Citi Double Cash vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Double Cash wins 2-1. Set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything Capital One Spark Cash Plus is still the right call if high-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 2% (general) | = 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Double Cash
- 1% cash back when you buy + 1% when you pay
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions or rotating bonuses
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Convert cash back to ThankYou Points (transferable to airline partners)
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?
Citi Double Cash wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Citi Double Cash for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Citi Double Cash: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.