Citi Double Cash Card

The classic no-fee flat-rate card: 2% back on every purchase, 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.

Who it's for

This card fits you if you want one card that earns the same good rate on everything with no annual fee. You earn 2% on every purchase: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay it off. There are no categories to track and no caps to watch. It also has an intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, which can help if you're paying down a balance from another card.

Who should skip it

Skip it if most of your spending is in one area like groceries, dining or travel, where a category card earns more. It's not a good card for trips abroad because of foreign transaction fees. And if you're moving a balance, read the balance transfer fee on Citi's page and make sure you can pay the balance off before the intro period ends.

How to get the most from it

Use it as your default card for anything that doesn't earn more somewhere else. Pay your statement in full every month; the second 1% only arrives when you pay, so paying on time is part of how the card works. If you use the balance transfer offer, divide the balance by 18 and set up an automatic payment for at least that amount so it's gone before the regular APR starts. Pair it with a grocery or dining card if those are big categories for you.

Pros

• 2% on every purchase, no categories
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
• Easy to understand

Cons

• No bonus categories
• Foreign transaction fees
• Balance transfers usually carry a fee
• High regular APR after the intro period

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi Double Cash really 2%?

Yes. You earn 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay for it, so paying your bill completes the 2%.

Is the Citi Double Cash good for balance transfers?

It offers 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Check the transfer fee on Citi's page, and plan to pay off the balance within those 18 months.

Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash?

Both earn 2% on purchases with no annual fee. The Active Cash adds a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; the Double Cash has a longer 18-month intro APR on balance transfers. Pick the intro offer you'll actually use.

Can you use the Citi Double Cash abroad?

You can, but foreign transaction fees apply, so a no-foreign-fee card is better for travel.