How I use my Citi Custom Cash Card

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With the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, you’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% back), as well as an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. This card also offers a generous sign-up bonus and zero-interest period on purchases and balance transfers. Considering these perks and the lack of an annual fee, it’s easy to see why the Citi Custom Cash may be worth owning.

To find out how to best use the Citi Custom Cash Card, we interviewed two loyal cardholders—David Attard, head of marketing operations at Aphex Media, and Forrest McCall, owner of Don’t Work Another Day.

Attard says he’s a “big fan of the Citi Custom Cash Card,” because “it provides a wide array of services.” If you’re considering applying for this card and are wondering more about these services, keep reading to learn more.

Cash back earnings

“In my opinion, one of the best aspects of the Citi Custom Cash Card is its ability to provide 5% cash back on the first $500 in an eligible, top-earning category each month, making it hard to find another card that offers bonus cash back on purchases in those categories,” says Attard. The card helps him “earn rewards on purchases from a big concert to fitness clubs, or a gym membership to online streaming platform billings.”

Each billing cycle, you’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top spending category (up to the first $500 spent, then 1%), which is really helpful in maximizing your cash back rewards. These categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment. Although the cash back rewards are one of Attard’s favorite aspects of the card, he notes that, although the card “offers cash back in many distinctive categories, the rewards are limited.”

It’s important to point out that there are exclusions when it comes to the Citi Custom Cash’s rewards categories. For example, the restaurant category excludes third-party food delivery services like Uber Eats, and the grocery category excludes superstores and wholesale clubs.

No annual fee

Another reason Attard likes using his Citi Custom Cash is because he can “earn solid rewards without any registration and an annual fee.”

Since the Citi Custom Cash doesn’t charge a yearly fee, you won’t have to worry about earning enough cash back each year to offset costs associated with the card. This is an easy way to help you maximize your cash back earnings.

Sign-up bonus

Another reason the Citi Custom Cash Card is popular among consumers is that it offers a competitive sign-up bonus.

“Admittedly, I initially chose the card because of the lucrative sign-up bonus,” says McCall. “I already had a large purchase planned, so it made sense to receive the $200 bonus.”

If you spend $750 on purchases in the first three months as a cardholder, you’ll earn $200 cash back. If you’re already maximizing your rewards by spending $500 in one of the card’s bonus categories, this will be an easy threshold to meet.

0% intro APR

One of the other main reasons McCall loves his Citi Custom Cash Card is thanks to its zero-interest offer. Cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, you’ll be charged a variable APR between 16.24% and 26.24% depending on your credit, which is average for cash back cards.

When he first considered applying for this card, McCall says “the 0% intro APR made it even more undeniable. The great sign up bonus, plus the 0% intro APR, are an excellent combination that makes this card stand out.”

Bottom line

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a solid rewards card option for consumers looking for flexible spending opportunities to earn cash back. Its notable sign-up bonus, lack of an annual fee and zero-interest offer on both balance transfers and new purchases is icing on the cake.

After speaking to real-life cardholders, it’s clear that the Citi Custom Cash is a valuable credit card for consumers looking to maximize cash back rewards.