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Citibank

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
$200 cash back
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases
Reg. APR
19.49% – 29.49% Variable
Apply at Citibank →

Quick verdict

Best for people with one dominant spending category that changes month to month. Skip if your spending is spread evenly across 3+ categories — you'll only get 5% on one, and 1% on the rest. also skip if you want a card with strong perks beyond rewards.

Rewards
★★★★★
5 / 5
Perks
★★½☆☆
2.5 / 5
AF Value
★★★★★
5 / 5
Approval Ease
★★★½
3.5 / 5
Overall
★★★★
4.3 / 5

🎁 Welcome bonus

$200 cash back after $1,500 spend in 6 months

Rewards

CategoryRateType
Top spending category 5% cash back
Everything else 1% cash back

Points/miles valued at 1.00¢ each (CreditStud.io estimate based on typical travel redemption).

Perks

🎯 Who should consider this card

✅ Best for

  • People with one dominant spending category that changes month to month
  • Diners in months you eat out a lot, then grocery spenders when you're stocking up
  • Anyone who hates rotating category tracking but wants 5% back

❌ Skip if

Your spending is spread evenly across 3+ categories — you'll only get 5% on one, and 1% on the rest. Also skip if you want a card with strong perks beyond rewards.

📊 Example: Typical traveler/diner

Everything else: $1500/mo × 12 × 1%$180 value
Net annual value+$180

Based on illustrative spending. Use our AF Worth It Calculator to plug in your real numbers.

📋 Application tips

Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Issuer rules
Citi limits applications to 1 card per 8 days, 2 per 65 days. The Custom Cash specifically has no lifetime language on the bonus, but Citi will deny you if you've opened too many cards recently.

Not sure if you'll qualify? Try our credit score simulator to see what rate range you might fall into.

⚖️ Compare to similar cards

Side-by-side comparison tool →

Frequently asked questions

How does the Citi Custom Cash 5% category work?
Each billing cycle, Citi automatically identifies your top eligible spending category and gives you 5% back on up to $500 in that category. No activation, no sign-ups. If you spend $600 on dining in a month, you earn 5% on $500 ($25) and 1% on the remaining $100 ($1).
What categories qualify for the 5%?
Qualifying categories include: restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, fitness clubs, home improvement stores, online purchases, travel, and more. The card automatically picks whichever category you spent the most in each billing cycle.
Is the Custom Cash better than the Freedom Flex?
Depends. Custom Cash gives a guaranteed 5% on your top category every month with no effort. Freedom Flex gives 5% on rotating categories (which you have to activate) plus 3% on dining and drugstores. If you like set-it-and-forget-it, go Custom Cash. If you track rotating categories and want 3% ongoing on dining, go Freedom Flex.
Can I have both Citi Custom Cash and Citi Double Cash?
Yes, and it's a great combo. Use Custom Cash for your top monthly category (5%) and Double Cash for everything else (2%). Together, they cover your spending at 2-5% with no annual fees on either card.
What happens if I spend less than $500 in my top category?
You simply earn 5% on whatever you spend, up to $500. There's no minimum spend requirement for the 5% category. If your top category is $200, you earn 5% on $200 and 1% on everything else.
Is the $200 signup bonus easy to get?
Relatively easy — $1,500 spend over 6 months works out to just $125/month. That's achievable with normal everyday spending. The 0% intro APR for 15 months also helps if you need to float a large purchase.

Ready to apply?

Application takes 5 minutes. Approval decision typically instant for qualified applicants.

Apply at Citibank →

Reviewed by CreditStud.io editorial team • Last updated 2026-04-30 • Methodology & disclosure