The Citi Custom Cash Card built a loyal following by doing one thing well. It pays 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, automatically, with no annual fee and no quarterly activation. Then came the twist: as of May 28, 2026, Citi closed the Citi Custom Cash Card to new applications.
This review covers what the card offers, what existing cardholders keep, and what to do if you wanted one and missed the window.
Citi Custom Cash Card: Key Facts at a Glance
| Key fact | Detail (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Citibank, N.A. |
| Network | Mastercard, accepted almost anywhere |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 17.49% to 27.49% variable |
| Rewards | 5% back on your top eligible category, up to $500 spent per billing cycle, then 1%; 1% on everything else |
| Welcome bonus | None. The card is closed to new applicants |
| Score to qualify | Based on our research, approvals typically ran around 670 to 740+ |
| Reports to bureaus | Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax |
The Big News: Citi Closed Applications in May 2026
Citi confirmed it stopped accepting new applications for the Custom Cash on May 28, 2026, as part of a broader reshuffling of its card lineup. The company points cash-back shoppers toward its flat-rate 2% card instead.
Existing cardholders are not affected. If you already have the card, you keep it, keep earning 5%, and keep paying no annual fee.
There is one reported side door: cardholders say Citi still allows product changes to the Custom Cash from certain other Citi cards. Citi has not promised how long that path stays open, so if you have an older Citi card you no longer love, calling to ask about a switch may be worth it.
How the Citi Custom Cash Card Earns 5% Back
Each billing cycle, the card looks at where you spent the most across ten eligible categories and pays 5% back on the first $500 of that spending. That works out to a maximum of $25 per cycle, or about $300 a year if you max it every month. Spending above the $500 cap, and everything outside your top category, earns 1%.
The eligible categories, as of July 2026, are:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
No activation is required. If you spend heavily on gas one month and groceries the next, the 5% follows you automatically. That flexibility is what made this card so popular as a second card, aimed at one strong category while a flat-rate card handled the rest.
Redeeming ThankYou Points
Rewards arrive as ThankYou Points, and 100 points equal $1 in the redemptions that matter. You can cash out as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check (checks require at least $5 in points). Gift cards and travel booked through Citi also redeem at roughly 1 cent per point. Points generally do not expire while your account stays open and in good standing.
Citi Custom Cash Card Rates and Fees
As of July 2026, the card carries a 17.49% to 27.49% variable purchase APR, depending on creditworthiness. Before applications closed, new cardholders also got a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months on transfers completed within four months of opening, with a balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 minimum).
Other costs to know:
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%, so leave it home when traveling abroad
- Late and returned payment fees apply per your card agreement
Carrying a balance at up to 27.49% wipes out 5% rewards fast, so pay in full each month. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Should You Keep the Citi Custom Cash Card?
If you already have it, keeping it is an easy call for most people. It costs nothing to hold, the 5% category is now hard to replace, and closing it could raise your credit utilization and trim your average account age. The card reports to all three bureaus, so a long, clean history here quietly helps your score.
One caution: discontinued cards sometimes get converted to a different product down the road. Citi has not announced anything like that, but it is a reason to enjoy the 5% while it lasts.
Alternatives You Can Still Apply For
Citi itself suggests its 2% flat-rate cash-back card, which is a solid pick for good-credit applicants who want simplicity.
If your credit score is not in that 670+ range yet, a prime rewards card was always a long shot, and there are easier doors. The Arro Card requires no deposit and no hard credit check, starts with a limit of up to $300 that can grow to $2,500, and pays 1% cash back on gas and groceries, two of the Custom Cash's most popular categories. It reports your payments so consistent use can help build your score over time.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
Another option in the fair-credit lane is the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard, an unsecured card that earns cash back on everyday purchases without a security deposit. Between Arro Card and Aspire, you can earn rewards now and position yourself for prime cards later. Terms and conditions apply for both.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
What Users Commonly Report
Longtime cardholders frequently praise how the 5% category adjusts on its own, calling it the rare rewards card that requires zero babysitting. The most common complaint, by far, is the $500 monthly cap, which big spenders hit in the first week. Since the May 2026 closure, many users report they plan to hold the card indefinitely because nothing on the market replicates it at a $0 fee. A smaller group grumbles about the 3% foreign transaction fee and the 1% rate outside the bonus category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Citi Custom Cash Card discontinued?
Citi closed the card to new applications on May 28, 2026. Existing accounts remain open and keep all current benefits, including the 5% category and $0 annual fee. Citi has not announced any changes for current cardholders.
Can I still get the Citi Custom Cash Card somehow?
Possibly. Cardholders report that Citi still allows product changes to the Custom Cash from certain existing Citi cards, though this path is not guaranteed and could end at any time. You would need an established Citi account first, and product-change rules vary, so call Citi to ask.
What credit score did the Citi Custom Cash Card require?
Based on our research, approved applicants typically fell around 670 to 740 or higher, which is good to excellent credit. Applications triggered a hard inquiry. Since new applications are closed, this now mainly matters for product-change eligibility.
Is 5% on $500 a month actually worth much?
Maxing the cap every cycle earns about $300 a year, plus 1% on everything else. That beats most no-annual-fee cards for a single category, which is why many people used it as a companion to a 2% flat-rate card rather than as their only card.
