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WiseIQ Editorial Team
Reviewed by certified financial experts  ·  Updated April 2026
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The Citi Double Cash® Card earns 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay — with no annual fee and no categories to track. It's the simplest, highest flat-rate cash back card available, and it beats the Chase Freedom Unlimited's 1.5% base rate on all non-dining, non-drugstore spending.

The card also offers an 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers (with a 3% transfer fee), making it one of the best balance transfer cards available for people carrying high-interest credit card debt.

Citi Double Cash® Card

$0 annual fee · 2% on everything · 18-month 0% balance transfer APR · No categories to track

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Rates, Fees & Key Terms

WISEIQ TOP PICK
PERSONAL LOANS
Upstart logoUpstart
Best for fair & thin credit · AI-powered approval
APR RANGE
7.80%–35.99%
LOAN AMOUNT
$1K–$50K
MIN. CREDIT
300
✓ No prepayment penalty ✓ Funds in 1 business day ✓ Soft pull pre-qualification ✓ Considers education & job history
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No credit score impact
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply through this link. Rates shown are representative and may vary. See Upstart's website for full terms.
FeatureDetails
Annual Fee$0
Cash Back2% on all purchases (1% at purchase + 1% when paid)
Balance Transfer Intro APR0% for 18 months
Balance Transfer Fee3% (minimum $5)
Ongoing APR19.24%–29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee3%
Minimum Credit Score~670

✓ Pros

  • 2% on everything — highest flat rate with no annual fee
  • 18-month 0% balance transfer APR
  • No categories to track or activate
  • Can convert to ThankYou points with a Citi premium card
  • Simple, straightforward rewards structure

✗ Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No sign-up bonus (historically)
  • Must pay balance to earn the second 1%
  • 3% balance transfer fee
  • No elevated category rates (unlike Freedom Unlimited's 3% dining)

Citi Double Cash — 2% on Everything

No annual fee · 2% cash back · 18-month 0% balance transfer APR

Apply Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Citi Double Cash 2% work?

You earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay your bill. This effectively gives you 2% on everything, but you must pay your balance to earn the full 2%.

Does Citi Double Cash have an annual fee?

No. The Citi Double Cash Card has a $0 annual fee.

Is Citi Double Cash better than Chase Freedom Unlimited?

For pure cash back on everyday spending, Citi Double Cash wins with 2% on everything vs. Freedom Unlimited's 1.5%. However, Freedom Unlimited earns 3% on dining and drugstores, and its points can be transferred to travel partners if you have a Sapphire card. It depends on your spending habits.

Can Citi Double Cash points be transferred to airlines?

Yes. If you also have a Citi Strata Premier or Prestige card, you can convert your Double Cash rewards to Citi ThankYou points and transfer them to airline partners including Turkish Airlines, Air France/KLM, and Avianca.

What credit score do you need for Citi Double Cash?

Citi typically requires a good to excellent credit score — generally 670 or higher.

Sources & Methodology

WiseIQ's editorial team researches and fact-checks all content using primary sources. Our recommendations are based on independent analysis and are not influenced by advertiser relationships.

Last reviewed: April 3, 2026  |  How we rank products