Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited: Which no-annual-fee cash back card is best?
Editor's Note
Quick summary
You might think you must pay an annual fee to get a good rewards credit card. But with offerings such as the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® from two top credit card providers, you can earn cash back without paying for the privilege.
Both of these cards offer very good cash-back rates on everyday purchases. While the Citi Double Cash earns a higher rate of 2% back (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay) compared to 1.5% on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the latter can compensate for that with even higher rates in certain bonus categories. Both cards allow you to convert your cash back into valuable transferable points for even more value.
How do these cards compare to each other? Which one makes it easiest to rack up the cash rewards fast? We'll look at how two of the best credit cards stack up in a head-to-head comparison.
Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited comparison
| Feature | Citi Double Cash | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. | Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| Everyday spending earning rate | 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you use the card and 1% when you pay). | 1.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases |
| Bonus categories | Earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal. | 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and at drugstores |
| Transfer partners | 3 if you only hold the Double Cash or 19 if you also hold a premium Citi card | None if you only hold the Chase Freedom Unlimited or 14 if you also hold a premium Chase card |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Foreign transaction fees | 3% | 3% |
Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome offer
The Citi Double Cash currently has a welcome offer of $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
On the other hand, the Freedom Unlimited offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited; it requires a third of the spending.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited benefits
Neither of these cards offers top-tier benefits such as a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, cellphone protection or rental car insurance. But considering these cards also carry no annual fee, the benefits aren't necessarily lacking.
The Citi Double Cash emphasizes security and credit management with a roster of benefits that include digital wallet compatibility and virtual account numbers to make online purchases more securely. You'll also have zero liability on unauthorized purchases, early fraud warning notifications and free access to your FICO credit score. Citi's Lost Wallet service can replace your Citi card in as little as 24 hours and provide emergency cash (subject to your card's cash-advance limit).
This card really shines, though, with the Citi Entertainment program. You can gain VIP access to concerts, sporting events and other entertainment experiences.
Like the Double Cash, the Freedom Unlimited offers zero liability on unauthorized purchases and unlimited access to your credit score through Chase's Credit Journey program. You also get purchase protection of up to $500 on every purchase (up to $50,000 per account) and extended warranty protection, giving you peace of mind when you use your Chase card to shop.
Additionally, Chase's partnership with food delivery service DoorDash gives Freedom Unlimited cardmembers a complimentary DashPass membership for three months (activate by Dec. 31, 2027). After that, cardholders will be auto-enrolled in DashPass at a 50% rate (so $4.99 per month).
Winner: Tie. The benefits for both cards seem largely comparable, with multiple fraud protection benefits and a host of convenient features. Chase wins out with the extended warranty and purchase protection. But if you're looking for unique experiences, the Citi Entertainment program delivers.
Related: How to identify and prevent credit card fraud
Earning rewards with the Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
With the Double Cash, you'll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% as you pay, for a total of 2% on every purchase. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal.
The Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% back on everything, plus 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% back on dining and 3% back at drugstores.
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited. While you can earn slightly more on all non-bonus spending with Citi than with Chase, the 3% rate on dining and drugstores will likely edge out the Citi Double Cash for most cardholders.
Related: 5 reasons to keep a cash-back credit card in your wallet
Redeeming rewards with the Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Both cards have multiple options for redeeming your cash back.
With the Double Cash, you can cash in your rewards for a statement credit, direct deposit, charitable donation, travel rewards and gift cards. You can also use your rewards to pay your mortgage or a student loan held by Citi.
Freedom Unlimited cardholders can choose from cash back deposited directly into their bank account or a statement credit. Gift cards are also an option and start as low as $5, which means you can start redeeming once you've accrued just 500 cents. You can also spend your points on Amazon, but you won't get the best value out of your rewards by doing this. You can also make a charitable contribution to a wide variety of 501(c)(3) corporations with your rewards.
Winner: Tie. Both the Citi Double Cash and Freedom Unlimited offer similar cash-back redemption options.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Sapphire Reserve, Ink Preferred and Freedom Unlimited
Transferring rewards with the Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Both cards earn cash-back rewards when used alone. However, pairing them with the right travel credit card can amplify the value of those rewards by opening up transfer partners.
If you also have a card like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), you can combine your rewards from the Citi Double Cash with those from the Strata Premier. This effectively converts the Citi Double Cash's rewards to fully-transferable ThankYou points with additional transfer partners. Since TPG values full Citi ThankYou points at 1.8 cents per point as of June 2024, having both the Citi Strata Premier and the Citi Double Cash can allow you to get a 3.6% return on your spending with the Double Cash card.
The Freedom Unlimited also allows you to transfer your cash-back earnings to Chase's travel partners — but only when paired with a full Chase Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. If you have one of these cards, you can combine your points in a single account, effectively converting your 1.5% cash back into 1.5 Chase points per dollar spent.
As of June 2024, TPG values Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece when you maximize your Ultimate Rewards redemptions, so that's a return of at least roughly 3% on purchases. TPG credit cards writer Olivia Mittak plans to use the Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred together to access Chase's transfer partners for optimal redemptions.
Winner: Tie. Both cards have the ability to transfer your points for more value when you have an accompanying higher-end card — though some may prefer Chase's slate of transfer partners.
Related: Current credit card transfer bonuses
Should I get the Citi Double Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Freedom Unlimited is likely the better option for most, given the bonus categories and welcome offer. However, both the Double Cash and Freedom Unlimited cards stand as solid cash-back rewards cards for everyday use, and they offer the ability to combine your earnings with higher-tier cards. Your choice will largely come down to your spending habits and issuer preference.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Bottom line
Getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited will help you get the most out of your spending thanks to several valuable bonus categories and a lucrative welcome offer. On the other hand, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a simple, straightforward cash-back rate without worrying about bonus categories, which makes it easy to shop and earn rewards.
Either is a great option for users looking for competitive returns without an annual fee.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Citi Double Cash and Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited