Freedom Unlimited vs Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash comes out ahead for all three spending profiles we tested. Below: what each card pays after fees for three spending profiles, the break-even, and a live calculator for your own numbers. Card terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
Simulated results
Five years, welcome offers counted when the profile's own spending reaches them, points valued as cash (Chase points at 1.0¢, Citi points at 1.0¢). Merchant credits like Uber or DoorDash aren't counted for typed profiles; they show up in the break-even instead.
| Profile | Freedom Unlimited: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years | Citi Double Cash: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $605 | $405 | $2,227 | $674 | $474 | $2,570 |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $893 | $693 | $3,665 | $995 | $795 | $4,175 |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $1,100 | $900 | $4,700 | $1,220 | $1,020 | $5,300 |
The break-even
Everyday spender
Freedom Unlimited trails Citi Double Cash by $69 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $69 a year to you.
This flips if Chase points are worth more than 1.15¢ each to you (we're using 1.0¢).
Balanced
Freedom Unlimited trails Citi Double Cash by $102 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $102 a year to you.
This flips if Chase points are worth more than 1.13¢ each to you (we're using 1.0¢).
Frequent traveler
Freedom Unlimited trails Citi Double Cash by $120 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $120 a year to you.
This flips if Chase points are worth more than 1.11¢ each to you (we're using 1.0¢).
Try it with your spending
Starts from the Balanced profile. Change any number, or drop in your statements; they're read on this device and never uploaded.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
Side by side
| Term | Freedom Unlimited | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer and network | Chase, Visa | Citi, Mastercard |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Requires | Nothing extra | Nothing extra |
| Welcome offer | 20,000 points after $500 in 3 months | $200 after $1,500 in 6 months |
| Earning | 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel · 3% on dining at restaurants (incl. takeout and eligible delivery) · 3% at drugstores · 2% total on Lyft rides/products in the Lyft app through 9/30/2027 · 1.5x on everything else | 5x total (2x + 3x extra) on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel · 2x on everything else |
| Rewards currency | Chase Ultimate Rewards points | Citi ThankYou points |
| Statement credits | $10 quarterly DoorDash promo on a non-restaurant order | None |
| Lounges | None | None |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% |
| Authorized users | No fee | No fee |
| Availability | Open to new applicants | Open to new applicants |
| Verified | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
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