Citi Custom Cash Card vs. Citi Double Cash: Friends Who Work Well Together
Review
Updated
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Citi Custom Cash® Card is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Two of Citi's most popular credit cards, the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Double Cash® Card, are great friends. They work well as a cash back duo -- or part of a Citi trifecta -- complementing each other's rewards, but either could be added to your wallet by itself. We'll take a deep dive into each card's features to give you the full picture.
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| Citi Custom Cash® Card | Citi Double Cash® Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Fair to Excellent (580-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. 20,000 ThankYou® Points |
Welcome Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. $200 |
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Rewards Program: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. 1% - 5% cash back |
Rewards Program: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. 2% cash back |
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Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 15 months on Purchases Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months on Balance Transfers |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on Balance Transfers |
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Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Citi Custom Cash® Card is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
If I had to choose just one of these two cards, I'd go with the Citi Custom Cash® Card -- and, indeed, I have one in my wallet right now. (I even keep it there on the regular since I use it at least a few times a month.)
The heart of this card is its awesome rewards, which, as the name suggests, are highly customizable to fill whatever gap you have in your current strategy. That makes this card very versatile and a good fit for nearly any cardholder.
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There are two good cases for picking up the Citi Double Cash® Card instead of -- or simply before -- the Citi Custom Cash® Card:
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
$200 cash rewards Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. | 2% cash rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
Intro: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR |
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Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases | 1.5-3 points per dollar Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. |
Intro: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America. Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
The two cards share a lot of great features, but each shines in its own ways. Here's a side-by-side comparison to show their strengths and weaknesses.
Winner: Everyone! With no annual fee for either card, holders of both cards will benefit.
Neither the Citi Custom Cash® Card nor the Citi Double Cash® Card charges an annual fee, so everyone wins here. Cards with no annual fee are awesome since you don't have to worry about earning back your money each year. This gives you the freedom to use your card as much -- or as little -- as you need.
Winner: Tied. The welcome bonuses for these two cards are exactly the same.
This is a quick category to call since both cards have the same standard welcome bonus (elevated welcome offers happen, but they're usually targeted offers). New cardholders for either card can earn 20,000 ThankYou® Points for spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months. You can redeem 20,000 ThankYou® Points for $200 in cash back statement credit.
Winner: Citi Custom Cash® Card. It's the only card from this duo that offers a 0% intro APR for both balance transfer and purchases.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an easy winner in this category. New cardholders can enjoy 15 months on Balance Transfers of 0% intro APR on new purchases, as well as on balance transfers made within the first four months. A balance transfer fee of Balance transfer fee applies with this offer; 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. applies. At the end of the intro period, cardholders will have a go-to 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR.
In contrast, the Citi Double Cash® Card has an intro APR offer that applies only to balance transfers. You'll get 18 months on Balance Transfers of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made within the first four months. You'll also enjoy a promotional balance transfer fee of There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). The card's go-to 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR will apply at the end of the intro period.
Winner: Tied. These cards are equally-awesome rewards earners.
This is the hardest category to decide because both cards are awesome for rewards -- they're just awesome in different ways.
The Citi Double Cash® Card earns up to Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.. This is the card you want to use for purchases that don't fit neatly into the bonus categories you may have on other cards. Or, this could be your only card if you want a simple rewards strategy.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a big hitter, but with limitations. You can earn up to 5% cash back in your top spending category each month. Eligible categories are broad and include:
Bonus cash back is capped at $500 in bonus category purchases each month. Your top spending category is automatically figured by Citi, so you don't need to activate anything. Despite the cap, this is a powerful rewards card.
If you want to maximize your rewards on either -- or both -- cards, pair them with a Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. This would let you pool all your rewards and transfer them to hotel and airline partners for free travel.
It's hard to find a card that's universally loved, but the Citi Custom Cash® Card comes pretty close. Other than grumbling about the spending cap (I'm not a fan either, but I get it), people online pretty much all dig this card. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a little less broadly popular, mostly because there are several direct competitors. Folks who have it don't seem to have any major qualms, however.
Although we may pick a winner for each of these categories, in the end, both of these Citi credit cards can be an excellent choice if they fit your personal needs. The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) is a competitive flat-rate rewards card good for a one-card wallet or for your non-bonus category purchases. The Citi Custom Cash® Card (see rates and fees) is a strong rewards earner that can be valuable in its niche.
The two cards work well by themselves -- but they're even better as friends working together to help you maximize your rewards.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
We love this card's easy-to-use yet lucrative cash back program. There aren't many no annual fee cards that earn 5% back, and most of the others have rotating bonus categories that change every quarter. This card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, so getting the most out of it is a breeze.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
2% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200
This card combines a top-notch balance transfer offer with best-in-class unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. There's no introductory APR for purchases, so you'll need to pay those off in full every month if you want to avoid interest charges. Read Full Review
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