Citi Bank Double Cash card

[blindambition]

They have followed 6 INQ in 6 months for awhile. I'd garden for at least 6 months before applying. Recent DP show Citi tightening lending standards like most.

[blindambition]

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@CreditFun wrote:

I would wait 6 months. 

I had an issue getting a Best Buy Visa because of inquiries.I'm sure they've all tightened requirements, but 2 different companies. BB is under Citi retail, also known as DSNB. DC is under Citi Nat'l USA, along with their other core cards.

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[wasCB14]

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Imho, its not a mediocre card. Most people dont use a cards extra benefits anyway , and for those that did, i can understand their reluctance to use it again after nerfs. This card is a simple cash back card , can get get instant alerts on purchases, your credit line is instantly updated after making payment, and you have many options to work with in using your cash back, ie straight to checking, statement credit, etc unlike a card that only gives statement credit. $25 minimum redemption , but for some thats not an issue. As stated, if it it fits your spending , its a good fit. 

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"Mediocre" is subjective. It beats a no-rewards card. But OP with a 750 EX can probably do better. Maybe let the recent credit activity cool for several months and then get something like an SDFCU card.

Why I call DC mediocre:

1. Bad customer service.

2. No protections like it used to have, or that still sometimes merit the use of a different Citi card like Costco.

3. No SUB

4. 3% FTF

5. Not a simple 2% card. Rather a 1+1 structure where you need to redeem by check or bank deposit for full value. No simple statement credits.

[Anonymous]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Imho, its not a mediocre card. Most people dont use a cards extra benefits anyway , and for those that did, i can understand their reluctance to use it again after nerfs. This card is a simple cash back card , can get get instant alerts on purchases, your credit line is instantly updated after making payment, and you have many options to work with in using your cash back, ie straight to checking, statement credit, etc unlike a card that only gives statement credit. $25 minimum redemption , but for some thats not an issue. As stated, if it it fits your spending , its a good fit. 

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"Mediocre" is subjective. It beats a no-rewards card. But OP with a 750 EX can probably do better. Maybe let the recent credit activity cool for several months and then get something like an SDFCU card.

Why I call DC mediocre:

1. Bad customer service.

2. No protections like it used to have, or that still sometimes merit the use of a different Citi card like Costco.

3. No SUB

4. 3% FTF

5. Not a simple 2% card. Rather a 1+1 structure where you need to redeem by check or bank deposit for full value. No simple statement credits.

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Yes, but 2% makes a difference over 1.5% when you don't need a warranty, price protection, etc., and you spend significantly on these types of purchases, which I do.

[longtimelurker]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Imho, its not a mediocre card. Most people dont use a cards extra benefits anyway , and for those that did, i can understand their reluctance to use it again after nerfs. This card is a simple cash back card , can get get instant alerts on purchases, your credit line is instantly updated after making payment, and you have many options to work with in using your cash back, ie straight to checking, statement credit, etc unlike a card that only gives statement credit. $25 minimum redemption , but for some thats not an issue. As stated, if it it fits your spending , its a good fit. 

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"Mediocre" is subjective. It beats a no-rewards card. But OP with a 750 EX can probably do better. Maybe let the recent credit activity cool for several months and then get something like an SDFCU card.

Why I call DC mediocre:

1. Bad customer service.

2. No protections like it used to have, or that still sometimes merit the use of a different Citi card like Costco.

3. No SUB

4. 3% FTF

5. Not a simple 2% card. Rather a 1+1 structure where you need to redeem by check or bank deposit for full value. No simple statement credits.

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Yes, but 2% makes a difference over 1.5% when you don't need a warranty, price protection, etc., and you spend significantly on these types of purchases, which I do.

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Right, but the competition isn't between this and a 1.5% card, but between the DC and several other 2% (or 2+% cards).   Most commonly mentioned in the straight 2% are Paypal and Penfed cards, which while may also have some drawbacks, don't have any FTF or 1+1% structures, or $25 min redemption.   (And currently AOD with 3% with no FTF is even better).

Personally, now I would only recommend DC if you use it for TYP, in which case it is a GREAT choice!

[wasCB14]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Imho, its not a mediocre card. Most people dont use a cards extra benefits anyway , and for those that did, i can understand their reluctance to use it again after nerfs. This card is a simple cash back card , can get get instant alerts on purchases, your credit line is instantly updated after making payment, and you have many options to work with in using your cash back, ie straight to checking, statement credit, etc unlike a card that only gives statement credit. $25 minimum redemption , but for some thats not an issue. As stated, if it it fits your spending , its a good fit. 

---

"Mediocre" is subjective. It beats a no-rewards card. But OP with a 750 EX can probably do better. Maybe let the recent credit activity cool for several months and then get something like an SDFCU card.

Why I call DC mediocre:

1. Bad customer service.

2. No protections like it used to have, or that still sometimes merit the use of a different Citi card like Costco.

3. No SUB

4. 3% FTF

5. Not a simple 2% card. Rather a 1+1 structure where you need to redeem by check or bank deposit for full value. No simple statement credits.

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Yes, but 2% makes a difference over 1.5% when you don't need a warranty, price protection, etc., and you spend significantly on these types of purchases, which I do.

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Right, but the competition isn't between this and a 1.5% card, but between the DC and several other 2% (or 2+% cards).   Most commonly mentioned in the straight 2% are Paypal and Penfed cards, which while may also have some drawbacks, don't have any FTF or 1+1% structures, or $25 min redemption.   (And currently AOD with 3% with no FTF is even better).

Personally, now I would only recommend DC if you use it for TYP, in which case it is a GREAT choice!

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I don't question the value of a good off-category card. I have a 2.5%+ Amex and a 2.625% Visa.

I'm just arguing there are better options than applying directly for DC...like getting a different 2% card from another issuer or going first for a big SUBon a different citi card and then PCing.

And AOD just runs circles around DC. I've personally not gotten AOD since it has no SUB, most of my spend can go on an Amex, and I still favor 2x MRs over 3%.

[Anonymous]

@longtimelurker @wasCB14 I get that there are better cards with some drawbacks, but OP did state that the DC card was one that OP wanted for a long time.

Some people want the Amex gold card even when there are better cards out there. Nothing wrong with that. 

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@longtimelurker @wasCB14 I get that there are better cards with some drawbacks, but OP did state that the DC card was one that OP wanted for a long time.

Some people want the Amex gold card even when there are better cards out there. Nothing wrong with that. 

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I think it's good to suggest alternatives, especially when those alternatives involve lesser-known strategies and products. OP isn't particularly active on MF and might not be aware of them.

I was once eager to get an LL Bean card...until someone persuaded me otherwise.

[Save-n-Invest]

Double Cash is my daily driver. I like it. 1% when you swipe. 1% when you pay. I PIF so not biggie there. Entire credit line is vailable for cash advance. No AF.

Citi's site can be a little flakey. I pay via automated phone line. Quick and simple to use. No downside for me. 

My DC was a PC from another Citi card five years ago. 

[wasCB14]

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@Save-n-Invest wrote:

Double Cash is my daily driver. I like it. 1% when you swipe. 1% when you pay. I PIF so not biggie there. Entire credit line is vailable for cash advance. No AF.

Citi's site can be a little flakey. I pay via automated phone line. Quick and simple to use. No downside for me. 

My DC was a PC from another Citi card five years ago. 

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5% cash advance fee.

25.24% cash advance APR.

"We will begin charging interest on cash advances and balance transfers on the transaction date."