Citi Double Cash vs Discover it Cash Back
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top credit cards picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Citi Double Cash
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Best flat-rate cash back card earning 2% on every purchase
Discover it Cash Back
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Rotating 5% cash back categories with first-year cash back match
Our pick: Citi Double Cash. Our editors rank Citi Double Cash higher overall in Credit Cards — but Discover it Cash Back can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Citi Double Cash | Discover it Cash Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Category | Cashback | Cashback |
| Editorial rank | #4 of 15 | #5 of 15 |
Strengths
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
Discover it Cash Back
- ✓First-year Cashback Match effectively doubles all rewards earned
- ✓5% back on rotating categories up to $1,500 per quarter
- ✓No annual fee ever with solid ongoing rewards
- ✓Free FICO score and Social Security number monitoring
- ✓US-based customer service with high satisfaction ratings
Watch out for
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
Discover it Cash Back
- !Must activate quarterly rotating categories to earn 5%
- !5% bonus capped at $1,500 in spending per quarter
- !International acceptance is limited compared to Visa or Mastercard
- !1% base rate on non-category spending is below the best flat-rate cards
Best use cases
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
Discover it Cash Back
- →New credit card user wanting a generous first-year bonus through Cashback Match
- →Strategic spender willing to optimize around rotating 5% categories
- →Student or young adult building credit with a forgiving no-fee card
About each tool
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.
Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back card stands out with its first-year Cashback Match that automatically doubles all cash back earned in the first 12 months. The card earns 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 1% on everything else. With no annual fee and acceptance at over 99% of US merchants, the Discover it is an excellent first credit card or complement to a rewards strategy that maximizes quarterly bonus categories.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
See all Credit Cards →