Citi
Citi Custom Cash Card
Earn unlimited cash back with no annual fee. Get up to 5% on gas, 4% on dining, and 1% on everything else.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
5x gas & ev charging
Welcome bonus
$500
Quick look
Flexible Rewards
Earn cash back on everyday purchases
3.8
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Gas spenders with existing Citi relationships looking for a zero-fee keeper card. Also decent for diners and general spenders who can take advantage of both categories.
The verdict
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a solid no-annual-fee cash back option for households that spend heavily on gas and dining. With 5% back on gas and 4% on restaurants capped at $500 per month, it ranks second in gas rewards across the catalog and holds its own in dining, though the 1% catch-all rate for everything else limits its versatility. The $500 sign-up bonus is easily achievable. The card has been closed to new applications as of May 2026, but existing cardholders retain full benefits, making it a valuable keeper for those who already hold it.
If you're applying for a new card, competitors like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card or Discover it cards offer more flexible earning structures or stronger first-year bonuses. But for gas-focused spenders who already have the Citi Custom Cash, there's no reason to close the account.
Pros
- No annual fee and strong 5% gas rewards—2nd in the catalog
- $500 sign-up bonus is achievable with just $500 in spending
- Straightforward rewards without category activation or caps on dining category
- Easy to use as a keeper card given zero annual cost
Cons
- Card closed to new applications as of May 28, 2026—existing holders only
- 1% rate on everything else ranks 56th in catalog; weak for general spending
- 4% dining rate is middle-of-the-pack; eight cards beat it significantly
- No significant benefits or protections mentioned in card features
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gas & EV charging | 5x | 5% cash back at gas stations |
| Dining & restaurants | 4x | 4% cash back at restaurants |
| Everything else | 1x | 1% cash back on all other purchases |
The 5% gas rate puts this card in rare air—only the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card beats it at 6%. The 4% dining rate is solid but not exceptional; eight cards including Hilton Honors Aspire (7% at 3x points), Bank of America (6%), and Citi Strata Elite (6%) earn more in restaurants. Everything else earns 1%, which ranks 56th among the 161 active cards in the catalog. If gas is your largest spend category, this card delivers. If you're diversified across dining and general purchases, the returns flatten quickly.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
Zero annual fee is the card's greatest strength. This makes it easy to justify keeping open indefinitely as a backup card. Among no-fee cards, the Citi Custom Cash Card holds its own in gas rewards, though competitors like Bank of America offer comparable benefits and sometimes higher sign-up bonuses.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
The $500 cash back bonus requires just $500 in spending over three months—one of the easiest bonus tiers to hit. This translates to effectively a 100% return if you're planning to meet it anyway. While larger bonuses exist on premium cards, this bonus is genuine value for a no-fee card.
Similar cards
Slightly higher gas rewards (6% vs. 5%) and better dining flexibility; also no annual fee
Alternative no-fee option with matching rewards, plus 1:1 cash back matching in your first year
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply for this card?
No. Citi closed the Citi Custom Cash Card to new applications on May 28, 2026. If you already hold the card, your account remains open with all current benefits intact.
How does the 5% gas category work?
You earn 5% cash back on gas purchases, capped at the first $500 spent per month. Purchases beyond $500 earn 1%. This flat rate applies regardless of which gas station you use.
Does this card have any annual fee?
No. The Citi Custom Cash Card has a $0 annual fee, making it cost-free to keep open indefinitely, even if you don't use it frequently.
How does this compare to the Bank of America Customized Cash card?
Both offer no annual fees and multi-category cash back. Bank of America edges ahead at 6% on gas versus Citi's 5%, but the Citi card offers 4% on dining versus Bank of America's lower rate. Bank of America also offers a $200 bonus versus Citi's $500, though Citi's bonus requires less spending ($500 vs. typically higher thresholds).
What's the foreign transaction fee?
The Citi Custom Cash Card's foreign transaction fee is not listed in available card documentation. Contact Citi directly before using this card internationally to confirm the fee.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026