Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content

Citi Double Cash Review: Best-In-Class Cash Back

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Our Credit Cards Expert

Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.  Citi is an advertising partner of The Ascent.

The Citi Double Cash® Card earns up to 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), which is the highest unlimited cash back rate we've come across. Plus, the card includes a long 0% intro APR for balance transfers to help you pay off debt faster. Keep reading our Citi Double Cash® Card review to learn how it could help you save.

Great for: Cash back and balance transfers

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay

Up to 2% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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.

20,000 ThankYou® Points

  • This card combines a top-notch balance transfer offer for 18 months with best-in-class unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. There's no introductory APR for purchases, so if you use that long balance transfer offer you'll be charged interest on all new purchases until the full balance is paid off. However, once you conquer that balance transfer, this may become your go-to card thanks to the high cash back rate.

    • High cash back
    • 0% intro APR balance transfer offer
    • No annual fee
    • Free credit score monitoring
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No 0% intro APR on purchases
    • No sign-up bonus
    • 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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
    • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, 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).

Full Citi Double Cash review

This card is a good fit for: Cardholders wanting either a standout, high-earning option for a one-card wallet, or people wanting to pay off debt faster with a long balance transfer offer.

Top perks

This Citi credit card has some high-value benefits for cardholders.

$200 welcome offer

Earn 20,000 ThankYou® Points -- which can be redeemed for $200 in cash -- when you spend $1,500 in the first 6 months.

Unlimited 2% cash back

The Citi Double Cash® Card has the highest potential flat rate for cash back. "Potential" is the operative word here, because you receive 1% cash back when you make a purchase, then receive the other 1% when you pay off the purchase. If you pay late, you lose the second half of your cash back. It's an interesting quirk that motivates you to pay your bill on time.

SEE MORE: Best Cash Back Credit Cards

0% intro APR on balance transfers

The card has a 0%, 18 months intro APR offer on balance transfers. The go-to 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies after the intro period. There's a balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 min.) on transfers in the first four months, 5% ($5 min.) thereafter. Those fee amounts are in line with what other card issuers charge.

Even compared to other top balance transfer cards, 18 months is a long time. If you need to pay off debt, this card can help you do it more efficiently, saving you money on interest and potentially getting you out of debt sooner.

MORE OPTIONS: Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

No annual fee

The Citi Double Cash® Card has a $0 annual fee. Many cash back cards have no annual fee, so this isn't a major advantage. But it's still nice for your budget when you don't have to pay anything for your credit card.

Flexible redemption options

If you also have an eligible Citi travel card, such as the Citi Premier® Card or the Citi Prestige® Card, you can convert all the cash back you earn to Citi ThankYou points. You can then use those points for travel redemptions, including transfers to Citi's many travel partners.

This option makes the credit card a fantastic complement to a Citi travel rewards card. You can use the travel card for any purchases where it will earn you bonus points. For all your non-bonus spending, you can take advantage of the Citi Double Cash® Card and essentially earn 2 ThankYou points per $1 spent. It's a simple, effective way to maximize your credit card rewards.

This card also offers the flexibility of redeeming cash back rewards for statement credits, direct deposit, and even receiving a check in the mail.

LEARN MORE: A Complete Guide to Citi ThankYou Points

Free FICO® Score

Citi credit cards include free access to your FICO® Score, which is a standout feature. While most credit cards offer credit score monitoring of some sort, Citi goes the extra mile to provide access to an official FICO® Score, which is what most credit lenders use to make a credit decision.

What could be improved

Before you apply for this Citi card, it's important to know about the drawbacks.

RELATED: Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards

No 0% intro APR on purchases

Although this card has an excellent balance transfer offer, it doesn't offer a 0% intro APR on purchases. If you need to pay off big purchases over time, then this isn't the card for you.

TOP OPTIONS: Best 0% APR Credit Cards

Foreign transaction fee

The Citi Double Cash® Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. While the card certainly isn't alone in charging this fee, it will increase your travel expenses if you go out of the country and don't have another card to use. Make sure to get a credit card without this type of fee if you plan to travel internationally -- travel credit cards are a good way to go.

Find the best credit card for your needs

Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.

Suggested credit score

A FICO® Score of at least 580 is recommended when applying for the Citi Double Cash® Card. While this card was originally intended for consumers with good or excellent credit, Citi has gotten more lenient with approvals. Even with fair credit, it's possible to qualify. Keep in mind that your credit score isn't the only criteria used when assessing your application.

The Citi Double Cash is right for you if:

You want your finances to be as uncomplicated as possible. With its cash back rate, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a card you can use for all your spending. It's also one of the best credit cards if you want to refinance debt, such as credit card debt.

Alternatives to consider

  • If you want to earn a sign-up bonus: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has similar benefits, earning an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. You can also earn a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus for spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.
  • If you want to pay off new purchases with a 0% intro APR: The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. It also has a fantastic cash back program where you earn the most in your largest spending category.
As of Nov. 27, 2023
Image for
Image for
Image for
Citi Double Cash® Card Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Citi Custom Cash® Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. 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.

20,000 ThankYou® Points

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

$200 cash rewards

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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.

20,000 ThankYou® Points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay

Up to 2% cash back

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

2% cash rewards

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases

1% - 5% cash back

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR:

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Regular APR:

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Regular APR:

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Annual Fee:

$0

Highlights:

  • 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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, 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).

Highlights:

  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Highlights:

  • 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.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Show More Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content Show Less Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content

Our credit card methodology

At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • The Citi Double Cash® Card earns 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you make purchases and another 1% when those purchases are paid off. It's a different earning structure than most credit cards, since you need to pay your card's balance to earn the full cash back rate. If you pay late, you lose the second half of your cash back.

  • Credit limits for the Citi Double Cash® Card range from $500 to over $25,000. Citi determines your credit limit based on several factors, including your income, debt, and credit score.

  • The Citi Double Cash® Card is marketed to people with fair to excellent credit, meaning those with a credit score of at least 580.

  • The Citi Double Cash® Card is a Mastercard.

Our Credit Cards Experts