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Unlike traditional cash-back cards that lock you into specific categories, this card is designed to automatically adjust to your highest spending category each billing cycle, allowing you to maximize your rewards effortlessly.
In this review, we’ll dive into the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of the Citi Custom Cash Card to help you decide if it’s the right addition to your wallet.
Whether you’re a savvy shopper looking for flexibility or someone aiming to streamline your rewards’ strategy, this card promises a tailored experience that could make every dollar spent work harder for you.
Features of the Citi Custom Cash® Card
The Citi Custom Cash Card is designed to enhance your financial experience. One of its key benefits is the automatic account alerts, which help you stay on top of your finances.
Once you set up these alerts, you’ll receive timely reminders about your balance, payment due dates, and even notifications if you exceed your credit limit, all delivered to your email or mobile phone.
For a seamless shopping experience, the card includes contactless payment technology. With a simple tap, you can make purchases quickly and securely, without the need to swipe or insert your card.
Additionally, the card supports digital wallets, enabling you to shop with confidence online, in apps, and in stores, while benefiting from an extra layer of protection for your card information.
Managing your account is made easy with the Citi Mobile® App. The app lets you check your balance, view available credit, review your spending summary, and make payments—all from your mobile device.
You also have the flexibility to choose your payment due date, allowing you to align it with your schedule, whether at the beginning, middle, or end of the month.
The Citi Custom Cash Mastercard offers Mastercard ID Theft Protection to monitor and alert you to any suspicious activity. With $0 liability on unauthorized charges, you’re fully protected from fraudulent transactions.
If you misplace your card, Citi® Quick Lock allows you to instantly block new charges while permitting any recurring transactions to continue.
Moreover, you can monitor your credit health with free access to your FICO® Score, updated monthly and easily accessible through the Citi Mobile® App and Citi® Online.
The card also features Fraud Early Warning, which keeps a vigilant eye on your account, notifying you of any unusual activity to ensure your financial safety.
What is the Citi Custom Cash® Card?
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a credit card issued by Citibank, N.A., based in Sioux Falls, SD. Citibank is a global financial institution and the consumer division of Citigroup, offering a wide range of banking services, including credit cards, loans, and wealth management.
How the Citi Custom Cash® Mastercard Works
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a straightforward and rewarding experience tailored to your spending habits.
When you open an account, you can kickstart your rewards journey with a bonus offer of $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months. This reward is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for the $200 cash back.
Using the Citi Custom Cash® Card is simple—just make your everyday purchases as usual. Each billing cycle, you’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 spent.
Beyond that, you’ll still earn a steady 1% cash back on all other purchases. The cash back you earn is converted into ThankYou® Points, giving you 5 points per $1 spent in your top category and 1 point per $1 on everything else.
When it comes to redeeming your rewards, you have multiple options. You can turn your points into cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit, or even a check.
But the flexibility doesn’t stop there—you can also redeem points for gift cards, travel, or use them to Shop with Points on Amazon.com.
What’s great about the Citi Custom Cash® Card is that it adapts to your changing spending patterns without any extra effort on your part.
There are no rotating bonus categories to enroll in—your card automatically adjusts your rewards based on your spending each month.
This means you can earn 5% cash back in eligible categories like restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel and transit, streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment, up to $500 each billing cycle.
For all other purchases, you’ll continue earning an unlimited 1% cash back.
As a special offer, you can also enjoy an additional 4% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through the Citi TravelSM portal until June 30, 2025.
Pros and Cons of the Citi Custom Cash® Card
Let’s explore the key benefits and drawbacks of this Citi Custom Cash® credit card:
Benefits
Here are the key Citi Custom Cash Card benefits:
- 24/7 Customer Service: The customer service team is there for you around the clock, every day of the week. Whether you need help with your account or have questions, they’re just a call away.
- Citi Entertainment®: Enjoy exclusive access to a wide range of entertainment options with Citi Entertainment®. From music and sports to culinary experiences, you can explore and enjoy events and experiences from virtually anywhere.
Cons
Some Citi Custom Cash MasterCard disadvantages include:
- Points Timing: Points earned on purchases will be added to your ThankYou Account at the end of the billing cycle in which the purchase was made.
This means purchases made near the end of a billing cycle might take up to two billing cycles to appear in your account, including bonus points.
- Account Status Impact: To earn points, your card account must be open and current. If your account status changes, it could affect your ability to accumulate and redeem points.
Rates and Fees
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a compelling 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, making it an attractive option for those looking to save on interest.
After the introductory period, the APR ranges from 19.24% to 29.24%, depending on your creditworthiness, and it varies with the market based on the Prime Rate. For cash advances, the APR is 29.99%, while the Citi Flex Plan APR also falls within the 19.24% to 29.24% range.
It’s crucial to avoid triggering the Penalty APR, which can reach up to 29.99% if you make a late payment or have a payment returned.
This higher rate may apply indefinitely, so staying current on your payments is essential.
To avoid paying interest on your purchases, ensure you pay your monthly Citi Flex Plan Payment Amount plus your entire balance, excluding any Citi Flex Plan balances, by the due date each month.
The card has no annual fee, but transaction fees include either $5 or 5% for balance transfers and $10 or 5% for cash advances.
Additionally, the minimum interest charge, if applicable, is at least 50 cents, and a monthly fee of up to 1.72% may apply to transactions moved to the Citi Flex Plan.
Penalty fees include up to $41 for both late payments and returned payments. Finally, if you make international purchases, there’s a 3% Citi Custom Cash Card foreign transaction fee for each purchase in U.S. dollars.
Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Citi Custom Cash® Card, you need to be at least 18 years old, or 21 if you reside in Puerto Rico. If you’re married, you can still apply for your own separate account.
This card offer is only available to residents of the United States and its territories. Your eligibility for this product and service will be determined by Citibank during the application process.
How to Apply for Citi Custom Cash®Credit Card
To apply for the Citi Custom Cash® credit card, simply go to their website and click on the “Apply Now” button. You’ll need to provide your personal information and agree to the terms and conditions.
If you prefer to apply over the phone, you can call 1-800-362-0526. For TTY assistance, use 711 or another relay service. After you submit your application, please allow approximately four weeks for it to be processed.
Conclusion
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is packed with features aimed at improving your financial life. While it does have a few limitations, its appealing benefits and simple application process make it a solid choice for anyone looking for a dependable and rewarding credit card.
