United Club 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 strong contender.

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• You earn a straightforward 2% cash back on every purchase—1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay—without tracking any categories.
• While there is no annual fee, be aware of the foreign transaction and balance transfer fees.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance could save you around $1,350 in interest over the promotional period, even after accounting for the introductory balance transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories to track.
• Flexible reward redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposits, or conversion to ThankYou® Points.
• A long introductory APR period for balance transfers, making it a strong choice for debt consolidation.

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Cons

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• A foreign transaction fee applies to all purchases made abroad.
• The introductory APR offer is limited to balance transfers, not new purchases.
• Lacks many premium benefits found on other cards, such as travel insurance or purchase protection.

Citi Double Cash® vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Club or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences.

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• The United Club℠ Card is built for frequent United Airlines flyers and brand loyalists seeking premium travel benefits.
• The Citi Double Cash® Card is best for everyday spending and for consumers looking to consolidate and pay down existing debt via a balance transfer.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles, which are best redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel purchases within the United ecosystem.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit, direct deposit, or check, providing maximum flexibility.

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Travel Perks

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• United Club℠ Card: This card is built around a premium travel experience, primarily for United flyers. Its main feature is a full United Club membership, which provides access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance partner lounges. Cardholders also benefit from Premier Access services like priority check-in and boarding, free first and second checked bags for themselves and a companion, and no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. Additional perks typically include a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee and elite status with a partner car rental agency.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card's travel ecosystem is minimal, as it is designed for everyday cash back rewards rather than travel perks. It does not offer benefits like lounge access, free checked bags, or priority airport services. Notably, it does charge a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international spending. The card's primary travel advantage is the flexibility of its rewards; the cash back earned can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover any travel-related purchase, booked through any portal or vendor.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, Kudos is a financial technology platform that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to help you find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Track your spending, monitor transactions, and keep an eye on your credit score.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better public offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock exclusive offers and promotions, like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select approved cards to your wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, particularly business and international travelers who want to elevate their airport experience. These cardholders value premium perks like complimentary United Club membership for lounge access, free checked bags, and Premier Access® services that streamline their journey from check-in to boarding. It's also a strong choice for those chasing MileagePlus Premier status, as spending on The United Club℠ Infinite Card helps you earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who value simplicity and want to earn a high, flat rate of cash back on all their spending without tracking categories. It's also a powerful tool for anyone looking to pay down existing high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is best for budget-conscious individuals who want straightforward rewards and a no-annual-fee option, as detailed in our full review.

Alternatives to Consider

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card cater to opposite ends of the spending spectrum, from the frequent flyer loyal to United to the consumer who wants simple cash back on everything. If your needs fall somewhere in the middle, here are a few alternative cards to consider.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Requirements range from fair to excellent depending on the card.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement organically.
• Review the benefits – Ensure the card’s perks align with your spending habits and travel patterns.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Align it with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Consider the card type – Decide if a simple cash-back card or a premium travel card with specific perks is right for you.
• Understand the offer structure – Some cards have unique requirements for earning rewards or introductory offers.

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 United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card?

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Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously. Many savvy cardholders pair a premium travel card with a high-earning cash-back card to maximize their rewards across all spending categories.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is known for having no annual fee, while the United Club℠ Infinite Card carries a premium annual fee that unlocks its extensive travel perks, including United Club membership.

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How do I redeem rewards on each card?

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Rewards from the United Club℠ Infinite Card are issued as United MileagePlus miles, which are redeemable for flights and upgrades. The Citi Double Cash® Card earns flexible cash back that can be taken as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check.

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