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![Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash [Detailed Comparison]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Chase-Freedom-Unlimited-vs-Citi-Double-Cash-Upgraded-Points-LLC.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
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For many consumers, simplicity can be a priority when it comes to earning rewards on everyday purchases. This preference for simplicity can also be one of the prime reasons consumers select a cash-back rewards-earning credit card. Cash-back is not only simple to earn, it is one of the most liquid forms of rewards at redemption time.
Two very appropriate card options for cash-back earnings on purchases you make regularly are the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Citi Double Cash® Card. Each card ensures that every purchase earns elevated rewards, not just bonus category purchases. The cards also offer several options at redemption time and include useful travel and shopping protections and benefits.
Although these 2 cards have common features, one is likely to be a better match for your spending situation.
To help you determine which of these 2 featured cards has the best chance of being a fit for your spending profile, we’re going to review all the key features and benefits of each card in this article.
Before we expand on the attributes of both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card, here’s a high-level overview comparison of how the 2 cards stack up to each other.
| Feature or Benefit | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Citi Double Cash® Card |
| Welcome Offer | SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn. | N/A |
| Earning |
| 2% total cash-back on every purchase: 1% when the purchase is made, 1% when the purchase is paid |
| Redemption Options |
|
|
| Travel Protections and Benefits |
| N/A |
| Shopping Protections and Benefits |
|
|
| Annual Fee and Authorized Users |
|
|
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
You’ll want to review the earning structures on the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card carefully to determine which card will earn the highest level of cash-back on the purchases you make most frequently.
Here’s how the 2 cards earn rewards on every purchase:
| Earning Category | Freedom Unlimited Card | Double Cash Card |
| Travel |
| 2% total cash-back: 1% when the purchase is made, 1% when the purchase is paid |
| Restaurants, Takeout, Select Delivery Services, Drugstores | 3% cash-back | 2% total cash-back |
| All Other Purchases | 1.5% cash-back | 2% total cash-back |
Bottom Line: Both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card offer straightforward simplified earning structures. The Freedom Unlimited card is a good choice if you’ll spend on select travel via the Chase travel portal, on dining, and at drugstores. If you have high spending in non-bonus categories, the Double Cash card may offer better overall earnings.
While both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card are marketed as cash-back cards, rewards are actually earned in the form of points that can be redeemed for cash-back.
Here’s how cash-back redemption options work, plus the additional options you’ll have with each card at redemption time.
Bottom Line: Although the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card are cash-back cards, you’ll find flexible redemption options such as redeeming points for travel, transferring points to premium cards for more flexible redemption options, purchasing gift cards, and shopping at select retailers. Some redemption options result in less than 1 cent in value per point and therefore are not a good value.
Neither the Freedom Unlimited card nor the Double Cash card comes with a long list of travel protections and benefits, however, the Freedom Unlimited card does offer a few useful protections and benefits.
The Double Cash card does not offer any travel protections or benefits.
Bottom Line: The Freedom Unlimited card comes with secondary car rental insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel emergency assistance. The Double Cash card does not offer travel protections or benefits.
Shopping protections can provide coverage should something happen to an eligible item purchased with your card and shopping benefits can save you money.
In addition to shopping protections, you’ll find these shopping benefits that can save you money when you use the Freedom Unlimited card to make your purchase:
Bottom Line: When we compare shopping protections and benefits, the Freedom Unlimited card offers a superior collection over the Double Cash card.
Neither the Freedom Unlimited card nor the Double Cash card charges an annual fee.
Adding authorized users to your card can help you earn rewards faster. There is no additional fee to add authorized users to either the Freedom Unlimited card or the Double Cash card.
The Double Cash card offers an additional benefit you won’t find on the Freedom Unlimited card. You can transfer high-interest credit card debt balances to the card during an introductory 0% APR period and pay back the balance without interest charges.
Balance transfers must be made within the first 4 months after card approval with a 3% transfer fee (minimum of $5). Transfers made after 4 months incur a fee of 5% ($5 minimum). The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
While both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card work well for paying expenses during domestic travel, you won’t want to use the cards for international travel. Each card charges foreign transaction fees of 3% on the total amount of the purchase.
You will need good to excellent credit, normally 670 or higher, to qualify for either card.
Both of our featured cards offer superb earnings on everyday purchases without having to pay an annual fee. However, here are a few more no-annual-fee cards to consider for elevated earnings on purchases you make frequently.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?
This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.
Enjoy a nice welcome offer and earn 3% on everyday purchases such as U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases ( limit of $6,000 for each category per year, then 1%).
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.
The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.
With rotating bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter), you’ll always be earning elevated rewards. In addition, you’ll be earning 3% cash-back on dining and at drugstores and 5% cash-back on qualifying travel purchased via the Chase travel portal. Plus, the card comes with cell phone protection.
Earn 2% cash-back on every purchase plus receive benefits such as cell phone protection, access to the Luxury Hotel Collection, and additional Visa Signature benefits.
Both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card function well as everyday spending credit cards yet each offers flexible options at redemption time. The Freedom Unlimited card has more travel benefits, but if you have an existing travel rewards card, the Double Cash card could supplement it well.
Another deciding factor between these 2 cards could simply be earning potential. The card that closely matches your spending mix and rewards those purchases best will likely be the better choice when earning potential is your priority.
Additionally, if you have a large purchase(s) coming up, the introductory 0% APR period may save you money on interest charges as you pay back the purchase(s) over time with the Freedom Unlimited card. The Double Cash card offers an introductory 0% APR period on balance transfers which could also save you money on interest charges if you have other high-interest credit card debt you can transfer. Terms apply for both of these benefits.
And a final consideration, equally important, would be if you have a premium Chase or Citi card to facilitate transferring points from either of these featured cards. The value of points earned can be potentially greater after transferring and taking advantage of additional redemption options.
The information regarding the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
The better card for you will be the one that rewards your highest expenses and has benefits you value. Either card could be a fit with elevated earnings on every purchase.
If earning on travel purchases and redeeming rewards for travel is important to you, the Freedom Unlimited card may have the edge, especially if you plan to secure, or have already secured, a premium Chase credit card.
The Double Cash card has the edge if you make a lot of purchases that don’t fall into bonus category earning but still want the option to redeem points for travel.
The Freedom Unlimited card earns points that are referred to both as points and as Ultimate Rewards points. These points can be redeemed for cash-back or travel, transferred to premium cards, and more.
Yes, the Double Cash card earns ThankYou Points but these points do not have all of the redemption options you’ll find on premium Citi cards.
Yes, the Double Cash card charges foreign transaction fees in the amount of 3% of the total transaction.
There is no fee for adding authorized users to the Freedom Unlimited card.
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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
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