Citi is an advertising partner. Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash® Card product as of May 28, 2026.
Select may receive an affiliate commission when you click on the links for products from our partners. This commission does not influence the opinions, recommendations or placement of any products on our site. Discover cards are currently not available on CNBC Select and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of best credit cards for alternative options.
Citi launched a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card in June 2021 to help consumers put more money back in their pocket on the things they spend the most on.
With the Citi Custom Cash® Card, cardholders can get 5% cash back on purchases in their top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%). This card rivals Citi's other cash-back credit card with no annual fee, the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash-back card because you'll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.
Rewards
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Here is what makes the Citi Custom Cash Card stand out.
Welcome bonus
The welcome bonus on the Citi Custom Cash Card has a pretty low spending threshold: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening (fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back).
You can either spread out the $1,500 of spend over six months or, if you have a big purchase you've been planning to make, you can knock out the spending requirement quickly. You'll even have a longer time to pay off your balance with the Citi Custom Cash Card's introductory 0% APR period offered on purchases (and balance transfers) for the first 15 months (after, 17.49% - 27.49% variable APR, based on your creditworthiness). There is a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum). Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening to qualify for the intro APR.
Though we recommend getting in the habit of paying off your credit card balance in full every month to avoid paying interest, this interest-free period gives you more time should you need it. Just make sure you have a plan for paying off your balance before the 15 months is up.
Rewards program
Citi Custom Cash Card members earn the following rewards:
- 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%)
- 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Eligible spending categories include everything from restaurants and grocery stores, to gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
Popular cash-back credit cards, such as the Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex®, have rotating bonus categories (chosen by the bank) that cardholders have to enroll in each quarter. But with the Citi Custom Cash Card, as your spending changes each billing cycle, you'll be able to automatically choose your bonus categories (from the list above) and earn 5% back on whatever you spend the most. With the Discover it Cash Back, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases (then 1%) made in accordance with Discover's Cashback Calendar after enrollment.
If you were to maximize the 5% back on up to $500 in spending each billing cycle with the Citi Custom Cash Card, you could end up with $25 in cash back per month, or $300 a year.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Bottom line
With its customized cash-back rewards program and easily attainable welcome bonus, the Citi Custom Cash Card is a good fit for just about any new cardholder. Plus, you don't have to commit to paying an annual fee for the card.
Those looking for 5% cash back on a higher limit than just up to the first $500 spent in their top eligible spend category each billing cycle should consider the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card (also with no annual fee). It is a flexible 5% cash-back card that lets you choose two categories each quarter to earn 5% cash back on up to your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases, then 1%.
Unlike with the Citi Custom Cash Card, however, activation is required to earn 5% cash back on the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card. Cardholders also get 2% cash back on one everyday category and 1% cash back on everything else.
Read more
Information about the Chase Freedom Flex® and `U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, click here.
