United Quest 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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• The card offers straightforward, flat-rate cash back on every purchase without requiring you to track spending categories.
• While there is no annual fee, be aware of the foreign transaction and balance transfer fees.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance could save you approximately $1,500 in interest over the 18-month promotional period, even after the initial transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Its introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers is one of the longest available, providing a significant window to pay down existing debt from other cards.
• You can convert your cash back rewards into Citi ThankYou® Points, which unlocks more versatile redemption options, including travel partners.
• The card’s dual-earning structure rewards you for paying off your balance, reinforcing good financial habits while you earn.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and does not apply to new purchases.
• A foreign transaction fee is charged on all purchases made outside the U.S., making it less than ideal for international travel.
• The card lacks bonus spending categories, and you’ll need an additional premium Citi card to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Citi Double Cash® vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Quest or Citi Double Cash, comes down to your spending habits and what you value most in a credit card.

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• United Quest℠ Card is built for frequent United flyers, offering the highest rewards on United purchases, other travel, dining, and select streaming services.
• Citi Double Cash® Card is ideal for straightforward, everyday spending, as it provides a flat-rate cash back on all purchases without restrictive bonus categories.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that are best redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners, offering the potential for high-value travel rewards.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit or direct deposit, providing ultimate flexibility for your rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• United Quest℠ Card: As a co-branded airline card, its benefits are centered around the United Airlines ecosystem. It includes perks like annual statement credits for United purchases, free checked bags, and no foreign transaction fees. However, it does not offer airport lounge access.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is not designed for travel and lacks an associated travel ecosystem. It does not offer benefits like lounge access or free checked bags and charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. While cardholders can use the Citi travel portal, the card's primary value lies in its straightforward cash back rewards rather than travel-specific perks.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, you can use a tool like Kudos, which evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular card points when you shop at your favorite stores through the platform.
• Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending patterns, and credit score in one dashboard.
• Exclusive offers: Gain access to special deals, a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards, and a newsletter with credit card news.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who take to the skies several times per year. These travelers will find immense value in its premium perks, such as free checked bags, an annual United purchase credit, and robust travel protections. Furthermore, MileagePlus members looking to fast-track their way to elite status will benefit from the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points through spending on the United Quest℠ Card.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who want straightforward, high-value rewards without the hassle of tracking spending categories. It's also a powerful tool for anyone looking to pay down high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is ideal for the savvy user who wants to both maximize cash back on everyday purchases and has a plan for debt consolidation, as detailed in this Citi Double Cash review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Quest vs Citi Double Cash® comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, let's explore a few other top-tier cards that might be a better fit.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to see where you stand, as requirements range from fair to excellent depending on the card.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for a welcome offer without going into debt.
• Research the rewards program to understand how you will use your points or cash back before you commit.

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Application Strategy

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• Understand issuer-specific rules, as some banks have limits on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Time your application to coincide with a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Select a card that aligns with your lifestyle, whether you're a frequent flyer with one airline or prefer straightforward cash back on all purchases.

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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Is the United Quest Card good for everyday spending?

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While the United Quest Card offers bonus miles on United purchases, travel, and dining, its rewards on general spending are less competitive than a flat-rate cash-back card. It's primarily designed for those who can maximize its travel-specific benefits.

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

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The Citi Double Cash Card earns ThankYou Points, which can be transferred to United's MileagePlus program only if you also hold a premium Citi card like the Citi Premier® Card. Without a premium card, your rewards are limited to cash back.

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What is the annual fee for the United Quest Card?

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The United Quest Card has a $250 annual fee. This cost is often offset by various travel credits and benefits that can provide significant value to frequent United flyers.

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Does the Citi Double Cash Card have an annual fee?

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The Citi Double Cash Card has a $0 annual fee. This makes it an attractive option for earning cash back on all purchases without worrying about an upfront cost.

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