Create data/card_benefits/citi_double_cash.md

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+# Citi Double Cash Card
+
+## Card Overview
+- **Annual Fee:** $0
+- **Earning Structure:** 2% cash back on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
+- **Best For:** Simple, straightforward cash back
+- **Network:** Mastercard
+
+## Earning Structure
+
+### The Double Cash Mechanism
+1. **1% cash back when you make a purchase**
+2. **1% cash back when you pay off the purchase**
+3. **Total: 2% cash back on all purchases**
+
+### Important Notes
+- Must pay off purchases to earn the second 1%
+- Paying only minimum payment earns prorated cash back
+- No categories to track
+- No activation required
+- No spending caps
+- Unlimited earning
+
+## Key Benefits
+
+### Simplicity
+- **No categories:** Everything earns 2%
+- **No rotation:** Same rate year-round
+- **No caps:** Unlimited earning
+- **No annual fee:** $0 forever
+
+### Citi Benefits
+- 0% intro APR on balance transfers (18 months, then variable APR)
+- No foreign transaction fees
+- Citi Entertainment access
+- Mastercard benefits
+
+### Purchase Protection
+- Damage and theft protection (up to $1,000/claim, $50,000/year, first 90 days)
+- Extended warranty (adds 2 years to manufacturer warranty up to 7 years)
+
+## Cash Back Redemption
+
+### Redemption Options
+1. **Statement credit** (most common)
+2. **Direct deposit** to bank account
+3. **Check by mail**
+4. **Gift cards** (sometimes bonus value)
+5. **ThankYou Points** (if you have eligible Citi card)
+
+### Minimum Redemption
+- **$25 minimum** for statement credit
+- Lower minimums for other options
+
+### Redemption Value
+- **Fixed:** 1 cent per point
+- **No bonuses:** Unlike Chase/Amex transfer partners
+- **Simple:** What you see is what you get
+
+## Best Use Cases
+
+### Ideal User Profile
+✅ Wants simple cash back  
+✅ Doesn't want to track categories  
+✅ Doesn't want annual fee  
+✅ Prefers cash over points  
+✅ Doesn't travel frequently  
+✅ Wants to "set it and forget it"  
+
+### Not Ideal For
+❌ Wants higher rates in specific categories  
+❌ Values travel points over cash  
+❌ Willing to manage multiple cards  
+❌ Wants sign-up bonuses (Citi's are modest)  
+
+## Important Warnings
+
+### ⚠️ Key Considerations
+1. **Must Pay Balance:** Second 1% only earned when you pay
+2. **No Bonus Categories:** 2% everywhere means no 3x, 4x, 5x anywhere
+3. **Modest Sign-Up Bonus:** Usually $200 (vs $300-500 on other cards)
+4. **No Cell Phone Protection:** Unlike Chase Freedom Unlimited
+5. **ThankYou Points:** Less valuable than Chase/Amex points
+
+### 💡 Pro Tips
+- Pay statement balance in full every month for full 2%
+- Use for all purchases if you want simplicity
+- Pair with category bonus cards for optimization
+- No foreign transaction fees = great for international travel
+- Set up autopay to ensure you earn second 1%
+
+## Comparison to Similar Cards
+
+### vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
+- **Citi Wins:** Higher base rate (2% vs 1.5%)
+- **CFU Wins:** Dining bonus (3%), point flexibility, cell phone protection
+- **Verdict:** Citi for simplicity, CFU for Chase ecosystem
+
+### vs. Capital One Quicksilver
+- **Citi Wins:** Higher rate (2% vs 1.5%)
+- **Quicksilver Wins:** Larger sign-up bonus
+- **Verdict:** Citi Double Cash is superior
+
+### vs. Amex Blue Cash Everyday
+- **Citi Wins:** Simpler, no categories
+- **Amex BCE Wins:** 3% groceries (up to $6,000/year)
+- **Verdict:** Depends on grocery spending
+
+### vs. Fidelity Rewards Visa
+- **Tie:** Both offer flat 2% cash back
+- **Fidelity Wins:** Instant 2% (not split), deposits to investment account
+- **Citi Wins:** Better purchase protection
+- **Verdict:** Nearly identical, pick based on preference
+
+## Real-World Examples
+
+### Example 1: Simple Spender
+- Monthly spending: $3,000 across all categories
+- Annual spending: $36,000
+- Cash back: $720/year
+- **No tracking, no hassle**
+
+### Example 2: Paying Off Balance
+- Purchase: $1,000
+- Earn immediately: $10 (1%)
+- Pay off balance: $10 (1%)
+- **Total: $20 cash back**
+
+### Example 3: International Travel
+- Trip expenses: $2,000
+- No foreign transaction fees saved: $60 (vs 3% fee cards)
+- Cash back earned: $40
+- **Total value: $100**
+
+## The "Set It and Forget It" Card
+
+### Why It's Popular
+- **No mental overhead:** Use for everything
+- **No optimization needed:** Always 2%
+- **No annual fee:** No cost to hold
+- **No expiration:** Cash back doesn't expire
+
+### When It Makes Sense
+- You value simplicity over maximum returns
+- You don't want to manage multiple cards
+- You don't spend heavily in any specific category
+- You prefer cash over travel points
+
+### When It Doesn't
+- You're willing to optimize with category cards
+- You travel frequently and value points
+- You spend heavily on dining/groceries (better cards available)
+- You want higher sign-up bonuses
+
+## Advanced Strategy: Pairing Cards
+
+### The Simple Stack
+1. **Citi Double Cash:** Everything (2%)
+2. **Amex Gold:** Dining and groceries (4x points)
+3. **Chase Sapphire Reserve:** Travel (3x points)
+
+**Result:** Optimized earning without complexity
+
+### The "Too Many Cards" Problem
+- Some people have 10+ cards for maximum optimization
+- Citi Double Cash eliminates this
+- **2% on everything is "good enough"** for most
+
+## Frequently Asked Questions
+
+**Q: Do I really earn 2% cash back?**
+A: Yes, 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. Must pay off purchase to earn second 1%.
+
+**Q: What if I only pay the minimum?**
+A: You earn prorated cash back based on what you paid. Pay in full for full 2%.
+
+**Q: Is there a spending cap?**
+A: No, unlimited 2% cash back.
+
+**Q: Can I convert cash back to points?**
+A: Yes, if you have a Citi ThankYou Premier or Prestige card, you can convert at 1:1.
+
+**Q: Are there foreign transaction fees?**
+A: No, great for international use.
+
+**Q: How long does it take to receive cash back?**
+A: 1% appears immediately, second 1% after payment posts.
+
+**Q: Is this the best cash back card?**
+A: For simplicity, yes. For maximum returns, category cards can beat it.
+
+**Q: Should I get this if I have Chase Freedom Unlimited?**
+A: Yes, use Citi for non-bonus categories (2% vs 1.5%).
+
+## The Bottom Line
+
+### Pros
+✅ Simple 2% on everything  
+✅ No annual fee  
+✅ No categories to track  
+✅ No spending caps  
+✅ No foreign transaction fees  
+✅ Good purchase protection  
+
+### Cons
+❌ Must pay balance for second 1%  
+❌ No bonus categories  
+❌ Modest sign-up bonus  
+❌ Cash back less valuable than premium points  
+
+### Best For
+People who want simplicity and don't want to optimize multiple cards.
+
+### Not Best For
+People willing to manage category cards for higher returns.