Citi Custom Cash Card Review

Earn 5% where you spend most, score 0% intro APR & no yearly fee to save smarter.

Tired of credit cards that restrict you with fixed bonus categories or force you to opt-in every quarter? The Citi Custom Cash Card changes that. It picks your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle and rewards it with elevated cash back—no activation needed.

Along with that, you get a solid intro APR on both new purchases and balance transfers, plus a generous signup bonus. For people who spend across several categories and want maximum return without managing multiple rewards cards, this card holds serious appeal.

Unlock Your Custom Cash Edge

Positive Highlights of the Citi Custom Cash

1. 5% cash back on top category each billing cycle
You earn 5% back on up to $500 spent each billing cycle in your top eligible spending category. After you hit the $500 cap, or for purchases outside your highest category, the rate drops to 1% back. This means your rewards adapt automatically based on what you spend most on in a given month—no need to guess or switch bonus categories manually.

2. Broad range of eligible bonus categories
The eligible categories include Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs, and Live Entertainment. This diversity means many everyday expenses are likely to match one of these categories—so you’ll often be maximizing the 5% cash back.

3. Generous welcome bonus
Spend $1,500 within the first six months and you earn $200 cash back, paid as ThankYou Points. A strong bonus for a card with no annual fee, helping offset the cost of a large purchase early or boost your return in the first half-year.

4. 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
The card offers 0% APR for the first 15 months on both new purchases and balance transfers. If you have high-interest balances elsewhere or need a major purchase spread out without interest, this feature reduces cost pressure and gives breathing room.

5. No annual fee
There is no yearly fee. You keep everything without worrying about paying just to hold the card. That means you aren’t carrying a fixed cost that you need to recover via rewards—every bit you earn is net benefit.

6. Flexible redemption options through ThankYou Points
Rewards are delivered as ThankYou Points, which you can redeem for statement credits, direct deposit, check, gift cards, travel, and even online purchases. No minimum is required for statement credit or direct deposit, making it easier to use rewards when you need them.

7. Access to Mastercard/World Elite benefits & Citi extras
The card also provides perks tied to the Mastercard network and Citi extras: fraud protection, $0 liability on unauthorized charges, and Citi Entertainment for special event offers and presales. If you enjoy concerts, travel deals, or bonus tickets, these perks add value beyond just cash back.

8. Transparent ongoing APR after intro period
Once the intro 0% APR period ends, the regular APR is variable, typically around 18.24%-28.24% depending on creditworthiness. Knowing the post-promo rate helps you plan payments so you avoid carrying balances when interest resumes.

9. No rotating categories to track
Unlike many cash back cards that require you to opt in or activate bonus categories every few months, this card automatically gives 5% in your top eligible spend category without extra steps. Less time managing, more benefit: you don’t have to monitor or remember to activate—it’s automatic.

Qualification Requirements

• Applicant must be 18 years or older and a U.S. resident. Valid identification and Social Security Number are required.
  
• Good to excellent credit is generally required. A FICO score in the 670-740+ range improves chances of approval.
  
• Steady income sufficient to pay monthly balances or meet required minimum payments. Lenders will consider income versus obligations.
  
• No active bankruptcies or major unresolved delinquencies that might flag risk in credit report.
  
• Must have a U.S. mailing address and Social Security Number or equivalent as required for identity and credit reporting.
  
• Only one account per person for this card; you must not have received the signup bonus within the last 48 months or converted another Citi card to this product recently.
  

How to Apply for The Citi Custom Cash Card

1. Visit Citi’s official credit card site
   Navigate to the Citi Custom Cash card page and review the product details.
   
2. Check for pre-qualified or pre-approval offers
   Citi often lets you see if you’re prequalified without a hard inquiry, which helps you judge chances before applying.
   
3. Fill out the application form
   Provide your personal details: full name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, income information, and housing obligations.
   
4. Choose balance transfers if applicable
   If you want to transfer balances from other cards, indicate this during your application and ensure you understand any fees involved.
   
5. Read and accept the terms & disclosures
   Carefully check the Intro APR duration, the regular APR after that, the 5% cash back cap, and all fees such as late payment or foreign transaction fees.
   
6. Use it wisely from day one
   To maximize value: spend in one of the eligible bonus categories early in each billing cycle to hit that 5% for up to $500, pay full statements especially while the intro APR is active, and avoid carrying balances when interest resumes.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an annual fee for the Citi Custom Cash Card?
No. There is no annual fee, so you don’t pay simply for having the card.

2. What is the signup bonus?
You can earn $200 cash back, paid as ThankYou Points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

3. How does the 5% cash back category work?
Each billing cycle, the card looks at your eligible purchases and applies 5% back to your single highest-spend category among the eligible ones (up to $500). After that cap or outside that category, purchases earn 1%.

4. What APR applies after the 0% intro period?
After the introductory period ends, the card reverts to a variable APR, typically in the range of 18.24%-28.24%, depending on creditworthiness.