Citi

Citi Custom Cash℠

Highest earn rate in Dining at 4% effective value

The Citi Custom Cash℠ from Citi earns up to 4% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee. New applicants may see: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $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.. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.

Top category
Dining
Effective value
4%
Annual fee
$0

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Citi Custom Cash℠ card art
Reviewed by Madeen editorial review
Catalog snapshot 2026-05-01
Updated 2026-06-03
Data source Madeen catalog analysis

Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.

Madeen analysis

What does the Citi Custom Cash℠ earn in each category?

Dining is the strongest category at 4% effective value (5x points at about 0.8 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 86% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Dining is the strongest category at 4% effective value (5x points at about 0.8 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 86% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category.

Category Earn rate Effective value
Dining
Restaurants, cafes, takeout
5x points 4% Top category
Grocery
Supermarkets and grocery stores
5x points 4%
Gas
Gas stations and fuel
5x points 4%
Travel
Flights, hotels, transit
5x points 4%
Other
General everyday spend
5x points 4%

Madeen values Citi ThankYou Rewards at about 0.8 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.

Reward rules

What are the Citi Custom Cash℠ reward caps and conditions?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ has 1 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

  • Earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle up to $500 spent. Capped at $500 per month.
Madeen take

Who should get the Citi Custom Cash℠?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5x points. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5x points. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.

Citi Custom Cash℠ fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5x points. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 86% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.

Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5x points. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.

Foreign transaction fees make it weaker for international spend.

Best for dining-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Pros

  • Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 4% effective (5x points).
  • That dining rate ranks higher than about 86% of cards we track in the category.
  • No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
  • Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.

Cons

  • Charges $3 foreign transaction fees.
  • Citi ThankYou Rewards value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
Fees and bonus

Does the Citi Custom Cash℠ have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of $3. New applicants may see: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $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.. Confirm current issuer.

Annual fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
$3
Signup bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $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.
Benefits

What benefits come with the Citi Custom Cash℠?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ includes Citi Entertainment®, Citi® Quick Lock, Free Access to your FICO® Score in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

  • Citi Entertainment®

    Let Citi Entertainment bring the fun to you. Through the Citi Entertainment program you can enjoy access to music, sports, culinary experiences and more ' from virtually anywhere.

  • Citi® Quick Lock

    Misplaced your card? Use Citi Quick Lock to instantly block new charges, while allowing recurring charges to continue without disruption. It buys you peace of mind and time to find your card.

  • Free Access to your FICO® Score

    View your FICO Score anytime, with no impact to your score. It's updated monthly and easy to find on the Citi Mobile App and Citi Online. See the key factors affecting your score and more.

  • Global emergency servicesIncluded with Standard Mastercard

    Call 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.

  • HealthLockIncluded with Standard Mastercard

    Enjoy a HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.

  • InstacartIncluded with Standard Mastercard

    Groceries and more delivered in as fast as one hour. Get $10 off your second order each month, and new Instacart+ members can also get three free months of Instacart+.

  • Mastercard ID Theft ProtectionIncluded with Standard Mastercard

    Monitor your credit file for fraud, get alerts for suspicious activity and access a resolution specialist.

  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection

    Offered by Mastercard®, this program helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring and alerting cardholders if suspicious activity is found. It takes just a few minutes to enroll for free, and as soon as you do, your monitoring begins.

Common questions about the Citi Custom Cash℠

Does the Citi Custom Cash℠ have an annual fee?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ carries an annual fee of $0 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

What category earns the most with the Citi Custom Cash℠?

Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Citi Custom Cash℠ at about 4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Does the Citi Custom Cash℠ charge foreign transaction fees?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ charges a foreign transaction fee of $3 in our catalog snapshot. Check issuer terms before international spend because rates and fee waivers can change. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

What is the Citi Custom Cash℠ welcome bonus?

The Citi Custom Cash℠ welcome offer in our snapshot: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $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.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.

What credit score do you need for the Citi Custom Cash℠?

Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good for the Citi Custom Cash℠. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

How do you redeem rewards on the Citi Custom Cash℠?

Rewards on the Citi Custom Cash℠ post as Citi ThankYou Rewards. Redemption value depends on how you use Citi ThankYou Rewards (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Compare

How does the Citi Custom Cash℠ compare to similar cards?

Compare the Citi Custom Cash℠ against Citi Forward (4% on Dining, $0 fee); Citi Prestige (4% on Dining, $495 fee); Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard (3% on Dining, $99 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.

CardTop categoryEffective valueAnnual fee
Citi Custom Cash℠
This card
Dining4%$0
Dining4%$0
Dining4%$495
Dining3%$99
Dining3%$350
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