Credit Cards Cash Back Credit Cards

Citi Double Cash® Card Review [2024]: Up to 2% Cash Back on Everything

Does earning up to 2% cash back on all purchases make the Citi Double Cash Card a must-have card for you? (Citi is a FinanceBuzz partner.)

Updated Dec. 6, 2024
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Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card
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OUR VIEW

If you're forgetful or just can't be bothered to keep track of multiple credit cards, the Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is worth a look. You can earn up to 2% cash back on all purchases, and all you have to do is use the card. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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 cards earn higher rewards in specific categories, so using the Citi Double Cash alone won't maximize your cash back (if that's important to you). However, you can pair the Citi Double Cash with higher-earning cards and then use the Double Cash for purchases where you might earn a lower rate with those other cards.

Pros

Simple flat-rate cash back on all your purchases
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR
No annual fee

Cons

3% foreign transaction fee
No bonus categories to maximize earnings
No introductory APR on purchases
How we evaluate products

Card basics

Card type Cash Back
Card issuer Citi
Card network Mastercard
Annual fee $0
Welcome offer 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
Reward rate 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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
Recommended credit score Excellent, Good, Fair
Intro APR 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Foreign transaction fee 3%

Who should get the Citi Double Cash Card?

If you value convenience most

If you're someone who values simplicity and straightforward cash back earnings above all else, the Citi Double Cash card is made for you. You don’t have to worry about activating categories, monitoring enrollment periods, or having your bonus cash back reset every quarter. Just swipe and go about your business.

You can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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.

If you want to get out of debt

This card offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months after account opening (then a 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR after that).

This is one of the longest intro APR periods available for balance transfers, and you earn cash back on top of that, unlike many other cards with similar intro periods that don't offer rewards programs.

The Citi Double Cash is also great for cost-aware users since there’s a $0 annual fee.

Not the jet-setter’s card of choice

While the Citi Double Cash card has a lot of conveniences going for it, it's not ideal for frequent international travelers. 

It has a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which would wipe out your cash back earning potential if you use it while traveling abroad.

A complementary option

While this card's cash back is good, other no-annual-fee cash back credit cards offer a higher rate in specific categories. The Citi Double Cash Card might be better as a secondary credit card to use when your primary card doesn’t earn at a higher rate.

For example, you could use the Citi Custom Cash® Card for your grocery shopping since it earns 5% on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back). 

Since it only earns 1% on all other purchases, you could use the Citi Double Cash for other spending to earn the higher rate.

Here's a closer look at the card's top benefits:

  • Effortless earning for all categories: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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.
  • Lengthy introductory APR period: New cardmembers can enjoy a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers within 18 months of account opening (then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)), making this a great card to help you use a balance transfer to pay off debt.

    Note that there is a balance transfer fee, which is a percentage of the amount of each transfer. At present, the fee is 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends. And, of course, if you don't pay your balance transfer off by the end of the intro period, the remaining balance will be subject to the regular APR for balance transfers.
  • $0 annual fee: Citi Double Cash Card users can enjoy rewards without having to worry about annual fees. That means all the cash back you earn can stay in your pocket.
  • Card security: Citi will send you alerts if there’s any unusual activity on your credit card, and you’re not responsible for any charges from unauthorized purchases. This can give you nice peace of mind.
  • Access to presale event tickets and more: Citi Entertainment offers special access to thousands of events, including dining experiences, concerts, and sporting events. 

Earning & redeeming cash back

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your cash back can add up with the Citi Double Cash Card. To calculate these values, we used a point valuation of 1 cent per reward earned.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $950

Year two earnings: $750

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, if there is a sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. 

Best ways to earn

The Citi Double Cash card keeps it about as simple as it gets for earning cash back rewards. Members can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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.

There are no bonus categories to maximize beyond this flat rate on everything you buy.

While there are credit cards that earn higher cash back in specific categories, the Citi Double Cash Card's universal up to 2% cash back return means you don't miss out if a purchase doesn't perfectly align with any rotating categories. 

Maximizing your redemptions

Cashback rewards can be redeemed once your rewards balance reaches a minimum of $25. However, cashback rewards can expire if you don’t make any purchases or payments for 12 months.

Cardmembers have four redemption options with the Citi Double Cash Card:

  • Receive a check
  • Receive a statement credit on your card account
  • Receive a direct deposit credit on a linked Citi savings, Citi checking account, or another checking account used to make Citi credit card payments at least twice
  • Convert your cashback rewards into Citi ThankYou Points

While opting for a check or account credit may be the easiest way to redeem rewards, converting your cash back into Citi ThankYou Points could be the most lucrative option. This basically turns your cashback rewards into travel rewards. Your cash back transfers at a 1:1 ratio, so $1 of cash back equals 100 Citi ThankYou Points.

And once you convert your rewards into ThankYou Points, you can redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, or even to book travel through the Citi portal. Even better, if you have a Citibank travel rewards card, such as the Citi Prestige (no longer accepting applications) or Citi Strata Premier℠ Card card (perhaps as part of the Citi trifecta), you can use one of those cards to transfer your ThankYou Points directly to more than a dozen Citi transfer partners

Other cards to consider

Though the Citi Double Cash® Card is widely considered to be one of the best cashback credit cards available, it isn't the only cashback card that's worth having. Other credit card issuers offer similar cards, and some of them even come with other perks in addition to a welcome bonus and balance transfer offer.

Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Another cashback card to check out is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

This Chase card earns 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 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 and has a $0 annual fee.

Unlike the Citi Double Cash, the Chase Freedom Unlimited has a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable, so if you have a big purchase coming up soon, the Chase Freedom Unlimited could be a smarter choice for you.

Learn more in our Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Citi Double Cash vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Another flat-rate cash reward option is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. This card allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

It also offers a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable.

Unlike the Citi Double Cash, which doesn’t have an intro APR offer on purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an intro APR period for both purchases and qualifying balance transfers.

Earn Cash Back Twice

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Citi Double Cash® Card

Why We Like It

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

See how these cards compare:

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Has a $0 annual fee
  • Has an easy-to-earn welcome offer
  • Offers a simple rewards program and flexible redemption methods
  • Comes with intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers
  • Doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
  • Rates and fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • High base rewards rate of 1.5%
  • $0 annual fee
  • Valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders
  • Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers

Citi Double Cash Card FAQ

How does the Citi Double Cash Card work?

Cardholders can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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.

Is the Citi Double Cash Card a Visa or Mastercard?

The Citi Double Cash Card is part of the Mastercard family.

Is the Citi Double Cash Card hard to get?

Your eligibility for this card is based on several factors, including your credit score. Your credit score is a measurement of your creditworthiness and is based on your existing debts, payment history, and more. The Citi Double Cash Card generally requires fair to excellent credit.

What is the credit limit on the Citi Double Cash Card?

There is no set credit limit for this Citi card. Credit limits are determined by personal factors such as your annual salary, other income, a review of your debts, and your credit history. 

Limits are up to Citi's discretion and can be as low as $500. Citi informs new cardholders of their credit limit when they receive their credit card.

Will Citi automatically raise your limit?

Citi periodically raises the limits of their cardmembers if they meet certain criteria. Cardmembers that share income and housing information with Citi may qualify for automatic limit increases. You can also manually request a credit limit increase at any time.

Does the Citi Double Cash Card give you a welcome offer?

Yes. The Citi Double Cash can help you 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.

How do I redeem cash back on the Citi Double Cash Card?

Cash back rewards are redeemed either in the form of a check, a statement credit, or a credit to an eligible checking or savings account. You must have a minimum cash back balance of $25 before you can redeem rewards. Redemptions can be made through your Citi account online or by calling Citi at 1-855-473-4583.

You may also choose to convert your cash back rewards into Citi ThankYou Points.

Does the Citi Double Cash Card charge a late fee?

Yes, the Citi Double Cash has a late payment fee (see terms). In addition to the fee, you also risk losing your introductory APR, which means your balance could become subject to the regular variable APR.

To avoid incurring this fee, make sure to pay at least your minimum due balance by your due date. You can find your due date on your Citi credit card bill, and it's also easy to pay through the Citibank online portal. 

Citi Double Cash® Card: Bottom line

The Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is ideal for those looking for a no-fuss way to earn cash back rewards. Its flat unlimited up to 2% cash back rate provides excellent earnings without having to juggle rotating categories or promotions. While not the highest earner in popular categories, the Double Cash's simplicity and $0 annual fee makes it a valuable addition to any wallet.

Ultimately, the Citi Double Cash Card is a reliable option for straightforward cash back, but personal spending habits should be taken into account when choosing the best fit. Explore other options in our list of the best balance transfer credit cards.

Earn Cash Back Twice

5.0
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Citi Double Cash® Card

Current Offer

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

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; 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

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Author Details

Kevin Payne

Kevin Payne is a freelance writer specializing in student loans, credit cards, personal finance, and travel. He is a regular contributor to Club Thrifty, Millennial Money, and Student Loan Planner. As the budget and family travel expert behind FamilyMoneyAdventure.com, Kevin recently turned his writing side hustle into his full-time career. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife and four kids.

Author Details

Gabriela Walsh

Gabriela Walsh uses her keen eye for detail and draws upon her academic background in literary research to ensure any content she edits is both reliable and up-to-date. With an M.A. in Modern English Literature from University College London, Gabriela combines her understanding of language and literature with her commitment to delivering content that empowers others to build healthy money management skills.