Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Review

Annual fee: Both of these Citi-issued cards are for those 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 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. For a limited time with the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

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 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (completed within four months of account opening), while the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer offers an 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers (completed within four months of account opening). After that, the Citi Custom Cash Card has an APR of 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable), and the Citi Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer has an APR of 17.74% to 27.74% (variable).

Annual fee: Both of these cards are for cardholders with good to excellent credit, and neither charges an annual fee.

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 combined purchases 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.

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 an 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 dollar on purchases in their top eligible spending category that cycle, on up to the first $500 spent. Cardholders earn one point per dollar on all other purchases. ThankYou® Points never expire as long as the account is open.

You can earn $200 in 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.

ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for cash back as a direct deposit, check or statement credit. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards and travel or used on Amazon.com and PayPal.

This card has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and on balance transfers completed within four months of account opening. After that, it has a 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable) APR, depending on your creditworthiness.