Citi Double Cash® Card
vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express

Shield Insurance

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Both the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express cater to those who value cash back rewards. However, they shine in different scenarios. The Citi Double Cash offers 2% cash back on all purchases, making it the better option for straightforward, across-the-board rewards.

However, the Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% cash back on supermarket purchases and streaming services, making it a strong contender for those who spend heavily in these categories. While the Blue Cash Preferred Card has an annual fee after the first year, its targeted rewards can outweigh this cost for the right user.

Credit Card logo for Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Credit Card logo for Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you value simplicity and consistent rewards across all your spending. With no annual fee and a flat 2% cash back on every purchase, it's a straightforward choice for those who want to earn cash back without tracking bonus categories or spending caps.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if your spending aligns with its bonus categories. With 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on select streaming subscriptions, plus additional rewards on gas and transit, this card can offer significant value, especially if you can offset the annual fee with the cash back earned.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will clarify the differences between the Citi Double Cash and Blue Cash Preferred. Choose the card with benefits that align with your spending habits, such as Citi Double Cash for flat-rate rewards or Blue Cash Preferred for higher cash back on supermarket purchases.

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    Regular APR: Citi Double Cash

    For regular APR, the Citi Double Cash edges out slightly with a lower maximum APR of 29.24% than the Blue Cash Preferred card's APR of up to 29.99%.

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    Annual Fee: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash is better for avoiding annual fees as it doesn't impose one. The Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    For balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash offers a 0% APR for 18 months, with a 5% transfer fee. The Blue Cash Preferred offers a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, with a 3% transfer fee. Depending on your needs for balance transfers or new purchases, either card could be beneficial.

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    Rewards: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash outperforms in rewards, offering a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay. Additionally, it features a limited-time 5% cash back on travel booked through the Citi portal. In contrast, the Blue Cash Preferred card provides 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit and 1% on other purchases.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Double Cash

    For welcome offers, the Citi Double Cash outperforms with a higher return on investment (ROI) of 13.33% than Blue Cash Preferred's ROI of 8.33%, making it the better choice for those prioritizing introductory rewards.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Citi Double Cash and the Blue Cash Preferred cater to individuals with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850, indicating good to excellent credit. With identical recommended credit score requirements, choosing between these cards on this basis results in a tie.

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    Penalties and Fees: Blue Cash Preferred

    When comparing penalties and fees, the Blue Cash Preferred edges out slightly ahead due to its lower foreign transaction fee of 2.7% than Citi Double Cash's 3%. The Blue Cash Preferred also has a marginally lower late fee. Both cards have similar cash advance fees and penalty APRs.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Blue Cash Preferred

    The Blue Cash Preferred's issuer, American Express, leads with an issuer satisfaction rating of 5.0. Citibank, which issues the Blue Cash Preferred card, has a rating of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks beyond their rewards programs. The Blue Cash Preferred provides benefits like a $0 introductory plan fee on the Plan It® feature and a $84 Disney Bundle Credit, enhancing its value for specific spending habits. The Citi Double Cash offers $0 liability, protecting you from unauthorized charges, ID Theft Protection and access to Citi Entertainment®. Choosing between them depends on which perks align best with your spending patterns.

Rewards Comparison

The Blue Cash Preferred is better for those who frequently spend at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming services. It offers an impressive 6% cash back in these categories. It also provides 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, which can benefit daily commuters.

However, Citi Double Cash is a strong contender for its simplicity. It offers a flat 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay for those purchases — without the need to track specific categories. While it doesn't offer the same high rewards rate on groceries or gas, its consistent reward structure across all spending makes it a versatile choice for those who prefer a straightforward rewards program.

The table below outlines bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards at a glance.

Category
Citi Double Cash
Blue Cash Preferred

U.S. Supermarkets

2%

6% for the first $6,000 annually/1% thereafter

U.S. Streaming Subscriptions

2%

6%

U.S. Gas Stations

2%

3%

Transit

2%

3%

Travel Booked Through Issuer Portal

5% through December 31, 2024

1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Citi Double Cash allows for cash back redemption via direct deposit, statement credit or check, with no expiration for the life of the account.

The Blue Cash Preferred offers redemption as a statement credit or for purchases at Amazon.com, also without expiration.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Citi Double Cash and Blue Cash Preferred using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. In this comparison, both cards are assessed based on their performance in the cash back category. The largest factors influencing their scores include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Citi Double Cash vs. Blue Cash Preferred

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Is there an annual fee for either card?
Do these cards offer introductory APR periods?
How do the balance transfer terms compare between the two cards?
Which card is better for grocery shopping?

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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