Citi Custom Cash^® Card Review [2025]: High But Limited Cash Back

Card basics

Who should get the Citi Custom Cash^® Card?

You should get the Citi Custom Cash Card if you consistently spend in one of the categories it rewards:

This might include:

• Couples and families who shop for groceries at local or regional supermarkets (not Walmart or Target) or frequently dine out
• Frequent travelers or commuters who spend on gas or public transit
• A DIYer working on a home renovation
• Someone with high prescription costs
• Fitness enthusiasts
• Frequent concert goers or sports fans with season tickets

Each billing cycle, Citi reviews your spending in each of the reward categories. You receive the 5% rewards rate on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back).

That's a very good rate and on par with other bonus category cards like the Discover it^® Cash Back.

The earnings cap is also on par with other cards of this type, but other cards typically have a quarterly cap of $1,500 rather than a monthly cap of $500. Even so, the 1% you earn on all other purchases is also similar to other cards.

This card may work best for you if you can reliably plan out what purchases you're going to use it for. You might decide to put all your groceries on that card, for example, rhen go with a different card for the rest of your purchases so you earn more. That makes the Citi Custom Cash^® Card ideal for cardholders with regular, recurring expenses in the eligible categories above.

Who should skip it?

• Those looking for a worthwhile welcome offer: You can earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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. Which sounds good until you realize other cards don't require you to spend as much to get the same amount.
• Those looking to redeem points toward travel: The Citi Custom Cash may earn ThankYou Points, but they're not the kind you can transfer to Citi travel partners. If you want that benefit, you'll need to combine your points with a card like the Citi Strata Premier^® Card.

Citi Custom Cash benefits

Low annual cost

This $0-annual-fee card is more valuable because there's no annual cost to offset. Other cards like this one also have no annual fee, so it's not a unique feature to this card. It does mean that if you don't use it every month, you're not losing anything by having it.

ThankYou Points

The Citi Custom Cash is advertised as a cashback card, but it actually earns Citi ThankYou Points on purchases. ThankYou Points offer more redemption options, including cash back (statement credits, check or direct deposits), gift cards, travel, and Shop with Points at Amazon.

Combine points

Citi allows you to combine points together if you have multiple Citi credit cards. This is beneficial for multiple reasons, including being able to pool your points for quicker redemptions, as well as unlocking more redemption options. If you also have a Citi Prestige^® Card or Citi Strata Premier^® Card, combining your points together lets you transfer points to Citi travel partners.

Intro APR

If you're considering a balance transfer or have big purchases coming up, an introductory APR period on a credit card can be helpful. The Citi Custom Cash has a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for 15 months (then 17.74% - 27.74% (Variable)) and 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 17.74% - 27.74% (Variable)). There is a balance transfer fee for this service, and after the intro period is up, your balance will be subject to the regular variable APR.

Earning and redeeming Citi ThankYou Points

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look how your cash back can add up with the Citi Custom Cash Card. To calculate these values, we used a point valuation of 1 cent per ThankYou Point.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $814

Year two earnings: $614

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which looks at points earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. For our calculations, we assumed groceries would be your top spending category each month and therefore earn 5% cash back.

Best ways to earn

The best way to earn Citi ThankYou Points with the Citi Custom Cash Card is by focusing your purchases on one of the available bonus categories. This card earns 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases; plus, as a special travel offer, earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.

Maximizing your redemptions

The Citi Custom Cash Card earns Citi ThankYou Points on every purchase. On this card, these points offer the following redemption options:

• Cash back in the form of a mailed check, statement credit, or direct deposit
• Gift cards
• Shop with Points at Amazon
• Travel
• Charitable donations

Most of these redemptions can be made directly through the Citi Travel Portal after logging into your online account. Redemption portals are typical for most credit card rewards programs and are often the easiest way to redeem points or miles. If you want to use your credit card points on Amazon, visit the Citi Amazon page to link your Citi and Amazon accounts together so you can use ThankYou Points on eligible Amazon purchases.

ThankYou Points are typically worth the most when you redeem them for travel. Your points redeem at a 1:1 ratio (one point equals 1 cent) for travel, so if you have 10,000 points, that's $100 toward a travel redemption. Gift card redemptions are also available at this same ratio, but redeeming for cash back or shopping with points on Amazon offers a lower redemption value.

If you also have a Citi travel card, such as the Citi Strata Premier, you have the option to combine your points together and transfer them to one of the Citi transfer partners, typically at a 1:1 ratio. These partners include airlines like JetBlue Airways, Emirates, and Qantas. It's possible to get more value from doing a points transfer like this if you can find a good flight deal with a certain airline.

Other cards to consider

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Chase Freedom Flex^® also has high-earning bonus categories. It offers cash back at a rate of 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. You get multiple bonus categories, so you aren't tied to only one each statement period — but you do have to activate your bonus category.

Depending on your spending, it could be a good alternative or a good complementary card to use alongside the Custom Cash.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

Seriously Powerful Cashback Card

Chase Freedom Flex^®

4.7

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Flexible rewards redemption
• Some travel perks and purchase protection
• Can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Drawbacks

• 5% cash back on rotating categories capped at $1,500 per quarter
• Must remember to activate categories
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%
• Base rewards rate of 1% cash back

Card Details

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74%-28.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is among the most high-value cash back cards with a $0 annual fee. Cardholders can earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum. 

Like the Freedom Flex, you would have to take a more active part in managing your bonus categories.

Learn more in our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards review.

Choose Your Cashback Category

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

4.5

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

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Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Enhanced cash back in a popular spending category of your choice
• Long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• You can swap out your highest spending category each month, so you can maximize earnings

Drawbacks

• Quarterly spending caps
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Must be a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member for maximized benefits
• Not as many redemption options

Card Details

• New offer! Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• With the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could go up to 3.75%-5.25%. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.
• No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74% - 27.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

FAQ

Bottom line

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is a solid choice for many due to its useful categories. Its welcome offer leaves a lot to be desired, and it doesn't work well for large, one-off purchases. There are enough benefits to this card that it's still a worthwhile choice for many, especially given its $0 annual fee.

But if the card doesn't seem like the best fit for your needs, check out our list of the best cash back credit cards for more options.

2025 award winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Benefits

Card Details

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
• Apply Now

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Rates and fees

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

+ -

Why we like it

• If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card could be a good option for you. Card members can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

• This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.

• Apply Now