Full Review: Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash® Card is renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness in the cash back credit card arena, particularly appealing to those who prefer a straightforward rewards structure without an annual fee.
This card offers a competitive rate of up to 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases, making it an ideal choice for diligent spenders who pay off their balances each month.
$0
1%-5%
$200
Excellent, Good, Fair (630 – 850)
CreditFinder’s Rating: 4.6/5
Citi Double Cash® Card Overview
The Citi Double Cash® Card stands out as a practical choice in a crowded field of cash back cards, especially due to its easy-to-understand cash back program that encourages good credit habits. This card does not dazzle with flashy perks but instead offers consistent long-term value, which may appeal to both frugal spenders and those new to credit cards.
Rewards Structure:
- Earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase.
- Earn an additional 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases, effectively reaching up to 2% cash back.
- No caps on cash back and no category restrictions.
This simple yet effective cash back system ensures that cardholders are rewarded not just for spending but also for their responsible payment behavior.
Key Benefits and Features
The Citi Double Cash® Card is loaded with features that bolster its appeal:
- Introductory Offer: No current offer on purchases, but an attractive intro APR on balance transfers.
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers: Enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, allowing cardholders to manage existing debt more easily (transfers must be completed within the first 4 months of account opening).
- No Annual Fee: Maximize your earnings without worrying about an annual fee reducing your rewards.
Additional Cardholder Perks
While the Citi Double Cash® Card is not packed with extensive perks, it offers several benefits that enhance its value:
- Citi Entertainment®: Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for concerts, sporting events, dining experiences, and more.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem your cash back for checks, statement credits, or direct deposits to a Citi savings or checking account. You can also convert your cash back to ThankYou points if you have an eligible Citi credit card that earns ThankYou points, providing an avenue to potentially increase the value of your rewards through transfers to travel partners.
- Citi Flex Plan: Offers options to make fixed monthly payments to pay off purchases or a loan against your card’s credit line at a fixed interest rate.
Why Choose the Citi Double Cash® Card?
- Simplicity and Rewarding Cash Back: Its flat-rate cash back program is easy to understand, ensuring you always know how much you’re earning without tracking rotating categories.
- Encourages Good Credit Habits: By rewarding the payment portion of your credit card bill, it incentivizes paying off balances quickly, thus potentially helping to improve your credit score.
- Flexibility in Managing Debt: The introductory offer on balance transfers makes this card a good option for consolidating and paying down debt without interest piling up.
Potential Drawbacks
While the Citi Double Cash® Card scores highly for simplicity and value, it has a few limitations:
- No Bonus on Purchases: Unlike many other cash back cards, there is no introductory APR for purchases, which might be a drawback for those looking to make large purchases and pay them off over time without accruing interest.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: The card incurs a 3% fee on foreign transactions, which may not make it ideal for international travel.
- Basic ThankYou Points: The points earned are basic Citi ThankYou points without the enhanced benefits of Citi’s more premium cards, which offer higher value on point transfers and redemptions.
Conclusion
The Citi Double Cash® Card offers compelling value through its up to 2% cash back on all purchases and its no-fuss, no-muss approach to rewards. Its lack of an annual fee combined with a strong rewards program makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to boost their cash back earnings without unnecessary complications. This card is particularly well-suited for individuals who prefer a minimalistic approach to credit card rewards and those focused on paying down existing balances while still earning on new purchases.
