Citi Double Cash Credit Card vs Citi Simplicity Credit Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
Citi Double Cash Credit Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$624/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. No welcome bonus.
Citi Simplicity Credit Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$312/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. No welcome bonus.
The short answer
- On typical spending, the Citi Double Cash Credit Card comes out ahead: about $624 a year after its fee, against $312 for the Citi Simplicity Credit Card.
- The Citi Double Cash Credit Card earns more on groceries, dining, gas, travel, everything else.
Side by side
| Citi Double Cash Credit Card | Citi Simplicity Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy; 1% as you pay, with no category enrollment, caps, or annual fee | The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card does not earn rewards, but offers benefits such as no late fees, no penalty rate, and no annual fee |
| Welcome bonus | None | None |
| Credits counted | $0/yr | $0/yr |
| Intro APR | 0% for the first 18 months | 0% for the first 15 months |
| Regular APR | 19.99% to 28.99% variable | 19.99% to 28.99% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% |
| Credit needed | Good/Excellent | Good/Excellent |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | Citi Double Cash Credit Card | Citi Simplicity Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $120 | $60 |
| dining ($400) | $96 | $48 |
| gas ($200) | $48 | $24 |
| travel ($300) | $72 | $36 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $288 | $144 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the Citi Double Cash Credit Card or the Citi Simplicity Credit Card?
On typical spending the Citi Double Cash Credit Card is worth more: about $624 a year after its fee, against $312 for the Citi Simplicity Credit Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Which is better for groceries?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card. On $500 a month of groceries it earns about $120 a year, against $60 with the Citi Simplicity Credit Card.
Which is better for dining?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card. On $400 a month of dining it earns about $96 a year, against $48 with the Citi Simplicity Credit Card.
Which is better for travel?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card. On $300 a month of travel it earns about $72 a year, against $36 with the Citi Simplicity Credit Card.
Which is better for gas?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card. On $200 a month of gas it earns about $48 a year, against $24 with the Citi Simplicity Credit Card.
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
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Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.