If you want a simple cash-back card you can apply for in minutes, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a straight-shooter.
You earn 2% total on purchases—1% when you buy and 1% when you pay—with no annual fee.
Below is a verified, sources-only guide covering rewards, current rates and fees, how to apply, and official contact details.
What the Citi Double Cash Card Offers
You earn 2% total on every purchase: 1% at the time of purchase and another 1% as you make payments (at least the minimum due).
Rewards are tracked as ThankYou® Points (1 point per $1 when you buy + 1 point per $1 as you pay).
They can be redeemed for cash back or other options.
Occasional sign-up offer
Citi has advertised $200 cash back (20,000 ThankYou Points) after $1,500 in purchases within 6 months of account opening.
Offers can change, so confirm the exact bonus on the application page at the time you apply.
Extra on Citi Travel
Citi currently highlights 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel® portal
Base 1% + 1% as you pay, plus an additional 3% on those travel bookings.
24/7 support. Citi lists round-the-clock customer service for cardholders.
Redemption & Managing Rewards
You must pay at least the minimum due on time to earn the second 1%. Rewards are accrued as ThankYou Points.
Redeem for cash back (statement credit, direct deposit, or check) or for gift cards, travel, and “Shop with Points at Amazon”.
Redemption rates can vary outside of cash back.
Current Rates & Fees (Schumer-box summary)
The following figures come from Citi’s current Pricing Information for the Double Cash.
Rates vary with the Prime Rate and by your credit profile. Always review the issuer’s current disclosures during the application.
- Purchase APR: 17.99%–27.99% variable.
- Balance Transfer APR: 17.99%–27.99% variable (after any intro period).
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable.
- Penalty APR: up to 29.99% variable; may apply indefinitely after a late or returned payment.
- Minimum interest charge: $0.50 (if interest is charged).
- Annual fee: None.
- Balance transfer fee: Intro 3% (min $5) on transfers made within 4 months of account opening; then 5% (min $5).
- Cash advance fee: $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater.
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
- Late/returned payment fee: up to $41 each.
Balance transfers, cash advances, fees, and similar “cash-like” transactions do not earn rewards under the program terms.
Intro APR & Balance Transfers
Citi materials for Double Cash indicate a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (after which the standard variable APR applies).
You must complete transfers within the timeframe Citi specifies (commonly within 4 months), and intro APR does not apply to purchases.
Always check the live application page for the exact promo and timing before you submit.
Who the Card Fits
If you prefer simple, uncapped rewards with no annual fee, the 2% structure is reliable for general spending.
The intro BT offer can help you reduce interest on existing balances—just budget for the intro 3% transfer fee and plan payoff before the intro window ends.
If you occasionally travel via Citi Travel, you can pick up 5% total on eligible bookings made in the Citi Travel portal.
How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
Prefer to apply by phone? Citi lists 1-877-645-3708 for Double Cash applications.
- Check the official Double Cash page. Review the current rewards, rates, and any intro offer. Citi indicates you can get a response in under a minute after submitting.
- Review “Important Pricing & Information.” Open the Schumer-box to confirm APR ranges, fees, and the BT fee (3% intro, then 5%).
- Complete the application. Provide personal info (name, address, income, housing, SSN/ITIN) and consent to a credit check.
- Submit and review the decision. If approved, you’ll see your credit limit and can often access a digital card or set up your online account immediately. (Exact features may vary.)
Official Contact Information (Citi)
General Citi Cards customer service (24/7): 1-800-950-5114 (TTY: 711; Spanish: 1-800-947-9100).
Apply by phone (Double Cash): 1-877-645-3708.
Corporate address (U.S. headquarters): 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013.
Pros and Cons (Quick Take)
Pros
- 2% total everyday cash back with simple rules.
- No annual fee.
- Attractive BT intro APR window for consolidating higher-APR balances (terms apply).
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee makes it a weaker choice for frequent international purchases.
- Intro APR generally doesn’t cover purchases.
- No bonus categories (beyond Citi Travel bookings), so heavy spenders in specific categories might earn more elsewhere.
Citi Cards Comparison
Here’s a quick, verified side-by-side of Citi Double Cash vs other popular Citi cards.
| Card | Core rewards | Intro APR (purchases / balance transfers) | Standout features / best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Double Cash® | 2% total on every purchase (1% when you buy + 1% as you pay). Plus 5% total on hotels, car rentals & attractions booked via Citi Travel. | BT: intro 0% for 18 months; Purchases: no intro listed. | Simple, “set-and-forget” cash back; good if you want one flat-rate card or need a BT window. |
| Citi Custom Cash® | 5% on your top eligible category each billing cycle up to $500 spend; 1% thereafter & on other purchases. + 4% additional on Citi Travel hotels/car rentals/attractions. | Purchases & BT: intro 0% for 15 months. | Great if your spending naturally concentrates in one category each month (restaurants, grocery, gas, etc.). |
| Citi Strata℠ (no-annual-fee) | 5x on Citi Travel hotels/car rentals/attractions; 3x supermarkets; 3x select transit & gas/EV; 3x one Self-Select category; 2x restaurants; 1x other. | Purchases & BT: intro offer available (duration varies; check page). | Broad everyday categories without an annual fee; has basic points transfer partners (JetBlue/Choice/Wyndham). |
| Citi Strata Premier® | 10x on Citi Travel hotels/car rentals/attractions; 3x air travel & other hotel purchases; 3x restaurants, supermarkets, gas/EV; 1x other. | No intro APR advertised; standard variable APR 20.24%–28.24% for purchases/BT. | $100 annual hotel benefit via Citi Travel; stronger travel earn + protections; full ThankYou® transfer partner list. |
| Citi Simplicity® | No rewards. | Purchases & BT: intro APRs available (length varies by offer); hallmark features are no late fees and no penalty APR. | Best if you want maximum payment flexibility and a long intro APR with fewer gotchas. |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® | No rewards. | Purchases & BT: intro APRs available (length varies by offer); designed for balance transfers. | Long intro APR focus; includes free access to your FICO® Score. |
Conclusion
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a no-annual-fee workhorse built for simple, reliable rewards.
If you want flat 2% without tracking categories—and you might use a balance transfer intro APR to reduce interest—the package is hard to beat.
Just factor in the 3% foreign transaction fee for overseas use and confirm the current sign-up bonus and BT window before you apply.
Disclaimer: Rates, fees, rewards, and promotional offers change frequently. The figures in this article are accurate as of October 15, 2025 to the best of our knowledge. Always review Citi’s live “Important Pricing & Information” and application disclosures on the official site before applying or making financial decisions.
