Discover it® Chrome
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

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Updated: June 24, 2024

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Both the Discover it Chrome and Citi Double Cash Card offer rewards and introductory APRs. For those seeking straightforward cash back on every purchase, the Citi Double Cash Card edges ahead with its 2% cash back on all purchases.

However, Discover it Chrome is also a strong card. Discover it Chrome offers 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. While both cards have their merits, the Citi Double Cash's higher cash back rate makes it a good choice for everyday spending. Yet, the Discover it Chrome should not be overlooked.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
Discover it® Chrome
Credit Card logo for Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
Rates & Fees
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
Rates & Fees
  • Regular APR
    18.24% - 28.24% variable
    19.24%–29.24% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 6 months on purchases
    -
    Intro Offer
    Cashback Match
    Earn $200 cash back
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1%–2% cash back
    Earn 1%–5% cash back
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 18 months on balance transfers
    0% for 18 months on balance transfers
    Balance Transfer Fee
    5% of the amount of each transfer after intro fee
    5% of each transfer ($5 minimum)
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Recommended Credit
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    Penalty APR
    None
    Up to 29.99% (Variable)
    Not sure?

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you value simplicity in earning rewards, as it offers a flat 2% cash back on all purchases without the need to track spending categories. This card is appealing if you're looking for a generous balance transfer offer to manage existing debt.

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you spend regularly on gas and dining, as it offers 2% cash back in these categories each quarter, up to a quarterly maximum. Additionally, this card is a better fit for international travel since it has no foreign transaction fees.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and additional features will help you assess which card matches your financial needs. For instance, if you frequently dine out or fill up your car, Discover it Chrome's gas and restaurant cash back might appeal to you. Alternatively, Citi Double Cash's flat-rate cash back could be more beneficial if you have varied spending.

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    Regular APR: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome has a lower starting APR of 18.24% compared to Citi Double Cash's 19.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Discover it Chrome and Citi Double Cash Card have no annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome offers a 0% APR for six months on purchases, making it superior for initial purchases. Both cards provide a 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers, but Discover's purchase offer stands out for new cardholders looking for purchase flexibility.

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    Rewards: Citi Double Cash

    For rewards, the Citi Double Cash Card edges out Discover it Chrome due to its straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay. Additionally, it offers a limited-time 5% cash back on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal.

    Discover it Chrome, however, provides 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and matches all cash back at the end of the first year. Both cards offer flexible redemption options and no expiration on rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash leads with a more lucrative welcome offer. It promises $200 cash back after a $1,500 spend within the first six months, translating to a higher return on investment. In contrast, Discover it Chrome offers a cash back match at the end of the first year, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards, but with a lower overall return on investment.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Discover it Chrome and Citi Double Cash cards cater to individuals with good to excellent credit scores, ranging from 670 to 850.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome offers more lenient penalties and fees, with no foreign transaction fee, no penalty APR and a late fee waiver on the first late payment. In contrast, Citi Double Cash imposes a late fee of up to $41, a penalty APR of up to 29.99% (variable) and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Chrome

    Discover leads in issuer satisfaction with a rating of 4.5, compared to Citibank's rating of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Discover it Chrome provides free overnight card replacement and helps reduce exposure of personal information online. The Citi Double Cash offers 5% back on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal.

Rewards Comparison

The Citi Double Cash leads with simple yet effective rewards, offering a flat 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay for those purchases. This is appealing for those who value a consistent rewards rate across all spending without having to track category bonuses.

The Discover it Chrome caters to those who frequently spend on gas and dining, offering 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. For all other purchases, it provides 1% cash back. While the Citi Double Cash maintains an edge with its overall reward rate, the Discover it Chrome could be more rewarding for those who spend heavily in its bonus categories.

Refer to the table below for a comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

Category
Discover it Chrome
Citi Double Cash

Gas Stations

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases quarterly

2%

Restaurants

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases quarterly

2%

Travel

1%

5% if purchased through Citi Travel portal/1%

All Other Purchases

1%

2% (1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay)

Redeeming Rewards

Discover it Chrome offers versatile redemption options. Cardholders can redeem their cash back for gift cards, statement credits or direct deposits. Discover it Chrome card also allows cash back to be used at Amazon.com checkout and for charitable donations, with the added benefit that rewards never expire.

Citi Double Cash offers flexible redemption options that do not expire for the life of the account. Whether you prefer statement credits, checks or using rewards for travel, each card provides a variety of choices for accessing your cash back. Citi Double Cash also allows for direct deposits, among other methods.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Discover it Chrome and Citi Double Cash cards based on their performance in various use cases. The evaluation considers factors such as the cash back rate and the value of introductory offers.

The factors used in our scoring include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for card offers. For a better understanding of our ranking process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Discover it Chrome vs. Citi Double Cash Card

What are the main differences in rewards between Discover it Chrome and Citi Double Cash?
Which card offers a better APR deal for balance transfers?
Are there any foreign transaction fees for either card?
How do the introductory offers for these cards compare?
Can I earn cash back on balance transfers with either card?

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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