The Citi Double Cash® Card offers a higher rewards rate on general purchases but lacks the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card’s elevated rate on select travel.
Expert Take: These two cards have a lot in common: a similar welcome bonus, lack of an annual fee and a simple rewards structure, to name a few. Most people will find the Citi Double Cash more lucrative since it earns a slightly higher cash back rate on all purchases. However, the Quicksilver has a few things going for it, including an elevated cash back rate on select travel purchased through Capital One.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
On CreditCards.com’s secure site
4.5
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Bonus
$200 Cash Bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why We Like It
The Quicksilver is a well-known favorite for simplicity lovers and those whose spending doesn’t align with typical credit card bonus categories. All purchases earn 1.5% unlimited cash back, and it doesn’t charge an annual fee. There’s also an one-time intro bonus where you can earn a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Pros and Cons
- Welcome bonus requires just $500 in spending within three months of opening account
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Rewards rate on all purchases isn’t as high as that of the Citi Double Cash
- Shorter intro APR on balance transfers compared to the Citi Double Cash
- The elevated rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel likely won’t make up for the lower ongoing rewards rate
On CreditCards.com’s secure site
4.5
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Citi Double Cash® Card
On Citi’s secure site
4.0
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% Variable
Intro Bonus
$200 Cash Back Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of your Citi Double Cash® card account opening.
Recommended Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
We We Like It
The effective 2% cash back on all purchases offered by the Citi Double Cash (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay for your purchases) is the ultimate combination of straightforward and valuable. Plus, the intro APR offer on balance transfers makes this a great card for those looking to pay down debt in the short term and earn rewards in the long term.
Pros and Cons
- Higher cash back rate on general purchases
- Longer intro APR period on balance transfers
- Through 12/31/2024, earn 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked via Citi Travel
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Welcome bonus spending requirement is higher than the Quicksilver’s, but the bonus value is the same
- No intro APR offer on purchases
On Citi’s secure site
4.0
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Vault’s Viewpoint on the Capital One Quicksilver vs. Citi Double Cash
At a high level, these credit cards offer the same value proposition: A steady stream of cash back that requires little to no strategizing and no annual fee. They’re both popular options for people who prefer a hands-off rewards strategy and those whose spending doesn’t typically align with popular credit card bonus categories. However, the Citi Double Cash offers a slightly higher rewards rate on general purchases—up to 2% cash back (1% as you buy and 1% when you pay) versus the Quicksilver’s 1.5% unlimited cash back rate. That translates to $5 more in cash back per $1,000 in spending with the Citi Double Cash.
Currently, both cards also offer 5% cash back on select travel booked through each issuer’s portal. Specifically, the Capital One Quicksilver offers 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. While this perk is built into the Capital One card, the Citi Double Cash’s offer is only for a limited time: Through 12/31/2024, you can earn 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel. Note that airfare is excluded from both of these cards’ travel rewards categories.
For a lot of people, hotels, rental cars and attractions are not a significant annual expense, making that cash back category almost negligible (though a nice bonus if you use it). For that reason, the Citi Double Cash is generally going to be the higher-earning option. However, the remaining few subtle differences between these cards may tip the scales the other way for some people. The Quicksilver may be a better option if you want to use your card internationally since it charges no foreign transaction fees (the Double Cash charges a 3% foreign transaction fee). It also may be a better option if spending $500 within three months to earn the one-time welcome bonus is more realistic for you than spending $1,500 within six months.
Finally, the intro APR offers set these two cards apart. The Double Cash offers a longer intro APR period on balance transfers, making it a better card for paying down existing debt. The Quicksilver offers an intro APR period on both new purchases and balance transfers, making it a better option for those who want to split up payments for a near future purchase.
Capital One Quicksilver Highlights
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
On CreditCards.com’s secure site
4.5
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Bonus
$200 Cash Bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
On CreditCards.com’s secure site
4.5
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Earning Rewards With the Capital One Quicksilver
The Quicksilver’s cash back program is refreshingly simple and easy to remember:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Other Benefits of the Capital One Quicksilver
Shopping benefits
- Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty protection on eligible items purchased with your card.
- Shopping redemption options: Pay for Amazon.com and PayPal purchases using your rewards.
- Capital One Shopping: Access a free online shopping tool that automatically applies available coupon codes.This does not require holding a Capital One product.
- Capital One Offers: Earn statement credits by shopping online at thousands of retailers.
- Café discounts: Get 50% off handcrafted beverages at Capital One Cafés nationwide.
Travel benefits
- Concierge Service access: Get complimentary personalized assistance for dining, entertainment and travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Travel Assistance services: Get an emergency replacement card and a cash advance if your credit card is lost or stolen.
- Travel accident insurance: Get automatic insurance for a covered loss at no extra charge when you use your Quicksilver credit card to purchase your fare.
Entertainment benefits
- Capital One Dining: Get access to exclusive reservations at award-winning restaurants and tickets to curated culinary events.
- Capital One Entertainment: Get exclusive presales, tickets and suite experiences for music, sports and dining events.
Other benefits
- CreditWise: Get alerts when your TransUnion or Experian credit report changes whether you’re a Capital One customer or not.
- Eno: Keep your card number secure when online shopping by using virtual card numbers and get alerts for potential mistakes like duplicate purchases or recurring bill increases.
Citi Double Cash Highlights
Citi Double Cash® Card
On Citi’s secure site
4.0
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% Variable
Intro Bonus
$200 Cash Back Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of your Citi Double Cash® card account opening.
Recommended Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
On Citi’s secure site
4.0
Our comprehensive credit card evaluations use a 5-star rating system focusing on each card’s primary category. We then make standardized adjustments based on factors like unique features, welcome offer values, and the availability of transferable points.
Vault Verified
Earning Rewards With the Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash’s rewards structure may sound complex, but all you need to do is pay your bills on time to earn up to 2% back on all purchases.
- Unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay
- 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal through 12/31/24
Other Benefits of the Citi Double Cash
- ID theft monitoring: Mastercard’s ID Theft Protection program monitors the information you choose to protect and alerts you if suspicious activity is found.
- Citi Entertainment: Get exclusive access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with Points: Pay for Amazon.com and purchases using your rewards.
Who Is the Capital One Quicksilver Best For?
Since it offers a lower ongoing cash back rate between the two cards, the Quicksilver’s ideal cardholder will care more about its other features. The Quicksilver has a longer list of additional perks and benefits, including extended warranty protection, concierge service and travel assistance service. If any of those perks speak to you, it may be worth sacrificing some of your cash back earnings.
It’s also the better choice for frequent travelers since it offers no foreign transaction fees and an elevated rate on hotels and rental cars purchased through the issuer’s travel portal. The Citi Double Cash currently offers this too, but only for a limited time.
Finally, it’s the better choice for those who want to finance a purchase in the near future, since it offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months that your account is open (followed by a 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR). A balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred during the promotional period applies (after that there’s no fee on transferred balances or 4% on any promotional rate that may be offered).
Who Is the Citi Double Cash Best For?
Most people will get more value out of the Citi Double Cash simply due to its higher cash back rate on all purchases. For example, by our math, if you spend $1,500 per month on either credit card for one year, you’ll earn $360 with the Double Cash versus $270 with the Quicksilver—a $90 difference.
If you’re wondering whether the Quicksilver’s elevated rate on select travel might make up the difference, that may be true for big travel spenders. Again, the Citi Double Cash is offering essentially the same deal through the end of 2024, but assuming that the offer expires, you would need to spend significantly to make up the difference in cash back earnings. Using our own same example of $1,500 in spending per month, you would need to spend an additional $1,800 annually on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal to make up the $90 difference in cash back earnings.
The Citi Double Cash is also the better option for those looking to complete a balance transfer since it offers a better intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers completed within four months of account opening (19.24% to 29.24% variable APR thereafter).
Capital One Quicksilver vs. Citi Double Cash Differences
| Capital One Quicksilver | Citi Double Cash | |
| Rewards for general purchases | 1.5% unlimited cash back | Up to 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay for purchases) |
| Travel rewards | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel | Through 12/31/24, earn 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal |
| Sign-up bonus | Earn $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of your account opening |
| Intro APR for balance transfers | 0% intro APR for 15 months (then 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that) | 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers completed within four months of account opening |
| Intro APR for purchases | 0% intro APR for 15 months (then 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that) | None |
| Variable APR | 19.99% – 29.99% | 19.24% to 29.24% |
| Balance transfer fee | Intro fee of 3% for balances that post to your account during the promotional 15 month period; 4% or none thereafter | Intro fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first four months; 5% ($5 minimum) thereafter |
Who Should Consider an Alternative?
If you already have a flat-rate rewards credit card, you might not find anything special in either of these cards. One of the best cash back strategies for those interested in carrying multiple credit cards is to pair a flat-rate card with a card that has bonus categories.
For example, you might use a card like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card to earn elevated cash back on dining, entertainment and at grocery stores and swipe a flat-rate cash back card to earn an elevated rate on everything else.
All information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Newsweek Vault. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is no longer available through Newsweek Vault.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
