Citi Double Cash Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
We generally do not recommend this card for those focused on maximizing travel rewards. While the 2% cash-back structure is simple and effective, the card lacks meaningful travel perks and does not fully unlock Citi’s transfer partners on its own. However, for users already invested in the Citi ecosystem, pairing the Double Cash with the Citi Custom Cash and a Strata card can create a solid long-term setup. Even then, most travelers will get more value by prioritizing Chase and American Express cards first.
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
- 20,000 point signup bonus (redeemable as cash back): Earn this cash back bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
- 2% back on all spending: Earn 1% when you make purchases and another 1% when you pay your bill, with no category restrictions or spending caps
- 5% back through Citi Travel portal: Earn 5% back when you book travel through the Citi Travel portal
There are multiple redemption options, but this card alone does not allow you to transfer to hotel and airline partners, which unlocks the most value in the hobby:
- 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
- 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 offer solid value thanks to a strong transfer partner list, highlighted by exclusive access to American Airlines.
- Only the Strata Premier and Strata Elite are worth it; they’re the only Citi cards with transferable miles to all partners and strong signup bonuses.
- 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 have good welcome offers.
- Citi has expanded its transfer partner network with several high-value options.
- 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
There are a multitude of Citi cards out there, but only three have the ability to transfer to partners, and only two transfer at the best ratios.
- Annual Fee: $595
- Signup Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $6,000 in 3 months
- Top benefits: Full transfer ability to hotel and airline partners, a wide variety of usable statement and travel credits, and 4 Admirals Club lounge passes
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending in 3 months
- Top benefits: Full transfer ability to hotel and airline partners and some good spending multipliers. The annual hotel credit is less desirable.
- Annual Fee:None
- Sign-up Bonus: 20,000 points after $1,000 in spending in 3 months
- Top benefits: Good spend category multipliers 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.
- Annual Fee: None
- Sign-up Bonus: 20,000 points as cash back after $1,500 in spending in 3 months
- Top benefits: 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
Differentiating Perks
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
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).
