Giving these cards an apples-to-apples comparison in each category shows how similar they really are.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash annual fee
Winner: Tie
This is one category where both cards ace the grade since neither has an annual fee. Cards with no annual fee are awesome because they don't cost you anything extra just to have them in your wallet.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash welcome offer
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Both cards have welcome bonuses that periodically change, but the standard welcome bonus for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has more potential. Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
With the Citi Double Cash® Card, you need to spend $1,500 in the first 6 months to earn 20,000 ThankYou® Points (worth $200). So you stand to earn more with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, depending on your spending, and you have a whole year to rack it up.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash intro APR
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an easy winner here since it has an intro offer on both new purchases as well as balance transfers, while the Citi Double Cash® Card has only the latter.
Specifically, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has 15 months of 0% intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers (the 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR applies at the end of the intro period). You also get an intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days. After the 60 days, the balance transfer fee reverts to the card's standard amount: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Citi Double Cash® Card has a slightly longer 18 months 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers (the go-to 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies at the end of the intro period), but no intro APR on new purchases. Its balance transfer fee is 3% ($5 min.) on transfers in the first four months, 5% ($5 min.) thereafter.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Citi Double Cash rewards
Winner: Tie
This is the hardest category to call a winner in since there are just so many variables.
Even if we take each card only on its own merits, the better cash back rewards card will depend on your spending. The Citi Double Cash® Card has the higher flat rate, but the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has the dining and drugstore bonus categories.
But deciding this category goes well beyond the cards' face value. If you have the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, for instance, your rewards can be combined. Your Citi Double Cash® Card earns up to 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay.
Similarly, if you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, then you can pool those rewards. This would mean you earn a flat rate of 1.5X Ultimate Rewards points per $1, and up to 3X points per $1 on dining and drugstores.
So, which card has the better rewards comes down to both your spending habits and which other cards you already have in your wallet.