
For those who want to maximize their rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories, the Citi Custom Cash Card emerges as a brilliant and effortlessly smart choice. This card is ingeniously designed to automatically adapt to your spending habits, putting high-rate cash back right where you need it most. It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants a simple yet powerful way to get more back from their everyday expenses, all with no annual fee.
The Outstanding Benefits of the Citi Custom Cash Card
- Automatic 5% Cash Back: This is the card’s signature feature! You’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 of purchases. No enrollment, no tracking—just effortless rewards.
- Broad 5% Categories: The eligible categories for the 5% cash back are extensive and cover everyday spending, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
- Solid 1% Cash Back on Everything Else: For all purchases outside of your top 5% category, you’ll earn a dependable, unlimited 1% cash back.
- Generous Welcome Bonus: New cardmembers can earn a $200 cash back bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months of opening an account. This bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 valuable ThankYou Points.
- $0 Annual Fee: Enjoy all the fantastic benefits and rewards of this card without paying an annual fee, ever.
- Long Introductory APR: Get a great head start with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both new purchases and balance transfers. This gives you ample time to pay down large expenses or existing debt without interest.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Your cash back, earned as ThankYou Points, is easy to use. Redeem your points for a statement credit, a direct deposit into a bank account, a check, gift cards, or to book travel through the Citi portal.
- Citi Entertainment: Gain special access to purchase presale tickets and enjoy exclusive experiences for thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, and unique dining opportunities.
- World Elite Mastercard Benefits: As a World Elite Mastercard, you can enjoy premium perks such as a complimentary ShopRunner membership, access to a dedicated concierge service, and a $5 Lyft credit each month after taking at least three rides.
- Free FICO Score Access: Keep track of your credit health with free access to your FICO Score, updated monthly through your Citi online account or mobile app.

Who Can Apply
To give yourself the best chance of being approved for the Citi Custom Cash Card, you should generally meet the following criteria:
- Credit Score: It is recommended that applicants have a good to excellent credit score (typically a FICO score of 670 or higher).
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age.
- Residency: You must be a resident of the United States with a valid physical U.S. address.
- Identification: A Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required.
- Income: You will need to provide information about your annual income.
How to Apply
Applying for the Citi Custom Cash Card is a straightforward online process.
- Visit the Citi Website: Navigate to the official Citi Custom Cash Card application page.
- Check for Pre-Qualified Offers (Recommended): Citi’s website offers a tool to see if you are pre-qualified for card offers without impacting your credit score. This can give you an idea of your approval odds.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the secure online application with your personal details, including your full name, address, SSN, and financial information.
- Review Terms and Conditions: Before submitting, carefully read the card’s terms, rates, and fees.
- Submit Your Application: Once you’ve verified your information, submit the application. You will often receive a decision within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to choose my 5% category each month?
No, and that’s the beauty of this card. Citi automatically identifies your top eligible spending category at the end of each billing cycle and applies the 5% cash back to it. There’s no need to enroll or activate categories. - Is there a limit to the 5% cash back I can earn?
Yes, the 5% cash back rate applies to the first $500 in spending in your top eligible category each billing cycle. After you reach the $500 limit, you will continue to earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, including further purchases in that category. - What happens if my spending is split evenly between two categories?
If you spend the exact same amount in two eligible 5% categories, Citi will typically award the 5% cash back to the category with the transaction that posted to your account first. - Can I have more than one Citi Custom Cash Card?
No, Citi’s policy generally limits individuals to holding only one Citi Custom Cash® Card account. However, you can add authorized users to your account at no additional cost.