Capital One Spark Cash vs Citi Double Cash
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Citi Double Cash from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Capital One Spark Cash is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($800 more in estimated value) than the Citi Double Cash's. Get the Capital One Spark Cash first; revisit the Citi Double Cash after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $1,500 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Citi |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Editorial take: Citi Double Cash
The OG flat 2% card. Pairs with Custom Cash + Premier to form Citi's trifecta, turns your combined cash back into transferable ThankYou Points. Rock solid for non-bonus spend.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash or Citi Double Cash?
- The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Citi Double Cash.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Double Cash?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Double Cash's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Citi Double Cash?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Capital One Spark Cash or the Citi Double Cash first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Double Cash: $1,500 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
