Citi Custom Cash Card Annual Fee: Everything You Need to Know

The Citi Custom Cash Card annual fee is a significant consideration for anyone considering this credit card. It's $0 the first year, which is a great perk.

However, after the first year, the annual fee jumps to $95, which might be a drawback for some users. This fee is a standard charge for many credit cards.

For those who can take advantage of the card's benefits, the annual fee is a small price to pay. The card offers 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The interest rates on the Citi Custom Cash card are quite reasonable. You'll enjoy 0% interest for 15 months, which is a great perk for those who plan to pay off their balance within that timeframe.

The interest rate jumps to an unspecified rate after the promotional period ends, but it's significantly lower than the average cash-back card, which has an interest rate of 20.57%.

The Citi Custom Cash card also offers a 0% balance transfer rate for 15 months, which can be a huge help if you're consolidating debt.

After the promotional period, the balance transfer rate becomes an unspecified rate, but it's still lower than the average cash-back card, which has a balance transfer rate of 19.79%.

Here's a comparison of the interest rates on the Citi Custom Cash card and the average cash-back card:

The minimum interest charge on the Citi Custom Cash card is $0.50, which is the same as the average cash-back card.

The Citi Custom Cash card offers a rewards program that's relatively simple and can happen quickly. You'll get 5% cash back on the highest spend category, up to $25 on $500 spent.

The card has 10 fixed bonus categories, including grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, streaming services, and more. You can earn this elevated 5% cash back rate in one of these categories on up to $500 each billing cycle.

Here are the 10 fixed bonus categories:

After the first $500 spent during any billing cycle on the highest spend category, even that category will earn just 1%.

Earning rewards with the Citi Custom Cash card is relatively simple, and you can earn cash back quickly. You'll get 5% cash back on the highest spend category, up to $25 on $500 spent.

This card offers a unique rewards system, where your 5% cash back is automatically adjusted based on your spending in the card's eligible bonus categories. For example, if you earn 5% back for restaurant spending in one cycle, but begin to spend more heavily at grocery stores the next billing cycle, your bonus category will automatically adjust.

The card has 10 fixed bonus categories, including grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, streaming services, and more. You can earn 5% cash back in one of these categories, on up to $500 each billing cycle.

To give you a better idea of the categories, here are some examples:

Non-bonus category spending will earn you 1% cash back, which is relatively low compared to other cards. However, the card's automated rewards system makes it easy to earn rewards without having to track bonus categories or activate rewards every quarter.

Sharing your rewards points with friends and family can be a great way to make the most of your credit card benefits. Shared points expire after 90 days, so make sure you have a specific plan in mind before transferring.

You can share up to 100,000 points per calendar year with each member, and each member can receive up to 100,000 points per calendar year. If you have a Custom Cash card, you can't share points directly, but you can combine points with other cards you have.

If you don't have a Strata Premier, AT&T Access More, or Prestige card, you can move your points to a friend who has one of those cards. They can then transfer the points to an airline or hotel partner to book high-value awards.

Having a friend with airline elite status can also be beneficial. They can transfer points to the airline partner and book the award for you, which can help with free award changes.

The Citi Custom Cash Card has a $0 annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn cash back without paying an extra fee.

You'll also get a generous welcome offer: earn $200 in cash back after spending $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.

The card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, giving you extra time to pay down a large purchase or debts transferred from other cards. After the introductory period, the variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers rises to a variable 18.49% - 28.49%.

Here are the key fees to keep in mind:

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a great option for those who want to avoid annual fees. This card doesn't charge an annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday spending.

However, it's worth noting that there is a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you travel abroad frequently, you may want to look for a different rewards card.

To give you a better idea of the card's fees, here's a breakdown:

Overall, the Citi Custom Cash Card is a solid choice for those who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee.

If you're looking for alternatives to the Citi Custom Cash Card with no annual fee, there are some great options out there.

The Citi Double Cash is a great choice for beginners, offering 2% cash back on all purchases with no spending limits.

The Chase Freedom Flex is another option that earns 5% back on up to $1,500 in purchases on rotating bonus categories each quarter.

You can earn more with the Citi Double Cash if your spending exceeds the $500 limit on the Custom Cash.

The Chase Freedom Flex has rotating bonus categories, which can include common vendors like Amazon and gas stations.

Here are some key features of these cards:

Citi Custom Cash cardholders can expect top-notch customer service from Citi's highly trained and knowledgeable staff, available 24/7 through various contact methods.

One of the perks of having a Citi Custom Cash card is access to Citi Entertainment, which helps cardholders find and purchase exclusive tickets for concerts, sporting events, and more.

Cardholders also enjoy contactless payment, a free check of their FICO credit score, and more.

We carefully evaluate the service and benefits of credit cards, considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitative features include fees, interest rates, rewards, and the cash value of benefits and perks.

Our analysis takes into account the ease of application and the simplicity of the rewards structure. This helps us understand whether a card is well-suited for everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases.

We also consider the likelihood of using certain features, such as travel insurance or purchase protection. This ensures that we're accurately assessing the value of these benefits to a typical cardholder.

Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class. However, we encourage consumers to use these ratings as just one consideration when choosing a credit card.

Citi's customer service team is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, through various contact methods.

They're highly trained and knowledgeable, so you can expect quick and clear answers to your questions.

The team is available day or night, ensuring that you can get help whenever you need it.

Their extensive training and expertise guarantee that you'll get the assistance you require.

With Citi, you'll never have to worry about calling a lender and finding no one to answer your call.

Their staff is dedicated to providing top-notch service, making them one of the best in the business.

Citi's product change capabilities are a game-changer for cardholders who want to upgrade or downgrade their card.

With Citi, you can interchange products based on your creditworthiness, which means you can switch to a different Citi product if the Custom Cash card isn't quite what you're looking for.

The Citi Custom Cash card offers some convenient benefits, despite its lack of an annual fee. One of the perks is access to Citi Entertainment, which helps cardholders find and purchase exclusive tickets for concerts, sporting events, and more.

Cardholders can also enjoy contactless payment for added convenience. This feature allows for quick and easy transactions without the need for a physical signature.

A free check of your FICO credit score is also included, providing valuable insight into your credit health.

The Citi Custom Cash Card has some great benefits that make it worth considering. There is no annual fee, which is a huge plus if you're looking to save money.

One of the standout features of this card is its 5% bonus categories, which can help you earn rewards on your purchases.

The card also offers an Intro APR Period, which can give you some breathing room on your payments.

You can redeem your rewards in multiple ways, making it easy to get the most out of your earnings.

However, there is an earning cap on bonus categories, which means you can only earn rewards up to a certain amount.

You'll also be charged a foreign transaction fee, so think twice before using this card abroad.

The Citi Custom Cash Card has a straightforward annual fee structure. It's a $0 annual fee, which is a great perk for anyone looking to earn cash back rewards without any additional costs.

You'll earn 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your highest spend category per billing cycle. This category is chosen from a list of eligible options, but we don't know what those options are.

The card also offers 1% back on other purchases, which is a decent rate for everyday spending. However, the real kicker is the special offer through June 30, 2026, which gives you an additional 4% back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi's rewards portal.

Here are the key rewards details:

Rewards are earned in the form of ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash back at a value of 1 cent per point.

The Citi Custom Cash card offers flexible redemption options, making it easy to get the most out of your rewards. You can redeem your ThankYou points for a statement credit, direct deposit, or check.

You can choose to redeem your points for cash through direct deposit or statement credit with no minimum redemption amount. This means you can redeem your points as soon as you want without having to meet a minimum balance requirement.

One of the best things about the Citi Custom Cash card is that you can redeem your points for gift cards, travel, or shopping with points at retailers like Amazon.com. This gives you a lot of flexibility and options for using your rewards.

You can also redeem your points for cash through a check, but there is a minimum reward balance of $5 (or 500 points) required. This is a bit more restrictive, but still a viable option if you prefer to receive your rewards in a physical check.

To give you a better idea of the redemption options, here's a summary:

Overall, the Citi Custom Cash card offers a range of flexible redemption options that make it easy to use your rewards and get the most out of your card.