Best in Class
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Citi Double Cash Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Skip this card if you're serious about travel rewards. The Citi Double Cash doesn't provide the valuable points or transfer options needed for discounted travel, which is likely why you're reading this site. Although it offers hassle-free earning with no annual fee, the modest welcome bonus and cash back structure pale in comparison to what dedicated travel cards provide. Your travel aspirations deserve a card specifically designed to maximize flight and hotel redemptions through valuable transfer partners and elevated earning rates.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Citi Double Cash offers a straightforward approach to earning rewards without complexity. Here's what makes it worth considering:
- No annual fee - You won't pay anything to keep this card in your wallet
- $200 welcome bonus - Earn this cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
- Consistent 2% rewards rate - Earn 1% when you make purchases and another 1% when you pay your bill, with no category restrictions or spending caps
The card also provides 5% back when you book travel through the Citi Travel portal, adding extra value for occasional travelers. Your rewards flexibility is another advantage, as you can redeem them through multiple options:
- Direct deposit to your bank account
- Statement credit toward your balance
- Check by mail
- Travel bookings through the Citi portal
For strategic cardholders, the Double Cash becomes more valuable when paired with the Citi Strata Premier or Citi Strata Elite card. This combination allows you to transfer your Double Cash rewards to one of the Strata cards, unlocking access to airline and hotel transfer partners, where points can potentially deliver their maximum value.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
The main exception: This card might not be good if you want genuine travel rewards. While you can use your cash back to book travel through their portal, numerous better options exist.
What to Know About Citi ThankYou Rewards
Citi points are increasing in value with the addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner, though limited partner-transfer cards still hold them back.
- Only the Strata Premier and Strata Elite are worth it; they’re the only Citi cards with transferable miles to all partners and a 60k–80k point signup bonus.
- You can combine cash back points from other Citi cards with Strata Premier or Elite and then transfer to partners, but none of the cash back cards offer strong bonuses.
- Citi has expanded its transfer partner network, adding several high-value options it once lacked.
- Points are flexible with many airline partners, and Citi is the only credit card system that transfers to American Airlines.
How The Citi Double Cash Credit Card Fits In The Citi ThankYou Rewards Ecosystem
The Citi Double Cash should be considered alongside four other Citi rewards credit cards to understand its relative value in the Citi ecosystem.
Citi Strata Elite
- Annual Fee: $595
- Signup Bonus: 80,000 points
- Key Advantage: Transfer to hotel and airline partners, a variety of usable statement credits, and 4 Admirals Club lounge passes
Citi Strata Premier
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending in 3 months
- Key Advantage: Ability to transfer ThankYou points to airline and hotel partners
Citi Strata
- Annual Fee:None
- Sign-up Bonus: 20,000 points after $1,000 in spending in 3 months
- Highlights: Interesting spend categories and the ability to transfer ThankYou points to airline and hotel partners, but transfers are at a reduced rate compared to the two cards above.
Citi Custom Cash
- Annual Fee: None
- Sign-up Bonus: $200 (same as Double Cash)
- Earnings Structure: 5x points on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (limited to $500 in spending) versus Double Cash's flat 2% on everything
The Custom Cash offers a different approach to rewards compared to the Double Cash. Rather than earning a consistent rate on all purchases, it rewards you more generously for spending in your top category each month, but with a relatively low spending cap.
When choosing between these cards, consider your spending patterns and goals. If you're serious about travel rewards, the Strata Premier is clearly superior despite its annual fee. Between the no-annual-fee options, your decision depends on whether your spending concentrates heavily in one of the Custom Cash's bonus categories or if you prefer the simplicity of Double Cash's consistent earning rate across all purchases.
Card Information
Bonus Points
20,000
Minimum Spend
$1,500 / 3mo
Point Value
1.6 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$0
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
2% Cash Back on All Purchases
Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Average Offer Length
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
3.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
Citi Double Cash Application Rules
You will not be eligible for a signup bonus on the same card if you’ve received one for THAT card in the previous 48 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days
You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months
You may be rejected when applying for a Citi credit card if your credit has been pulled within the last five days (by any bank).
Point Transfer Options
+7 Lower Value Transfers Show
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Value: 0.8¢
50% Value Retained
1:1
