The Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Double Cash are two of the best no-annual-fee cash back cards, and they come from the same issuer — but they reward spending in opposite ways. The Double Cash earns a flat 2% on everything, while the Custom Cash earns a higher 5% but only on your single top spending category each billing cycle, up to a monthly cap. Rather than being rivals, they’re often best understood as complements. This guide explains which one fits you, and why many people end up wanting both.
For the wider category, see our Best Cash Back Credit Cards (2026). Both cards earn Citi ThankYou Points, which can be taken as cash back or, when paired with a premium Citi card, transferred to travel partners.
At a Glance
| Feature | Citi Custom Cash | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 5% on top category (up to $500/cycle), 1% after | 2% (1% buy + 1% pay) |
| Best structure | Concentrated spending | Spread-out spending |
| Intro APR | Purchases & balance transfers | Balance transfers (longer) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% |
How We Compare These Cards
Both cards are assessed on the same criteria: rewards rate and structure, spending caps, intro APR offers, welcome bonus, and who each one suits. Since both charge no annual fee and share the ThankYou Points ecosystem, the real question is whether your spending is concentrated in one category (favoring the Custom Cash) or spread out (favoring the Double Cash).
Citi Double Cash — Best for Spread-Out Spending
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 2% total — 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off (earned as ThankYou Points)
- Intro APR: A long intro period on balance transfers (typically 18 months)
- Welcome bonus: A cash bonus after a first-6-months spend — confirm current terms on citi.com
The Double Cash is the classic “catch-all” card: a flat 2% on everything, split between purchase and payment. It’s the card you use for every purchase that doesn’t fall into a specific bonus category — which, for most people, is the majority of their spending. Its longer balance transfer intro period also makes it useful for paying down debt. As a single do-everything card, it’s one of the best no-fee options available.
Who it’s for: People who want one simple card for all their spending at a strong flat rate. For a cross-issuer matchup, see Citi Double Cash vs. Chase Freedom (2026).
Watch-outs: You earn the second 1% only when you pay, there’s no intro APR on purchases, and it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Citi Custom Cash — Best for Concentrated Spending
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (on up to the first $500), then 1%; 1% on everything else (earned as ThankYou Points)
- Intro APR: An intro period on purchases and balance transfers (typically 15 months)
- Welcome bonus: A cash bonus after a first-6-months spend — confirm current terms on citi.com
The Custom Cash automatically pays 5% on whichever eligible category you spend the most in each billing cycle — up to $500 (then 1%). Eligible categories include restaurants, gas, groceries, travel, transit, streaming, and more. You don’t choose the category or activate anything; the card adapts to your spending automatically. If you consistently spend $500 a month in one category, that’s an effective 5% on up to $6,000 a year in that lane.
Who it’s for: People whose spending concentrates in one category each month, up to about $500. For a cross-issuer comparison, see Capital One SavorOne vs. Citi Custom Cash (2026).
Watch-outs: Only one category earns 5% per cycle, capped at $500 — heavy spenders exceed it, and everything else earns just 1%. It also charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
The Real Difference: Catch-All vs. Category Specialist
These two cards aren’t really competitors — they play different roles:
- The Double Cash is a catch-all. It earns a solid 2% on everything, making it the card for the bulk of your spending that doesn’t fit a bonus category.
- The Custom Cash is a specialist. It earns 5% on your single biggest category (up to $500), but only 1% on everything else — so it’s not a card you’d use for all purchases.
In a first-year comparison using a typical budget, analysis has found the Custom Cash can edge ahead thanks to its 5% category (and welcome bonus), but once bonuses are excluded, the two earn roughly similar amounts for a spread-out spender — with the Double Cash pulling ahead for someone whose spending isn’t concentrated. The key insight: they’re strongest together, not as an either-or.
Full Comparison
| Feature | Citi Custom Cash | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Top category | 5% (up to $500/cycle) | 2% |
| Everything else | 1% | 2% |
| Intro APR on purchases | Yes (~15 months) | No |
| Intro APR on transfers | Yes (~15 months) | Yes (~18 months) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% |
| Points program | ThankYou Points | ThankYou Points |
Why Many People Hold Both
Because both cards are free and share the ThankYou Points ecosystem, a popular strategy is to carry both and let them do different jobs:
- Use the Custom Cash for your single biggest monthly category (say, groceries or gas), earning 5% up to $500.
- Use the Double Cash for everything else, earning a flat 2%.
This pairing captures 5% on your top category and 2% on the rest — better than either card alone — at no annual fee for either. And because both earn ThankYou Points, you can pool them, and if you later add a premium Citi card, the whole stack becomes transferable to travel partners for potentially higher value.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose the Double Cash if you want one simple catch-all card, your spending is spread out, or you want a longer balance transfer intro period.
- Choose the Custom Cash if your spending concentrates in one category each month (up to $500) and you want 5% there.
- Get both if you can — the Custom Cash for your top category and the Double Cash for everything else, at no annual fee for either.
A Note on Using Cash Back Cards Responsibly
Both cards only benefit you if you pay your balance in full each month, since interest at a typical variable APR will outweigh any cash back earned. Both are aimed at applicants with good to excellent credit, and approval decisions are made solely by the issuing bank. If you’re still building credit, the Best Credit Cards to Build Credit (2026) is a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card earns more cash back?
It depends on your spending. If it’s concentrated in one category up to $500 a month, the Custom Cash’s 5% beats the Double Cash’s 2%. If your spending is spread out, the Double Cash’s flat 2% earns more overall, since the Custom Cash only pays 1% outside your top category.
Do both cards have an annual fee?
No. Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Double Cash have a $0 annual fee. Both do charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so neither is ideal for spending abroad.
Can I have both Citi cards at the same time?
Yes, and many people do — using the Custom Cash for their top monthly category and the Double Cash for everything else. Both earn ThankYou Points, so you can pool the rewards. Citi does have application rules, so check the current terms before applying for a second card.
Which card is better for balance transfers?
The Double Cash typically offers a longer balance transfer intro period (around 18 months) than the Custom Cash (around 15 months), making it the better choice if paying down transferred debt is your priority.
Our Editorial Approach
Both cards are evaluated using the same criteria — rewards rate and structure, caps, intro APR, welcome bonus, and cardholder fit. Card details are verified against Citi’s official pages at the time of writing, and this article shows a “last updated” date. We update our comparisons when the issuer changes fees, rewards, or welcome offers.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not a licensed financial advisor, and card approval decisions are made solely by the issuing bank. Rates, fees, and offers are subject to change — always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.