You may suppose it’s essential to pay an annual charge to get a very good rewards bank card. However with choices such because the Citi® Double Money Card (see charges and costs) and the Chase Freedom Limitless from two prime bank card suppliers, you may earn money again with out paying for the privilege.
Each of those playing cards supply excellent cash-back charges on on a regular basis purchases. Whereas the Citi Double Money earns a better charge of two% again (1% if you purchase and 1% as you pay) in comparison with 1.5% on the Chase Freedom Limitless, the latter can compensate for that with even increased charges in sure bonus classes. Each playing cards additionally let you convert your money again into helpful transferable factors for much more worth.
How do these playing cards evaluate to one another? Which one makes it best to rack up the money rewards quick? We’ll take a look at how two of the very best bank cards stack up in a head-to-head comparability.
Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless comparability
Characteristic | Citi Double Money | Chase Freedom Limitless |
---|---|---|
Welcome supply | None | Mechanically match all of the money again you’ve got earned within the first 12 months, with no restrict |
On a regular basis spending incomes charge | 2% money again on purchases (1% if you use the cardboard and 1% if you pay) | 5% again on journey booked by means of Chase Final Rewards; 3% on eating (together with takeout and eligible supply companies) and at drugstores; 1.5% limitless on all different purchases |
Bonus classes | None | Journey booked by means of the Final Rewards portal, eating (together with takeout and eligible supply companies), and drugstores |
Switch companions | 3 should you solely maintain the Double Money or 18 should you additionally maintain a premium Citi card | None should you solely maintain the Chase Freedom Limitless or 14 should you additionally maintain a premium Chase card |
Annual charge | None | None |
International transaction charges | 3% | 3% |
Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless welcome supply
Sadly, the Citi Double Money has no present public welcome supply.
Then again, the Freedom Limitless is providing maybe the very best welcome supply within the card’s historical past: Chase will robotically match all of the money again you’ve got earned within the first 12 months with no restrict, doubling the cardboard’s earnings charges by means of the primary 12 months.
Winner: Chase Freedom Limitless
Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless advantages
Neither of those playing cards affords top-tier advantages reminiscent of a charge credit score for TSA PreCheck or World Entry, cellphone safety or rental automotive insurance coverage. However contemplating these playing cards additionally carry no annual charge, the advantages aren’t essentially missing.
The Citi Double Money emphasizes safety and credit score administration with a roster of advantages that embody a digital pockets and digital account numbers to make on-line purchases extra securely. You may even have 0% legal responsibility on unauthorized purchases, early fraud warning notifications and free entry to your FICO credit score rating. Citi’s Misplaced Pockets service can change your Citi card in as little as 24 hours and supply emergency money (topic to your card’s cash-advance restrict).
This card actually shines, although, with the Citi Leisure program. You may acquire VIP entry to concert events, sporting occasions, and different leisure experiences.
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Just like the Double Money, the Freedom Limitless affords zero legal responsibility on unauthorized purchases and limitless entry to your credit score rating by means of Chase’s Credit score Journey program. You additionally get buy safety of as much as $500 on each buy, with a most of $50,000 in claims, and prolonged guarantee safety, supplying you with peace of thoughts if you use your Chase card to buy.
Moreover, Chase’s partnership with meals supply service DoorDash offers Freedom Limitless cardmembers a complimentary DashPass for 3 months (ends Dec. 31, 2024). The DashPass supplies limitless free supply on all DoorDash orders $12 and up.
Winner: Tie. The advantages for each playing cards appear largely comparable, with a number of fraud safety advantages and a number of handy options. Chase wins out with the prolonged guarantee and buy safety. However should you’re on the lookout for distinctive experiences, the Citi Leisure program delivers.
Incomes rewards with the Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless
With the Double Money, you may earn 1% money again if you make a purchase order and 1% as you pay, for a complete of two% on each buy.
The Freedom Limitless affords 1.5% again on all the pieces, plus 5% again on journey booked by means of Chase Final Rewards, 3% again on eating and three% again at drugstores.
Winner: Chase Freedom Limitless. When you can earn barely extra on all non-bonus spending with Citi than with Chase, the three% charge on eating and drugstores will doubtless edge out the Citi Double Money for many cardholders.
Redeeming rewards with the Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless
Each playing cards have a number of choices for redeeming your money again (together with a press release credit score or direct deposit) or factors by means of the playing cards’ respective rewards applications.
With the Double Money, you may money in your rewards for a press release credit score, direct deposit, journey rewards and present playing cards. You may as well use your rewards to pay your mortgage or a pupil mortgage held by Citi.
Freedom Limitless cardholders can select from money again deposited straight into their checking account or a press release credit score, the place every cent earned offers a cent again towards your bank card stability additionally select a present card on the identical charge. Present playing cards begin as little as $5, which suggests you can begin redeeming as soon as you’ve got accrued simply 500 cents. You may as well spend your factors on Amazon, however they’re solely price 0.8 cents every. It is smarter to purchase an Amazon present card on the increased charge of 1 cent per level.
You may as well make a charitable contribution to all kinds of 501(c)(3) firms together with your Chase factors.
Winner: Tie. Each the Citi Double Money and Freedom Limitless supply comparable cash-back redemption choices.
Transferring rewards with the Citi Double Money vs. Chase Freedom Limitless
If you happen to even have a card just like the Citi Premier® Card (see charges and costs), you may mix your rewards from the Citi Double Money with these from the Premier. This successfully converts the Citi Double Money’s rewards to fully-transferable ThankYou factors with extra switch companions. Since TPG values full Citi ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents, having each the Citi Premier and the Citi Double Money can let you get a 3.6% return in your spending with the Double Money card.
Associated: The final word information to Citi ThankYou Rewards
Chase makes it straightforward to redeem rewards by means of the Final Rewards portal — however solely when paired with a Chase Final Rewards card, such because the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve.
For optimum worth, you may switch your factors to one of many many Final Rewards switch companions. Since TPG values Chase factors at 2.05 cents apiece, you may successfully convert your 1.5% cash-back rewards from the Chase Freedom Limitless into roughly 1.25 or 1.5 Final Rewards factors (with the Sapphire Most popular or Reserve, respectively).
Winner: Tie. Each playing cards have the power to switch your factors for extra worth when you’ve an accompanying higher-end card.
Ought to I get the Citi Double Money or Chase Freedom Limitless?
The Freedom Limitless is probably going the higher choice for many, given the bonus classes and a welcome supply. Nonetheless, each the Double Money and Freedom Limitless playing cards stand as strong cash-back rewards playing cards for on a regular basis use, they usually supply the power to mix your earnings with higher-tier playing cards. Desire will largely come all the way down to your spending habits.
Backside line
Getting the Chase Freedom Limitless will aid you get essentially the most out of your spending because of a number of helpful bonus classes and a profitable welcome supply.
Then again, the Citi Double Money Card affords a easy, easy cash-back charge with out worrying about bonus classes, which makes it straightforward to buy and earn rewards.
Both is a superb choice for customers on the lookout for aggressive returns with out an annual charge.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluations of the Citi Double Money and Chase Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless