Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Double Cash vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Double Cash
Wins 3 of 10
US
Premium
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $550 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 740 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
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 Sapphire Reserve
- 10x on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel
- 5x on flights booked via Chase Travel
- 3x on all other dining + travel
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounge access
- 50% bonus when redeeming for travel via Chase portal
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Citi Double Cash wins on 3 criteria, Chase Sapphire Reserve on 3.
›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 Sapphire Reserve 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 Sapphire Reserve: 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months.