If you want to earn a high rate of cash back without the work, the Citi Custom Cash Card is the perfect solution. Life is busy enough without having to track spending categories or remember to activate bonus rewards every few months. This card is intelligently designed to do all the work for you, automatically adapting to your spending habits to give you 5% cash back where it matters most.
The Citi Custom Cash is the definition of “set it and forget it” rewards. You simply use it for your everyday purchases, and at the end of each month, it automatically calculates where you spent the most and gives you the bonus. It’s a hassle-free way to make sure you’re always maximizing your returns. With a great welcome offer, a long 0% interest period, and no annual fee, this is the ideal card for anyone who wants great rewards without any of the effort.
A Suite of Effortless Benefits
- A Wide Range of 5% Categories: The list of eligible categories for the 5% cash back is broad and covers most people’s regular spending. It includes restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
- No Enrollment or Activation: Unlike other 5% cards, you never need to sign up for or activate your bonus categories.
- Automatic Adaptation: You earn 5% cash back on the first $500 you spend in your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle. At the end of the month, Citi’s system looks at your purchases, finds the category you spent the most in (from a list of 10), and gives you the 5% back.
- Flexibility for Your Life: This means the card changes with you. If you spend the most at grocery stores in June, you get 5% back on groceries. If you spend the most on travel for a vacation in July, you automatically get 5% back on travel for that month. It’s always optimized for you.
- Unlimited 1% Cash Back on Everything Else: For all purchases that fall outside of your top spending category for the month, you will earn a simple and unlimited 1% cash back.
- A Great $200 Welcome Bonus: Get a fantastic start with a $200 cash back bonus after you spend $1,500 on purchases in your first 6 months. This is a very achievable spending requirement.
- $0 Annual Fee: You get all of this automated rewards power without ever having to pay an annual fee.
- A Long 0% Introductory APR Period: The card provides a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both new purchases and balance transfers. This gives you a long, stress-free period to pay off a large item or other debt without interest.
- Easy Rewards Redemption: Your cash back is earned as Citi ThankYou Points, which are simple to redeem. You can get your rewards as a direct deposit to your bank account, a check, or as a statement credit to lower your bill.
- Citi Entertainment Access: As a cardholder, you get access to purchase tickets for thousands of events, including concert presales and exclusive experiences.
Who Can Apply for Citi Custom Cash: Eligibility Criteria
This card is designed for U.S. residents with a solid credit history.
- Credit Score: A good to excellent credit score is recommended (typically a FICO score of 670 or higher).
- Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid U.S. address.
- Identification: A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required.
- Income: You will need to have a stable source of income.
How to Apply: A Simple, Straightforward Process
Applying for the Citi Custom Cash Card is an easy online process.
- Visit the Citi Website: Navigate to the official product page for the Citi Custom Cash Card.
- Check for Prequalified Offers (Recommended): Citi’s website has a tool that allows you to see if you are pre-qualified for card offers with no impact on your credit score. This is a smart and risk-free way to check your approval odds first.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the secure online application with your personal and financial information.
- Review the Terms and Conditions: Before submitting, carefully read the card’s official terms, rates, and fees.
- Submit and Get a Quick Decision: You will often receive a decision from Citi within a few minutes.
Citi Custom Cash Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I really not have to do anything to get the 5% cash back?
That is correct. It is a completely automated system. You just use your card for your normal spending. At the end of each billing cycle, Citi’s system does all the work of analyzing your purchases and awarding you the 5% cash back on your top eligible category. - What happens if my spending is about the same in two different categories?
The system will identify the category where you spent the most, even if it’s only by a few cents. If you spend the exact same amount, the 5% is typically awarded to the category with the transaction that posted to your account first. - Is the $500 monthly spending cap for the 5% category a major limitation?
For most people, it is a very reasonable limit that still allows for significant rewards. It lets you earn up to $25 in cash back from the 5% category each month, which adds up to $300 per year. If you are a very high spender in one category, you will still earn 1% on any spending above the $500 cap. - How easy is it to get my cash back rewards?
It’s very simple. Once you have earned at least $5 in cash back (which is 500 ThankYou® Points), you can redeem it. You can request a statement credit to lower your bill, a direct deposit to your bank account, or a check. The process is quick and easy through your online account.
