Key facts
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Min. Credit Score for Approval:
580-669 * FairAPR on Balance Transfers:
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, 18.24%-28.24% thereafterBalance transfer fees
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)Foreign Transaction Fee:
3%Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
While considered cash back, the cash comes in the form of Citi ThankYou® points, which you can combine with the Citi Strata℠ Premier card to turn these points into fully transferable Citi ThankYou® points (giving you the ability to transfer your points to airline and hotel partners).
Reward multipliers
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Estimated Rewards Value: 2%
The earnings from this card could not be simpler.
All eligible purchases on this card net you 2% cash back. You’ll earn 1% right away, when the purchase settles, and 1% after you’ve paid your monthly statement.
You’ll see the cash back in your account as Citi ThankYou points, however they are mostly only redeemable for cash back unless you also have a Citi Strata℠ Premier card. That combo allows you to supercharge your cash back by allowing you to transfer the points to airline and hotel partners.
Without a Citi Strata℠ Premier card, you can transfer to JetBlue, Choice, and Wyndham at reduced rates or redeem for gift cards and statement credits.
Pair another card and boost your rewards
In some cases, adding cards from the same points system will increase your rewards by unlocking a higher point value based on the ability to transfer points to air or hotel partners. In other cases, the cards simply work together to earn more points with one bank or diversify your bonus category rewards across banks.
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Access to Citi Entertainment®
You’ll get the first chance to purchase tickets for selected concerts, sporting events, and more through via the Citi Entertainment® program.
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, 18.24%-28.24% thereafter
Balance Transfer Fees: There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
Note:
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Extended Warranty
Extended Warranty doubles the time period of your Covered Purchase’s original Manufacturer’s Warranty or Store Warranty up to a maximum of twenty-four (24) months following the day that the
Manufacturer’s Warranty or Store Warranty expires.
Terms apply. See Guide to Benefits.
Concierge Services
The Citi Concierge can help with shopping, entertainment, gift-giving and everyday needs.
No Fees for Authorized Users
If you want to register additional user cards for others, you won’t have to pay any fees.
Free Access to Credit Score
With all Citi cards, you get free access to your FICO® score.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- No annual fee
- Can be combined with a Citi Strata® Premier Card to transfer points to airline and hotel partners
- No bonus categories
- No trip protections
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
Our review
The Citi Double Cash® Card isn’t a card loaded with features and benefits.
But it has one killer feature that makes the card a must-have for nearly everyone and that’s the simple fact that it earns 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
And before we forget, it also comes with a pretty amazing intro offer for balance transfers, as outlined in the Key Facts at the top of the page and in the 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers section above.
You don’t have to think about bonus categories with this credit card. The answer to “what will I earn here” is always 2% as long as you pay your bill.
Just one caveat: the Double Cash does not come with some expected benefits, like trip protections or purchase protection. However, it does have extended warranty making it a solid choice for retail purchases.
That said, why is it a must have credit card for nearly everyone?
Three reasons:
1) There is no consumer credit card issued by a major bank that earns a higher % of cash back with no annual fee, no limit on cash back, and no “other requirements.” None.
2) You can use this as your one credit card if you are completely averse to using multiple credit cards (although you’ll need to be aware of the foreign transaction fees charged if you travel internationally). But even better is to use this as your “default” card. What I mean by that is you may have a card that earns 4X on dining and groceries and another that earns 3% on drugstores, but that’s it. What about an insurance payment? What about daycare?
On most other credit cards, if you aren’t spending in a bonus category, you only earn 1X or 1% back. For example, the Citi Strata℠ Premier Card pays 3X in certain categories (Air/Hotel, Gas, Restaurants and Supermarkets) and 1X in everything else. So you can “Double Up” by having both cards.
The Citi Double Cash card earns 2X Thank You® points on everything. If your purchase is in a Citi Premier card bonus category, go ahead and make the purchase with your Citi Strata℠ Premier Card. If it’s in any other category, make the purchase with your Double Cash card. That way, you’ll get one percent when you make the purchase and another percent when you pay it. With a Double Cash card in your pocket, you can always take it out when you have no bonus category available, ensuring that you never, ever earn less than 2% back on any purchases.
3) While you’ll earn cash back rewards with this card, it earns it as ThankYou® points. If you only have the Double Cash alone, that keeps things simple. It’s cash! You can cash out as a statement credit, via direct deposit to your bank account, or by check.
Pair with a Citi Strata℠ Premier Card – a great credit card strategy
In that case, once again, you simply pair this card with a Citi Strata℠ Premier Card. That would allow you to pool all of your ThankYou® points together and, because of the Premier, you’ll unlock access to all of the transfer options listed below, the best kind of credit card rewards:
Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners | Transfer Ratio | Approximate Transfer Time (our estimate / not a guarantee) |
---|---|---|
AeroMexico | 1:1 | Generally instant |
Air France Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant. |
Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant |
Emirates | 1:! | Instant |
Eva Air | 1:1 | ~1-3 days |
Jet Airways InterMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 | Instant |
Malaysia Airlines Enrich | 1:1 | ~1-7 days |
Qantas | 1:1 | Instant to 1 day |
Qatar Privilege Club | 1:1 | ~2 days |
Singapore Airlines | 1:1 | ~1-2 days |
Thai Orchid Plus | 1:1 | ~3-7 days |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
Virgin Atlantic | 1:1 | Instant to 2 days |
Hotels | ||
Choice Hotels | 1:2 (Citi Prestige / Premier / Chairman cards) 1:1.5 (No fee Citi ThankYou cards) | Instant |
Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 (Citi Prestige / Premier / Chairman cards) 1:0.8 (No fee Citi ThankYou cards) | TBD |
Leaders Club | 5:1 | TBD |
Preferred Hotels and Resorts "I Prefer" | 1:4 | TBD |
Accor Live Limitless | 1:0.5 | TBD |
What are some of the ways you can use Citi ThankYou® points for outsized value with a Citi Strata℠ Premier Card?
We outline all of that on the Citi Strata℠ Premier Card page, since that is the card that unlocks these features. Please take a look at the Citi Strata℠ Premier Card review for everything you need to know about using Citi ThankYou® points.
The Citi Trifecta: With the Citi Strata℠ Premier Card and then a Citi Rewards+ Card, earn a 10% Points Rebate on Redemptions
Unfortunately, the Rewards+ is no longer available to new applicants. However, if you already have one you’re reaping an additional benefit.
Each calendar year, Citi will rebate back 10% of the first 100,000 ThankYou® Points that you spend, so you can get back up to 10,000 points per year Best of all, it isn’t tied in any way to your spending on the card. Just having the Rewards+ in your profile and linked to the same ThankYou account will ensure that you get the rebate.
Citi Application Rules
Citi won’t approve more than 2 cards in a 60-day period, although we recommend 65 days, just to be safe. This means that if you decide to apply for the Double Cash and combo with a Citi Strata℠ Premier Card card, you are good to get both at any time. A 3rd Citi card would require waiting tunnel 60days passed.
Bottom Line
The Citi Double Cash is quite simply a card that should be in 99% of wallets. The 2% cash back on everything (1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay your bill), with no annual fee, is too good to pass up, even if you are using it in conjunction with other credit cards to maximize your bonus categories – as you should be!
Frequently asked questions
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card have an annual fee?
No, the Citi Double Cash® Card has no annual fee.
Does the Citi Double Cash® Credit Card get you into airport lounges?
Nope. You can browse our Card Explorer for credit cards that come with airport lounge access.
Is it hard to get the Citi Double Cash® Card ?
You’ll need around a 700 or better FICO score to score a Citi Double Cash
Is Citi Double Cash worth it?
The Citi Double Cash is quite simply a card that should be in 99% of wallets. The 2% cash back on everything, with no annual fee, is simply too good to pass up.
How do I earn points / cash with the Citi Double Cash® Card ?
You’ll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay your bill, for a total of 2% cash back.
You can redeem your earned points for cash at any time, but if you pair this card with a Citi Strata℠ Premier Card, then your cash back points become transferable to Citi’s airline and hotel partners. The Citi ThankYou program is similar to other programs you may have heard of, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, but with different transfer partners and rules, of course!
Is there a better credit card than the Citi Double Cash® Card?
Well, that’s totally subjective! That’s why we built our Famous Card Explorer. Just filter by what you care about and you’re guaranteed to find your best credit card.
Does the the Citi Double Cash® Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes, the Double Cash does charge a foreign transaction fee of 3%. It’s worth keeping that in mind as you may want to also have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees in your wallet for when you travel abroad.
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card have car rental coverage?
No, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not come with any car rental protection; not even secondary CDW.
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card come with any Elite Status?
This Citi credit card does not give you any airline or hotel statuses.
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card offer extended warranty?
Yes, after a brief pause, the Double Cash once again does have Extended Warranty. See all credit cards with Extended Warranty.
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card offer purchase protection?
Unfortunately, this credit card offers no purchase protection. Find a credit card with Purchase Protection
Does the Citi Double Cash® Card offer trip protections?
Unfortunately, it does not have any protections or insurance for when you travel. Consider a credit card with trip protections.
What credit score do I need to get a Citi Double Cash?
Around a 700 FICO
Does the Double Cash have Cell Phone Protection?
Unfortunately, it offers no cell phone protection. Find a credit card with cell phone protection.
Does the Citi Double Cash have a Sign Up Bonus?
Sometimes! If you don’t currently see a bonus offer listed, you can click the bell at the top of the page to be notified when the bonus offer changes.