Citi
Citi Double Cash Card
Credit cards
$0/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Citi Double Cash Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Credit cards
$550/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- Leads 3 of 5 rankable overall specs; Citi Double Cash Card takes 2.
- Foreign transaction fee: None vs 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Late fee: Up to $40 vs Up to $41
Citi Double Cash Card charges $550 less a year. Pay the higher fee only if foreign transaction fee matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Chase Sapphire Reserve has annual fee. the Chase Sapphire Reserve needs excellent credit (720+). the Chase Sapphire Reserve has no 0% intro APR. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Citi Double Cash Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual feeFees & Rates | $0 (No annual fee) | $550 |
| Regular APRFees & Rates | 19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR | 21.49% – 28.49% Variable APR |
| Foreign transaction feeFees & Rates | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | None (0%) |
| Late feeFees & Rates | Up to $41 | Up to $40 |
| Rewards rateRewards & Perks | 2% cash back (1% when you buy + 1% as you pay off purchases) | 10X hotels/cars & 5X flights via Chase Travel, 3X general travel & dining, 1X other |
Showing 5 of 10 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Citi Double Cash Card
Reasons to choose it
- Effective 2% flat cash back with no category tracking or spending caps
- No annual fee
- Earns transferable Citi ThankYou points convertible to cash back or travel
Worth considering
- 3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international travel
- No built-in travel perks or insurance protections
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Reasons to choose it
- $300 automatic annual travel statement credit offsets base annual fee
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access and Sapphire Lounge entry
- 50% bonus point value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel (1.5¢ each)
Worth considering
- $550 annual fee plus $75 per authorized user
- Requires Excellent credit (720+) to qualify
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
Citi Double Cash Card
3-Year Estimated Total$0
Chase Sapphire Reserve
3-Year Estimated Total$1,650
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Citi: What to watch for
Chase: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
Priority Pass lounge crowding and long waitlists during peak hours.
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which card has the lower annual fee, Citi Double Cash Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Citi Double Cash Card charges $550 a year less.
What is the biggest catch with the Citi Double Cash Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Chase Sapphire Reserve has this deal-breaker: annual fee. You pay before a single reward is earned.
Which is better for travel, the Citi Double Cash Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
For travel, buy the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Leads 2 of 3 rankable travel specs; Citi Double Cash Card takes 1. Foreign transaction fee: None vs 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 10 specs tracked here, 5 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.