Citi Double Cash® Card
Simple 2% Cashback on Everything
Practical Recommendation
If you want simple, guaranteed money back with no annual fee, this is it. Citi Double Cash gives you 2% back on everything—1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay the bill—so you're rewarded for not carrying a balance. No categories to track, no quarterly activations, no "read the fine print" homework.
Two caveats: there's a foreign transaction fee (about 3%), so don't use it abroad, and it's a straight-shooting cash card—travel hackers will want a companion card later. Bottom line: a fantastic default, do-nothing card for everyday spend; add a travel card only if you're ready to learn the points game.
Perks
- 2% Back on Everything – Earn 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay. It's intentionally boring—in a good way. Great as your "use-everywhere" card when you don't want to think.
- 5% Back on Citi Travel Portal (Select bookings) – Citi currently advertises a total 5% back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel with this card. Useful if the price matches what you see elsewhere; always double-check.
- No Annual Fee – Easy to keep forever to help your credit history, with no ongoing cost.
Protections
- $0 Liability + Quick Lock – Fraud charges aren't your problem, and you can lock the card instantly in the Citi app if it goes missing. Practical peace of mind.
- Extended Warranty (Citi-issued) – Citi has been re-adding extended warranty to Double Cash, which can add extra coverage to eligible manufacturer warranties when you pay with the card. Check your benefits hub to confirm your account's coverage and limits.
Hybrid (Optional): Convert Cash to ThankYou Points
Citi Double Cash is an easy, guaranteed 2% back. If you want extra value, pair it with Citi Strata Premier (formerly Citi Premier): move your rewards into the Premier account, then transfer to airline/hotel partners for redemptions that can beat the simple "one cent per point" math. It's not magic—you'll need to learn award bookings and be flexible. Check out our Level 2 Travel Learning section.