Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Double Cash vs Chase Freedom Flex
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Double Cash
Wins 1 of 10
US
Chase
Chase Freedom Flex
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
Chase Freedom Flex wins 2-1. No-fee rotating cashback for category optimizers. Citi Double Cash is still the right call if set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Chase Freedom Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3% | = 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = $200 cashback after $500 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 670 | = 670 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
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)
Chase Freedom Flex
- 5% rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining + drugstores
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Chase Freedom Flex: which is better?
Chase Freedom Flex 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, Chase Freedom Flex 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. Chase Freedom Flex: $200 cashback after $500 spend in first 3 months.