Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash [Detailed Comparison]

For many consumers, simplicity can be a priority when it comes to earning rewards on everyday purchases. This preference for simplicity can also be one of the prime reasons consumers select a cash-back rewards-earning credit card. Cash-back is not only simple to earn, it is one of the most liquid forms of rewards at redemption time.

Two very appropriate card options for cash-back earnings on purchases you make regularly are the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® and the Citi^® Double Cash Card. Each card ensures that every purchase earns elevated rewards, not just bonus category purchases. The cards also offer several options at redemption time and include useful travel and shopping protections and benefits.

Although these 2 cards have common features, one is likely to be a better match for your spending situation.

To help you determine which of these 2 featured cards has the best chance of being a fit for your spending profile, we’re going to review all the key features and benefits of each card in this article.

Freedom Unlimited Card vs. Double Cash Card — Summary

Before we expand on the attributes of both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card, here’s a high-level overview comparison of how the 2 cards stack up to each other.

The Value of a Welcome Offer

Earning Potential

You’ll want to review the earning structures on the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card carefully to determine which card will earn the highest level of cash-back on the purchases you make most frequently.

Here’s how the 2 cards earn rewards on every purchase:

Bottom Line: Both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card offer straightforward simplified earning structures. The Freedom Unlimited card is a good choice if you’ll spend on select travel via the Chase travel portal, on dining, and at drugstores. If you have high spending in non-bonus categories, the Double Cash card may offer better overall earnings.

Redemption Options

While both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card are marketed as cash-back cards, rewards are actually earned in the form of points that can be redeemed for cash-back.

Here’s how cash-back redemption options work, plus the additional options you’ll have with each card at redemption time.

Freedom Unlimited Card

• Cash-back — Redeem points for a statement credit or have your cash-back transferred to your bank account.
• Redeem for Travel via the Chase Travel Portal — Points can be used to purchase travel via the Chase travel portal at the rate of 1 cent per point.
• Transfer to Premium Chase Credit Cards — Points earned on the Freedom Unlimited card can be transferred to premium cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®. Once transferred, the Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for up to 1.5 cents each for travel via the Chase travel portal or transferred to airline/hotel partners for even greater potential value.
• Pay Yourself Back — Redeem points for a statement credit for donations made to select charities at the rate of 1.25 cents per point (currently valid through December 2023).
• Gift Cards or Shopping — Redeem points for gift cards (watch for specials) or use points to shop for Apple products, Amazon, or PayPal checkout.
• Chase Dining — Use your points for carryout or restaurant meals via Chase Dining.

Double Cash Card

• Cash-back — Redeem points for a statement credit or cash transferred to your bank account.
• Transfer to Select Partners — Transfer rewards earned on your card to JetBlue, Choice, or Wyndham.
• Transfer to a Premium Citi Card — Transfer points earned on the Double Cash card to premium Citi ThankYou Points-earning cards, such as the Citi Premier^® Card to gain access to all of Citi’s hotel and airline partners.
• Redeem for Travel — Points can be used to purchase travel via the Citi ThankYou travel portal for a value of 1 cent each.
• Gift Cards or Shopping — Redeem points for gift cards, shopping at Amazon, select retailers, and checkout via PayPal.

Bottom Line: Although the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card are cash-back cards, you’ll find flexible redemption options such as redeeming points for travel, transferring points to premium cards for more flexible redemption options, purchasing gift cards, and shopping at select retailers. Some redemption options result in less than 1 cent in value per point and therefore are not a good value. 

Travel Protections and Benefits

Neither the Freedom Unlimited card nor the Double Cash card comes with a long list of travel protections and benefits, however, the Freedom Unlimited card does offer a few useful protections and benefits.

Freedom Unlimited Card

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Reserve and pay for your entire rental with your Freedom Unlimited card, decline the car rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary coverage for damage or theft of the rental car. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage is applicable.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — If your flight needs to be canceled or is disrupted for a covered reason, you could receive up to $1,500 per covered person and up to $6,000 per trip.
• Travel Emergency Assistance — If something should go wrong during your trip, you’ll have the benefit of access to help 24/7 with the emergency assistance hotline. Services include help with ticket replacement, translation service referrals, finding English-speaking medical or legal professionals, emergency transportation, and more.

Double Cash Card

The Double Cash card does not offer any travel protections or benefits.

Bottom Line: The Freedom Unlimited card comes with secondary car rental insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel emergency assistance. The Double Cash card does not offer travel protections or benefits. 

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Shopping protections can provide coverage should something happen to an eligible item purchased with your card and shopping benefits can save you money.

Freedom Unlimited Card

• Purchase Protection — Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive coverage for damage or theft for 120 days from the purchase date with a maximum of $500 per claim.
• Extended Warranty — For eligible items purchased with your card that have manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less, receive 1 additional year of coverage.

In addition to shopping protections, you’ll find these shopping benefits that can save you money when you use the Freedom Unlimited card to make your purchase:

• Introductory 0% APR on Purchases — You can save on interest charges while paying for your purchases over time with the 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.99%.
• Shop through Chase — Over 100 retailers and service providers are included in the Shop through Chase portal. You’ll earn cash-back over and above the base earnings when using the associated links to make your purchase.
• Chase Offers — Login to your online card account, review the available Chase Offers, and select the offers you would like to use. You will receive additional cash-back by making the required purchase with the selected retailer or service provider.
• DoorDash DashPass — Freedom Unlimited card members receive free delivery and reduced service fees with a complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription. After the 3-month period, cardholders can continue for 9 additional months for 50% off, then at full price. Membership must be activated by December 31, 2024.
• Instacart Benefits — Receive a free 3-month Instacart+ membership plus a $10 quarterly credit. Activate by July 31, 2024.

Double Cash Card

• Citi Merchant Offers — Login to your online Double Cash card account and select the offers you want to use. Add the offers to your card, make the associated purchase, and receive additional cash-back.
• Citi Entertainment Access — Have access to ticket presales and special experiences at music, sports, cultural, and art events.

Bottom Line: When we compare shopping protections and benefits, the Freedom Unlimited card offers a superior collection over the Double Cash card. 

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

Neither the Freedom Unlimited card nor the Double Cash card charges an annual fee.

Adding authorized users to your card can help you earn rewards faster. There is no additional fee to add authorized users to either the Freedom Unlimited card or the Double Cash card.

Everything Else You Need To Know

The Double Cash card offers an additional benefit you won’t find on the Freedom Unlimited card. You can transfer high-interest credit card debt balances to the card during an introductory 0% APR period and pay back the balance without interest charges.

Balance transfers must be made within the first 4 months after card approval with a 3% transfer fee (minimum of $5). Transfers made after 4 months incur a fee of 5% ($5 minimum). The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%

While both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card work well for paying expenses during domestic travel, you won’t want to use the cards for international travel. Each card charges foreign transaction fees of 3% on the total amount of the purchase.

You will need good to excellent credit, normally 670 or higher, to qualify for either card.

Alternative Cards to the Freedom Unlimited Card and Double Cash Card

Both of our featured cards offer superb earnings on everyday purchases without having to pay an annual fee. However, here are a few more no-annual-fee cards to consider for elevated earnings on purchases you make frequently.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

Enjoy a nice welcome offer and earn 3% on everyday purchases such as U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases ( limit of $6,000 for each category per year, then 1%).

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card

With rotating bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter), you’ll always be earning elevated rewards. In addition, you’ll be earning 3% cash-back on dining and at drugstores and 5% cash-back on qualifying travel purchased via the Chase travel portal. Plus, the card comes with cell phone protection.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Earn 2% cash-back on every purchase plus receive benefits such as cell phone protection, access to the Luxury Hotel Collection, and additional Visa Signature benefits.

Final Thoughts

Both the Freedom Unlimited card and Double Cash card function well as everyday spending credit cards yet each offers flexible options at redemption time. The Freedom Unlimited card has more travel benefits, but if you have an existing travel rewards card, the Double Cash card could supplement it well.

Another deciding factor between these 2 cards could simply be earning potential. The card that closely matches your spending mix and rewards those purchases best will likely be the better choice when earning potential is your priority.

Additionally, if you have a large purchase(s) coming up, the introductory 0% APR period may save you money on interest charges as you pay back the purchase(s) over time with the Freedom Unlimited card. The Double Cash card offers an introductory 0% APR period on balance transfers which could also save you money on interest charges if you have other high-interest credit card debt you can transfer. Terms apply for both of these benefits.

And a final consideration, equally important, would be if you have a premium Chase or Citi card to facilitate transferring points from either of these featured cards. The value of points earned can be potentially greater after transferring and taking advantage of additional redemption options.

The information regarding the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday^® from American Express, click here.