Finding the ideal credit card can make all the difference in terms of rewards. But it is important to be aware of what factors should be considered when selecting a card.
The Chase Freedom Flex offers up to $1,500 cash back every quarter in rotating bonus categories (up to 5% cash back in all). Plus it provides extensive benefits such as cell phone protection and trip cancellation insurance. Your rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, checks or Citi ThankYou points.
Sign-up bonus
The Citi Double Cash Card boasts one of the highest flat rewards rates on the market. Cardholders earn 1% back with every purchase and an extra 1% when paying their balances off early. Furthermore, this card comes without an annual fee and provides long 0% intro APRs on balance transfers – however this card may not suit everyone; if you want enhanced rewards in specific spending categories or need travel credit cards then another solution might be more suitable.
The Chase Freedom Flex card stands out by offering an impressive sign-up bonus to new members: $200 when spending $500 within three months of opening your account, making this card a welcome offer considering its low minimum spending requirement. In addition, other benefits of using this card include zero introductory APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 1.5% base earnings rate on purchases.
Citi Double Cash doesn’t offer rotating categories; in contrast, Chase Freedom Flex provides up to $1,500 cash back each quarter in rotating categories (up to 5% cash back in each one) plus 3% on dining and drugstore purchases; it also gives 1% back for all other purchases and until March 2025 gives an additional 5% bonus when it comes to qualifying Lyft rides! You can redeem earned rewards several ways; statement credits, direct deposits into checking or savings accounts, travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal shopping on Amazon etc and gift cards among them being just some.
Cardholders of Chase Freedom Flex credit cards can transfer their rewards to premium Citi ThankYou Points-earning cards, giving them access to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. Chase Freedom Flex cardholders also enjoy many different redemption options including earning unlimited matched cash back in their first year – this means any cash earned automatically credits your account and can be redeemed in any amount! It also comes equipped with zero liability protection, extended warranty coverage, purchase car rental insurance coverage, trip cancellation/interruption coverage as well as cellphone protection/protection/theft alerts features!
Cash back
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent card for everyday spending, offering 1.5% cash back without rotating bonus categories. Furthermore, its other benefits include access to VIP events through Citi Entertainment; $0 fraud liability with Citi Identity Theft Solutions; digital wallet capabilities and contactless payments capabilities – you can redeem rewards in the form of statement credits, direct deposits or Citi ThankYou points (for airline/hotel redemptions an upgraded Citi travel card like the Premier Card is necessary).
The Chase Freedom Flex is another ideal credit card for travelers, offering up to 5% back on quarterly bonus categories on purchases up to $1,500 spent. Furthermore, this card features a low 1% flat rate on all purchases as well as generous 0% APR promotions. Furthermore, other benefits such as its credit score simulator and access to Credit Journey provide an overview of your credit history as well as mobile app, digital wallet and virtual account numbers to make online shopping safer while its protections against fraud such as zero liability purchase protection, early warning notifications and Lost Card services can provide protections against unauthorized charges as well.
Both cards offer no-fee cards, which is a key advantage. An annual fee can reduce the value of rewards credit cards when looking to transfer a balance, so choosing cards that do not charge an annual fee could make all the difference in a transfer attempt.
Although both cards offer similar rewards rates, each offers unique redemption options and features that may help you choose the best card for your needs. For instance, Chase Freedom Flex allows you to redeem rewards in a variety of ways such as statement credits or gift cards; additionally you can use your points for travel booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amazon purchases.
When making the choice between Chase Freedom Flex and Citi Double Cash cards, consider your shopping habits carefully. If you spend frequently within Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories without minding activating ongoing bonuses, this card might be more appropriate.
Balance transfer fee
Debt can quickly add up, and without timely payments on balance transfers it can spiral out of control. Luckily, many cards offer 0% interest for 18 months on balance transfers making them ideal for anyone trying to reduce debt while saving money at the same time.
Although both Citi Double Cash and Chase Freedom Flex offer 18 month 0% APR balance transfers, the former has additional advantages including a flat 2% rate on all purchases with no restrictions by category and special access to events and experiences as well as 24 hour fraud assistance and $0 liability on unintentional charges.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card does not offer a zero percent APR on balance transfers for 18 months; however, it offers a 1.5% flat rate on purchases instead. Furthermore, this card provides additional features like cell phone protection and secondary car rental insurance as well as giving users access to redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points for cash back, gift cards or travel.
Both cards offer late payment and returned payment penalties that you should consider, yet neither has an annual fee, making them both an appealing option for consumers. Citi has limited redemption options; however, you can use your rewards through its loyalty program for an array of products and services.
Citi cards allow you to convert rewards into statement credit or ThankYou Points that can be redeemed for travel and lifestyle options, like buying gift cards or making charitable donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. In contrast, Chase cards provide access to their Ultimate Rewards travel portal where flights, hotels and cars can be booked as well as cell phone protection, secondary rental car insurance coverage and trip cancellation and interruption coverage – among many other features.
Other fees
Citi Double Cash and Chase Freedom Flex are both great credit cards with solid earning potential. When making your selection, there are a few factors you must keep in mind. First and foremost is understanding their rewards structures and bonus categories: Citi offers simple 2% cash back for purchases made anywhere while Chase Freedom Flex boasts higher bonuses in specific spending categories such as dining, travel and drugstore purchases; both cards may prove more beneficial depending on your spending habits.
Other considerations when it comes to credit cards include redemption options and benefits. Both cards offer flexible redemption options such as statement credits or direct deposit into a checking or savings account, contactless payments that allow users to pay at point-of-sale by simply tapping their card on a reader, 24/7 fraud protection features and $0 liability for unauthorized charges.
Citi Double Cash also features a limited-time welcome offer, providing $200 back when spending $500 in six months. While this bonus may be significantly smaller than what’s offered with Chase Freedom Unlimited, it may still sway your decision to open a Citi Double Cash account.
The Citi Double Cash card is an exceptional tier 2 card offering ThankYou points which can be redeemed for cash or transferred to travel partners, plus it also comes equipped with premium perks like special ticket access and concierge services. In contrast, Chase Freedom Unlimited provides reliable transfer partner opportunities as well as consumer and travel protections; however it lacks signup bonuses and has less earning potential than its competitor Citi Double Cash card.