X1 Card* vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
The $0 annual fee Citi Double Cash® Card offers a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off. It may not offer higher rewards if you hit a certain spending threshold like the X1 Card*, but it does offer the option to redeem rewards for actual money back in your pocket to spend anywhere you’d like. However, like most credit cards, applying for the Citi Double Cash® Card will require a credit check, so if your credit history isn’t great, you might not qualify.
The Citi Double Cash® Card also offers significantly fewer card protections and perks, so if those benefits matter, the X1 may be a better choice.
X1 Card* vs. Apple Card*
The Apple Card* could also appeal to a younger demographic, who may have solid earnings but limited credit history. The no-annual-fee card works seamlessly with an iPhone to show your earnings in real-time, balance owed or any other card details that may interest you.
However, the Apple Card*’s earnings may be less robust for those who aren’t die-hard mobile wallet users. The card earns 3% back on eligible purchases from Apple including the Apple Store, apple.com, the App Store and iTunes, 2% back on purchases when using Apple Pay and 1% back on all other purchases.
Redeeming rewards on the Apple Card* is simple with what it calls “Daily Cash.” It operates like real cash and is credited and available for use every day.
X1 Card* vs. Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card*
The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card* (issued by WebBank) has a $0 annual fee and may use your banking history in conjunction with your credit score to help determine creditworthiness. Petal offers a preapproval tool with no credit check to help determine if you will likely qualify, however, a credit check is required for final approval.
The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card* earns 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away, 1.25% cash back on eligible purchases after making 6 on-time monthly payments, and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Plus, earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants. The rewards may not be as generous as those on the X1 Card*, but you can use your cash-back earnings as a statement credit or anywhere you’d like, if you request a check.