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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The Citi Custom Cash® Card can be an excellent option for those who tend to spend a lot in one category and want to maximize their cash back rewards. You’ll get 5% cash back on your highest spending category for up to $500 in purchases each month. It also offers a solid sign-up bonus for new customers, an introductory APR for balance transfers and new purchases.
But it’s not the best fit for everyone. For example, you won’t find many perks beyond those listed, such as travel protections or cell phone protection. And if your spending tends to be across many categories, you’d likely find other rewards cards have better offerings.
Sign-up bonus (4.3/5 stars)
The Citi Custom Cash® Card lets you Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. That’s higher than the average sign-up bonus for cash back cards right now. The bonus would be added to your account in the form of 20,000 ThankYou points.
Earning cash back (4.7/5 stars)
The main draw for this card is the 5% cash-back rate. You automatically get 5% cash back on your first $500 in purchases in your highest spend category every billing cycle, no enrollment required. So this card is a great option for those who want a card that can cater to one specific high-spend category, like groceries, restaurants or gas.
While it’s a great card to dedicate to a single category that you spend heavily on, it’s not the best option for people who want a single card to use for a variety of purchases. It only earns 1% cash back outside its bonus categories. Many cash back cards, including the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, offer elevated cash back in multiple categories. As you can see below, these cards easily beat the Citi Custom Cash® Card in overall rewards-earning potential:
Rewards earned per $1 spent*
Redeeming cash back (4/5 stars)
Citi promotes the Citi Custom Cash® Card as a cash back card — but it actually earns Citi ThankYou® points, which are very valuable and flexible. You can redeem points for cash back and for a variety of other rewards, including travel and gift cards, for a value of 1 cent per point.
You can also pair the Citi Custom Cash® Card with the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card to unlock the ability to transfer points at 1:1 rate to more than 10 airline and hotel loyalty programs. You can potentially double the value of your points by transferring them to the right travel partners.
Redemption options
Intro purchase APR (4.5/5 stars)
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a great choice if you have a big expense coming up and need to break up the balance over a year. You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases (followed by a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR). That’s a long time, compared to many other intro purchase APRs. And the rewards and sign-up bonus you earn can be applied to paying down your purchase.
Intro balance transfer APR (3.2/5 stars)
The Citi Custom Cash® Card also comes with a long, 15-month intro APR period for balance transfers. But there’s one major drawback here: You’ll pay a high balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. This can add up if you’re transferring thousands of dollars. For example, you would pay $250 for a $5,000 balance transfer. If you’re looking to transfer a large balance, a card like the Citi Double Cash® Card might be better — it charges a lower balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%.
Other benefits (1/5 stars)
Beyond its cash back rewards, there aren’t a ton of other benefits with the Citi Custom Cash® Card. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers purchase and travel protections that can help if your new items are damaged or stolen, or your trip is canceled. You won’t get that with the Citi Custom Cash® Card. If you’re looking for a card with travel and purchase protections, you may be best served with a different cash back card.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card might just be one of the best 5% cash back cards on the market right now. Unlike other cards in this category, you don’t have to opt in on a quarterly basis to earn 5% cash back, or keep track of an ever-changing calendar of categories. And it’s much easier to maximize the Citi Custom Cash® Card‘s 5% rate, since Citi automatically awards you 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle.
All that aside, if you want to use the card for purchases outside your top spending category, you may be better off going with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card. It offers elevated earnings in other categories, including dining, drugstores and Chase travel.
| Types of categories | Activation required? | Spending cap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | Your top spending category for the month. | No | Up to $500 per billing cycle (1% thereafter) |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Changes every quarter by the Discover calendar. | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter (1% thereafter) |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Changes every quarter by the Chase Freedom calendar. | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter (1% thereafter) |
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citi Custom Cash® Card
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. | $0 |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. Redeem your rewards for cash at any time. | $0 |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Chase Freedom Flex℠*
|
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | $0 | ||
Citi Double Cash® Card*
Learn More
on Citibank's secure site |
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. | $0 |
Learn More
on Citibank's secure site |
Unfortunately, the categories rotate and may not always align with your spending. And you have to enroll in the categories each quarter — so it takes more work than the Citi Custom Cash® Card. However, it offers one advantage over the Citi Custom Cash® Card: It matches all your cash back in the first year for new card members. This makes it a potentially more valuable offer — at least for the first year.
Like the Citi Custom Cash® Card, it’s a good option for financing a new purchase. You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases, followed by an APR of 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
This card also comes with impressive extra perks. For example, you can get up to $500 per claim (and $50,000 per account) in protection against damage or theft of new purchases for up to 120 days. It also offers trip cancellation/interruption protection up to $1,500 per person (and $6,000 per trip).
You don’t have to worry about keeping up with spending categories with this card — you earn the same high rate on every purchase. And if you want to use your new card for a balance transfer, this card is one of the best. It offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, followed by an APR of 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
If you’re looking for a card that not only offers a solid sign-up bonus but can also conform to your spending habits from one billing cycle to the next, getting preapproved and applying for the Citi Custom Cash® Card could be a great idea.
Those with more diffuse spending habits, or who want additional benefits, such as travel perks, should consider other cash back cards such as the Citi Double Cash® Card card or the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card.
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