Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Citi Double Cash Credit Card: 2023 Review
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Citi Double Cash Credit Card: 2023 Review

The Citi Double Cash card is a bit “boring” choice among a sea of competitors. But for the average consumer who makes purchases across all categories, it may be a perfect fit
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

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Citi® Double Cash Card

citi double cash

Rewards Plan

2%* 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.

Sign up Bonus

None None

Credit Rating

Good – Excellent

0% Intro

18 months on balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)

On Citi’s Secure Website

Citi® Double Cash Card

citi double cash

On Citi’s Secure Website

Rewards Plan

2%* 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.

Sign up Bonus

None None

0% Intro

18 months on balance transfers

PROS

CONS

APR

18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Annual Fee

$0

Balance Transfer Fee

$5 or 5%

Credit Requirements

Good – Excellent

The appeal of the Citi® Double Cash Card lies entirely in its simple easy-to-earn rewards plan: receive rewards from every dollar spent, and every dollar paid off.

The card’s combined 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment. The unlimited cash back feature can boast a mass appeal to general consumers with solid credit scores (above 700). Since it doesn’t offer rewards for any particular spending category, the Citi Double Cash Card lets you accrue cash rewards on everything you charge with minimal hassle.  Also, unlike many cash-back cards - there is no annual fee.

But what the card offers in easy rewards, it sorely lacks excitement. The card cashback rate is 2%, which is low compared to category-specific credit cards. 

  • No Annual Fee
  • Rewards Rate
  • Competitive Balance-Transfer Policy
  • Fees
  • No Intro 0% APR on Purchases

How hard is it to get Citi Double Cash Credit Card?

It is not too hard to meet the eligibility requirements for this type of card. You are also able to get pre-approval so you can ensure that you are in with a good chance.

Can I get car rental insurance with Citi Double Cash Credit Card?

Yes, it offers rental insurance for cars if you pay for the full cost with this credit card and you decline the rental company’s insurance.

Does Citi Double Cash Credit Card ask for proof of income?

There are no out and out income requirements in place with this type of card and normally you will not have to provide proof of income.

What is the initial credit limit?

The initial credit limit of this card will normally be at least $500. The exact limit is going to be depending on your personal financial situation.

Should You Move to Citi Double Cash Credit Card?

If you like predictability and want an incentive to meet your payment commitments then this type of card could be a good fit for your needs.

Why did Citi Double Cash Credit Card deny me? What to Do Next?

Perhaps you did not meet all of the requirements. You can ask the customer service team what you need to do to get accepted or you can look at other card options

In This Review..

Benefits

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of the Citi Double Cash Card – and whether or not it’s right for your wallet.

Another highly competitive benefit is the card’s $0 annual fee, meaning you don’t have to worry about swiping your card enough to cover a fixed yearly payment. 

This is an enormous and unique benefit, as most cash back credit card fee sits near $100. 

The Citi Double cash card offers 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.

The card boasts a lengthy period of 0% fees on all balance transfers. This means that if you want to keep all of your debt on one card to avoid interest repayments on multiple cards, you can transfer your balances from other lenders to your Citi Double Cash card for no interest charge within the first 18 months.

After this period each transfer requires paying a variable APR between 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable). That’s a fair range among general-spending cards. 

Drawbacks

Here are the most important cons you should consider before apply:

The card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus, a common perk often used to attract customers to a new card. Many cards offer sign-up bonuses as high as $500 once you surpass a certain amount of spending within the first few months. 

The fee is incurred when you transfer debts from one or more credit cards to your Double Cash card. This fee is $5 or 5% of the transfer, and will be added to your debt load when transferred.

Citi Double Cash has a 3% fee for each transaction in another country. If you are traveling outside of the US you may want to leave this card at home. 

Despite an intro 0% APR on balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash Card doesn’t offer an intro 0% APR on actual purchases.

Instead, all purchases from the sign-up period onward endure the variable APR between 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable).

Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?

The best way to see if the Double Cash card is the right choice for your needs, is to calculate the amount of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn. 

Keep in mind that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your own consumer preferences and spending habits.

citi double cash

Spend Per Category
Citi® Double Cash Card
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$300
$3,000 – Restaurants
$60
$1,500 – Airline
$30
$1,500 – Hotels
$30
$4,000 – Gas
$80
Estimated Annual Value
$500

* Calculated according to 2% cash back - please keep in mind you'll get the additional 1% upon payment.

Where to Redeem Your Rewards?

With the Citi Double cash card, cardholders earn 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.

Citi also has a number of reward redemption options that include:

  • Checks: You can request a check. You can also take a credit towards your Citi savings or checking account.
  • Convert to ThankYou Points: If you have a minimum rewards balance of $1, you can convert your rewards to Citi ThankYou points.
  • Statement Credit: You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit.

Leverage Your Card Smartly

Here are some pointers to help you make the most of your Citi Double Cash:

  • Leverage 0% Intro APR: Organize your balance transfers within the first six months. This will allow you to benefit from the lower balance transfer fee.
  • Pay your bills on time: In order to earn your cash back, you must pay at least the minimum due on time, so make sure you don't miss any payments. Set up an automatic payment with your checking account if you have trouble keeping track of your bills.
  • Check Citi Entertainment first: If you enjoy concerts, sporting events, and other ticketed events, be sure to check Citi Entertainment first, as you may be able to obtain exclusive experiences and presale tickets.

How To Apply For Citi Double Cash Credit Card?

Visit the double cash credit card home page and then click “Apply Now”. 

When the next page opens, fill in your personal information correctly.
Then, fill in your security number, date of birth and other important information requested.

 

Also fill in your financial information, and then take your time to read through the terms and conditions. 

After this, tick to agree and then click on “Agree and Submit.”

Is the Citi Double Cash Card Right for You?

The Citi Double Cash card is a “boring” choice among a sea of competitors. 

But for the average consumer who makes purchases across all categories, the Citi Double Cash Card can’t be beat. 

The combined 1% on the front end and 1% on the backend add up to a strong 2% rewards system that not only offers a consistent stream of cash back, but also offers an incentive to build a strong credit score.

Compare The Alternatives

Several other credit cards provide similar rewards to the Citi Double Cash Card while also offering the enticing sign-up bonuses and intro APR periods on purchases that the Citi Double Cash Card lacks.

Chase Freedom Flex

capital-one-venture

American express everyday card review 2021

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
American Express EveryDay® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$0
Rewards
1-5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on selected categories each quarter and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Also, you can earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), drugstore purchases , and 1% on all other purchases
2X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1X – 2X 2X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year), then 1x on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 miles 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
10,000 points 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
None
2.7%
Purchase APR
19.74% – 28.49% variable
20.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
17.49% – 28.49% variable

FAQ

There are no out and out income requirements in place with this type of card and normally you will not have to provide proof of income.

There is no limit in place with this card on how many total rewards you can earn. Therefore, people who will be spending large sums on purchases can ideally take advantage of this offering.

All purchases earn cashback with the Citi Double Cash card. This means that it is a great fit if you are looking for a good level of flexibility and coverage with one card.

If you want a higher cashback rate or a signup offer then you might be better off looking at other credit card options that will be able to support these needs.

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Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
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Rewards Plan:
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.