Citi Double Cash vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Double Cash wins 4-1. Set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 2% (general) | = 2% (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 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.2/5 |
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 United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Citi Double Cash wins on more dimensions (4 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 United Explorer 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 United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.