Citi Custom Cash℠
Citi and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Citi. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
How we calculate effective rate →
The Citi Custom Cash℠ from Citi earns up to 5% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 5%
- Annual fee
- $0
Best for dining-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5% back.
What does the Citi Custom Cash℠ earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 100% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Citi Custom Cash℠ compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend. Catalog spend signals highlight music and audio at 5x among the.
Dining is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 100% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Citi Custom Cash℠ compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 5% back | 5% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 5% back | 5% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 5% back | 5% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 5% back | 5% |
| Other General everyday spend | 5% back | 5% |
Madeen values cash back at about 1 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
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.
- Earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle up to $500 spent. Capped at $500 per month.
Who should get the Citi Custom Cash℠?
The Citi Custom Cash℠ fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5% back.
Citi Custom Cash℠ fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 5% back. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 100% 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 5% back.
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.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 5% effective (5% back).
- That dining rate ranks higher than about 100% of cards we track in the category.
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
Cons
- Charges $3 foreign transaction fees.
Does the Citi Custom Cash℠ have an annual fee?
The Citi Custom Cash℠ has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of $3. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- $3
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.
Mastercard Transit Benefit
$200/yrSave when you tap and go with your eligible Mastercard and receive a $2.50 statement credit when you spend $10 or more each month at participating transit systems.
Instacart
$140/yrGroceries 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+.
Citi Entertainment®
$25/yrLet 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.
Mastercard ID Theft Protection
$10/yrOffered 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.
Global emergency services
$10/yrCall 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
HealthLock
$10/yrEnjoy a HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
Mastercard ID Theft Protection
$10/yrMonitor your credit file for fraud, get alerts for suspicious activity and access a resolution specialist.
Mastercard Music and Entertainment Access benefit
$10/yrMastercard gives you exclusive access to ticket presales at top venues and festivals across the U.S. Eligibility restrictions, exclusions and terms apply. Offer expires 3/31/2027.
Protection wherever you shop
$10/yrWith Mastercard Zero Liability protection you’re protected against unauthorized transactions in stores, online and in app.
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.
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the Citi Custom Cash℠
Where do cardholders spend most with the Citi Custom Cash℠?
Madeen's RewardsCC catalog snapshot shows the strongest bonus categories on music and audio (5x), tv and movies (5x), coffee (5x) for the Citi Custom Cash℠. These are anonymized issuer category signals, not individual cardholder transactions. Route everyday spend through categories that match your habits, then compare effective rates with Madeen at checkout.
Which card has 2% cash back?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Citi Custom Cash℠ at about 5% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
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.
What category earns the most with the Citi Custom Cash℠?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Citi Custom Cash℠ at about 5% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
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.
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.
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.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Citi Custom Cash℠ This card | Dining | 5% | $0 |
Citi | Dining | 4% | $0 |
Citi | Dining | 4% | $495 |
| Dining | 3% | $99 | |
| Dining | 3% | $350 |
Side-by-side comparisons
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
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See how this card ranks in your wallet
Madeen compares the cards you already carry for dining, groceries, gas, travel, and everyday purchases — free, no bank login required.
Citi and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Citi. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
Madeen compares cards you add to your wallet using published catalog rules — no bank login required. Issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice. Apply links are temporarily hidden on madeen.app. Affiliate disclosure