Chase Freedom Flex vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Citi Double Cash® Card a standout choice.

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• It offers a simple, flat-rate cash back on every purchase, rewarding you once when you buy and again as you pay.
• With no annual fee, all the cash back you accumulate is pure value back in your pocket.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance could save you around $1,350 in interest over the introductory period, even after accounting for the initial transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn cash back twice on every purchase—once when you buy and again when you pay—with no rotating categories to track.
• No annual fee, so all the rewards you earn go straight to your bottom line.
• Features a lengthy introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers, making it a strong choice for consolidating debt.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and doesn't apply to new purchases.
• Fees are charged for both foreign transactions and balance transfers.
• The flat-rate rewards structure lacks bonus categories for accelerated earnings on specific types of spending.

Citi Double Cash® vs Chase Freedom Flex®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals. Each card excels in a different area, making one a clear winner for certain types of users.

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is ideal for no-fee card seekers who want to maximize rewards on everyday spending. It offers a powerful combination of rotating bonus categories and fixed-rate rewards on popular purchase types.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is a top choice for consumers looking to pay down existing debt through balance transfers. It provides an extended interest-free period, offering significant breathing room for debt consolidation.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as points that offer flexible redemption options, including cash back, travel booked through Chase, and gift cards. The value of these points can be enhanced when combined with other eligible Chase cards.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers a straightforward cash back system where rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. It's designed for simple, direct value back on your spending.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card offers access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. It also includes some valuable travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance. However, it's not ideal for international travel as it does charge a foreign transaction fee.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: Cardholders can book travel through the Citi ThankYou® portal. Beyond that, its travel benefits are limited, reflecting its focus on straightforward cash back rather than travel rewards. This card also charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for use abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-backed decision, Kudos offers a tool that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential earnings with any card using your real transaction data—no application or hard credit pull required. This gives you a personalized projection of annual rewards and net value.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions based on an analysis of your actual spending history by securely connecting your bank accounts.
• Approval Odds & Guarantees: The platform provides an analysis of your approval odds and includes a welcome offer guarantee, matching any better public offer you find within three months of approval.
• Stacked Rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping online, which can be stacked on top of your regular credit card rewards.
• Incentives for New Users: New members can receive rewards like $20 back on an eligible purchase or $100 through the Kudos Kickstart+ program for adding certain cards to their wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards through rotating quarterly bonus categories. With no annual fee and elevated rewards on dining and drugstore purchases, it's a strong contender for an everyday spending card. As detailed in this cash back card review, it's also a key component for those building a multi-card strategy, as it can be paired with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to pool and maximize Ultimate Rewards® points.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is a perfect fit for consumers who want a straightforward, high-earning cashback card for all their everyday spending without paying an annual fee. It's also an ideal tool for anyone looking to consolidate and pay down high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. As this comprehensive review explains, the card is built for people who value consistent returns and effective debt management over tracking complex bonus categories.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Citi® Double Cash® Card comparison has left you feeling like neither option is the perfect match, don't worry. Several other excellent cash back cards on the market might be a better fit for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Know the application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Have a spending plan: Ensure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements without going into debt.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Consider issuer rules: Be mindful of how many cards you've opened recently, as some issuers have strict application policies.
• Plan for special offers: If applying for a card with an introductory offer, be prepared to act within the specified timeframe.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex and Citi Double Cash cards?

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Yes, you can absolutely own both cards. Many people use them in tandem, leveraging the Freedom Flex for its bonus categories and the Double Cash for all other everyday spending to maximize rewards.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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Both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Citi® Double Cash Card have no annual fee. This makes them excellent choices for earning cash back without an upfront cost.

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Which card is better for someone who doesn’t want to track spending categories?

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The Citi Double Cash card is ideal for those who prefer simplicity. It provides a consistent, flat cash back rate on every purchase, eliminating the need to track rotating bonus categories.

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