Citi Custom Cash Card

Introduction to the Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a unique and innovative cashback credit card that automatically rewards you with 5% cashback in your top spending category each billing cycle—no activation required. Unlike traditional cashback cards with rotating categories or fixed rewards, this card adapts to your spending habits, making it an excellent choice for individuals who want maximum rewards without having to track spending categories manually.

With no annual fee, a generous $200 sign-up bonus, and a 0% intro APR period, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is a strong competitor in the cashback credit card market. This article will cover everything you need to know about this card, including its features, benefits, fees, and how it compares to other top cashback cards.

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Key Features of the Citi Custom Cash® Card

1. 5% Cashback on Your Top Eligible Spending Category

The standout feature of the Citi Custom Cash® Card is its automatic 5% cashback on your highest spending category per billing cycle, up to $500 in purchases per month (then 1% after that). Unlike cards with rotating categories that require activation, this card adjusts to your spending patterns automatically.

Eligible 5% spending categories include:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Travel
• Transit (including rideshare and public transportation)
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores
• Select streaming services
• Fitness clubs
• Live entertainment

This flexibility makes the Citi Custom Cash® an ideal choice for individuals with variable spending habits who want to earn maximum rewards without adjusting their spending behavior.

2. Unlimited 1% Cashback on All Other Purchases

All purchases outside your top spending category earn unlimited 1% cashback, ensuring that you always earn rewards on every dollar you spend.

3. $200 Welcome Bonus

New cardholders can earn a $200 cash bonus (awarded as 20,000 ThankYou® Points) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. This is a solid sign-up bonus, especially for a no-annual-fee cashback card.

4. 0% Intro APR for 15 Months

The Citi Custom Cash® offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.24% applies. This intro offer makes it a great card for those planning large purchases or looking to transfer existing debt.

5. No Annual Fee

One of the biggest advantages of the Citi Custom Cash® is that it has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for earning rewards without ongoing costs.

6. Citi ThankYou® Points & Redemption Options

Instead of cashback being credited directly to your account, Citi Custom Cash® rewards you with Citi ThankYou® Points, which offer multiple redemption options:

• Statement credits or direct deposits (1 point = 1 cent)
• Gift cards
• Travel bookings through Citi ThankYou® Travel Center
• Shopping with points on Amazon or Best Buy
• Transferring points to Citi travel partners (only available for select Citi cards)

This flexibility allows cardholders to use their rewards in a way that best suits their needs.

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How to Maximize Rewards with the Citi Custom Cash® Card

To get the most value from the Citi Custom Cash® Card, consider these strategies:

1. Focus Your Spending on One Category

Since the 5% cashback applies only to your top spending category each month, try to consistently use the card in a single category (such as gas, dining, or groceries) to maximize rewards.

2. Pair It with Other Citi Cards

The Citi Custom Cash® pairs well with other Citi cards, such as:

• Citi Premier® Card (earns 3x points on travel and dining)
• Citi Double Cash® Card (earns 2% on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay)

By using multiple Citi cards strategically, you can boost your overall rewards potential.

3. Use It for Large Category Purchases

If you anticipate a major purchase in a 5% eligible category (such as home improvement or travel), use the Citi Custom Cash® to maximize cashback up to the $500 monthly cap.

4. Redeem Points Wisely

While cashback and statement credits offer straightforward redemption, transferring points to Citi travel partners (if you have a Citi Premier® card) can significantly increase their value for travel bookings.

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Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Other Cashback Cards

Citi Custom Cash® vs. Chase Freedom Flex®

Feature	Citi Custom Cash®	Chase Freedom Flex®
5% Cashback	Automatically in top spending category	Rotating categories (activation required)
1% Cashback	On all other purchases	On non-bonus purchases
Sign-Up Bonus	$200 (20,000 points)	$200
0% Intro APR	15 months	15 months
Annual Fee	$0	$0
Best For	Set-it-and-forget-it rewards	Maximizing rotating categories

Citi Custom Cash® vs. Discover it® Cash Back

Feature	Citi Custom Cash®	Discover it® Cash Back
5% Cashback	Automatic top spending category	Rotating categories (activation required)
First-Year Bonus	No first-year match	Cashback Match (doubles first-year earnings)
0% Intro APR	15 months	15 months
Best For	Consistent spending in one category	Maximizing first-year cashback

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Who Should Get the Citi Custom Cash® Card?

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is best for:
✔ People who have a single high-spending category each month (like gas, dining, or groceries).
✔ Individuals who want a set-it-and-forget-it 5% cashback card without rotating categories.
✔ Those looking for a no-annual-fee card with a strong welcome bonus.
✔ Cardholders who want to pair it with other Citi credit cards for better rewards.
✔ Anyone who can take advantage of the 0% intro APR offer for purchases or balance transfers.

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Bottom Line: Is the Citi Custom Cash® Card Worth It?

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is one of the best cashback credit cards available, offering 5% cashback on your top spending category each month, automatic category selection, and no annual fee. Whether you spend the most on groceries, dining, gas, or travel, this card adapts to your habits and ensures you get the maximum rewards with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for a flexible cashback card that requires no category tracking while still offering high rewards, the Citi Custom Cash® is an excellent choice.