Citi Double Cash® Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 18.24%-28.24% variable
• Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy + 1% as you pay)
• Bonus: $200 cash back after $1,500 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Simple unlimited cash back, balance transfers
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a straightforward no annual fee cash back credit card that rewards all purchases with 2% total cash back - 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. Perfect for those who want simple, unlimited cash back without complicated categories or caps.

This card stands out for its unique two-stage earning structure that rewards both spending and responsible payment behavior. Combined with a robust 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and no foreign transaction fees, the Citi Double Cash is ideal for both everyday spending and strategic debt consolidation.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 18.24%-28.24% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months from account opening, then 18.24%-28.24% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.49% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Strong 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers makes this excellent for debt consolidation.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection: Coverage for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card abroad without extra charges
• 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage for eligible new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Extends eligible manufacturer warranties by an additional year
• Identity Theft Solutions: Assistance if you become a victim of identity theft
• 24/7 fraud monitoring with zero liability protection

Lifestyle Benefits

• Citi Entertainment: Access to presale tickets and exclusive experiences for concerts, sporting events, and more
• Flexible redemption options through ThankYou Points platform
• Points pooling with other Citi ThankYou cards for maximum flexibility

Rewards & Cash Back

• 2% cash back on all purchases - unlimited earning with no caps or limits
  • 1% when you buy - earned at time of purchase
  • 1% as you pay - earned when you pay off those purchases
• 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn
• Cash back is earned as ThankYou Points and does not expire as long as your account is open
• Redemption options: Cash back, statement credit, direct deposit, gift cards, or transfer to other Citi cards with transfer partners

Simple and straightforward: no rotating categories, no activation required, no tracking needed. Just consistent 2% back on everything.

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

This bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back or other redemption options. The $1,500 spending requirement is achievable for most cardholders through everyday spending.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within first 4 months of account opening; after that, 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Simple rewards seekers who want consistent cash back without category tracking
• Balance transfer strategists needing 18 months to pay down debt interest-free
• International travelers who benefit from no foreign transaction fees
• Bill pay optimizers who always pay their balance in full each month
• Citi ecosystem members who want to pool ThankYou Points across cards

Not Good For

• Category maximizers seeking higher rates in specific spending areas (only 2% flat)
• Balance carriers who won't earn the second 1% unless they pay off purchases
• Intro APR seekers for purchases (no 0% APR on new purchases)
• Premium rewards hunters looking for travel perks or luxury benefits
• Those needing low balance transfer fees after the first 4 months (jumps to 5%)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes it accessible for long-term use
• Simple 2% cash back on everything - no categories to track or activate
• Unlimited earning potential with no caps or restrictions
• Strong 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers for debt consolidation
• 5% cash back on travel booked through Citi Travel
• Cash back earned as flexible ThankYou Points with multiple redemption options
• No foreign transaction fees for international use
• Low 3% balance transfer fee in first 4 months
• Can pool points with other Citi ThankYou cards

Cons

• Must pay off balance to earn the second 1% cash back (not ideal for balance carriers)
• No intro 0% APR period on purchases
• 2% rate is good but not exceptional compared to category-specific cards
• Welcome bonus only available to new Citi cardholders
• Variable APR can be high (up to 28.24%) if carrying a balance
• Balance transfer fee increases to 5% after first 4 months
• Lower earning rate than premium travel cards for those who maximize categories

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $24,000 per year on typical expenses and pay your balance in full:

Total First Year Value: $680
Ongoing Annual Value: $480

Compare this to a 1.5% flat-rate card ($360/year) and you're earning an extra $120 annually. For a no annual fee card that requires zero category tracking, this is excellent passive value.

Important Note: You only earn the full 2% if you pay off your purchases. If you carry a balance, you'll only earn 1% until those purchases are paid off, plus you'll pay interest charges.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If…

• You want simple, consistent 2% cash back on all purchases with no hassle
• You always pay your balance in full each month (to earn both 1% components)
• You need a strong balance transfer offer with 18 months at 0% APR
• You travel internationally and want to avoid foreign transaction fees
• You prefer flexible ThankYou Points over traditional cash back
• You already have other Citi cards and want to pool points
• You value simplicity over maximizing category spending

You Should Skip It If…

• You carry a balance month-to-month (you'll only earn 1% on unpaid purchases)
• You want a 0% intro APR on new purchases (not offered on this card)
• You're willing to track categories for higher rewards (5% category cards exist)
• You want premium travel benefits like lounge access or travel credits
• You need a low balance transfer fee beyond the first 4 months
• You're specifically looking for a massive sign-up bonus (this is modest)

Apply Now

Apply for Citi Double Cash® Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.