ReviewsCiti Double Cash Card Review: Earn Unlimited 2% Cash Back on All Purchases
Card Review
How To Apply
The Citi Double Cash Card is a flat-rate, cash-back card that gives you 2% back on every purchase. There are no rotating categories to sign up for, and no limit to the rewards you can earn. If you’re looking for a no-frills credit card that earns rewards at a dynamite rate, this is the card for you. The introductory 0% APR also makes the Citi Double Cash Card a smart choice for balance transfers, too. Those features combine to make one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market.
Citi® Double Cash Card Review
Here’s an overview of the most important details about the Citi Double Cash Card:
Annual Fee:$0
APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Sign-Up Bonus: $0
Benefits:
- Earn 2% back on every purchase—1% when you purchase, and 1% back when you pay your bill
- Exclusive access to thousands of live events through Citi Private Pass
- No late fee on your first late payment
Other Fees:
- Balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater
- Cash advance fee of $10 or 5%, whichever is greater
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Up to $39 late payment fee for every late payment after the first
- Up to $39 returned payment fee
Why Apply for the Citi® Double Cash Card
Here are a few reasons to consider applying for the Citi Double Cash Card:
You don’t like dealing with rotating cash-back categories
The Citi Double Cash Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. You earn 1% back when you make the purchase, and 1% back when you pay it off. This makes it a great choice if you want a high rewards-earning rate, but don’t want to deal with rotating categories. It’s worth noting that you won’t earn cash back on balance transfers, interest charges, cash advances, account fees or returned items.
You want to pay down credit card debt
The Citi Double Cash Card has an APR of 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) for balance transfers. That’s a longer 0% APR period than what most cash-back credit cards offer. Its balance transfer fee is also a reasonable 3% of the balance. Some credit cards charge as much as 5% of the transferred balance, which can add up to hundreds of dollars.
You love live entertainment
All Citi Double Cash Cardholders enjoy exclusive access to thousands of live events throughout the country through Citi Private Pass. You can explore these events by logging into your Citi account and searching what’s in your area. Choose from free movie screenings, presale tickets to sporting events, VIP packages at concerts and more.
Citi® Double Cash Card: Drawbacks and Downsides
The Citi Double Cash Card has a number of benefits, but also some drawbacks to be aware of:
There’s no sign-up bonus
Many cash-back rewards credit cards offer a sign-up bonus to new cardholders, but the Citi Double Cash Card doesn’t. The high rewards-earning rate should help to make up for this over time, but if you’re looking for a bonus injection into your rewards portfolio, you won’t find it here.
Reward redemptions are limited
You can only redeem Citi Double Cash Card rewards for statement credits or checks. Many other cash-back cards allow customers to redeem rewards for gift cards to popular retailers or to partner programs with better redemption rates. If you want more flexible redemption options, look into comparable cards with no annual fee.
Citi® Double Cash Card Alternatives
If you like the idea of earning cash-back rewards, but don’t love the Citi Double Cash Card, one of these cards may fit better:
Discover it® card
The Discover it® offers even greater earning potential if your spending lines up with the card’s rotating cash-back categories. You’ll earn 5% on categories like gas, dining, home improvement and Amazon.com each quarter, and 1% back on everything else. You also have to remember to sign up for the rotating categories, and you’ll only receive 5% back on the first $1,500 you spend in these categories each quarter.
While the Discover it® doesn’t offer a traditional sign-up bonus, it matches all the cash back you earn in your first year. If you use the Discover it® Card as your go-to card, the cash-back match could prove especially lucrative. Plus, there’s no annual fee, so if you don’t use the card often, you won’t pay anything for keeping it in your sock drawer.
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card lets you choose two categories each quarter where you’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 you spend. You also get to choose one everyday category where you earn unlimited 2% cash back, and of course, you’ll earn 1% back on everything else. This makes the card a great fit if you want a cash-back credit card that caters to your spending habits.
The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee, and the sign-up bonus is easy to achieve. After you spend $500 or more within the first three months of account opening, you’ll receive $150 in cash back. You can redeem rewards for statement credits, gift cards or a direct deposit to a U.S. Bank account.
Citi® Double Cash Card FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions regarding the Citi Double Cash Card:
Do Citi® Double Cash Card rewards expire?
Your Citi cash back rewards may expire if your account is inactive for 12 months. To avoid this, use the card at least once per year and make at least the minimum payment every month.
What credit score do you need to get the Citi® Double Cash Card?
While Citi doesn’t publish the minimum credit scores required for its cards, it’s a safe bet that you’ll need good to excellent credit. This is usually defined as a score of about 700 or above.
How do you redeem your Citi® Double Cash Card rewards?
Log in to your Citi Double Cash Card account to check your balance and redeem your rewards. If you elect to receive a statement credit, the value of your rewards will be deducted from your next credit card bill. If you choose to receive your rewards in the form of a check, Citi will mail it to you.
Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the Citi® Double Cash Card?
The Citi Double Cash Card is a go-to credit card for everyday spending. Its best feature is its excellent cash-back rewards without rotating categories or limitations on how much you can earn. If you want to earn 2% cash back on every purchase without putting in extra thought, you should apply for the Citi Double Cash Card.
