Pros
- $200 initial bonus
- $0 annual fee
- Up to 5% cash back
- 0% introductory APRs
Cons
- Bonus rewards limit
- High regular APR
- Foreign transaction fee
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a good credit card that’s worth considering if you have a good credit score and want to earn 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your biggest purchase category each billing cycle. Citi Custom Cash is also good for people who want a credit card with a $0 annual fee. Its initial rewards bonus and low introductory APRs are a draw, too.
On the other hand, Citi Custom Cash alone may not satisfy big-spenders, considering that all purchases except for the first $500 spent each billing cycle in your top category will get you just 1% cash back. That’s about average for a cash rewards card.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
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.
Rewards Details
- 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 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.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
Additional Info
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
- More Details & Reviews About Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Citi Custom Cash Card Highlights
$200 Initial Bonus
It’s not the biggest initial bonus available right now, but the $200 that Citi Custom Cash gives to new cardholders for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months after opening an account does work out to a healthy return of about 13%.
For context, the average initial bonus among cash back credit card offers is $230. The average bonus among cards offering points/miles is 31,338. On that note, Citi Custom Cash actually gives its rewards in the form of points, but each point is worth 1 cent in cash back.
$0 Annual Fee
It’s common for cash back credit cards for people with good or excellent credit to have $0 fees, but all else being equal, the fact that Citi Custom Cash has no annual fee is better than the alternative. The average credit card offer has an annual fee of $22, and some cards have triple-digit fees.
Up to 5% Cash Back
The Citi Custom Cash Card’s maximum rewards rate of 5% cash back is nearly five times what the average cash rewards credit card provides. The fact that this rate automatically applies to your biggest eligible spending category each billing cycle is a nice touch, too. There are downsides to this card’s rewards, however, as you can see below.
Intro APRs of 0% for 15 months
The Citi Custom Cash Card may have a rewards-centric name, but it’s just as good for avoiding interest as it is for earning cash back, at least early on. Citi Custom Cash offers intro APRs of 0% for 15 months on purchases and 0% for 15 months on balance transfers. For context, 0% introductory purchase APRs last for an average of 12 months, while 0% balance transfer periods last an average of 13 months.
Citi Custom Cash Card Lowlights
3% Foreign Transaction Fee
Using the Citi Custom Cash Card for international purchases – whether you’re actually abroad or buying from a foreign merchant online – will make everything 3% more expensive. Although many cash back credit cards charge such fees, there are still plenty of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees available.
18.24% - 28.24% (V) APR
Even though Citi Custom Cash requires at least good credit for approval, its regular APR could be higher than the average among credit cards for people with fair credit. As a result, it’s best to pay your Citi Custom Cash Card’s bill in full every month when the intro APR is not in effect.
5% (min $5) Balance Transfer Fee
Although the Citi Custom Cash Card offers an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months on balance transfers, there is a cost associated with such transactions, thanks to the card’s balance transfer fee of 5% (min $5). This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, considering that most 0% credit cards charge transfer fees. But you definitely need to take it into account, along with the card’s higher regular APR.
Other Things to Consider About the Citi Custom Cash Card
Long List of Spending Categories Eligible for Bonus Rewards
The types of purchases eligible for the Citi Custom Cash Card’s maximum rewards rate are:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Transit
- Streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
1% Cash Back on Most Purchases
You will earn just 1% cash back on all Citi Custom Cash purchases except for the $500 per billing cycle eligible for 5% bonus rewards. That’s the standard minimum rewards rate for any credit card, but cards for people with above-average credit often offer more chances to earn higher rates.
Limited Number of Benefits
The Citi Custom Cash Card’s secondary benefits include the ability to make contactless purchases and add authorized users. Those perks are not unique.
700+ Credit Score Needed
Applicants for the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card need at least good credit for approval. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub to get a sense of your chances.
Citi Custom Cash vs. Popular Competitors
Info | Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
---|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Bonus Offer | $200 | N/A | N/A |
Rewards Rate | 1 - 5% Cash Back | 2% Cash Back | 1.5 - 5% Cash Back |
Purchase Intro APR | 0% for 15 months | N/A | 0% for 15 months |
Transfer Intro APR | 0% for 15 months Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5) | 0% for 18 months Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer | 0% for 15 months Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after) |
Regular APR | 18.24% - 28.24% (V) | 18.24% - 28.24% (V) | 19.24% - 27.99% (V) |
Editors' Rating | 4.4 | 5 | 5 |
Details, Rates & Fees | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |