
The Citibank Custom Cash Card is a game-changer for anyone looking to manage their finances effectively. It offers a range of features and benefits that make it an attractive option for many consumers.
The card allows you to earn cash back rewards in the form of a rotating 5% category each quarter, with up to $500 in rewards per year. This means you can earn significant rewards on your daily purchases.
To make the most of this feature, it's essential to activate the 5% category each quarter, as this is when the rewards are earned. The card also comes with a 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases, which is a great bonus.
One of the standout features of the Citibank Custom Cash Card is its flexibility. You can use the card for a wide range of purchases, from groceries and gas to dining and entertainment.
Key Features
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a no-fuss, no-annual-fee credit card that earns you cash back consistently.
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You can earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent.
Earning 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category is a great perk, but there's a limit to how much you can earn in this category - up to $500 spent each billing cycle.
Here's a breakdown of how the cash back rewards work:
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal through 6/30/2026
This rewards program is straightforward and easy to understand, making it a great option for those who want to earn cash back without dealing with rotating bonus categories.
Rewards and Benefits
The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a rewards program that's easy to use and provides a lot of value. You automatically earn 5 percent cash back in the eligible category you spend the most in each billing cycle, up to $500 spent per billing cycle, then 1 percent.
There are currently ten eligible 5% categories on the card, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and more. You don't have to select, enroll, or activate categories, making it a low-maintenance option.
Here are some of the eligible 5% categories:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Fitness clubs
- Select streaming services
- Home improvement stores
- Drugstores
- Live entertainment
- Travel and select transit purchases
You'll also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, making it a great option for everyday spending.
Welcome Offer

The welcome offer for the Citi Custom Cash Card is a great incentive to sign up. New cardholders can earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
This offer is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. That's a nice bonus for a card with no annual fee.
To qualify for the welcome offer, you must not already have a Citi Custom Cash Card, nor have received a bonus for opening a new Citi Custom Cash Card account in the past 48 months. You also can't product change to the card.
Here are the details of the welcome offer:
Note that the $1,500 spend threshold is a relatively low requirement, and can be reached by making $250 in purchases each month for the first six months.
Benefits and Perks
The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a range of benefits and perks that make it an attractive option for those looking to earn cash back rewards.

One of the standout features of this card is its 5% cash back rewards rate, which is automatically adjusted based on your spending habits in each billing cycle. This means you don't have to remember to activate your bonus categories, making it a low-maintenance option.
The card offers 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your highest spend category per billing cycle, then 1% back on all other spending. This can be a great option for those who want to earn high rewards on their everyday spending.
New cardholders can earn a nice welcome bonus: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. This is a relatively easy threshold to meet, especially considering the card has no annual fee.
The card also offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, which can be a great option for those looking to save on interest charges. However, it's worth noting that this offer is only available for the first 15 months, and the regular APR will apply after that.
Here are the eligible 5% cash back categories on the Citi Custom Cash Card:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Fitness clubs
- Select streaming services
- Home improvement stores
- Drugstores
- Live entertainment
Keep in mind that you're limited to earning elevated rewards on just one spending category per billing cycle, and non-bonus category spending will only get you 1%.
Rates and Fees
The Citi Custom Cash Card has a few key rates and fees to keep in mind.
The annual fee is a flat $0, which is a nice perk.
The rewards rate is 1%-5%, which is a decent rate but not the highest out there.
One thing to note is that the card has a bonus offer: earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
This bonus offer is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
The card also has an intro APR of 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, which is a great deal.
However, the ongoing APR is a variable 18.49%-28.49%, which is relatively high.
Additionally, the card charges a cash advance APR of 29.74%, as well as a penalty APR of up to 29.99%.
If you do need to transfer a balance, be aware that the card charges a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
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Lastly, keep in mind that the card also charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
Here's a quick rundown of the key rates and fees:
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards rate: 1%-5%
- Bonus offer: earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Ongoing APR: 18.49%-28.49% Variable
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74%, Variable
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%, Variable
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of each balance transfer, $5 minimum
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Review and Analysis
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a no-hassle 5% credit card that earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent.
Unlike other 5% cards, you don't need to activate categories to earn the spending multiplier, making it a great option for those who want a hands-off approach to rewards.
The card earns 1% cash back after the first $500 spent in your top category, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
One of the key benefits of the Citi Custom Cash Card is its automated rewards system, which adjusts based on your spending habits each billing cycle.
However, the $500 cap on 5% earning rewards may limit how much you can earn, especially if your spending patterns tend to vary greatly.
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a great option for those who want to earn outsized earnings without added effort, but it may not be the best choice for those looking to maximize rewards on every purchase.
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When to Use
For most people, the Citi Custom Cash Card is worth it for its lucrative and flexible rewards structure.
The card's value increases when you pair it with other credit cards, especially if you tend to carry multiple cards and enjoy strategizing ways to maximize your rewards.
You should use the Custom Cash Card for purchases that fall into one of its eligible spend categories, earning 5 percent cash back on up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1 percent on all other purchases.
The card is a great fit for people who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases without keeping track of rotating categories or category activation.
There's no annual fee, and you can earn more cash back in the eligible category where you spend the most each billing cycle.
The card automatically picks your top spend category based on your purchases, so try to be conscious of what you use the card for and aim to spend $500 a month in that category.
However, the Custom Cash Card doesn't usually make a good standalone credit card, especially for people who spend more in a wide variety of categories.
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Conclusion
The Citibank Custom Cash Card is a great option for those who want flexibility and control over their spending. You can set up to 10 custom categories, such as groceries or entertainment, to track your expenses.
With the Citibank Custom Cash Card, you can earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, which can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, or travel. This is especially beneficial for frequent travelers, who can redeem points for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses.
The card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to earn rewards without paying extra. This is a significant advantage over other credit cards that charge annual fees.
Overall, the Citibank Custom Cash Card is a solid choice for those who value flexibility and rewards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to get the Citi custom cash card?
Getting approved for the Citi Custom Cash Card is relatively achievable with a credit score of 670 or higher, but a score of 720 or above significantly improves your chances of approval.
What is the credit limit on Citi custom cash card?
The Citi Custom Cash Card's starting credit limit is $500, but it can be higher based on your credit score, income, and payment history. Your credit limit may increase over time as your creditworthiness improves.
How much income do you need for Citi Custom Cash?
There is no specific minimum income requirement for the Citi Custom Cash Card, but a higher income increases your chances of approval. Approval is based on individual creditworthiness and financial situation.
What are the Citi Custom Cash categories?
The Citi Custom Cash categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, transit, streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, and fitness clubs. Unlimited cash back is earned on all other purchases outside of these categories.
What is the highest credit limit for Citi Custom Cash Card?
The highest credit limit for the Citi Custom Cash Card can be up to $6,000, although individual limits may vary.
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