Citi Custom Cash credit card review: Versatile 5% cash-back

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Overview of the Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash Card (see rates and fees) stands out as an excellent cash-back option with no annual fee. It uniquely allows cardholders to earn up to 5% cash back on their highest spending category each billing cycle for the first $500 spent, reverting to 1% thereafter. Whether you're new to credit cards or seeking a card that optimizes purchases outside traditional bonus categories, this card is worth considering for your wallet. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* Card rating reflects the judgment of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

The Citi Custom Cash Card features no annual fee (refer to rates and fees), adopting a different strategy compared to the issuer's well-known Citi Double Cash® Card (offering up to a 2% cash-back rate on all purchases; 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% as you pay; see rates and fees).

With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on purchases made in your leading eligible spending category each billing cycle, applicable to the first $500 spent.

Typically, the card necessitates a credit score of 670 or above for approval.

Let’s examine this card and determine who it is ideally suited for.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Citi Custom Cash

Citi Custom Cash introductory offer

We appreciate the Citi Custom Cash Card for its accessible sign-up bonus — earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of opening your account. This bonus translates to 20,000 points, which can be redeemed for $200 in cash back.

This sign-up bonus is on par with other cash-back cards that have no annual fee. While it may not be the most impressive offer available, it serves as a nice incentive to apply.

Advantages of the Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash card offers limited benefits, which is expected given its lack of an annual fee.

Nonetheless, there are several perks and key security features available:

• Access to Citi Entertainment, allowing cardholders to discover and buy exclusive tickets for concerts, sporting events, and more
• Contactless payment options
• A complimentary check of your FICO credit score

Earning cash back with the Citi Custom Cash

Every billing cycle (approximately once a month), you can earn 5% cash back on the first $500 spent in your top spending category from the following list:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Selected travel
• Selected transit
• Selected streaming services
• Pharmacies
• Home improvement stores
• Fitness centers
• Live entertainment

*Selected travel includes airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and travel agencies.

**Selected transit encompasses car rentals, ferries, commuter rail, subways, taxis/limousines/car services, passenger rail, bridge and road tolls, parking facilities, bus services, and RV rentals. It also covers vendors that sell electricity for electric vehicle charging.

***Selected streaming services include cable, satellite, and streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Apple Music, CBS All Access, Disney+, AT&T TV NOW (now rebranded as DirectTV Stream), ESPN+, fuboTV, HBO Max, NBA League Pass, Netflix, Pandora, Showtime, Sling TV, Spotify, Starz, SiriusXM, Vudu, YouTube Red, YouTube TV, and Tidal.

This card adapts to your lifestyle, whether you’re traveling one month or enjoying home-cooked meals the next. If you reach the $500 spending cap each billing cycle, you'll earn $25 in cash-back rewards monthly — potentially amounting to $300 in rewards each year.

There’s no need to manually select your top spending category each month — this card will automatically determine that category for you.

For all other categories, you’ll earn an unlimited 1% cash back. Additionally, you’ll receive an extra 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi travel portal until June 30, 2026.

A TPG reader appreciates using the Citi Custom Cash for maximizing cash-back rewards, stating that the card "addresses spending categories that aren’t covered by other cards." (from a TPG newsletter survey)

Note: Responses from readers have not been edited, reviewed, or endorsed by the issuers and do not represent TPG's views on these cards.

The Citi Custom Cash is an excellent choice for making the most of your primary spending category, even though it can be challenging to earn higher rewards in that category with most other cards.

How to redeem cash back with the Citi Custom Cash

In simple terms, 1 ThankYou point is worth 1 cent in cash-back rewards. This means you'll receive 5% back (or 5 points for every dollar) on the first $500 spent in your top eligible spending category.

There’s no minimum balance required to access your rewards, unlike many cash-back cards. You can request a statement credit or direct deposit at any time. However, if you opt for a check, you’ll need a minimum reward balance of $5 (or 500 points).

If you add the Citi Custom Cash alongside your Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) or Citi Prestige, you can also gain the ability to convert your points into miles with Citi's 19 hotel and airline transfer partners, potentially increasing their value.

The information regarding the Citi Prestige has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The card details presented here have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

What are the competing cards to the Citi Custom Cash Card?

There are numerous options available for those looking to completely avoid annual fees.

• For simpler rewards: Consider the Citi Double Cash. This card is perfect for beginners, allowing you to earn 1% on purchases and another 1% when you pay your bill, totaling 2% cash back on all spending. Additionally, the Double Cash offers unlimited earning potential if your spending surpasses the $500 limit on the Custom Cash. For further details, check out our full review of the Double Cash.
• For rotating rewards: Opt for the Chase Freedom Flex®. This card also has no annual fee, and you can earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter you activate — translating to about $500 in spending monthly. Chase determines the bonus categories quarterly, often including popular retailers like Amazon, home improvement stores, and gas stations. For more information, read our full review of the Freedom Flex.

For more choices, take a look at our full list of the best cash-back cards.

Is the Citi Custom Cash worth considering?

If your spending habits vary often, spending heavily in one category one month and another the next, then the Citi Custom Cash could be ideal for you. It features customizable rewards that align with your spending trends. The best part is that it operates automatically — you simply spend in a designated category to earn substantial cash back. However, if you seek a card loaded with additional benefits, you'll need to explore other options.

In conclusion

The Citi Custom Cash Card is an excellent option for a cash-back card, offering genuine flexibility to earn rewards based on your spending patterns. For current Citi cardholders looking to enhance their rewards via the Citi ThankYou program, adding the Custom Cash could be a smart move.