Citi Custom Cash Card Review

The Citi Custom Cash Card review highlights one of the most flexible cash back credit cards available for consumers with good credit. The card is built around your spending habits, automatically giving you 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible category each billing cycle, up to $500 in spending. After that, you earn 1% cash back in that category. Meanwhile, you’ll always get at least 1% cash back for spending in any other category.

With categories that include grocery stores, gas stations, select streaming services, select transportation, and even home improvement stores, the Citi Custom Cash adapts to your life and doesn’t require you to keep track of or activate rotating offers. Additionally, the card doesn’t charge an annual fee and often provides solid sign-up bonus specials.

About the Citi Custom Cash Card

Citi is a leading provider of rewards credit cards, and the Custom Cash card represents a consumer-friendly option for flexible earnings. Unlike traditional cash back cards that lock you into fixed categories or make you register for specific ones, Custom Cash tracks your spending habits and applies the 5% bonus automatically to your top eligible category each billing cycle.

Rewards are earned as Citi ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, partner-specific shopping, or travel deals through the company’s travel portal. This makes it more versatile than cards that limit rewards redemptions.

Features and Benefits

While the Custom Cash card offers excellent rewards, it can be more challenging to qualify for than some competitors in our overview of the best credit cards for good credit holders. This is particularly true if your credit score is on the low end of the good score scale.

• 5% cash back on your highest eligible category each billing period (up to $500 spent, then 1%)
• Eligible categories include groceries, gas, select streaming services, select transit, restaurants, drugstores, fitness clubs, home
• improvement stores, and live entertainment
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Rewards earned as Citi ThankYou Points, redeemable for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or travel
• Intro APR offers and cash back offers for early spending are often available.
• No annual fee
• Automatic bonus category selection

Approval Odds for Good Credit

The Citi Custom Cash card generally requires a good credit score of 670+ for approval, and is contingent on your income and credit history. Note that Citi will also consider any of your existing Citi relationships in its decision-making.

For those with good versus excellent credit, approval odds will be better than when applying for a more premium card option. However, solid credit is still essential despite the Custom Cash card’s standing with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as being available for those with scores as low as 620. Before formally applying and taking a hard inquiry hit on your credit report, you can check your approval odds with Citi’s online pre-approval tool.

Rates and Terms

The Custom Cash Card comes with a variable APR that’s subject to change and based on your creditworthiness. Intro APR offers are commonly available on purchases and balance transfers, but once that period ends, standard interest charges apply.

There’s no annual fee, but a foreign transaction fee applies, which can make it less appealing for use when traveling. Credit limits vary based on your credit score and income, bu typically start around $1,000.

Citi Custom Cash Card Review: Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Citi Custom Cash Card: 8.7

We rate the Custom Cash highly for its lack of an annual fee, flexible categories, and competitive rewards. While the cap of $500 spent per billing cycle in your top category keeps it from taking the top spot, it’s a solid contender.

While intro APR promotions are attractive, we don’t place a lot of value on them in our rating system. However, the Custom Cash card frequently offers them, helping its review score somewhat.

More importantly, the card earns points based on its long-term value, which comes from the 5% rewards structure in categories like grocery stores, gas stations, select streaming services, and more. If you consistently spend in a single spending category, it can outperform flat-rate cash back cards.

Why We Like It

We like the Citi Custom Cash card because it adapts automatically to your spending habits, eliminating the need to track rotating categories, as is common with many high-rewards cards. We also like the sensible categories, such as groceries, gas, streaming, and others that make sense for everyday spending.

What We Don’t Like

The $500 spent cap per billing cycle can limit value for high spenders, and rewards drop sharply to 1% once the cap is reached. Additionally, a 1% return on all other spending is a bit limited for a card in this approval range. While the automatic system is convenient, it may also restrict your maximum earnings potential if you use the card for multiple types of purchases.

Citi Custom Cash Card Customer Reviews

Customer feedback is generally positive, with many users appreciating the automatic 5% category selection and no annual fee. In expert evaluations, cardholders often highlight how easy it is to earn significant cash back on purchases without effort.

Negative reviews often cite confusion with Citi’s ThankYou Points system or frustration with foreign transaction fees. Still, most reviews agree that the card and the company are a solid choice.

Citi Custom Cash vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Both cards target good-credit consumers but serve very different needs. The Custom Cash is a cash back card best for everyday categories, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel and dining rewards card with higher value through its partnerships.

Custom Cash works best for those who want flexible categories each month without an annual fee. Sapphire Preferred is ideal for consumers willing to pay an annual fee in exchange for more robust travel benefits.

Who Is Citi Custom Cash Best For?

This card is best for consumers with good credit who want to maximize their everyday or repeat spending habits without paying an annual fee. If you frequently shop at grocery stores, gas stations, or use select streaming services, this card’s automatic system ensures you’re always earning top rewards in your favorite category.

Who Should Not Get This Card?

The Citi Custom Cash Card isn’t ideal for everyone. If you’re a high-volume spender who regularly uses your credit card across many categories, the $500 monthly cap for 5% earnings may feel restrictive. After hitting that threshold, the rewards rate drops to 1%, which limits the card’s overall value for people with diverse or large monthly expenses.

It also isn’t the best choice for international travelers. A 3% foreign transaction fee applies to all purchases made outside the U.S., making it a costly option for those who frequently shop or travel abroad. And while the automatic category selection is convenient, it may be a drawback for users who want more control over where their highest rewards are applied.

Citi Custom Cash Alternatives

While the Custom Cash is an excellent no-fee option, it may not fit your needs specifically, particularly if you don’t tend to use your card on similar items each month. Many consumers prefer consistent flat-rate rewards or more robust travel perks. For that reason, we’ve highlighted the following other contenders in our overview of the best credit cards for good credit.

• Capital One Quicksilver: Best for simplicity and strong approval odds
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for flexible travel rewards
• Upgrade Life Rewards Visa: Best for household spending and utility bills
• Synchrony Plus World Mastercard: Best for flat 1% cash back

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Image source: citi.com

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Deane Biermeier