citi gives you four options for cashing them out: 

  • Get a check in the mail: You can ask Citi to mail you a check for any amount between $25 (once you earn this much) and your total cash rewards balance. 
  • Transfer to a bank account: If you have a checking or savings account linked to your Citi Double Cash Card (and you've used the account to pay your bill at least twice), you can request a funds transfer of your cash rewards to that account. Again, you need to have at least $25 in cash rewards to take advantage of this offer.
  • Request a statement credit: Citi, upon request, can issue you a statement credit in the amount of your cash rewards ($25 and up). 
  • Convert to ThankYou Points: As long as you have at least $1 in cash rewards, you can convert them to ThankYou Points. And if you hold the Citi Prestige® Card or the Citi Premier® Card, you could transfer some or all of your ThankYou Points to any of Citi's airline partners. Depending on your situation, you might get more value out of your cash rewards with a point conversion and subsequent transfer. 

Although there's no cap on earnings with the Citi Double Cash Card, your cash rewards can expire in the following situations: 

  • You don't earn any cash back from payments or purchases for a period of 12 months. 
  • You close your account, or convert it to another Citi credit card offer. (Be sure to redeem your rewards before you close or convert an account so you don't lose your cash back.)

To redeem rewards, make the request in your online account or call Citi at 855-473-4583.

Card Benefits and Perks

In addition to no annual fee and a solid cash-back rate for purchases across the board, the Citi Double Cash Card has a few other notable benefits as well:

  • Digital wallet: Use your card to make digital payments via Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay, PayPal, and Click to Pay.
  • 24/7 customer service: You can connect with a Citi customer service representative to resolve issues or ask questions around the clock. 
  • Contactless pay: Tap your card on any contactless-chip enabled payment reader for a speedy (and sanitary) payment solution.
  • Fraud protection: Get notified when any unusual account activity occurs—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • $0 fraud liability: You are not responsible for unauthorized charges on your account, provided you report them to your card issuer within a timely manner.
  • The Lost Wallet® Service: If your card is lost or stolen, you can typically receive a replacement within 24 hours. Citi will even provide you with emergency cash if needed (based on your cash advance limit). However, be careful when using this feature as you could incur expensive cash advance fees. 
  • Citi Entertainment®: As a cardholder, you can take advantage of special access to ticket purchases for thousands of events. This may include exclusive access or presale tickets to sporting events, concerts, dining, etc. 

Drawbacks

The Citi Double Cash Card is a solid cash-back option, and with no annual fee, there's little downside to opening an account, but other cards could outshine it in these categories: 

  • Limited bonus reward categories: Some rewards cards offer 3X-5X rewards in certain spending categories. Outside of the limited-time 5x back on Citi Travel℠ portal bookings, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a flat 2% cash back—1% at purchase and 1% at payment. While this simplicity may be a perk for some, cardholders willing to use different cards for different types of purchases will likely reap more rewards overall.
  • Foreign transaction fee: Due to its foreign transaction fee, the Citi Double Cash isn't a great choice for international travel.
  • No 0% APR on purchases: Some credit cards offer 0% APR (for a limited time) on new purchases when you open an account. The Citi Double Cash does not come with this feature. 
  • Limited benefits: You won't have access to some of the popular benefits you can find on other cards, such as rental car insurance, extended warranty coverage, travel benefits, and more. 

Annual Fee

Another standout feature of the Citi Double Cash Card is the lack of an annual fee.

Although annual-fee credit cards can be worth the cost if you can take advantage of the card's benefits, some people prefer cards without this expense. And when it comes to no-annual-fee credit cards, the Citi Double Cash Card is a solid contender. 

Other Fees

As mentioned, you don't have to worry about an annual fee with the Citi Double Cash Card, but here are a few other fees you could potentially incur:

  • Cash advance fee
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Late fee
  • Returned payment fee

If you make a late payment, you could be slapped with a hefty penalty APR. Unlike other cards that don't levy a penalty APR or simply keep it in place for 6 to 12 months of steady payments, this card's penalty APR can stay in place forever.

two women in coffee shop smiling

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Recommended Credit Score

Like many credit card issuers, Citi doesn't disclose on its website the exact credit score you need to qualify for the Citi Double Cash Card. According to numerous sources, a fair to excellent credit score will give you your best chance of qualifying for a new account. You can visit Citi's webpage to see if you can prequalify for an account.

It's also a good idea to check your credit reports and credit scores before you apply. And be sure to review your credit reports for errors and dispute them if you find any. Credit errors can damage your credit score and make it harder to qualify. 

Citi Double Cash Card vs. Other No-Annual Fee Credit Cards

If you're in the market for a credit card with no annual fee, it may help to compare the Citi Double Cash Card to other accounts in the same category to make sure you're getting the best deal for your situation. 

Recommended No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards

Credit Card Intro Bonus Rewards Rate Learn More
Citi Double Cash

Citi Double Cash® Card

$200Cash Bonus More Info

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.

2%Cashback More Info

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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

1.5%Extra Cash Back More Info

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

1.5% - 5%Cashback More Info

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

$200Cash Bonus More Info

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

2%Cashback More Info

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

20,000Points More Info

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base)

1x - 3xPoints More Info

Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.

Citi Double Cash Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

In comparison to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Citi Double Cash Card stands out for its simplicity. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on qualified dining and pharmacy purchases and 1.5% cash back on all other transactions. If you don't spend a lot on dining and drugstores, the Citi Double Cash Card's 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they are paid off—might be a better option.

With its 3% cash back on dining and takeout and 0% introductory APR on purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is an attractive option for those who prefer dining out to shopping for groceries. For 15 months after the account is opened, it offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers; after that, a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% (Variable) is in effect. Within the first 60 days of account opening, there is an initial transfer cost of $5 or 3% of each transfer's value, whichever is higher. After that, a fee of $5 or 5% of each transfer's value will be charged.

Neither card has an annual fee, but they provide different travel benefits: With Chase Freedom Unlimited, you get travel insurance for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption and a secondary collision damage waiver for rental cars. A 3% foreign transaction fee applies to both cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited offers another advantage—an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent) during the first 12 months you have the card. That's a nice little bonus that you won't see from many other credit cards.

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

Of all the flat-rate cards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is often touted as the best. It has excellent short-term value because it offers a sign-up bonus and a lengthy intro APR offer for both purchases and balance transfers. It also delivers 2% cash rewards on purchases without requiring you to first pay your bill. 

The Citi Double Cash Card’s longer introductory offer on balance transfers is a better option if paying off debt is your primary goal and it will take you close to two years to accomplish this. But the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is more useful because it comes with a discount on purchases and balance transfers during its introductory period. Wells Fargo also won't charge you a costly penalty APR if you make a late payment, even if its variable APR range is a little larger than that of the Citi Double Cash Card.

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Best Cards to Pair With Citi Double Cash Card

It's preferable to pair credit cards that complement and even compensate for each other. So consider using the Citi Double Cash Card in conjunction with a bonus category cash-back card to earn extra rewards in categories where you typically spend more money. Also, if you plan to make a big purchase soon, you might benefit from a lower introductory APR on purchases.

Consider the Citi Custom Cash® Card, one of the strongest cards to pair with the Citi Double Cash Card, if you value the flexibility of getting a respectable cash back rate on your most frequent spending category. Each billing cycle, it offers 5% cash back for one of your top 10 spending categories (up to $500, then 1%). 

With the Citi Premier® Card, you can also combine your Custom Cash and Double Cash points. By doing this, you can possibly boost the value of your ThankYou Points by transferring them to Citi's travel partners.

Overall, the Citi Double Cash Card can be used with any card that gives you a rate of more than 2% on purchases in specific categories where you spend a lot of money. 

Compare Citi Credit Cards

Credit Card Intro Bonus Annual Fee Rewards Rate Learn More
Citi Double Cash

Citi Double Cash® Card

$200Cash Bonus More Info

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 More Info

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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

Citi Premier® Card

60,000Citi ThankYou Points More Info

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after making $4,000 worth of purchases during the first three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,080 (60,000 Citi ThankYou Points * 0.018 base)

$95 1X-10XPoints More Info

10X total ThankYou® Points per $1 spend on hotel, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024. 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets 1X -- Earn 1 Point on All Other Purchases

Citi Custom Cash® Card

$200Cash Bonus More Info

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 More Info

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.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

$0Cash Bonus $0 More info

Active Costco membership required

1% - 4%Cashback More Info

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.

Is the Citi Double Cash Card Right for You? 

There's a lot to like about the Citi Double Cash Card. The ability to earn 2% cash rewards with no spending caps and no annual fee is a tough offer to beat for people who prefer simplicity in a credit card rewards program. People who want to consolidate their credit card debt with a 0% introductory APR offer (after that, a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) (variable) APR applies) may also find the card quite appealing and among the best balance transfer card offers available. 

If you're happy using multiple rewards cards to earn the highest return on your money, the Citi Double Cash Card might still deserve a place in your wallet. It's a great card to have handy when you need to make a purchase that lies outside of any of your normal bonus spending categories.

FAQs

  • It typically isn't hard to get a Citi Double Cash Card, but whether you are approved will depend on factors like your credit score, credit history, income and debt-to-income ratio. If you have good credit and a steady income, you may have a better chance of being approved for the card.

  • The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is generally considered the easiest Citi card to get. It's the only Citi card that allows people with limited credit to apply. Although there is no annual fee with this card, a $200 refundable security deposit is required.

  • An application for the Citi Double Cash card must be submitted in order to be eligible. Citi offers a simple online application process, but phone applications are also accepted. Make sure your credit is as good as it can be before applying and take steps to raise it if required. In general, the better your credit, the more likely it is that you will be approved for a credit card. You must have ready access to personal and financial information, like your address, Social Security number and annual income, to apply.

  • Yes, the Citi Double Cash Card is a Mastercard® credit card that gives its cardholders the opportunity to earn cash-back rewards on daily purchases. It doesn't have the highest rewards rate you can find when it comes to the cash-back credit card category. But with no annual fee and an easy-to-use redemption process, the card is still a worthwhile cash-back candidate to consider.

ML

Michelle Lambright Black

Michelle Black is founder of CreditWriter.com and HerCreditMatters.com. Michelle is a leading credit card journalist with over a decade and a half of experience in the financial industry. She’s an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring, identity theft, budgeting, small business, and debt eradication. Michelle is also a certified credit expert witness and personal finance writer.