Citi Double Cash® Card
This card is for people who want maximum cash back with zero maintenance. Every purchase earns 1% up front and another 1% as you pay, with no caps or categories. There is no annual fee, and balance transfers get 0% for 18 months. The caveat: a 3% foreign transaction fee makes it a poor travel companion abroad.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Effective 2% cash back on everything with no caps
- $200 welcome bonus on a modest $1,500 spend
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Total of 5% back on Citi Travel hotel, car and attraction bookings
- No annual fee and no authorized user fee
- Cash back converts to ThankYou Points, with transfer options
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular purchase APR: 18.24% - 28.49% Variable
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 18 months; transfers must post within 4 months of account opening
- Balance transfer fee: either $5 or 3% intro in the first 4 months, then either $5 or 5%
- Cash advance APR: 29.74% Variable; fee either $10 or 5%
- Penalty APR: up to 29.99%
- Late payment fee: Up to $41; returned payment up to $41
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You want one card that earns properly on everything with nothing to activate.
- You carry a balance elsewhere: 18 months at 0% on transfers is among the longest windows with rewards attached.
- Your payment habit is paying in full, which unlocks the full second 1%.
- You should skip it if you spend heavily abroad: the 3% foreign transaction fee erases the rewards.
Citi Double Cash® Card Review
The Double Cash set the standard for flat-rate cash back, and it still anchors the category. This review covers the buy-then-pay earning mechanic, the 18-month transfer window, and where the card falls short.
How You Earn
The 2% arrives in two halves: one at purchase, one at payment.
- Paying at least the minimum on time keeps the second 1% flowing
- No caps, no categories, no enrollment
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Every purchase, when you buy | 1% cash back |
| Every purchase, as you pay | 1% cash back |
| Hotels, car rentals and attractions on Citi Travel | 5% total cash back |
How You Redeem
Cash back accrues as ThankYou Points, which keeps options open.
- Statement credits, direct deposit or checks
- Gift cards and shopping through the ThankYou portal
- Points can move to a Strata Premier account for full travel transfers
Benefits and Protections
The card keeps a lean but useful protection set.
- $0 liability for unauthorized charges
- Mastercard ID Theft Protection
- Citi Quick Lock and account alerts
- Citi Entertainment access
Who This Card Is For
The Double Cash suits almost anyone as a default spending card. It rewards discipline: the full 2% assumes you pay your bill. Pair it with a travel card abroad to route around the foreign transaction fee.
- Flat-rate maximizers
- People consolidating debt onto an 18-month 0% window
- Anyone tired of rotating categories
Comparison
| Feature | Citi Double Cash | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | Capital One VentureOne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 intro first year, then $95 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | $200 after $1,500 in 6 months | As high as $300 after $3,000 in 6 months | 20,000 miles after $500 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 2% on everything | 6% U.S. supermarkets, capped; 3% gas and transit | 1.25X miles everywhere |
| Intro APR | 0% for 18 months on transfers | 0% for 12 months, purchases and transfers | 0% for 15 months, purchases and transfers |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | 2.7% of each transaction | None |
| Best For | Flat-rate cash back | Grocery-heavy households | Free travel miles |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Citi Double Cash | Citi Strata Premier | Citi Diamond Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | $200 after $1,500 | 60,000 points after $4,000 | None |
| Rewards Rate | 2% on everything | 3X on travel, dining, groceries, gas | None |
| Key Credits | None | $100 annual hotel benefit | None |
| Best For | Everyday cash back | Travel points | Long 0% transfer window |