Is the Citi Custom Cash Card worth it?
Citi ThankYou Points · $0 annual fee
Source date June 8, 2026Closed to new applicants
The issuer no longer accepts new applications for this card. We keep the honest review up for people who already hold it: the signup figures below are historical, not an offer you can get today.
1 recent change to this card : newest took effect May 28, 2026Read them
Took effect May 28, 2026
In effectCiti closed the Custom Cash to new applications, steering new cash-back applicants to the Citi Double Cash. Existing cardholders keep the card and its 5%-top-category structure unchanged for now.
Source~$200Estimated first-year value
Card terms under re-review
This estimate uses the recorded bonus, counted credits, and annual fee. Recommendations are withheld until an issuer re-review is recorded. Confirm current terms and your eligibility before deciding.
This estimate uses the same math whether we get paid or not.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Signup bonus
- 20,000 ptsafter $1,500 in 6 months
- Foreign tx fee
- Yes (~3%)
- Credit needed
- Good to excellent (~700+)
Scores and offer rankings are withheld while card terms are under re-review.
Estimated first-year math
| Estimated bonus value (20,000 pts @ 1c) | + $200 |
| Estimated usable credits | + $0 |
| Annual fee | − $0 |
| Estimated year-one net | $200 |
We value Citi ThankYou Points at a conservative 1c/point (a motivated redeemer can reach ~1.8c). ThankYou points are underrated for transfers but the everyday floor is modest. Full 1:1 ratios require a premium card (Strata Elite/Premier or legacy Prestige); non-premium cards transfer at a reduced ~1:0.7, so check your card before assuming 1:1. See how we value points.
The recorded signup offer
These are recorded offer facts and labeled model estimates. Card terms under re-review; check the issuer for the current offer.
Recent typical offer
20,000 points after $1,500 spend in 6 months
Offers change constantly: this is a recent typical bonus, not a guarantee. Always verify the live offer on the issuer's site before applying.
Both bars are our planning estimates for 20,000 points. Actual redemption values can differ.
at 1.8¢/pt: our achievable estimate
at 1¢/pt: our conservative planning estimate
That's $160 (44%) between our estimates, with the percentage measured against the achievable estimate. The card-value calculations on this page use our planning baseline.
Another card to explore
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Check recorded facts and current issuer terms.
What you actually get
- 5% back (5x ThankYou Points) on your top eligible category automatically each billing cycle, on the first $500, then 1%
- Current September 2026 terms list 4 additional ThankYou points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. Only the card-paid portion earns points; cancelled bookings do not. Our broad travel estimate does not assume a qualifying Citi Travel booking
- No annual fee and no category enrollment: Citi auto-applies your top spending category
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR
- Points pool with other Citi ThankYou cards; transferable to most partners solo at a reduced ~1:0.7 airline ratio, or 1:1 if pooled onto a Strata Premier or Strata Elite
- Closed to new applicants since May 28, 2026; carries a 3% foreign transaction fee
How it earns
Where the points actually shine
These are the airlines and hotels this card's points move to. You transfer points out of Citi ThankYou Points into the partner's own program, then book an available award there. Compare the actual award cost, fees, and portal price before transferring. “1:1” means 1,000 of your points become 1,000 of theirs. The full guide for Citi ThankYou Points.
Domestic United at 15k economy/22.5k business each way after the Dec 2025 hike; still cheap if you tolerate the call-center booking.
Monthly Promo Rewards and transfer bonuses to Europe.
No-surcharge Star Alliance business class; one of Citi's best transfer targets.
Distance-based oneworld awards and Cathay's own premium cabins to Asia.
See how it stacks up
Compare recorded fees, programs, and terms side by side. Winners are withheld while any card's terms are under re-review.
Honest answers
Do you recommend the Citi Custom Cash Card?
Where can I check the Citi Custom Cash Card offer?
The honest playbook
Before deciding on a card, consider interest, spending requirements, and how you would use the benefits.
Check current issuer terms
This card is closed to new applicants. The issuer no longer accepts new applications, so there's nothing to apply for: and we'd never send you to a dead end.
Another card to explore: Chase Freedom Unlimited. Check current issuer terms.
Not sure it fits your trip? Run the optimizer
Sources: how we know this1 issuer source
These sources support the recorded figures and estimates. Offers change, so always confirm the current terms on the issuer's own page.
Issuer sources
How we make money, honestly: we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through one of our links, and a small commission if you book a hotel through one of our links. Both at no cost to you. Our ranking never depends on payout fields. A “pay cash” verdict earns us nothing by itself; if you then book a hotel through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Offers and terms change constantly; always confirm current details on the provider's site before booking.