Citi Double Cash Credit Card Ranking
Rewards Program (30 points)
- Points, Miles, or Cash Back Rates (15 points): The Citi Double Cash Card provides a consistent 2% cash back across all purchases. Since this is a high rate for all purchases (even if not category-specific), it earns the card 13 points here.
- Redemption Flexibility (10 points): With cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit, deposited into your bank, or converted to Citi ThankYou points, the card offers exceptional flexibility in terms of rewards redemption. This earns the card 10 points.
- Rewards Expiration and Transfer Options (5 points): The card’s rewards don’t expire as long as the account is active, and the option to transfer cash back to Citi ThankYou points adds an additional layer of flexibility. The card earns 5 points here.
Total Rewards Program Score: 28/30
Welcome Offer (20 points)
- Value (15 points): Although Citi Double Cash does not offer a traditional welcome offer, the ongoing earning potential with no annual fee compensates for this to some extent. While it still doesn’t warrant a score in this category, the lack of a welcome offer shouldn’t overshadow the card’s strong rewards system.
- Ease of Earning (5 points): Since there’s no welcome offer, there’s no earning involved here either. The score in this category remains 0 points.
Total Welcome Offer Score: 0/20
Fees (10 points)
- Annual Fee (6 points): With no annual fee, Citi Double Cash remains attractive for budget-conscious users, earning it 6 points.
- Foreign Transaction Fees (4 points): The 3% foreign transaction fee is a drawback for international use, but this limitation won’t affect many users who don’t travel abroad frequently. As a result, this category still earns 1 points.
Total Fees Score: 7/10
APR and Financing Options (15 points)
- Introductory APR (5 points): Citi Double Cash provides 0% introductory APR for 18 months on balance transfers, a highly competitive offer. While it doesn’t include purchases, the long balance transfer promotion earns the card 4 points.
- Standard APR (5 points): The standard APR range of 18.99%-28.99% is typical for cash-back cards, making it neither particularly low nor overly high. The card earns 4 points here.
- Balance Transfer Options (5 points): With a solid balance transfer option of 0% APR for 18 months and a moderate 3%-5% transfer fee, the Citi Double Cash card remains a strong contender for balance transfers, earning it 5 points.
Total APR and Financing Options Score: 13/15
Cardholder Benefits (15 points)
- Travel Benefits (5 points): Citi Double Cash lacks substantial travel perks, but its ability to convert cash back to Citi ThankYou points, which can be used with travel partners, adds some travel value. It earns 3 points for limited travel benefits.
- Purchase Protection and Insurance (5 points): The card offers both purchase protection and extended warranty benefits, earning it a solid 5 points in this category.
- Other Perks (5 points): While it doesn’t offer premium perks like luxury cards, the ability to access Citi Entertainment and convert rewards to points is a valuable benefit. It earns 4 points here.
Total Cardholder Benefits Score: 11/15
Subjective Prestige (10 points)
- Perceived Status and Exclusivity (10 points): While the card isn’t viewed as prestigious or exclusive, its solid reputation as a reliable and high-earning cash-back card gives it a sense of value and recognition. It earns 5 points for perceived prestige.
Total Prestige Score: 5/10
Final Total Score: 65/100
Recommendation: Recommended with Reservations.
The Citi Double Cash Card offers substantial value through its 2% cash back, flexible redemption options, and no annual fee. While it lacks a welcome offer and travel perks, it remains a solid choice for users seeking consistent cash-back earnings without any frills. Its strong rewards structure and zero annual fee make it a top contender in the cash-back credit card market.