Is Citi Custom Cash Worth It?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a popular no-annual-fee credit card that offers a simple yet valuable rewards program. This is a great option for those looking for an easy way to consistently earn cash back without having to deal with rotating bonus categories.

But if you’re looking for the perfect credit card to help you get as much cash back as possible on all your everyday spending, a custom cash card may not get the job done.

The Citi Custom Cash Card can be the best cash back credit card.

When is a Citi Custom Cash Card Worth It?

In most cases, the biggest benefit of the Citi Custom Cash Card is 5% cash back up to $500 on the highest eligible spending category per billing cycle (then unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases). ) am.

Eligible categories include a wealth of everyday choices, including grocery, gas, restaurants, and curated streaming services. Also, if you’re planning a vacation or need to renovate your home, your top spending categories can also be travel and home improvement.

Depending on your spending habits and the card features that matter most to you, there are several perks that add value to the card. Here are three cases where using the Citi Custom Cash Card makes sense:

When you want to keep it simple

The custom cash card loyalty program is easy to use. Automatically earn 5% on eligible categories that you spend the most in each billing cycle (up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1% thereafter). No need to register in any category. And if your custom cash card is your only credit card, you don’t have to expend energy remembering which credit card to use for each purchase.

This is especially attractive for those who want to avoid credit cards with rotating bonus categories. These bonus spending categories are selected by the card issuer and are typically only offered on a quarterly basis. Most of these cards also require registration for bonus categories on a quarterly basis. This can be a hassle for those who want to earn rewards without jumping a lot of hoops.

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Compared to the best flat rate credit cards, custom cash cards offer more value if you don’t spend a lot of money. Those who can maximize the $500 spending limit in the 5% category will win $25. Using a 2% cashback flat rate card, the same he would need to spend $1,250 to earn $25. Many people looking for a set-and-forget card on a tight budget can get more value out of a custom cash card.

When you want a credit card with short-term value

Two short-term benefits are available to eligible new cardholders: a sign-up bonus and a long-term introductory APR offer for purchases and balance transfers.

The welcome offer (20,000 ThankYou points, worth $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months) is a great feature. It only takes $250/month to reach your goals, so it’s a quick way to get cash back without going over most budgets.

If you used your credit card only for purchases that typically fall into the 5% cash back category, it would take 8 months and $4,000 of purchases to earn $200. That’s why sign-up bonuses are a great incentive for responsible users who want to maximize their credit card benefits.

Custom cash cards also allow users to make interest-free payments for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (with a variable APR thereafter of 18.24% to 28.24%). It’s not the longest introductory offer, but usually a card with a long offer won’t get him high rewards like 5% cashback.

Using a credit card with a 0% introductory period is a great way to pay off your card debt faster. It is also convenient when you want to make a large purchase with a credit card.

When pairing with another credit card

People who tend to carry multiple credit cards and don’t mind strategizing how to get the most value possible from all of them can enjoy custom cash cards. Fall into one of the card’s eligible spending categories as you only earn 5% cash back in one bonus category (up to $500 per billing cycle and 1% thereafter) and 1% on all other purchases Use your custom cash card for any purchases you make. Any other purchases must be placed on a separate Rewards Card.

In fact, since Citi Custom Cash technically earns ThankYou points and can be redeemed for cashback, it pairs well with the Citi Premier® Card, which also earns ThankYou points and can be transferred to Citi’s transfer partners.

When is a Citi Custom Cash Card Not Worth It?

The Citi Custom Cash Card has many features, but it also has some drawbacks. Here are two cases where you might want to look for a different cash back credit card:

If you want a standalone credit card with the most rewards

Limited to only one bonus category with a spending cap of $500 (1% thereafter) per billing cycle, so custom cash cards can fit in a single card wallet, especially if your priority is earning rewards. is not optimal.

Reward seekers looking for the best value are encouraged to try cash back cards with multiple bonus categories to suit their spending habits. His one of the best alternatives to the Citi Custom Cash Card is the US Bank Cash +® Visa Signature® Card. US Bank Cash+ card not only in one bonus category, but in multiple categories he earns 5% cashback. Plus, free 2 categories to earn 5% cash back (up to $2,000 on qualifying purchases quarterly, 1% thereafter) and 1 daily category to earn unlimited 2% cash back can be selected to

Unfortunately, US Bank Cash+ Card requires you to enroll in a custom category for 5% quarterly. Otherwise, you’ll only earn 1% on those purchases. It takes a bit more effort to use compared to Citi Custom Cash, but it might be worth it as the potential for higher rewards is higher.

When you want to save money by direct debit

Citi Custom Cash Cards are great for balance transfers if you want interest-free payments for a year or more. But if your main goal is to pay off your debt while saving as much money as possible, then it’s not the best choice for balance transfer.

Custom Cash Cards charge 5% or $5 (whichever is higher) for each balance transfer you perform. If you’re looking to transfer a large amount of debt, you can save money by looking elsewhere. Some of the best balance transfer credit cards only charge a 3% balance transfer fee.

Should I get Citi Custom Cash?

For many people, a custom cash card would be the clear winner. Not many credit cards allow you to choose the category that gives you 5% back. So those who spend a lot in their areas of bonuses that are not normally covered by loyalty cards are free to choose their category and get high rewards.

Remember, Citi Custom Cash automatically selects your top spending categories based on your purchases (without registration). So be conscious of what you use your cards for. For example, if you’re aiming to make live entertainment your top category, use Citi Custom Cash for most purchases and very little else.

But custom cash cards don’t make great standalone credit cards, especially for those who spend more than $2,000 a month. If you want to get as much cash back as possible, you’ll need to combine your custom cash card with other reward cards, or look for a better standalone card.

Conclusion

Citi Custom Cash is suitable for moderate consumers who can sustain spending around $500 per month. However, if you can easily surpass $500 in a month, consider combining this card with another loyalty card or purchasing another high-yielding cash back card.

For more information on the card, please read the Citi Custom Cash benefits guide. It also includes an article on how to get the most out of your card when traveling.