Head to head 
Citi Double Cash Card vs. PayPal Cashback Mastercard
On the criteria below, Citi Double Cash Card wins 2 of 3. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Synchrony
At a glance
Citi Double Cash Card wins 2 of 3 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Citi Double Cash Card leads on first-year math and earning ceiling, while PayPal Cashback Mastercard only ties the rest.
Pick the Citi Double Cash Card if year-one math is your priority.
Who wins what
2 vs 0 (1 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 Citi Double Cash Card
Citi Double Cash Card earns more on its best category (5× vs 3×).
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $200
- —
- First-year net
- +$200
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- 3×
- Top categories
- Travel Portal
- PayPal Purchases
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3.00%
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Citi ThankYou Points
- PayPal Cash Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.