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Sometimes, a cash back credit card can be your best bet, especially if you aren’t traveling frequently or want an easy-to-use option. This Citi® Double Cash Card review will show you how you can earn up to 2% back on all purchases without worrying about an annual fee. Cardholders earn 1% cash back when they buy plus 1% cash back once they pay for the purchase. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. This is one of the highest rates for a flat-rate cash rewards credit card.
The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi Double Cash Review
The Citi Double Cash Card doesn’t charge an annual fee which makes this a hassle-free way to earn cash rewards. However, this card may not be the best cash back option for every person because of the high redemption minimums and a 3% foreign transaction fee.
A flat-rate rewards program like Citi® Double Cash Card is easy to understand. With the Double Cash, every purchase earns 2% back that you can redeem for statement credits or mailed checks.
Other cash back cards earn more back.
For instance, Chase has options that also don’t have an annual fee and earn up to 5% back. Cardholders earn 5% back on the first $1,500 on quarterly bonus purchases (once activated) like groceries, gas stations, and department stores with the Chase Travel℠.
However, you may earn more with the Citi Double Cash 2% back instead of getting up to 5% back if you don’t use the 5% cash back categories.
Earn Unlimited 2% Back
You might say the Citi Double Cash gets its name from earning double cash back. Although you earn up to 2% back, there’s a “catch” with how you earn it.
Citi awards you the first 1% when you make the purchase. The second 1% comes when you pay the balance on time. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
You only need to pay the minimum monthly payment to keep your account in good standing.
With any credit card, we recommend only making purchases you can pay in full to avoid interest charges.
You don’t earn cash rewards on balance transfers, cash advances, interest payments, account fees, or returned items.
Redeeming Cash Rewards
You have three ways to redeem your cash rewards:
- Cash statement credits
- Mailed check
- Bank account deposit
The easiest redemption option can be the cash statement credit. It automatically reduces your current balance. But it won’t count as payment for your current balance due.
Using direct bank deposits can also be effortless. You can have the rewards deposit in your Citi savings or checking account. Non-Citi bank accounts qualify once you have paid a Citi credit card bill from that account twice.
Additional Benefits
The Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t offer many additional benefits. This is one tradeoff for not paying an annual fee. Citi does offer the Citi Entertainment service to get special access to ticket pre-sales and exclusive events though.
You also get complimentary Mastercard World Elite benefits including free 2-day ShopRunner shipping and travel discounts.
Credit Score Needed
You will need to have a fair, good, to excellent credit score for Citi Double Cash.
Signup Bonus
Unfortunately, there is no signup bonus available.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the highest-paying flat-rate rewards cards. Most cards award between 1 and 1.5% back.
Fees
There is no annual fee, but you will pay a 3% foreign transaction fee. The Double Cash isn’t a good option for foreign purchases because of the 3% fee.
Instead, use one of the best credit cards for international travel when traveling abroad.
Pros
- Can earn (up to) 2% cash back with no limit
- Can redeem for cash statement credit, mailed check, or bank deposit
- No annual fee
Cons
- Minimum $25 balance to redeem rewards
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Citi Double Cash Alternatives
This Citi Double Cash review wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t provide other options. Earning 2% back is impressive for a flat-rate cash rewards credit card. But you might benefit more from one of these credit cards.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card also is a flat-rate cash rewards credit card. You earn an unlimited 1.5% back on every purchase. However, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It, too, has no annual fee and doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. Another difference is that you get a $200 cash bonus by spending $500 in the first 3 months.
Chase Freedom Flex
The information for the Chase Travel℠ has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
As mentioned above, earn 5% back on the first $1,500 on quarterly bonus purchases (once activated) like groceries, gas stations, and department stores with the Chase Travel℠. Cardholders also earn:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1% back)
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1% on all other purchases
There isn’t an annual fee.
New Chase Travel℠ cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after they spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you spend a lot of money on restaurants, groceries, and entertainment, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card can be a better fit. You can earn an unlimited:
- 4% back on dining, entertainment, and select popular streaming services
- 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% back on all non-bonus purchases
The signup bonus is $300 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The annual fee is $95. There isn’t a foreign transaction fee. It is also one of the best credit cards for restaurants and dining.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
If flat-rate rewards credit cards are your best option, you may also like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It earns 2x miles on every purchase.
However, if you want to earn a few more miles on travel, good news—earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Your miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits, booking future travel, and transferring miles to airline and hotel partners.
One benefit you may also enjoy is up to a $100 fee credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Summary
In conclusion of this Citi Double Cash review, very few cash back credit cards give unlimited 2% back and don’t have an annual fee. The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of those cards. If you’re comfortable with only earning cash rewards and having a 3% foreign transaction fee doesn’t affect you, you might consider this card. Otherwise, one of the best travel credit cards or a tiered cash rewards credit card are other notable alternatives.
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