Citi Double Cash vs Discover it Cash Back
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Discover it Cash Back wins 2-1. Rotating-category optimizers; first card for thin-credit-file applicants Citi Double Cash is still the right call if set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 1% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 670 | = 670 |
| 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)
Discover it Cash Back
- 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (Amazon, gas, restaurants, grocery)
- 1% cashback on everything else
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year
- No annual fee
- Free FICO score on every statement
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Discover it Cash Back: which is better?
Discover it Cash Back 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, Discover it Cash Back 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. Discover it Cash Back: Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically.