In-Depth Citi Custom Cash Card Review: Maximizing Rewards with 5% cash back

Are you considering the Citi Custom Cash Card as your next credit card? Our Citi Custom Cash Card review cuts through the noise to give you the essential information on its rewards system, benefits, fees, and how it measures up in real-life use. Learn if this card suits your spending habits and how to maximize its potential without the fluff.

Key Takeaways

• Earn on autopilot: With the Citi Custom Cash Card, you’ll bag an effortless 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle up to $500, and 1% on other purchases – just remember it’s a jungle out there, so watch out for that cap.
• Welcoming with open wallets: New cardholders can enjoy a warm $200 cash back after spending $1,500 within the first 6 months, plus a cool 15-month stint of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (mind the balance transfer fee tango).
• Strategize for the win: Complement your Citi Custom Cash Card with other cards to form a powerhouse rewards strategy. Match spend categories with your lifestyle and remember, while it’s a cash back card of many wonders, it’s not the best travel companion.

Exploring the Citi Custom Cash Card: Features and Benefits

The Citi Custom Cash Card offers:

• Flexibility and convenience
• No need to pick or shuffle bonus categories
• A potential high credit limit based on your creditworthiness
• 5% rewards categories

It’s a perfect match for anyone who wants to earn big without the hassle.

Earning Potential: Reward Rates and Bonus Categories

The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a generous 5% cash back on purchases within your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent. You can also earn a modest 1% cash back on all other purchases. This is beneficial for both parties.

And here’s the fun part – from dining and gas stations to grocery stores, select travel, and even live entertainment, there’s a dazzling array of categories where you can earn that delightful 5% cash back. Just bear in mind that there’s a spending cap of $500 per billing cycle for the 5% bonus category. So, plan your splurges wisely to pocket at least $25 in cash back.

Introductory Perks: Welcome Bonus and Balance Transfer Offers

Now here’s something to whet your appetite. The Citi Custom Cash Card rolls out the red carpet by offering a $200 cash back bonus for new cardholders who spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. Plus, you get to enjoy a sweet 15 months of 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers. It’s like a golden ticket to pay down your debt without those pesky interest charges and to splurge on big purchases without worrying about interest piling up. But remember, every good thing comes with a price, and in this case, it’s a balance transfer fee of either 5 percent of the transfer amount or a minimum of $5.

Spending Flexibility: No Annual Fee and Variable APR

One of the striking features of the Citi Custom Cash Card is its spending flexibility. This card won’t sneak up on you with an annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice. However, it does play a fun little game with its variable APR that can dance around with an index like the prime rate. The variable APR can swing anywhere from 19.24 percent to 29.24 percent, giving the charges an unpredictable edge.

So, keep an eye on your balance to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Strategic Spending: How to Maximize Your Rewards with Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash Card is an excellent choice for those seeking to maximize rewards. It’s tailored to support you in this endeavor. It offers a strategic way to earn rewards by keeping an eye on the category you splurge the most on each billing cycle. Plus, it adds a delightful mix of quarterly bonus categories to the mix, giving you even more opportunities to earn. The secret sauce? Strategically planning your expenses to match the specific category for each billing cycle.

Tailored Rewards: Choosing Your Top Eligible Spend Category

With the Citi Custom Cash Card, you’re in control. It gives you the power to choose your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. This way, you can tailor your rewards to match your spending habits. So, whether you are a foodie who loves dining out or a fitness enthusiast spending big on fitness clubs, you can earn 5% cash back on your biggest monthly spend category.

The card automatically identifies the category, allowing you to just focus on spending and earning.

Beyond the Basics: Leveraging Quarterly Bonus Categories

The Citi Custom Cash Card offers quarterly bonus categories, including:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Select travel
• Select transit
• Select streaming services
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores

These bonus categories change every quarter, giving you the opportunity to earn big on different eligible categories throughout the year.

Remember, to maximize your rewards, all you need to do is splash out on all your subscriptions or big expenses in a single billing cycle within a specific category.

Redeeming Rewards: Multiple Ways to Enjoy Your Cash Back

Once you’ve accumulated these enticing rewards, it’s time to redeem them. The Citi Custom Cash Card offers multiple ways to enjoy your cash back. Whether you prefer instant gratification with a statement credit, the convenience of a direct deposit, or want to explore other options like gift cards and travel bookings, the choice is yours.

Instant Gratification: Redeeming for Statement Credit

If you’re all about instant gratification, redeeming your rewards for a statement credit can be a great choice. It can help you reduce your card balance instantly. And the best part? It doesn’t affect your available credit limit.

This allows you to use your rewards without any impact on your credit limit.

Banking on It: Direct Deposit into Your Bank Account

If you prefer having cash in hand, you can opt for a direct deposit into your bank account to earn cash. This way, you can use your cash back however you want, without any restrictions. Plus, there are no fees involved when you choose to deposit your rewards directly into your bank account.

This is beneficial for both parties.

More Than Money: Other Redemption Options

Looking for more flexibility in redeeming your rewards? The Citi Custom Cash Card has got you covered. You can exchange your rewards for gift cards, use them for travel bookings, or even cash them in at partner retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. The choice is all yours.

Comparing the Competition: Citi Custom Cash vs. Other Cash Back Cards

Now, let’s see how the Citi Custom Cash Card stacks up against other cash back cards. With its unique features and benefits, it sure gives other cards like the Chase Freedom FlexSM and the Discover it® Cash Back program a run for their money. But, it’s all about finding the best fit for your spending habits and rewards preferences.

Everyday Spending vs. High Rewards Strategies

When it comes to maximizing rewards, the Citi Custom Cash Card offers two strategies – everyday spending and high rewards. With the card, you can enjoy a cool 1% cash back on everyday purchases. But the real magic happens when you focus on your highest spend category each billing cycle to earn a whopping 5% cash back.

The trick is to know your spending habits and align them with the card’s reward categories. For instance, if you frequently dine out or spend big on groceries, you can earn 5% cash back through these categories. It’s all about strategizing your purchases to maximize your rewards.

Considerations for Balance Transfers

One of the appealing features of the Citi Custom Cash Card is its balance transfer offer. With a 0% APR promotion for 15 months, it’s a great opportunity to reduce your existing debt. However, there are a few things to consider.

You will be charged a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount. This fee will apply to the amount you transfer to the new card. And while it’s quite similar to other cash back cards, it’s something to keep in mind.

Navigating the Fine Print: Fees and Rates Decoded

Reading the fine print is a critical step when choosing a card. The Citi Custom Cash Card comes with its own set of fees and rates that you should be aware of. From a variable APR to additional costs like cash advance and foreign transaction fees, knowing these details can help you make the most of your card.

Understanding the Variable APR

The variable APR is a big deal when it comes to the overall cost of using the Citi Custom Cash Card. With the APR ranging from 19.24% to 29.24% depending on your creditworthiness, carrying a balance could lead to different interest charges, messing with the cost-effectiveness of your card usage.

Thus, understanding its functionality and potential effects on your balance is beneficial.

Additional Costs: Cash Advance and Foreign Transaction Fees

In addition to the variable APR, there are other costs to consider as well. The Citi Custom Cash Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on each purchase transaction in US dollars. And if you need to take out cash, there’s a cash advance fee of 5% of the amount, but at least $10 as a minimum fee. These additional costs can add up, so it’s important to be mindful of them.

Personal Experiences: Real Cardholder Insights

Now, let’s learn from those who have firsthand experience. Real cardholders have shared some insightful tips on how to maximize the 5% reward categories and manage the billing cycle effectively. They’ve also shared their experiences on how to complement the Citi Custom Cash Card with other cards for a rewarding strategy.

Maximizing the 5% Reward Categories

Real cardholders have found creative ways to maximize the 5% reward categories. Some strategies they have used include:

• Strategizing their spending to ensure they hit the $500 cap in their top spend category every billing cycle
• Focusing their spending on categories such as dining, gas stations, and grocery stores to maximize their cash back
• Planning their purchases in advance to take advantage of the 5% cash back offer

By implementing these strategies, cardholders have been able to earn a whopping 5% cash back on their biggest monthly spend category.

Managing the Billing Cycle

When it comes to managing the billing cycle, real cardholders have some useful tips to share. They have found it beneficial to strategically plan their purchases to match their top spending category within the cycle. Also, making shrewd payment choices, such as deciding whether to pay the full monthly balance or just the minimum, has helped them make the most of the card’s cash back perks.

Building a Rewarding Strategy: Pairing the Citi Custom Cash with Other Cards

For those who want to take their rewards game to the next level, pairing the Citi Custom Cash Card with other cards can be a rewarding strategy. By complementing the card with others that offer rewards in different categories, you can increase your cash back potential.

Let’s examine how this strategy can be implemented.

Complementing Cards for Maximum Rewards

Complementing the Citi Custom Cash Card with other cards can help maximize rewards. For instance, the Citi Premier Card and Citi Double Cash Card offer bonus rewards on categories like gas, groceries, restaurants, airfare, and hotels.

When paired with the Citi Custom Cash Card, you can earn a high percentage of cash back across various spending areas.

The Citi Trifecta: A Potent Combo

Another powerful strategy is the Citi Trifecta. This involves using the Citi Custom Cash, Citi Premier, and Citi Double Cash cards together. With this strategy, you can earn 2% to 5% cash back on a variety of purchase categories, making it a potent combo for maximizing your cash back earnings.

Expert Verdict: Is the Citi Custom Cash Right for You?

Having examined the detailed aspects of the Citi Custom Cash Card, the pivotal question remains – is it the right choice for you? Well, the answer depends on your spending habits and reward preferences. Let’s take a look at some scenarios to help you decide.

Ideal User Scenarios

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a great match for those who want to:

• Keep their spending in check
• Enjoy rewards in popular categories
• Be a foodie who loves dining out
• Be a fitness enthusiast spending big on fitness clubs
• Be a student trying to manage finances

The card offers a rewarding experience tailored to your lifestyle.

Limitations to Consider

While the Citi Custom Cash Card offers a host of benefits, there are a few limitations to consider:

• There’s a $500 spending cap per billing cycle on the 5% reward category.
• The card doesn’t offer many travel perks.
• The card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.

So, if you’re a frequent traveler or have high spending needs, you might want to consider other options.

Summary

To sum up, the Citi Custom Cash Card is a versatile cash back card that offers custom rewards tailored to your top spending category each month. With no annual fee, a variety of redemption options, and the opportunity to earn up to 5% cash back on a wide range of categories, it’s a card that offers value and flexibility. Whether it’s the right card for you, however, depends on your spending habits and reward preferences. So, are you ready to rev up your rewards game with the Citi Custom Cash Card?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much income do you need for Citi Custom Cash card?

You’ll need at least a yearly income of 80,000 to be eligible for the Citi Custom Cash card. Aim high and enjoy the benefits!

What is the Citi Custom Cash credit limit?

Your Citi Custom Cash Card’s credit limit typically starts at $500, but can vary based on your credit history and income. So, if you’ve got good credit and a healthy income, you could be in for a pleasant surprise!

How hard is it to get approved for Citi Custom Cash card?

It’s not too hard to get approved for the Citi Custom Cash card if you have a fair to excellent credit score, stable income, and a low debt-to-income ratio. So, go ahead and give it a shot!

How does Citi 5% cash back work?

With the Citi Custom Cash card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent, and 1% back on all other purchases. No need to choose a category or register for promotions. Enjoy the extra cash!

What is the top earning rate for the Citi Custom Cash Card?

Score big with the Citi Custom Cash Card and earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent. Stack those rewards!

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