Citi Double Cash Review – Earn 1% + 1% Cash Back

The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a unique cash back reward. You earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase + 1% cash back when you pay your credit card bill on time. It also offers an excellent 0% introductory rate on balance transfers and purchases. It’s the card I use everyday.

There are other cards that pay 2%, but only if you use the rewards for travel (e.g., Capital One Venture Rewards) or have an account at Fidelity (e.g., American Express Fidelity card). With the Citi® Double Cash Card, there are no such requirements, as you’ll see in this review.

Citi® Double Cash Card Snapshot

• 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.49 – 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness
• There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• The only card that earns you cash back TWICE on every purchase with:

• 1% cash back when you buy
• Plus 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases, whether you pay in full or over time*
• No Category Restrictions, No Caps, No Enrollments in Rotating Categories
• No Annual Fee

Looking for a card with an upfront bonus?  A great alternative to the Citi Double Cash Card is the Barclaycard CashForward™ World MasterCard®.  It offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases (plus a 5% cash redemption bonus) as well as a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of card ownership.

How Double Cash Works

One draw to this card is its simplicity. There are no rotating categories and rewards do not need to be spent in a certain way to get the maximum benefit. Instead, simply use the card and make at least the minimum payment on time.

You’ll earn 1% on every purchase with the card. You’ll then earn another 1% when you make at least the minimum payment on time. There is no need to pay the card in full. If you do, however, you’ll speed up earning the second 1% cash back. The result is that you can earn a total of 2% of the value of your purchases, so long as you make the minimum monthly payment on time.

Redeeming rewards is easy. You can apply them as a statement credit to your bill or use them to buy gift cards. You can also ask Citi to send you a check.

Last year we earned nearly $2,000 in cash back with this card. Granted, I paid for our children’s college tuition with the card, but why not? Here’s the email Citi® Double Cash Card sent me on the one year anniversary of getting the card:

0% Introductory Rate

The card offers a 0% APR introductory rate for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% fee of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater. This 0% deal compares favorably to the other no interest offers we track.

Other Perks

The Citi® Double Cash Card as a long list of additional benefits:

• A late fee pass: Citi gives you a pass on your first late fee.
• Citi^® Private Pass^®: As a Citi cardmember you’ll get access to purchase tickets to thousands of entertainment events and special experiences; including VIP packages, preferred & presale tickets to live concerts, family and comedy shows, plus sports clinics with celebrity athletes and culinary events with top chefs.
• Citi Price Rewind: After you make a purchase, Citi searches for a lower price. If they find a lower price within 60 days, you can get a refund of the difference up to $300 per item (up to $1,200 per year).
• EMV Chip Technology: The card has an EMV chip for added security.
• Damage & Theft Purchase Protection: You are covered up to $1,000 per item, up to $50,000 per year if purchases made with your Citi card are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase (90 days for New York residents).
• Extended Warranty: You may be able to add up to a year on your warranty of five years or less. You’re covered for up to $10,000 per year.
• Citi with Apple Pay^™: You can use ApplePay with your Citi® Double Cash Card.
• Citi^® Identity Theft Solutions: Citi offers assistance if your identity is stolen.
• $0 liability for unauthorized charges
• The Lost Wallet^® Service: Citi will replace your card usually within 24 hours. They will also provide you with emergency cash subject to your available cash advance limit.
• Worldwide Car Rental Insurance: You may be covered against theft or damage up to $50,000 for any rental car in any country when you pay with your Citi card and decline the rental company’s collision loss/damage insurance.
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection: If certain unforeseen events get in the way of your trip, you may be reimbursed for non–refundable trip expenses, like change fees, up to $1,500 per year provided you paid for the trip with your Citi card.
• Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance: Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance may offer some financial help to you or your loved ones if a tragic accident does occur, up to $250,000 in compensation.
• Our Concierge Service: Similar to a personal assistant, Citi’s concierge service is available 24/7 to help you with everything from making travel arrangements and dinner reservations, to ordinary conveniences like scheduling a cleaning service and finding a dog walker.

• Requires Excellent Credit
  Excellent Credit
  Credit cards for excellent credit areintended for those with a credit score of 700 or Higher.
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• Foreign transaction fee makes card not ideal for overseas travel
• No bonus offer on sign-up

Summary

• Snapshot
• Rates & Fees
• Ideal For