Citi Double Cash Review: Seriously Sweet Cash Back Rewards on All Purchases

Cash back credit cards are one of the best and most efficient ways to generate a significant return on your spending.

The market for cash back credit cards continue to grow. It resulted in some genuinely innovative options by Banks attempting to expand their customer base.

One of the most popular and long-standing cash back cards is the Citi® Double Cash Card. As you will soon find out, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a staple and a great choice amongst cash-back credit cards.

In this Citi® Double Cash Card review, we will dive into what it is, how it works, and why it has stood the test of time as new cards continue to enter the market.

Citi® Double Cash Card Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Simple and straightforward 2% cash back earning ability
• great for customers who want High rewards without the hassle of managing multiple cashback categories
• 18 months competitive intro period For balance transfers
• fantastic customer service from Citibank

Cons:

• 3% foreign transaction fees make this less than ideal for travel
• higher rewards rates can be found with other credit cards if you don’t mind the maintenance of enrolling in bonus categories
• Cash Back Rewards expire after 12 months if not used
• there is a minimum of $25 for cashback Redemption, unlike most of its competitors

Citi® Double Cash Review

What Is the Citi® Double Cash Card?

Citi® Double Cash Card is a leading Cash back credit card in the $0 annual fee category that offers simple and attractive rewards to its Cardholders.

At the core, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers a flat 2% cash back opportunity on all purchases with unlimited earning potential.

How Does the Citi® Double Cash Card Work?

The Citi® Double Cash Card is unique among cash back credit cards because 1% cash back is generated when the card is charged. The other 1% is earned when you pay your balance.

Customers love the simplicity and competitive earning rate on a card with no annual fee and unlimited cashback generating ability.

Citi® Double Cash Card Overview

The market for cash back credit cards has evolved over the years, with many banks attempting to outdo each other with their offerings to capture and retain new customers.

The Citi® Double Cash Card has held its own over many years due to its unique learning structure. Some of the double cash competitors rely on rotating bonus categories and introductory bonuses to attract new customers.

The simplicity and high earnings rate of the double cash card are what set it apart from the rest of the competition.

While some other cards may have higher earnings rates in bonus categories, most other cashback credit cards with no annual fee cannot compete with the flat 2% rewards rate across all categories.

Lucrative Rewards Rate

The 2% cash back earning rate offered by the Citi® Double Cash Card is exceptionally lucrative in its market because there are no limits to how much cash back you can make; there are no limitations on the categories you can spend on.

For consumers who want simplicity and a $0 annual fee, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a perfect choice. Why?

Other cards often impose caps on how much cash back can be generated per category. In contrast, the double cash card does not limit consumers. Simply earn as much cash back as you want!

How to Earn Rewards with the Citi® Double Cash Card

Earning the total 2% cash back on all purchases is straightforward with the Citi® Double Cash Card.

1% in cash back is generated on all purchases over a billing period. To earn the second 1% cashback, customers must pay at least the minimum on their statement balance.

It’s important to remember that the minimum balance must be paid every month to receive the complete 2% offered by the card.

Moreover, paying off your balance each month will help you build credit and form strong credit habits that will benefit you in the long run.

Redeeming Rewards

There are various redemption options available to cardholders, including statement credits, direct deposits, or converting to Citi ThankYou Points.

Regardless of the Redemption method you choose, Citibank requires that you redeem $25 at a minimum ($1,250 worth of spending) for each redemption, unlike other rewards credit cards.

However, once you have sufficient cash back available to redeem, it is simple and easy to do.

While the cash back statement credit is convenient, you can also convert your cash back rewards to ThankYou Points if you have another Citi Credit Card as well.

By converting cash back into ThankYou Points, you can turbocharge your travel savings or transfer the points to airline or hotel partners.

24 Hour Fraud Protection

24-hour fraud protection is a standard feature on the Citi® Double Cash Card. They monitor account activity and are always available over the phone if you have any questions or security concerns.

Lost Wallet Service

A unique characteristic of the Citi® Double Cash Card security features is the Lost wallet service.

Citi will immediately ship you a new one if you lose your credit card and will even provide you with emergency cash subject to the available cash advanced limit.

$0 Liability for Unauthorized Charges

Citibank offers this great perk with this double cash card, enhancing the cardholder’s overall security and safety.

If charges are made on the card or off the card numbers the holder has not authorized me, they will not be held liable for those charges.

Citi Identity Theft Solutions

Citi prides itself on the security and enhanced protection offered by its products. The Citi® Identity Theft Solutions will help you resolve the matter and get you squared away.

24/7 Customer Service

Customer service is always available for Citi® Double Cash cardholders. They can be reached online on the Citibank website, over email, through the mobile app, or by phone at 1-877-645-3708.

Digital Wallets

The Citi® Double Cash Card is fully compatible with digital wallets, such as Google or Apple Pay. Moreover, Citi provides robust digital services allowing you to shop and checkout online seamlessly.

Contactless Pay

Contactless pay comes standard on all Citi® Double Cash Card. This handy feature allows you to tap your card against a reader without having to insert or swipe.

Citi® Double Cash Card Pitfalls

Although this is a great cash-back card, it is not perfect.

Quite a Few Fees to Watch Out For

• Balance Transfer Fee: While the balance transfer terms of 18 months with 0% APR are excellent, the balance transfer fee is 3% of the overall balance or $5, whichever is greater. So, if you are transferring a higher balance, you will pay more in fees.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: As mentioned earlier, the Citi® Double Cash Card is excellent, but it is not ideal for travelers because of the 3% foreign transaction fee.

Citi® Double Cash Card Rewards Expiration

Most rewards credit cards pride themselves on offering rewards that never expire and have no blackout dates.

Unfortunately, this is not the case with the double cash card. If you do not use the card for 12 months or more, your accumulated cash back expires.

Your accumulated cash back also expires if you close the account, so make sure you use it before closing your Citi account.

Rewards Redemption Minimum

Cards like the Chase Freedom or Discover it® allow cardholders to redeem their cash back at any amount.

However, the Citi® Double Cash Card requires a $25 minimum, equivalent to $1,250 in spending. This may take a little while to reach for some customers.

No Sign-Up Bonus ☹

Sign-up bonuses are one of the most lucrative and attractive incentives for consumers shopping around for a new credit card.

Typical bonuses in this category range from $150 to $300, depending on the terms and if you have a targeted offer. However, the Citi® Double Cash Card does not offer a sign-up bonus.

That said, 2% cash back on everything easily makes up for this.

Citi® Double Cash Card Alternatives

Even though we recommend the Citi® Double Cash Card, there are a few alternatives worth noting.

#1. Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® cash back credit card offers consumers generous 5% cash back rewards on quarterly rotating categories.

The Discover it® Card earns 1% back on all other spending. They also have a bonus offer to give you a cash back match at the end of your first year (for example, $200 in cashback with turn into $400).

For a card that touts no annual fee, generous rewards, and excellent customer service, the Discover it® cash back card is a noteworthy contender.

#2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another heavy hitter. The rewards factor for the Freedom Unlimited card is a streamlined 1.5% cashback on all purchases.

Consumers can earn an introductory bonus of up to $200 after spending $500 during the first three months.

You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit. If you have a reward generating card, you can merge your cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

#3. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is another cash back credit card that offers consumers a tiered rewards structure.

For example, American Express Blue Cash every day offers 3% back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cashback on all other purchases.

Citi® Double Cash Card Review FAQs

Is the Citi® Double Cash Card Good?

The Citi® Double Cash Card is an excellent cash back credit card, especially for those who do not want to pay an annual fee and want the most cash back potential on all of their spending.

Also, this card is a great choice for those who do not want to worry about rotating categories every 3-4 months.

What Kind of Card is Citi Double Cash?

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the best cash back credit cards on the market with no annual fee and a flat rate of 2% cash back reward on all purchases.

Is Citi Double Cash a Visa or a Mastercard?

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a Mastercard. Cardholders receive all the benefits Citibank offers and additional services from MasterCard, such as cell phone protection.

Is the Citi® Double Cash Card Hard to Get?

The Citi® Double Cash Card is not hard to get if you have a good credit score.

What Credit Score Do I Need to Get Citi® Double Cash Card?

This is a top-tier card, so good to excellent credit scores (690-850) are required to qualify for this card.

Does Citi Double Cash Give You a Sign-Up Bonus?

No. The Citi® Double Cash Card does not offer an introductory bonus; however, its strong earnings potential and unlimited 2% cash back make it an attractive card.

Bottom Line: Citi® Double Cash Card Review

Ultimately, the Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most powerful and popular cashback credit cards on the market.

With unlimited 2% cashback potential, the ability to merge rewards points and no spending requirements, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a smart financial choice for those who want to earn some serious cash back.

The information, including rates and fees is accurate as of the date of the review. Click Here for current information.