Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Citi Double Cash® Card a standout choice.

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• It offers an effective 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay—with no need to track rotating categories.
• The card provides one of the longest introductory APR periods available for balance transfers, making it a great tool for managing existing debt.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance, for example, could save you roughly $1,500 in interest over the introductory period, even after the one-time transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earns a high, flat rate of cash back on everything you buy, with a unique structure that rewards you again when you pay your bill.
• Features a lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers, giving you ample time to manage and pay down existing debt.
• Comes with no annual fee, so you can enjoy its benefits without a yearly cost.

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Cons

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• Charges a fee on purchases made outside the U.S., making it less ideal for international travel.
• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and does not apply to new purchases.
• Lacks bonus rewards categories and premium perks like travel insurance or purchase protection.

Citi Double Cash® vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When considering which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash, the answer often comes down to your primary financial goal. Each card excels in a different area, making one a better fit depending on whether you prioritize earning rewards or managing existing debt.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for cash back seekers who want to earn consistent rewards on their daily spending without needing to keep track of complicated rotating categories.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is ideal for those looking to perform balance transfers, as it offers a generous introductory period to help manage and pay down existing debt.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that offer flexible redemption options, including cash back, travel booked through Chase, and gift cards. These points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock even more valuable travel redemptions.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. The process is simple, making it easy to get your cash back without much fuss.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While not a premium travel card, it provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. It does come with a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for international use. The card offers some basic travel protections but does not include perks like airport lounge access.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card's travel benefits are minimal, as its main focus is straightforward cash back. Cardholders have access to the Citi ThankYou® portal for travel bookings, but like its competitor, it also charges a foreign transaction fee. It does not offer airport lounge access or other significant travel perks.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized approach, Kudos offers a comprehensive tool to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Simulate potential rewards and the net value of any card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Extra Rewards: Earn additional "Kudos Boost" rewards when shopping online and unlock a $100 Kickstart+ bonus for adding eligible cards to your account.
• Financial Management: Track your spending, monitor transactions, and stay on top of your credit score from a single platform.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great fit for everyday spenders who value straightforward rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's also an excellent choice for existing Chase customers looking to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points, especially when paired with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. With no annual fee and valuable perks like purchase protection and trip cancellation insurance, it offers a solid foundation for anyone new to rewards or building a multi-card strategy, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who want a straightforward, high-earning cash back card for all their spending without the hassle of tracking categories. It's also particularly valuable for individuals looking to consolidate and pay off high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its generous 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, anyone seeking a no-annual-fee card that delivers consistent value on every purchase will find this card to be a strong contender, as detailed in this Citi Double Cash review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Citi Double Cash® comparison shows that neither card is a perfect match for your wallet, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Let's look at a few other top-tier cash-back cards that might be a better fit.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most rewards cards require good to excellent credit.
• Define your primary goal, such as earning rewards on daily spending or consolidating debt with a balance transfer.
• Research the card’s reward ecosystem to plan how you’ll use your points.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application around large purchases to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Be aware of issuer-specific rules that might affect your eligibility for a new card or bonus.
• Consider how a new card can be paired with others you hold to maximize overall rewards.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Citi Double Cash card?

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Yes, you can absolutely have both cards in your wallet. Since they are issued by different banks, applying for one will not prevent you from getting the other, assuming you meet each issuer's application requirements.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Citi® Double Cash Card are popular choices in part because neither one charges an annual fee. This makes them great long-term cards to keep open.

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What credit score do I need for the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Citi Double Cash?

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While issuers don't publish exact credit score requirements, both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score. This typically means a score of 670 or higher.

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