Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited: the one-third rule that decides it
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Key points
- Citi Double Cash earns a flat 2% on everything. Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 3% on dining and drugstores, 5% on Chase Travel and 1.5% on everything else.
- The break-even point is simple: Freedom Unlimited only earns more if at least a third of your spending is dining and drugstores (or you book travel through Chase).
- Neither card is good abroad. Both charge a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Our verdict
For most people, Citi Double Cash. Typical household spending doesn't reach the one-third dining threshold, so the flat 2% wins. Pick Chase Freedom Unlimited if you eat out a lot, book travel through Chase, or plan to add a Chase Sapphire card later.
These are two of the most popular no-annual-fee cards in the U.S., and they represent two different ideas about rewards: one rate for everything, or higher rates in a few categories. Instead of declaring a winner in the abstract, we worked out exactly where the line between them falls.
Side by side
- Earn rate
- 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay
- Rewards
- ThankYou points
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3%
- Pairs with
- Citi Strata Premier for airline transfers
- Earn rate
- 5% Chase Travel, 3% dining and drugstores, 1.5% everything else
- Rewards
- Ultimate Rewards points
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3%
- Pairs with
- Chase Sapphire cards for airline and hotel transfers
The break-even math
Call the share of your spending that goes to dining and drugstores d. Freedom Unlimited's blended rate is 3% on that share and 1.5% on the rest:
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Freedom Unlimited blended rate | 3% × d + 1.5% × (1 − d) = 1.5% + 1.5% × d |
| Set equal to Double Cash | 1.5% + 1.5% × d = 2% |
| Solve | d = 1/3, or about 33% |
So if less than a third of your card spending is dining and drugstores, Double Cash earns more. Above a third, Freedom Unlimited does. Chase Travel bookings at 5% lower that threshold, because every travel dollar earns 3 points more than on Double Cash.
Run your own numbers
Enter your typical monthly card spending. Rewards are valued at one cent per point.
Three example households
| Monthly spending | Double Cash | Freedom Unlimited | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 dining, $1,800 other | $480 / yr | $396 / yr | Double Cash |
| $600 dining, $1,400 other | $480 / yr | $468 / yr | Near tie |
| $500 dining, $300 Chase Travel, $1,200 other | $480 / yr | $576 / yr | Freedom Unlimited |
Beyond the earn rate
Points ecosystems
On their own, both cards redeem at one cent per point. Their long-term value changes if you add a premium card from the same bank. Pairing Freedom Unlimited with a Chase Sapphire card lets you move points to airline and hotel partners, including World of Hyatt. Pairing Double Cash with Citi Strata Premier opens Citi's transfer partners, which lean toward international airlines.
Intro offers
Both cards regularly run welcome bonuses and intro APR offers, and they change often. Compare them on the issuer's site on the day you apply rather than relying on any article, including this one.
Using the cards abroad
Both charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, which wipes out the rewards on anything you buy outside the U.S. Take a no-foreign-fee card when you travel. See our guide to the best cards for international travel.
Can you have both?
Yes, and it's a common setup. Use Freedom Unlimited for restaurants, drugstores and Chase Travel, and Double Cash for everything else. The combined rate beats either card alone, and with no annual fees there's nothing to lose if you pay both in full every month.
Sources
Card terms from Citi and Chase public product pages and cardholder agreements, checked on the date above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Citi Double Cash really 2%?
Yes, as long as you pay your bill. You earn 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay for that purchase.
Which card is better for someone who never travels?
Usually Citi Double Cash, unless dining and drugstores make up more than about a third of your spending.
Do either of these cards have an annual fee?
No. Both have a $0 annual fee.
