Best Features
- The category that earns 5% cash back adjusts automatically each billing cycle based on your spending – no need to sign up for rotating bonus categories.
- This card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Drawbacks
- This card has a potentially high APR following the 15-month introductory APR offer.
- While cardholders can earn 5% cash back in their top eligible spending category each billing cycle, the earning potential across multiple categories might be higher with other cards.
What Are the Fees Associated With the Citi Custom Cash Card
- Annual fee: There is no annual fee for this card. Roughly two-thirds of credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, according to a 2019 U.S. News study.
- Foreign transaction fee: This card has a 3% foreign transaction fee. Nearly half of all cards in the U.S. News analysis charge a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
- Balance transfer fee: The Citi Custom Cash Card has a fee of 5% for each balance transfer, with a $5 minimum.
- Cash advance fee: This card has a fee of 5% for each cash advance, with a $10 minimum.
What Is the Citi Custom Cash Cards APR
This card has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, it has a 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) APR, depending on your creditworthiness.
How to Earn Rewards With the Citi Custom Cash Card
Cardholders can earn 5% cash back in the eligible category where they spend the most money each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent; after that, they earn 1% cash back. All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back.
Cardholders don’t have to sign up for a rotating bonus category each billing cycle. How much they earn adjusts automatically when they spend in any of the eligible categories: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
Cash back rewards are earned in the form of ThankYou® Points. Each billing cycle, cardholders can earn five points per $1 on purchases in their top eligible spending category that cycle, on up to the first $500 spent. Cardholders earn one point per $1 on all other purchases.
You can earn $200 in cash back after spending after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
How to Redeem Rewards With the Citi Custom Cash Card
ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for cash back as a direct deposit, check or statement credit. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards, travel and Shop with Points on Amazon.com.
How Does the Citi Custom Cash Card Compare With Other Popular Cards
Annual fee: Both of these Citi-issued cards are for cardholders with good to excellent credit, and neither charges an annual fee.
Sign-up bonus: Citi Custom Cash Card holders can earn $200 in cash back after spending after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. The Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer does not have a sign-up bonus.
Rewards: The rewards structures for these cards are different, so which one is right for you may depend on your spending habits with a credit card. The Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back after that. You also earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer earns 2% on every purchase: an unlimited 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay back your purchase. To earn cash back with the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, you must pay at least the minimum due on time.
Benefits: The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, while the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the Citi Custom Cash Card has an APR of 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable), while the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer has an APR of 13.99% – 23.99% (variable).
Annual fee: Both of these cards are for cardholders with good to excellent credit, and neither charges an annual fee.
Sign-up bonus: Both cards offer a $200 introductory bonus, but spending requirements to earn the bonus differ. Citi Custom Cash Card holders can earn $200 in cash back after spending after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. Chase Freedom Flex cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards: The Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back after that. It also offers an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Citi Custom Cash Card holders do not have to sign up for rotating bonus categories. Instead, the bonus category automatically adjusts each billing cycle, based on your spending. Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in bonus categories you activate quarterly; 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% back on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services; 3% back on drugstore purchases; and 1% back on all other purchases.
Should You Get the Citi Custom Cash Card
- Want to earn cash back rewards without signing up for rotating bonus categories each billing cycle.
- Are looking for a rewards card with no annual fee.
- Plan to spend $750 within three months of opening the account so you can earn $200 cash back.
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