Citi Rewards+® Card
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

Both the Citi Rewards+ card and the Citi Double Cash card offer compelling rewards and introductory offers, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to optimize their credit card benefits. The Citi Double Cash edges ahead with its straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, making it a standout choice for those who value simplicity and consistent rewards.

However, the Citi Rewards+ offers 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which can provide significant savings on interest. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on whether you prioritize cash back or saving on interest.

You might prefer the Citi Rewards if you frequently spend on gas and groceries and would benefit from earning extra points in these categories. Additionally, if you plan to book travel through CitiTravel.com, you could take advantage of the special offer for bonus points until the end of 2025. The card's unique feature of rounding up points on every purchase can also slightly boost your rewards over time.

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you value simplicity and a higher rewards rate on all purchases. With an effective 2% cash back rate — 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay for those purchases — it's a straightforward card for everyday spending. Additionally, if you're considering a balance transfer, the longer introductory APR period may be particularly appealing.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will clarify which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you carry a balance, the Citi Rewards+ card's introductory APR offer might be appealing. Alternatively, consistent spenders could benefit from the Citi Double Cash's flat-rate cash back. This section will guide you through each card's specifics to inform your choice.

The Citi Double Cash stands out for its simplicity and value, offering a flat 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This card is particularly appealing for its straightforward cash back program without the need to track spending categories. It also offers 5% cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal until the end of 2024.

The Citi Rewards+ card, while not as strong overall in terms of rewards rate, does offer a unique feature: all points earned are rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase, which can add up over time. Its most compelling bonus categories include 5X ThankYou Points on travel bookings through Citi Travel until the end of 2025 and 2X ThankYou Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year.

Following this section, you'll find a detailed table of bonus categories for both cards to help you compare their rewards programs.

After accumulating rewards on either card, you'll consider how to redeem them. With the Citi Double Cash, redemption is simple: cash back can be received as a direct deposit, statement credit or check, with no expiration as long as the account is open.

The Citi Rewards+ allows redemptions for gift cards, travel and merchandise, though the value may vary. ThankYou points also do not expire, providing flexibility over time. However, it's worth noting that points cannot be transferred to most of Citi's travel partners, which could be a limitation for some users.

MoneyGeek's ranking process assigns multiple scores to each credit card, reflecting different use cases such as cash back and balance transfers. The Citi Double Cash scores highest for cash back rewards, while the Citi Rewards+ is most notable for balance transfer offers.

Four major factors influence these scores: the effective reward rate, the regular APR, the introductory purchase rate and the issuer satisfaction rating. For a deeper understanding of our scoring system, you can explore our ranking methodology.