Why the Citi Double Cash will always have a place in my wallet
Editor's Note
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.
Who doesn't love a cash back card? If wallets were closets, there would be no better staple than a card that earns you cash back across every purchase — this means you're getting something back for every dollar you spend.
For me, there's one card that stands out above and beyond the rest for me: the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
The Citi Double Cash was named the Best Cash Back Credit Card at the 2024 TPG Awards for its hassle-free earning rate of 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases, so cardholders don't have to worry about bonus categories and, best of all, no annual fee.
At TPG, it's easy to get lost in the glitz and glam of premium travel credit cards — and while these do make a big difference in your overall travel experience — for me, no card can replace the Citi Double Cash in my wallet.
Here are four reasons why.
Unlimited cash back
The Citi Double Cash earns unlimited 2% cash back — 1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay for your purchase — on every purchase you make.
There are no limits or bonus categories to track — just unlimited cash back on everything you buy.
When I first started getting into the credit card rewards game, the Citi Double Cash quickly became one of my favorite cards. Thanks to its simple and straightforward earning structure, it's a great addition to any beginner's wallet.
The real bonus is that this card is also a great way to fill in gaps in my reward-earning strategy. I'm earning some type of credit card reward with every dollar I spend, regardless of which card I use.
No annual fee
Did I mention that this card features no annual fee? Not only does the Citi Double Cash help me earn on my regular spending, but it also does this without costing me a fee I have to pay year after year. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
With the Citi Double Cash, I never have to optimize my spending to justify its annual fee because it is a card that gives without asking for anything in return.
Great for balance transfers
At TPG, we recommend paying your cards off in full each month but also understand that sometimes, this isn't possible. If you're looking for a way to reduce high-interest credit card debt, the Citi Double Cash might be a good option for you since it offers a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) for 18 months on balance transfers.
Following the end of the introductory period, there will be a variable APR of 17.49%-27.49% based on your creditworthiness.
To qualify for this offer, new cardholders must complete the transfer within four months of opening their accounts; a 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) will apply.
This can help you consolidate your card debt so that you can quickly and effectively pay off your balances while saving on sky-high interest rates.
Ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points
Finally, one of the Citi Double Cash Card's most notable perks is that it earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou points.
These points can be redeemed for regular cash back or transferred to three loyalty partners — Choice Privileges, JetBlue TrueBlue and Wyndham Rewards.
However, if you also have a Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), these points can be combined in your Citi account and then transferred to any of Citi's various transfer partners. This helps you reap the maximum benefits of your rewards.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
There are tons of cash back cards on the market, but few knock it out of the park like the Citi Double Cash Card. I love knowing I get unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, anywhere, as a cardholder. As I add more cards to my wallet, the Citi Double Cash will remain a staple I reach for again and again.
To learn more about the card, check out our full Citi Double Cash review.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees