Citi Double Cash

Pros

• Flat 2% cash back on all purchases with no category tracking required.
• Excellent synergy with the Citi Custom Cash and Strata Premier for point pooling.
• Rewards can be converted to ThankYou Points for travel transfers if paired with a premium Citi card.
• Effective tool for building a credit profile with a consistent reward rate.
• No annual fee.

Cons

• Includes a Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF), making it unsuitable for international use.
• As a Mastercard, it is not accepted for in-warehouse purchases at Costco.
• Frequent complaints regarding the quality of the Citi mobile app and website interface.
• Reports of subpar customer service and a frustrating fraud department.

Caveats

• Full travel transfer capabilities require owning a premium card like the Citi Strata Premier.
• Accounts may be closed by the issuer after extended periods of inactivity.
• Competitors like the Wells Fargo Active Cash are often cited as having better additional features for the same 2% rate.

Best for

• Users seeking a simple, high-rate card for non-category spending.
• Loyal Citi customers looking to complete a multi-card reward setup.
• Cash-back enthusiasts who want the option to pivot into travel rewards later.

Avoid if

• You do the majority of your shopping in-person at Costco.
• You frequently travel abroad and need a card without foreign transaction fees.
• You prioritize a highly-rated mobile banking app and premium customer support.