Skip this card if you're serious about travel rewards. The Citi Double Cash lacks the valuable points structure and transfer flexibility needed for discounted travel experiences that other cards readily provide without much additional effort.
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.
The Citi Double Cash offers a straightforward approach to earning rewards without complexity. Here's what makes it worth considering:
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:
For strategic cardholders, the Double Cash becomes more valuable when paired with the Citi Strata Premier card. This combination allows you to transfer your Double Cash rewards to the Strata Premier, unlocking access to airline and hotel transfer partners—where points can potentially deliver their maximum value.
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.
The Citi Double Cash should be considered alongside two other Citi rewards credit cards to understand its relative value in the Citi ecosystem. One is our top recommended Citi card, while the other is similar to the Double Cash but still not recommended.
Citi Strata Premier
The Strata Premier stands out as our top recommended Citi card because it offers substantially more value. While it comes with an annual fee, the much higher sign-up bonus and additional travel perks often justify this cost. Most importantly, this is the only current Citi card that allows you to transfer ThankYou points to travel partners — the most effective way to maximize point value for travel redemptions.
Citi Custom Cash
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.
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 | $1,500 | 1.0 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$215
|
2X points
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2¢ Per Dollar Spent
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2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends Yes
Outside Point System Cash in Cents
1:1 71% value retained
1:1 100% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
1:1 63% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
1:1 71% value retained
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days
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
- Citi Double Cash Card - Get $200 back after spending $1500 in the first 6 months.
- Chase Aeroplan welcome offer - Earn 70,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months.
- World of Hyatt Business Card is offering for a limited time - 2 Tier-Qualifying Night credits for each eligible night stayed between 9/23/22-12/31/22 for new cardmember.
