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Credit Card Review

Citi Double Cash Review (2026)

The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) with no annual fee and the option to convert cash to Citi ThankYou points. Here is our full 2026 review.

By the Fintiex Rate Desk · Updated April 28, 2026
TL;DR
Rewards Rate
2% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
BT Intro APR
0% / 18mo
Fintiex Score
8.5 / 10
Pros
  • + Effective 2% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions
  • + $0 annual fee
  • + 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (3% fee)
  • + Cash back converts to Citi ThankYou points at 1:1, enabling transfer to airline partners
  • + No rotating categories or activation requirements
  • + Free FICO score access through Citi mobile
Cons
  • - No traditional sign-up bonus (unlike Wells Fargo Active Cash at $200)
  • - ThankYou partner transfers require a separate premium card (Citi Strata Premier) to unlock full value
  • - 3% foreign transaction fee

Overview

The Citi Double Cash Card has been the benchmark for no-annual-fee flat-rate cash back since Citi introduced it in 2014. The mechanics are simple: earn 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay the bill. Net result: 2% on everything, with the structure designed to nudge cardholders toward paying in full rather than revolving a balance. It is an elegant alignment of incentives.

The more interesting development is the ThankYou points angle. Since Citi relaunched the Double Cash as a ThankYou points card, cash back rewards can be converted to ThankYou points and, when paired with a premium Citi card like the Strata Premier, transferred to airline partners including Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Avianca LifeMiles, and Singapore KrisFlyer. For cardholders willing to engage with the transfer game, the effective value per point can exceed 2 cents, making the Double Cash a surprisingly versatile everyday earner.

Without a premium Citi card, cash back redemption is straightforward: statement credit, direct deposit, or check starting at $25. The card does not offer a traditional upfront bonus, which is the main reason it occasionally loses in head-to-head comparisons to the Wells Fargo Active Cash. For cardholders who plan to keep a card for years and do not place high value on bonuses, the Double Cash is equally strong.

Rewards Structure

  • All purchases (buy phase)1% cash back
  • All purchases (pay phase)1% cash back
  • Effective rate (full payer)2% cash back
  • Earnings capUnlimited
  • ThankYou conversion1:1 (100 pts per $1 cash back)

Cash back is earned as ThankYou points at a rate of 2 points per $1. Redemption as cash back gives 1 cent per point. Transferring to airline partners (when paired with a premium Citi card) can unlock higher value. Minimum redemption for cash is $25.

Fees and APR

  • Annual fee$0
  • Intro APR (purchases)None
  • Intro APR (balance transfers)0% for 18 months
  • Ongoing APR18.74%--28.74% variable
  • Balance transfer fee3% (min $5)
  • Foreign transaction fee3%

Sign-Up Offer

Citi periodically offers a limited-time balance transfer promotion for new Double Cash cardholders: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers with a 3% fee. There is no traditional upfront cash bonus. This puts the Double Cash at a slight disadvantage versus the Active Cash's $200 bonus for new-account value, but the card's long-term earn rate is identical and the ThankYou points flexibility is an added dimension the Active Cash lacks.

Best for
  • Cardholders who pay in full each month and want simple, unlimited 2% back
  • Citi ecosystem users who also carry a Strata Premier for ThankYou partner transfers
  • Anyone who wants a 2% catch-all and plans to hold the card long-term
Look elsewhere if
  • You want an upfront cash bonus (Active Cash offers $200 after $500 spend)
  • You need 0% intro APR on new purchases (the Double Cash offers none)
  • You want cell phone protection on a 2% card (Active Cash includes it)

How It Compares

Card
Cash Back
Bonus
Transfer Option
Double Cash
2% (1+1)
None
Yes (w/ premium)
Active Cash
2% flat
$200
No
Discover it
5% / 1%
Match yr 1
No

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I earn cash back if I only pay the minimum?
Yes, but only partially. You earn 1% when you make purchases and a second 1% as you pay off the balance. If you revolve a balance and only pay the minimum, you will eventually earn the second 1% but interest charges will far outweigh the rewards. Pay in full each month to capture the full 2% effectively.
How do I convert cash back to ThankYou points?
Your Double Cash rewards accumulate as ThankYou points in your account (2 points per $1 in purchases). Redemption as cash back converts at 1 cent per point. To use them for airline transfers, you need to link the Double Cash to a premium Citi ThankYou card like the Strata Premier and then transfer through the ThankYou portal.
Is the Double Cash the same as the Active Cash?
Both earn 2% with no annual fee, but the structure differs. The Active Cash earns a flat 2% on every purchase. The Double Cash earns 1% on purchase and 1% on payment. The Active Cash also has a $200 sign-up bonus and cell phone protection. The Double Cash has ThankYou points flexibility and an 18-month 0% BT offer.
Does the Double Cash have a minimum redemption?
Yes. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or check starting at $25. ThankYou points have a 500-point minimum for most redemptions.
Can I use the Double Cash abroad?
Technically yes, but the 3% foreign transaction fee makes it expensive. Plan to use a no-foreign-fee card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred for international travel.
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