Can Citi Double Cash rewards be converted to ThankYou Points?

Yes, if you also hold a qualifying transferable Citi ThankYou card such as the Citi Strata Premier. When you have both cards, you can convert the Double Cash's cash-back rewards to ThankYou Points at 1 cent per point (so $1 in cash back becomes 100 ThankYou Points). Those points can then be transferred to Citi's 21+ airline and hotel transfer partners.

Does the Citi Double Cash have foreign transaction fees?

Yes. The Citi Double Cash charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. This makes it less suitable as a travel card for international spending — a card without foreign transaction fees, such as the Citi Strata Premier, is a better fit for international purchases.

Is the Citi Double Cash good for balance transfers?

The Citi Double Cash has historically offered balance transfer promotions with a 0% introductory APR period. A balance transfer fee applies (typically 3%–5% of the transferred amount). Verify current balance transfer terms, promotional period length, and fees with Citi before transferring a balance.

Citi Double Cash Card Benefits & Rewards Guide

Q: Does the Citi Double Cash have an annual fee?

No. The Citi Double Cash card has no annual fee. It earns 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill. There are no rotating categories, no enrollment, and no caps on how much cash back you can earn.

Q: How does the 2% cash back structure work?

The Citi Double Cash earns 1% cash back when you make a purchase and another 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase. Both halves must be earned to receive the full 2%. Paying at least the minimum due on time each month ensures the second 1% posts. The two-step structure means the card rewards on-time payment behavior.

Citi

Citi Double Cash

Last updated: June 20, 2026. Verify current terms with Citi before applying or relying on coverage. Note: the Citi Custom Cash card is no longer accepting new applications as of May 28, 2026; the Double Cash is Citi's primary no-annual-fee rewards option.

Earning structure

2%On all purchases. Earned in two halves: 1% when you make the purchase, and 1% when you pay your statement balance for that purchase.

Card snapshot

Annual fee$0

Rewards currencyCash back (convertible to ThankYou Points with a qualifying Citi card)

Primary earning2% on all purchases — 1% on purchase + 1% on payment

Foreign transaction fees3% — not ideal for international spending

Balance transferPromotional APR periods available; verify current terms with Citi

Best useFlat-rate everyday earning; points companion to Citi Strata Premier

What the card is built around

The Citi Double Cash is a flat-rate cash-back card with no annual fee. Its core proposition is simple: earn 2% on everything without tracking categories, activating quarterly offers, or paying an annual fee. The 2% rate (1% on purchase + 1% on payment) is among the highest unlimited flat rates of any no-fee card.

Where the Double Cash becomes more interesting is in combination with the Citi Strata Premier. When both cards are held, the Double Cash's cash back can be converted to ThankYou Points, which transfer to Citi's 21+ airline and hotel partners. This pairing effectively creates a two-card setup where the Double Cash handles all non-bonus spending at 2x transferable points, while the Strata Premier handles the 3x categories and anchors the ThankYou transfer ecosystem.

How the 2% structure works

The two-step earning mechanic

The Double Cash earns 1% cash back at the time of purchase and a second 1% when you pay for that purchase. Both halves must be earned to receive the full 2%. Paying at least the minimum due each month triggers the second 1%. This mechanic means the card structurally rewards on-time payment — cardholders who carry balances may see reduced effective earning if payment is late.

No category limits

The 2% rate applies to all purchases with no category restrictions, no rotating offers, no enrollment, and no spending caps. There is no list of excluded merchants or merchant category codes that reduce the rate below 2% (other than categories that Citi specifically excludes, such as balance transfers and cash advances). This simplicity is the card's primary advantage over rotating-category cards.

Foreign transaction fees

The Citi Double Cash charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. For international spending, a different card without foreign transaction fees — such as the Citi Strata Premier — is a better choice. Using the Double Cash internationally costs an effective 1% net after the 2% cash back minus the 3% fee.

Redemption options

Redemption type How it works Practical read

Statement credit Apply earned cash back as a credit to your account balance. Minimum redemption amounts may apply — verify with Citi. The simplest option. No conversion needed. Value is exactly the face value of the cash back earned.

Direct deposit or check Redeem cash back as a direct deposit to a linked bank account or request a check by mail. Good for cardholders who prefer cash over statement credits. Processing times vary.

Convert to ThankYou Points If you hold a qualifying transferable ThankYou card (such as Citi Strata Premier), convert cash back to ThankYou Points at 100 points per $1 (1 cent per point). Points then transfer to Citi's airline and hotel partners. The most valuable option if you have transfer-partner redemptions in mind. The conversion ratio is fixed at 100 points per dollar. Points transferred to partners may produce more or less than 1 cent per point depending on the award.

Retail partner redemptions Citi lists select retail partners including Amazon, CVS, Walmart, and others where cash back or ThankYou Points can be used to cover purchases or earn additional rewards. Typically valued at or below 1 cent per point. Statement credits or airline transfers usually produce better value.

Balance transfer use case

Promotional APR periods

The Citi Double Cash has historically offered 0% introductory APR promotions on balance transfers for a defined period after account opening. A balance transfer fee applies — historically in the 3%–5% range. The promotional terms, promotional period length, and fees vary; verify current balance transfer offers directly with Citi before transferring debt.

Balance transfer math

A $5,000 balance transfer with a 3% fee costs $150 upfront. If this eliminates interest from a card charging 20% APR, the break-even depends on how quickly you pay it down. Balance transfers are most effective when you can pay the transferred amount in full during the promotional period. Cash back does not typically earn on balance transfers.

ThankYou Points pairing with Citi Strata Premier

The Double Cash's most strategic use is as a companion to the Citi Strata Premier. The pairing works as follows: the Strata Premier earns 3x on dining, grocery, gas, and travel and anchors the ThankYou transfer ecosystem. The Double Cash earns 2% (convertible to 2x ThankYou Points) on all other spending. Together, the two cards ensure that most household spending earns at least 2x transferable points with no annual fee on the catch-all card.

To use this pairing, both cards must be linked to the same ThankYou account. Conversions from cash back to ThankYou Points require holding a qualifying transferable ThankYou card — verify current pairing eligibility with Citi.

What is not included

No bonus categories — the 2% flat rate is the only earning tier; no elevated rate for dining, travel, grocery, or gas.
3% foreign transaction fee — not a card for international spending.
No travel credits, airline fee credits, TSA PreCheck, or hotel credit.
No airport lounge access.
No travel protections beyond what may be included through Mastercard World Elite or similar card-level benefits — verify any included protections with Citi.
ThankYou Points conversion requires a qualifying transferable Citi card (such as Strata Premier) — Double Cash alone cannot transfer to airline or hotel partners.

Fit checklist

You want the highest flat-rate cash back with no annual fee and no category tracking.
You already hold or plan to hold the Citi Strata Premier and want to maximize earning on non-bonus spending through the 2x ThankYou Points conversion.
You are considering a balance transfer and the current promotional terms make the fee-to-interest savings math work.
You make most of your purchases in the U.S. where the 3% foreign transaction fee is not a factor.
You do not need lounge access, travel credits, or travel protections from a no-fee card.

FAQ

Citi Double Cash questions.

Does the Citi Double Cash have an annual fee?

No. The Citi Double Cash has no annual fee. It earns 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay for it. There are no rotating categories, no caps, and no enrollment requirements.

How does the 2% cash back structure work?

The Double Cash earns 1% at the time of purchase and 1% more when you pay your statement for that purchase. Both halves must be earned to receive the full 2%. Paying at least the minimum due on time each month triggers the second 1% for the purchases in that statement period.

Can I convert Double Cash rewards to ThankYou Points for airline transfers?

Yes, if you hold a qualifying transferable ThankYou card such as the Citi Strata Premier. With both cards, you can convert Double Cash cash back to ThankYou Points at 100 points per $1 and then transfer to Citi's 21+ airline and hotel partners. The Double Cash alone cannot transfer to airline programs — you need the qualifying card to unlock transfers.

Does the Citi Double Cash charge foreign transaction fees?

Yes. The Double Cash charges 3% on purchases made outside the United States. For international spending, the Citi Strata Premier (no foreign transaction fees) is a better option. Using the Double Cash internationally effectively costs 1% net after the 2% cash back minus the 3% fee.

Is the Citi Custom Cash still available?

No. As of May 28, 2026, Citi stopped accepting new applications for the Custom Cash card (which earned 5% on your top spending category up to $500 per billing cycle). Existing Custom Cash cardholders are not affected and can continue using the card. The Double Cash is now the primary Citi no-annual-fee rewards option for new applicants.

Related guides

Continue researching Citi cards.

Sources

Citi Double Cash card benefits guide.