Apple Card vs Citi Double Cash
By Alex Compton · Updated
Choose Citi Double Cash for everyday domestic purchases that you will pay off, especially where Apple Pay is unavailable. Choose Apple Card when its 3% merchants, Wallet tools or lack of foreign transaction fees fit your spending. Both have no annual fee, but their 2% rates work differently: Citi pays 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay; Apple requires Apple Pay for its general 2% rate.
Apple Card
Goldman Sachs
- Our rating
- 7.5/10
- Welcome bonus
- $100 cash
- Bonus value
- ≈$100
- Annual fee
- $0
- Credits, max/yr
- $0
- Foreign txn fee
- None
Top earning rates
- 3x Apple and select Apple Pay merchants
- 2x All Apple Pay purchases
- 1x Other eligible purchases, including physical or virtual card number
Citi Double Cash
Citi
- Our rating
- 8.3/10
- Welcome bonus
- 20,000 points
- Bonus value
- ≈$200
- Annual fee
- $0
- Credits, max/yr
- $0
- Foreign txn fee
- 3%
Top earning rates
- 5x Hotels, car rentals & attractions through Citi Travel
- 2x Everything (1% buy + 1% pay)
Example: $1,000 in monthly purchases
| Spending pattern | Apple Card per year | Citi Double Cash per year |
|---|---|---|
| All purchases at the ordinary Apple Pay rate | $240 | $240 |
| 80% ordinary Apple Pay, 10% eligible Apple 3%, 10% other purchases | $240 | $240 |
| 60% ordinary Apple Pay, 10% eligible Apple 3%, 30% other purchases | $216 | $240 |
Illustration assumes $12,000 in annual domestic eligible purchases, all purchases paid off, and Citi rewards redeemed for cash at 1 cent per point. Excludes welcome bonuses, interest, fees, Citi Travel purchases and interest earned in a separate savings account. These are examples, not predicted personal results.
Where Each Wins
Everyday purchases
Double CashCiti earns 1% on eligible purchases plus 1% as you pay the purchase balance, whether you use its card or a digital wallet. Apple earns 2% with Apple Pay and generally 1% when you use the physical card or virtual card number.
Higher earning categories
TieApple earns 3% at Apple and participating merchants under their terms. Citi earns 5% total on eligible hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel. Compare the booking price and restrictions before choosing a portal for rewards.
Foreign purchases
Apple CardApple has no foreign transaction fee. Citi charges 3% of a foreign purchase in US dollars, which exceeds its ordinary 2% rewards on that purchase. Both have no annual fee; interest costs still matter if you carry a balance.
Receiving your rewards
TieApple Daily Cash is earned after transactions post, with timing that varies by merchant; eligible users can direct it to Apple Cash or Savings. Citi awards ThankYou Points by billing cycle and supports cash redemption by statement credit, direct deposit or check.
Apple purchase financing
Apple CardEligible Apple purchases can use Apple Card Monthly Installments at 0% APR when that option is selected at checkout. This does not make ordinary card purchases interest-free. Check product, carrier and eligibility restrictions before buying.
Welcome promotion
Double CashAs checked October 22, Citi lists $200 after $1,500 in purchases within six months, subject to eligibility. Apple’s linked promotion offers $100 after $100 within 30 days for eligible new cardholders. Apple applicants must use that promotion’s Apply now button; a general application may not qualify.
The Compound Verdict
For a single everyday card, Citi is easier to use consistently when part of your spending cannot go through Apple Pay. Apple can match or exceed that return when enough spending qualifies for 3%, and its lack of a foreign transaction fee matters overseas. For ordinary domestic purchases, each dollar at Apple’s 3% rate offsets a dollar earning 1% when compared with Citi’s 2% after payment. Use your own spending mix rather than assuming that paying by phone always wins.
Our ratings give it to the Citi Double Cash (8.3 vs 7.5). On current welcome offers, the Double Cash brings the bigger first-year haul at ≈$200.
Read the full reviews for the complete math: Apple Card review and Double Cash review, or put them side by side in the comparison tool.
Sources checked 2026-10-22
Common Questions
Is Apple Card or Citi Double Cash better for everyday spending?
Citi Double Cash is usually the simpler option when you regularly pay without Apple Pay and pay off your purchases. Apple Card can work better when you spend enough at its 3% merchants or value its Wallet features and lack of foreign transaction fees.
Does Citi Double Cash earn 2% immediately?
No. You earn 1% when you make eligible purchases and another 1% as you pay the purchase balance. Pay at least the minimum on time to earn rewards. Cash advances and balance transfers are not eligible purchases.
Can I use Citi Double Cash with Apple Pay?
Yes. Citi supports Apple Pay and other digital wallets. Using Apple Pay does not turn Citi’s ordinary purchases into a higher reward category; the normal buy-and-pay terms still apply.
Does Apple Card have a welcome bonus?
The official promotion checked October 22 offers $100 in Daily Cash after $100 in purchases within 30 days. It requires a new account opened through the linked promotion, and family participant purchases do not count. Offers can change, so read the promotion before applying.
Is Apple Card moving to Chase?
Apple and Chase announced the transition on January 7, 2026 and expected it to take approximately 24 months. Apple says existing card use continues normally during the transition. Goldman Sachs remains the issuer shown in the current promotion terms.