Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

Updated: August 9, 2024

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Both the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card offer compelling cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them top contenders for savvy spenders. The Citi Double Cash Card edges ahead with its straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, appealing for its simplicity and value.

But the Discover it Cash Back Card is a strong choice if you can maximize its 5% cash back in rotating categories and benefit from its 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. While both cards are excellent, the Citi Double Cash's consistent reward rate across all purchases makes it a versatile option for many.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Cash Back Card
Discover it® Cash Back Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you value simplicity in your rewards program and want to earn a steady cash back rate on every purchase without worrying about bonus categories. Its longer balance transfer offer can also be advantageous if you're planning to transfer and pay down existing debt over time.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you're adept at maximizing rewards in rotating categories and can plan your spending accordingly. The introductory APR on purchases can provide a cushion for new purchases, and the first-year cash back match can significantly boost your rewards if you use the card frequently.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will clarify which card aligns with your financial habits. Use this section to contrast the Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories against the Citi Double Cash's flat-rate rewards, among other differences, to pinpoint the card that best fits your spending patterns.

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    Regular APR: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back offers a potentially lower APR range (17.24% to 28.24% variable) compared with the Citi Double Cash (19.24% to 29.24% variable).

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Citi Double Cash and Discover it Cash Back cards have no annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Discover it Cash Back

    For introductory 0% APRs, the Discover it Cash Back is the better choice. It offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, compared with the Citi Double Cash, which only offers this for balance transfers for 18 months. Additionally, Discover's balance transfer fee starts lower at 3%.

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    Rewards: Discover it Cash Back

    For maximizing rewards through specific spending categories and a unique first-year match, the Discover it Cash Back is superior. It offers 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to $1,500, then 1%, and matches all cash back earned at the end of the first year.

    The Citi Double Cash provides a consistent 2% back on all purchases, with 1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases, plus a limited-time 5% back on certain travel bookings through December 31, 2024.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash offers a more advantageous welcome bonus, providing $200 cash back after meeting the initial spending requirement, which translates to a higher return on investment compared with the Discover it Cash Back's match offer at the end of the first year.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Discover it Cash Back and Citi Double Cash cards cater to people with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back is better for penalties and fees, offering a first late payment waiver and no penalty APR or foreign transaction fees, compared with Citi Double Cash's up to $41 late fee, up to 29.99% penalty APR, and 3% foreign transaction fee.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Cash Back Card

    Discover leads in issuer satisfaction with a rating of 4.5, compared with Citi's rating of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks that cater to different spending habits. The Citi Double Cash provides a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases and a bonus on travel booked through their portal until December 31, 2024.

    The Discover it Cash Back matches all cash back in the first year and offers 5% back on rotating categories. Neither card has a clear advantage, making this a tie based on individual spending preferences.

Rewards Comparison

The Citi Double Cash stands out for its simplicity, offering a flat 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay. This straightforward approach can be particularly appealing if you value ease over maximizing rewards in specific categories.

By contrast, the Discover it Cash Back card offers a more dynamic rewards structure, with 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in categories that change every three months, then 1%. While this requires more effort to track and activate, it can yield greater rewards in those categories. For example, if the rotating categories align with your high-spend areas, you could earn more than with the Citi Double Cash during those periods.

But outside of these categories, the Citi Double Cash provides a better return on general purchases. Additionally, the Citi Double Cash is currently offering a limited-time 5% cash back on travel booked through its portal, adding a temporary perk for travelers.

The Discover it Cash Back requires you to activate the bonus categories each quarter to earn the 5% cash back. These categories can include spending at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and even online shopping platforms like Amazon. It's important for cardholders to stay informed about the current categories and activate them to take full advantage of the potential rewards.

The table of bonus categories helps you visually compare the rewards programs.

Category
Discover it Cash Back
Citi Double Cash

Rotating Categories (e.g., groceries, gas, etc.)

5% on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases, then 1%

1%

Travel

1%

5% if booked through Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

All Other Purchases

1%

1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay

Redeeming Rewards

Both cards offer flexible redemption options. The Citi Double Cash allows for cash back redemption via direct deposit, statement credit, or check, maintaining a 1:1 value for simplicity. Additionally, points can be used for a variety of rewards, though the value may differ based on the redemption method.

On the other hand, the Discover it Cash Back provides an array of redemption choices, including gift cards and donations, with the added convenience of redeeming any amount at any time. It's worth noting that if the Discover account is closed or inactive for 18 months, rewards are automatically redeemed, ensuring you don't lose out on earned cash back.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Discover it Cash Back and the Citi Double Cash using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. For instance, the Discover it Cash Back scores highest for balance transfers, while the Citi Double Cash excels in cash back rewards. The scoring considers factors such as introductory offers, regular APR, issuer satisfaction, and penalties.

The most significant factors for balance transfer cards are the introductory purchase rate and regular APR, whereas cash back cards are heavily weighted by the effective reward rate. For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Discover it Cash Back vs. Citi Double Cash Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
Which card offers a better APR for balance transfers?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?
How do the introductory offers compare between the two cards?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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