Rewards Rates
| Category | Earn Rate | Est. Value per $1 |
|---|---|---|
| All purchases (1% on purchase) | 1% cash back | 1¢ |
| All purchases (1% on payment) | 1% cash back | 1¢ |
| Effective rate on all spending | 2% total | 2¢ |
How the 2% Works
The Double Cash earns cash back in two halves: 1% when you make a purchase, and another 1% when you pay your statement balance. The net result is 2% on every purchase — but only if you pay your balance. If you carry a balance month to month, you'll earn the first 1% but miss the second, reducing your effective rate.
This structure also incentivizes paying your bill, which is a healthy financial habit regardless of rewards. Pay in full, earn 2%. It's that simple.
The Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. This is relatively modest compared to travel card bonuses, but the $1,500 minimum spend is also very achievable. For a no-fee card, a $200 bonus is competitive.
The Hidden Travel Upside: ThankYou Points
The Double Cash earns Citi ThankYou Points (redeemable as cash back at 1¢/point). But if you also hold the Citi Strata Premier card, you can combine your Double Cash rewards into ThankYou Points and transfer them to airline partners including Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, and Turkish Airlines. This combination strategy turns a flat 2% cash back card into a flexible travel rewards system.
Balance Transfer Offer
The Double Cash carries one of the better balance transfer offers in the no-fee category: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (then the variable rate applies). The transfer fee is 3% (minimum $5) within the first 4 months, then 5% after. If you're carrying high-interest debt on another card, this is a legitimate way to reduce interest while earning rewards on new spending.
When the Double Cash Loses to Other Cards
The Double Cash's 2% flat rate is best when your spending is spread evenly across categories. If you spend heavily on dining (Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3x, Amex Gold earns 4x) or groceries (Amex Gold earns 4x), those cards will out-earn the Double Cash in those categories despite having annual fees. The Double Cash wins when simplicity matters more than optimization, or as a catch-all card for the non-bonus spending on a multi-card setup.
Who Should Get This Card?
The Citi Double Cash is the right card if you want zero maintenance: no categories to track, no annual fee to justify, no portal to use. It's ideal as a primary card for someone new to rewards, as a secondary card for non-bonus spending alongside a category-specific card, or as a straightforward cash back card for someone who doesn't want to deal with points ecosystems.
Rewards at a Glance
Pros & Cons
- 2% on everything — no tracking required
- No annual fee, ever
- $200 welcome bonus after $1,500 spend
- Convert to Citi ThankYou Points (for travel)
- No rotating categories to activate
- Solid 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- 3% foreign transaction fee (bad for international travel)
- Welcome bonus is modest vs. travel cards
- No travel protections
- No bonus categories for dining, travel, or groceries
- ThankYou Point transfers require Citi Strata Premier pairing