Citi Rewards+ vs. Citi Double Cash Credit Card Comparison

Q: Are there any annual fees for the Citi Rewards+ or the Citi Double Cash?

Both are great cards with no annual fee .

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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.

Citi Rewards+® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% variable
18.49% - 28.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
-
Intro Offer
Earn 20,000 Points
Earn $200 Cash Back
Rewards Summary
Earn 1X–5X ThankYou® Points
Earn 1%–5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, introductory fee for transfers made within 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
3 percent intro balance transfer fee ($5 minimum; 5 percent after the first four months)
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness
Up to 29.99% variable
Not sure?
The Citi Double Cash offers a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, which may appeal to those seeking simplicity in rewards. In contrast, the Citi Rewards+ shines with its round-up feature and bonus points on travel, supermarkets and gas stations, catering to frequent travelers and small purchase enthusiasts.
While both cards offer introductory APR periods, the Citi Rewards extends this to purchases, making it a better fit for new spending. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference; if you would prefer higher cash back rates or earning points with bonuses for specific categories and purchases.

Which Card Is Better for You?

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.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

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.

Regular APR: Citi Rewards+

The Citi Rewards offers a lower starting APR range than the Citi Double Cash Card, with rates of 18.74% compared to 19.24%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Citi Double Cash and Citi Rewards+ Cards offer the advantage of a $0 annual fee.

Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Rewards+

For introductory 0% APRs, the Citi Rewards+ card outperforms with its 15-month 0% APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers, despite the Citi Double Cash card's longer 18-month offer on balance transfers alone. The Citi Rewards+ also has a more favorable balance transfer fee during the introductory period.

Rewards: Tie

The Citi Double Cash excels with a simple 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. The Citi Rewards+ card shines for those who spend specifically on supermarkets and gas stations, offering 2X ThankYou Points on these categories for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X points thereafter, plus a unique feature of rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. Additionally, the Citi Rewards+ offers 10% points back on redemptions up to 100,000 points per year.

Welcome Offers: Tie

Both the Citi Rewards+ and Citi Double Cash cards offer a similar value in their welcome offers. The Citi Double Cash offers $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first six months, while the Citi Rewards+ offers 20,000 bonus points, also after spending $1,500 in purchases within three months, redeemable for $200 in gift cards.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the cards require a credit score range of 670 to 850, classified as good to excellent.

Penalties and Fees: Tie

Both cards impose similar penalties and fees, including up to $41 for late payments, up to 29.99% penalty APR, cash advance fees of either $10 or 5% of the amount, and a 3% foreign transaction fee. Neither card offers a clear advantage in this category.

Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

Both the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Double Cash are issued by Citibank, resulting in identical issuer satisfaction scores of 4.1.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

The Citi Rewards+ card automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, with no cap, making it potentially more rewarding for small purchases. Meanwhile, the Citi Double Cash card offers a special 5% cash back on travel booked through Citi Travel until 12/31/24, appealing for frequent travelers.

Rewards Comparison

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.

Category	Citi Double Cash	Citi Rewards+
Supermarkets	2%	2X points for the first $6,000 annually/1X thereafter
Gas Stations	2%	2X points for the first $6,000 annually/1X thereafter
Travel booked through Citi Travel portal	5% through 12/31/24	5X points through 12/31/25
All Other Purchases	2%	1X points

Redeeming Rewards

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.

Methodology

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.

FAQ: Citi Rewards+ vs. Citi Double Cash Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Rewards+ and the Citi Double Cash?

The Citi Rewards+ rounds up points and offers 5X points on travel, while the Citi Double Cash provides 2% cash back on all purchases. Both are among the best cards for earning rewards.

Which card offers a better introductory APR on balance transfers?

The Citi Double Cash offers 0% APR for 18 months, compared to 15 months with the Citi Rewards+. These are both great balance transfer cards.

Are there any annual fees for the Citi Rewards+ or the Citi Double Cash?

Both are great cards with no annual fee.

How do the Citi Rewards+ and Citi Double Cash compare in terms of foreign transaction fees?

Both cards charge a 3% fee. There are other cards with no foreign transaction fee.

Can I earn bonus points or cash back with either the Citi Rewards+ or the Citi Double Cash?

Yes, both cards offer bonus points or cash back on qualifying purchases.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

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.

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