Citi Double Cash Card vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
Even split across the criteria below. Pick the one whose strengths match how you'll actually use it.
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
Citi Double Cash Card and Discover it Student Cash Back split the criteria evenly. Neither is the obvious all-rounder; the right pick depends on which dimensions matter to you.
Citi Double Cash Card wins on first-year math; Discover it Student Cash Back wins on foreign transactions.
Pick the Citi Double Cash Card if year-one math is your priority.
Who wins what
1 vs 1 (2 tie)- First-year math Citi Double Cash Card
Citi Double Cash Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Tie
Same annual fee.
- Earning ceiling Tie
Same peak earning rate.
- Foreign transactions Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $200
- —
- First-year net
- +$200
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Travel Portal
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3.00%
- None
- Reward currency
- Citi ThankYou Points
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.