Citi Custom Cash Card Review

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a no-annual-fee Mastercard from Citibank, offering automated 5% cash back and comprehensive benefits.

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a no-annual-fee cash back credit card issued by Citibank in the United States. It operates on the Mastercard network and is distinguished in the market by its unique, automated 5% cash back rewards structure. This document provides a comprehensive review of the card’s features, including a detailed breakdown of its rewards program, its introductory offers, and all associated terms and benefits.

This card is designed for consumers with good to excellent credit who are seeking high cash back returns in common spending categories without the need for manual activation or enrollment. Its value is derived from its ability to automatically adapt to a user’s changing spending habits on a monthly basis.

CREDIT CARD

Citi Custom Cash

$200 cash back up to 5% cash back

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A Detailed Breakdown of the Benefits.

• 5% Cash Back Tier:
  • Cardholders earn 5% cash back on purchases in their highest eligible spending category during each billing cycle.
  • This 5% rate is subject to a $500 spending cap per billing cycle. This means the maximum cash back that can be earned at the 5% rate is $25 per cycle.
  • The process is automatic. Citi’s system analyzes all posted transactions at the end of the billing cycle to determine the top category.
• 1% Cash Back Tier:
  • All other purchases, including any spending in the top category that exceeds the $500 cap, will earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
• Eligible 5% Cash Back Categories: The card features a broad and practical list of ten eligible bonus categories. The determination of a category is based on the Merchant Category Code (MCC) provided by the merchant’s payment processor.
  • Restaurants: Includes cafes, bars, lounges, and fast-food restaurants.
  • Gas Stations
  • Grocery Stores: Excludes general merchandise stores like Target and Walmart.
  • Select Travel: Includes airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and travel agencies.
  • Select Transit: Includes subways, commuter rail, buses, ferries, rideshares, and parking.
  • Select Streaming Services: A list of eligible services is provided by Citi and includes popular options like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+.
  • Drugstores
  • Home Improvement Stores
  • Fitness Clubs
  • Live Entertainment

• Welcome Bonus: New cardmembers are eligible to earn $200 cash back, which is awarded as 20,000 ThankYou Points. This bonus is earned after spending $1,500 on the card within the first 6 months of account opening.
• Introductory APR: The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both new purchases and balance transfers.
  • Balance Transfers: Must be completed within the first 4 months of account opening to qualify for the intro APR. A balance transfer fee applies (5% of each transfer; $5 minimum).
• Annual Fee: $0.

• Redemption Options: Cash back is accrued in the form of Citi ThankYou Points. One point is equivalent to one cent when redeemed for cash back. Points can be redeemed for:
  • A direct deposit into a qualifying bank account.
  • A check mailed to the cardholder.
  • A statement credit.
• Advanced Redemption: Cardholders who also possess a premium Citi card (like the Citi Premier) can pool their points and transfer them to Citi’s airline and hotel partners.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Citi Custom Cash Card, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a legal resident of the United States with a valid U.S. address.
• Have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Possess a good to excellent credit score (generally, a FICO score of 670 or higher is recommended).

How to Apply: The Application Process

1. Visit the Citibank Website: The application is available on the official Citibank credit card product page.
2. Check for Prequalification: Citi provides a tool that allows consumers to check for pre-qualified offers with a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect their credit score.
3. Complete the Application Form: The secure online application requires standard personal, housing, and financial information.
4. Submit for a Decision: After reviewing the card’s terms and submitting the application, a hard credit inquiry will be performed. A decision is often provided instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How are Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) used to determine my 5% category?
  Every merchant is assigned a 4-digit MCC by card networks like Mastercard. This code identifies the merchant’s type of business (e.g., “Grocery Store,” “Gas Station”). Citi’s system simply totals your spending within each of the ten eligible MCC groups at the end of the billing cycle to find your top category.
• What is the minimum redemption amount for cash back?
  To redeem for a direct deposit, check, or statement credit, you typically need a minimum rewards balance of $5, which is equivalent to 500 ThankYou® Points.
• What happens if I do not spend in any of the ten eligible 5% categories in a month?
  If all of your spending in a billing cycle falls outside of the ten specific eligible categories, then all of your purchases for that cycle will earn the base rate of 1% cash back.
• Are there any benefits that come with the card’s World Elite Mastercard® branding?
  Yes. Depending on the specific card issued, it may come with World Elite Mastercard benefits. These can include a complimentary ShopRunner membership, access to a dedicated concierge service, and monthly credits with partners like Lyft, which provide additional value beyond the card’s primary rewards structure.

CREDIT CARD

Citi Custom Cash

$200 cash back up to 5% cash back

APPLY NOW You will be redirected