SoFi Credit Card vs. Citi Double Cash Credit Card Benefits
By Caren Weiner | Updated September 4, 2026
For many spenders, cash-back credit card rewards seem like found money. Just by making ordinary purchases with their cash-back card, they get credit for a fraction of the purchase price — typically 1% to 5% — in the form of rewards points. They can later redeem those points for a cash value, subject to terms and conditions.
If a cash-back card sounds appealing to you, two popular examples you may want to consider are the SoFi Unlimited 2% Card and Citi Double Cash Credit Card. Here’s how they compare.
- Key Points
- • SoFi awards 2% cash back rewards on eligible purchases, whereas Citi splits rewards between purchase and payment.
- • Citi Double Cash provides a $200 new account bonus and an 18-month 0% intro balance transfer APR.
- • SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card cardholders get cell phone coverage up to $1,000 per year and pay no foreign transaction fees.
- • SoFi Plus members receive an enhanced 2.2% cash back rate and higher rewards on SoFi Travel bookings.
Subscribe to SoFi Plus today.
What Is the SoFi Credit Card?
The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card is a Mastercard that pays out 2% cash back rewards on eligible purchases. Cardholders can have their rewards points credited to SoFi accounts — including banking, investing, loans, or credit cards — or apply them to SoFi Travel purchases. A general-purpose Mastercard, the SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card is accepted anywhere in the world and provides an array of benefits and protections to cardholders.
Benefits of SoFi Credit Card
• Cash-back rewards: Collect 2% cash back rewards on all purchases
• No annual fee: See pricing, terms, and conditions
• SoFi Plus benefits: SoFi Plus membership boosts cash back by 10%
• Fraud defense: Cardholders get protection from fraud and identity theft at no additional cost
• Cell phone insurance: In case of malfunction or theft, the user’s mobile phone is covered for up to $1,000 per year
• Travel benefits: For trips booked through SoFi Travel, cardholders get 3% cash-back rewards; spending money abroad earns reward points but incurs no foreign transaction fees
• Mastercard World Elite services: Users have 24/7 travel concierge access and preferred access to sightseeing options and concert tickets, plus monthly Lyft credits
What is the Citi Double Cash Credit Card?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card is a Mastercard with no annual fee that gives cardholders 2% cash back on eligible purchases. Reward points, called ThankYou Points, are awarded in two phases. The user gets points worth 1% at the time of purchase, and 1% when they pay off the card balance for that purchase. Points can be redeemed for shopping, statement credits, and travel; the conversion rate of points to dollars may vary.
Benefits of Citi Double Cash Credit Card
• Cash-back rewards: Users get 2% of purchase value: 1% right away and 1% after paying the card balance
• No annual fee: Cardholders pay $0 at signup and $0 each year thereafter
• New account bonus: Cardholders who make purchases worth $1,500 in their first six months get $200 cash back (20,000 ThankYou Points)
• Interest-free balance transfer: Users pay an introductory rate of 0% for the first 18 months; after that, the regular variable APR applies
• Additional rewards for travel bookings: Paying for hotels, car rentals, and attractions through Citi Travel® earns an additional 3% cash back, for a combined 5 ThankYou Points per dollar
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SoFi Credit Card vs. Citi Double Cash Credit Card
Feature |
SoFi Unlimited 2% Card |
Citi Double Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
Cash-back rewards |
2%, all awarded upon purchase |
2% total: 1% awarded upon purchase, 1% upon payment of balance |
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
Welcome bonus |
None |
$200 cash back (after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months) |
Minimum credit limit |
$500 |
$500 |
Intro APR for purchases |
Standard APR |
Standard APR |
Maximum APR for purchases |
29.99% |
27.49% (unless penalty applies) |
Balance transfer APR |
Standard APR |
0% for first 18 months |
Maximum balance transfer fee |
$10 or 5% of the balance transfer, whichever is greater |
3% of each transfer within first four months, then 5% of each transfer |
Late payment fee |
Up to $41 |
Up to $41 |
Cash advance fee |
5% of the advance amount |
$10 or 5% of the advance amount, whichever is greater |
SoFi Plus Advantages for SoFi Credit Card
The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card can take on extra shine for members of SoFi Plus, the bank’s premium membership tier. Anyone can join SoFi Plus for $10 per month and, with that premium status, reap more rewards from the card: Membership can increase the card’s 2% cash back rewards to 2.2%. So when a cardholder with SoFi Plus status spends $1,000 on purchases, they get $22 back in rewards.
Globetrotters get an even stronger benefit from the SoFi Plus extra cash back rewards benefit when they use a SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card to arrange hotel stays and car rentals through the SoFi Travel portal. By booking through SoFi Travel, SoFi Plus members can earn cash-back rewards of up to 5.5%.
SoFi Plus members who want to apply for a credit card but aren’t sure they’re ready can access benefits like these through SoFi’s new Coach platform:
• Debt summaries to help with budgeting
• Spending analysis
Using these features to track and strengthen credit scores can help improve credit card approval odds.
Visit the SoFi Plus page for details on specific membership and promotional offerings.
SoFi Plus Benefits
Credit cards aside, SoFi Plus membership brings with it other premium banking services:
• SoFi Bank savings accounts that earn 4.50% APY on a balance of up to $20,000; all other savings balances earn 3.10% APY
• An unlimited number of one-on-one sessions with experienced SoFi Wealth planners
• Discounts on fees for new loans. They’re eligible for a 0.25% rate discount on personal loans, a $200 home equity loan origination fee discount, an extra $500 SoFi mortgage origination fee discount, and more.
• 1% match on eligible deposits into non-retirement SoFi Invest accounts
• 1% on crypto purchases matched
Away from the keyboard, SoFi Plus members have special access to live music, sports, and entertainment events in many cities across the U.S. via SoFi Plus Experiences.
Tips to Maximize SoFi Plus Benefits
SoFi Plus membership rewards extend beyond those linked to the SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card. To make the most of SoFi Plus, look at your financial picture more broadly and consider making moves like these:
• Book one-on-one sessions with SoFi Wealth-affiliated financial planners – as many as you need, at no extra cost. Making use of their tax, investment, or planning guidance could save you sums far beyond the cost of a SoFi Plus membership.
• Take full advantage of the special SoFi Savings account APY: 4.50% on a balance of up to $20,000.
• Capture the 1% match on cash deposits into non-retirement SoFi Invest accounts. (The bonus money must stay in the account for five years.)
To explore how much value you could derive from SoFi Plus, check out the SoFi Plus calculator.
The Takeaway
Both of these credit cards give users 2% cash back on purchases while charging no annual fees. SoFi’s card awards you cash back rewards on all eligible purchases; SoFi Plus membership boosts the reward rate by 10% and offers you access to additional benefits. In contrast, the Citi Double Cash card splits your rewards, giving you 1% upon purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. It also bestows a cash bonus on newcomers who meet spending requirements, plus a balance-transfer deal of 0% interest for the first 18 months.
SoFi Plus is America’s most rewarding financial membership—all in one app.* Unlock extra savings, rewards, discounts, and more.
FAQ
Is the Citi Double Cash Credit Card difficult to get?
It depends. The ease with which you can get a Citi Double Cash Credit Card reflects various financial metrics. During the approval process, Citi gauges your credit score, your ability to manage different types of credit, your debt load, and your past payment history, among other factors.
What credit score do I need for a Citi Double Cash Card?
Card issuers rarely publish specific credit score requirements, and Citi is no exception. Instead, Citi says it makes approval decisions based on a mixture of factors, including (but not limited to) individual creditworthiness and financial history. In general, of course, the higher your credit score, the easier it is to qualify for any card.
What is the minimum credit line for Citi Double Cash Credit Card?
According to Citi’s disclosure documents, a cardholder’s credit limit is determined based on their individual creditworthiness and income. Some users may have limits as low as $500.
What is the Citi Double Cash Credit Card?
The Citi Double Cash Credit Card is a Mastercard with no annual fee that gives users an unlimited cash-back rate of 2% on all eligible purchases. The cash back points are awarded in two phases: 1% at the time of purchase, and 1% when the card balance for that purchase is paid off.
What is the cost of a SoFi Plus subscription?
A SoFi Plus subscription costs $10 per month.
Is SoFi Plus worth it?
If the benefits of SoFi Plus align with your financial goals, the cost of membership can be worth it. The easiest way to offset the price of your subscription is to deposit money into a SoFi savings account, on which SoFi Plus members earn 4.50% APY on up to $20,000. Investment matches and enhanced credit card rewards are additional perks that may help you defray or recoup your membership costs.
How do I sign up for SoFi Plus?
You can sign up for SoFi Plus on the website or through the app. People with at least one SoFi account (“members”) can log in, go to their profile, and click on the Membership & Rewards section there. That section includes an option to upgrade to SoFi Plus. After the member selects the upgrade option, the app or site will help them complete the enrollment process.
