Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Double Cash
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top credit cards picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
The gold standard travel rewards card with flexible point redemptions
Citi Double Cash
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Best flat-rate cash back card earning 2% on every purchase
Our pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred. Our editors rank Chase Sapphire Preferred higher overall in Credit Cards — but Citi Double Cash can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Double Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | See website | Free |
| Category | Travel Rewards | Cashback |
| Editorial rank | #1 of 15 | #4 of 15 |
Strengths
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- ✓Excellent sign-up bonus worth $750+ in travel through Chase
- ✓1:1 point transfers to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs
- ✓25% bonus value when redeeming points through Chase Travel portal
- ✓Primary car rental insurance saves money on rental car coverage
- ✓Reasonable $95 annual fee for the rewards delivered
Citi Double Cash
- ✓Effective 2% cash back on every purchase with no categories to manage
- ✓No annual fee makes it profitable from the first dollar spent
- ✓ThankYou Points can transfer to travel partners for potentially higher value
- ✓No earning caps or spending limits on cash back rewards
- ✓Long 0% intro APR period on balance transfers
Watch out for
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- !3% foreign transaction fee is absent but annual fee still applies abroad
- !No airport lounge access included unlike premium tier cards
- !5x earning rate limited to travel booked through Chase portal only
- !Lower earning rates than category-specific cards in some spending areas
Citi Double Cash
- !No sign-up bonus for new cardholders
- !3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
- !Must pay your bill to earn the second 1% cash back
- !No additional perks like purchase protection or extended warranty
Best use cases
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- →Frequent traveler wanting flexible points with multiple transfer partners
- →Dining enthusiast who eats out regularly and wants 3x earning
- →Travel hacker seeking a strong entry point into the Chase ecosystem
Citi Double Cash
- →Everyday spender wanting simple, guaranteed 2% back on all purchases
- →Someone carrying existing debt who can benefit from 0% balance transfer APR
- →Minimalist who wants one no-fee card that works for everything
About each tool
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is widely considered the best all-around travel rewards credit card for its combination of a generous sign-up bonus, flexible Ultimate Rewards points, and a reasonable annual fee. Points transfer 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs, or can be redeemed for 25% more value when booked through Chase Travel. The card earns 5x on travel through Chase, 3x on dining and streaming, 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else. With a $95 annual fee, it delivers premium travel rewards without the premium price tag.
Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash card is the benchmark for flat-rate cash back, earning an effective 2% on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. With no annual fee, no category restrictions, and no earning caps, it delivers consistent value on all spending. The card now earns ThankYou Points that can be transferred to Citi travel partners when paired with certain Citi cards, adding flexibility beyond simple cash back.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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