What the Citi Double Cash Card does
The Citi Double Cash Card gives you 1% cash back when you make a purchase and another 1% cash back when you pay off that purchase, for a total of 2% cash back on everything you buy. There is no annual fee, no rotating categories to track, and no caps on how much cash back you can earn. You earn the same rate whether you're buying groceries, gas, or plane tickets.
The second 1% posts to your account when you pay your bill, not when you make the purchase. This means you have to actually pay down the balance to collect the full reward. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest you pay will almost always be more than the cash back you earn, so this card works best if you pay in full each month.
Cash back appears as a statement credit that you can use to reduce your balance, transfer to a linked bank account, or redeem for other rewards through Citi's program. You don't have to wait until you hit a minimum to use it.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 1% cash back at the time of purchase and 1% more when you pay the bill, totaling 2% on all purchases with no category restrictions.
- There is no annual fee and no minimum spending requirement to earn rewards.
- The card charges variable interest rates on balances you carry, so paying your full statement balance each month is necessary to come out ahead.
- Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, bank transfer, or other rewards without waiting for a minimum threshold.
- You will need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be considered for this card.
How the two-tier cash back actually works
The 1% you earn at purchase time is straightforward: you spend $100, you get $1 in cash back when ready. That $1 shows up in your rewards balance right away.
The second 1% is tied to payment, not purchase. When you pay that $100 bill, you earn another $1. If you make a partial payment of $50, you only earn 0.5% on that portion. The full second 1% only posts once you've paid the entire transaction off. This is why the card is called "Double Cash" — you have to complete both steps (buy and pay) to get both rewards.
If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest charges will exceed the cash back you earn. For example, if you carry $5,000 at the card's current interest rate (which varies), you'll pay roughly $75 to $100 per month in interest. Your cash back on that $5,000 would be $100 total. The math only works in your favor if you pay the full balance each month.
Annual fee, interest rates, and other costs
There is no annual fee. You can hold this card indefinitely without paying anything just to keep it open.
The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is variable, meaning it changes based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Citi does not publish a single rate; instead, they offer a range. Your actual rate depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you're reviewed. Current rates typically fall between 16% and 27%, but this varies.
There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use this card internationally without a currency conversion penalty. There is also no fee for late payments, but late payments do damage your credit score and trigger the interest rate to increase.
Who this card makes sense for
This card works best for people who pay their full statement balance every month and want a straightforward, flat-rate rewards structure. You don't have to remember which categories earn bonus rates or track spending caps. Every dollar spent earns the same 2% (once you pay it off).
It's also useful if you spend across many categories and don't want to juggle multiple cards. A grocery card, a gas card, and a travel card all require you to remember which card to use when. The Double Cash card removes that friction.
The card is less useful if you carry a balance regularly, because the interest charges will wipe out your rewards. It's also not the best choice if you want bonus categories that earn more than 2% — some cards offer 3% or 5% on specific purchases like groceries or dining.
Credit score and approval requirements
Citi typically reviews applications from people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though this is not a hard rule. Scores in the "good" range (670–739) and "excellent" range (740+) have the best odds of approval. If your score is below 670, you may still be approved, but it's less common.
Citi also looks at your income, employment history, and existing debt. If you have many recent credit inquiries or recently opened several new accounts, that can lower your odds. The company wants to see that you manage credit responsibly and aren't taking on too much debt at once.
You can check your own credit score for free through your bank, credit card issuer, or services like AnnualCreditReport.com. Knowing your score before you explore helps you understand your likelihood of approval.
How to redeem your cash back
Cash back appears in your rewards account automatically as you earn it. You have three main options for using it.
Statement credit: You can explore your cash back balance directly to your credit card bill. This is the fastest and simplest option. You log into your Citi account, go to the rewards section, and choose to redeem as a statement credit. The amount posts within one or two billing cycles.
Bank transfer: You can transfer your cash back to a linked bank account. This takes three to five business days and gives you the cash in your checking or savings account instead of reducing your card balance.
Other redemptions: Citi also lets you redeem for gift cards, travel bookings, or merchandise through their rewards portal, though the value is often lower than the cash value of your points.
There is no minimum redemption amount. You can redeem $5 or $500 whenever you want. There is also no expiration date on your cash back as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Comparing the Citi Double Cash to other flat-rate cards
Several other cards also offer flat cash back rates without annual fees. The main competitors are the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% on all purchases), the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% on all purchases), and the American Express Blue Cash Everyday (1% on all purchases, 3% on groceries up to $6,000 per year).
The Double Cash's 2% rate is higher than most flat-rate cards, which typically offer 1.5%. However, you have to complete both the purchase and the payment to earn the full 2%, whereas other cards give you the full rate at purchase time. If you forget to pay off a purchase before the next statement closes, you lose that second 1%.
If you want bonus categories (higher rates on groceries, gas, or dining), cards like the Chase Freedom Flex or the Capital One Venture X offer more than 2% on specific purchases, though they usually charge an annual fee. The Double Cash has no annual fee and no categories to track, which appeals to people who want simplicity over maximum rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay my full balance to get the 2% cash back?
You have to pay off each individual purchase to earn the second 1% on that purchase. If you buy $100 and pay $50, you earn 1% at purchase ($1) and 0.5% when you pay ($0.50), for a total of $1.50. You only earn the full 2% once the entire $100 is paid off.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Your cash back balance remains in your account and you can redeem it even after you close the card. However, you cannot earn new cash back once the account is closed. It's a good idea to redeem any remaining balance before closing.
Can I use this card internationally?
Yes. There are no foreign transaction fees, so you pay the same 2% cash back rate whether you're spending in the United States or abroad. Citi will convert the foreign currency to US dollars at their exchange rate.
What's the difference between this card and a rewards card that gives points instead of cash back?
Cash back is a direct reduction in what you owe; points are a separate currency that you redeem for travel, merchandise, or other rewards. Cash back is simpler and more flexible because you can use it however you want. Points often have higher stated values but lower real-world value depending on what you redeem them for.
Does explore for this card hurt my credit score?
explore triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months. However, if you explore for multiple cards in a short time, the cumulative effect is larger. Space out applications by at least a few months if you're planning to explore for several cards.