United Explorer 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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This section breaks down why we like the Citi Double Cash® Card.

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• It offers a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, with 1% earned when you buy and the other 1% earned when you pay.
• With no annual fee, every dollar of cash back you earn is pure value without needing to offset a yearly charge.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance could save you approximately $1,350 in interest over the introductory period, even after accounting for the initial transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The rewards structure is simple and straightforward, with no need to track spending categories or activate special offers.
• It provides an extended introductory APR period for balance transfers, making it a strong choice for consolidating and paying down debt.
• Cash back can be redeemed in several ways, including the option to convert rewards into versatile travel points.

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Cons

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• It charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for international travel.
• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and does not apply to new purchases.
• It lacks bonus categories, so you won't earn accelerated rewards on specific types of spending like dining or gas.

Citi Double Cash® vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Citi Double Cash®, comes down to your spending habits and travel goals. One card is built for frequent flyers of a specific airline, while the other offers straightforward cash back on every purchase.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is best for frequent travelers, especially those who regularly fly with United Airlines and want to take advantage of airline-specific perks and travel benefits.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is ideal for users who want simple, high-earning cash back on everyday spending or those looking to consolidate debt with a balance transfer offer.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are earned as miles that can be redeemed through the United MileagePlus program for award flights, upgrades, and other travel purchases. Redemption is geared toward maximizing value within the United Airlines ecosystem.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers flexible cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or a check. The redemption process is simple and direct, giving you cash for your everyday spending.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: Cardholders of the United℠ Explorer Card receive two one-time passes to the United Club℠ annually. In contrast, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not come with any lounge access perks.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: For international travelers, the United℠ Explorer Card is a strong contender as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Citi Double Cash® Card, however, does have a foreign transaction fee.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: The United℠ Explorer Card offers a range of perks for those who fly United, including a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases. The Citi Double Cash® Card is not affiliated with a specific airline and lacks these benefits.
• Travel Program Credits: You can receive a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee with the United℠ Explorer Card. This credit is not available with the Citi Double Cash® Card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos allow you to evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before applying, you can simulate potential earnings with different cards using your actual transaction history. This provides a personalized projection of annual rewards and net value without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized card matching: Get recommendations based on your real spending data to find the card that best fits your lifestyle.
• Approval odds analysis: The platform provides detailed approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
• Incentives and rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at certain stores and take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee.
• Comprehensive card management: Track spending, monitor perks, and manage multiple cards all in one place.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers who can maximize perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding. It also appeals to travelers seeking to expedite their airport experience with a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and those who travel internationally, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is ideal for United loyalists who want to earn miles and enjoy valuable travel benefits without committing to a premium annual fee.

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 simple, high-earning cash back card for all their everyday spending without tracking categories. It's also a powerful tool for anyone looking to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this straightforward card appeals to those who prioritize consistent value and want to avoid an annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs Citi Double Cash® comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and financial goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Understand the rewards structure: Know the specific actions required to earn and redeem your points or cash back.
• Note the deadlines: Be aware of any time limits for welcome offers or introductory benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule that could affect your approval.
• Time your application strategically - Apply when you can meet spending requirements or take advantage of introductory offers.
• Choose the right card for you - If you can't meet a spending requirement naturally, consider a different card.

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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What are the annual fees for the United Explorer Card and the Citi Double Cash Card?

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The United Explorer Card typically has an annual fee that is waived for the first year, while the Citi® Double Cash Card has no annual fee. Always check the issuer's terms for the most current fee information.

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Is the United Explorer Card good for everyday spending?

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While the United Explorer Card offers bonus miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, its rewards on general spending are less competitive than a flat-rate cash-back card. It's primarily designed for those who frequently fly with United Airlines.

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Can I transfer points from the Citi Double Cash Card to United Airlines?

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Rewards from the Citi Double Cash Card cannot be transferred directly to United Airlines. To transfer points to airline partners, you typically need to pair it with a premium Citi ThankYou® Points-earning card.

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