Citi Custom Cash – How to Apply

By Fábio Soares • 06/20/2025

For automatic rewards that match your spending, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card stands out.

Designed to maximize your everyday purchases without the need to track categories or activate bonuses manually, this card offers generous cash back in your top spending area each month. 

With no annual fee and a valuable welcome bonus, it strikes a balance between convenience and reward potential.

Let’s break down how the Citi Custom Cash works and why it may be the right fit for your wallet.

How does the Citi Custom Cash work?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a cash back credit card that automatically gives you 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 in purchases. 

After reaching that limit, you earn 1% cash back. All other purchases outside the top category earn 1% as well.

There’s no need to activate categories or manually choose where your bonus applies—the card tracks your spending and automatically applies the 5% rate to the area where you spent the most that month.

Eligible 5% categories include:

• Restaurants
  
• Gas stations
  
• Grocery stores
  
• Select streaming services
  
• Drugstores
  
• Home improvement stores
  
• Fitness clubs
  
• Live entertainment (concerts, theaters, etc.)
  
• Transit (including taxis, rideshare, buses, and subways)
  
• Select travel categories
  

Additionally, new cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months. That bonus is issued as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, redeemable for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Citi ThankYou® portal.

Main benefits of Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash Card’s biggest advantage is its flexibility—it adapts to your lifestyle and rewards you in the category where you naturally spend the most. This makes it especially attractive for people with variable spending patterns.

Here are its standout benefits:

• 5% automatic cash back – Earn without planning; the top category is chosen for you each month.
  
• No annual fee – Keep more of your cash back since there’s no cost to hold the card.
  
• $200 welcome bonus – Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,500 in 6 months.
  
• Access to Citi ThankYou® Points – Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, or more.
  
• Contactless payment and digital wallet compatibility – Tap and go for convenience.
  
• Useful for various lifestyles – Whether you’re a commuter, home renovator, or frequent diner, the card adjusts to your needs.
  

This card is best for those who tend to spend heavily in one category per month but don’t want the burden of managing rotating bonuses or multiple cards.

Cons of Citi Custom Cash

Despite its strong benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider before applying:

• $500 monthly cap on 5% earnings – Once you exceed $500 in your top category, your rate drops to 1%, which limits the total rewards you can earn in that tier.
  
• Only one category earns 5% – Even if you spend heavily in multiple bonus categories, only your top category gets the 5% rate each billing cycle.
  
• No 0% APR on balance transfers – While there’s an intro APR for purchases, balance transfers don’t receive the same treatment unless offered in a separate promotion.
  
• International transaction fee – A 3% fee applies to foreign purchases, which could add up if you use the card abroad.
  

If you frequently spend above the $500 cap or in multiple bonus categories, another rewards card with higher limits or flat-rate earnings may be better.

APR and Fees

Understanding the fees and interest rates helps determine whether the Citi Custom Cash aligns with your financial strategy:

• Annual Fee: $0
  
• Intro APR on Purchases: 0% for 15 months
  
• Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.24% variable
  
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% (minimum $5)
  
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
  

The 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases is especially helpful if you need to finance a big purchase and pay it off over time without accruing interest.

How to apply for the Citi Custom Cash

Applying for the Citi Custom Cash is easy and can be done online through Citi’s official website. Before you apply, make sure you:

• Are at least 18 years old
  
• Have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN
  
• Possess good to excellent credit (typically a credit score of 690 or above)
  
• Have a steady income and a responsible credit history
  

Once you’re ready, head to the application page, click “Apply Now”, and fill out the required personal and financial information. Citi also offers a prequalification tool that checks your eligibility without impacting your credit score.

If approved, your card typically arrives within 7–10 business days.