Citi Custom Cash® Card

This is the simple, "use it where you spend most" card. You get 5x on your highest category each billing cycle—groceries, gas, dining, whatever—on up to $500, then it drops to 1x. No category setup and no annual fee, which is the right level of effort.

Best for beginners who want easy value without juggling five cards. If you get deeper into travel points later, combine these points with Citi Strata Premier to unlock airline and hotel transfers. Bottom line: put one big category here every month, cap at $500, and move the rest elsewhere.

• Restaurants – Everyday dining, takeout, and most bars usually count. Limits or catches: Must code as a restaurant; food bought inside hotels, casinos, or stadiums can code as those venues instead. Third-party delivery apps sometimes code differently.
• Grocery stores – Weekly food shops and in-store purchases at supermarkets. Limits or catches: Superstores and warehouse clubs often don't code as "grocery." Some delivery services or in-store pharmacies may code differently.
• Gas stations – Fuel, car washes, and most in-station purchases. Limits or catches: Gas at warehouse clubs or supermarket pumps may not code as "gas station." Paying through certain apps can change the category.
• Select travel – Airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruise lines, and many travel agencies. Limits or catches: Must code as travel. Vacation packages, resort fees, or bookings through odd intermediaries can code another way.
• Select transit – Subways, buses, commuter rail, ferries, tolls, parking, taxis, and ride shares. Limits or catches: Some municipal apps and third-party processors don't pass the transit category cleanly.
• Select streaming services – Monthly subscriptions to major video and music platforms. Limits or catches: Only eligible services count; bundles billed through app stores, cable, or third parties may not qualify. Pay the streamer directly.
• Drugstores – Prescriptions and everyday essentials at stand-alone pharmacies. Limits or catches: Pharmacy counters inside big-box or grocery stores may not code as "drugstore." Clinic visits can code as healthcare.
• Home improvement stores – Purchases at hardware and home centers (think tools, paint, fixtures). Limits or catches: Appliance outlets, furniture stores, and contractor services may not code as "home improvement."
• Fitness clubs – Gym memberships and monthly dues. Limits or catches: Boutique studios, class packs, and personal training can code as "recreation" or "professional services," not a fitness club.
• Live entertainment – Tickets bought from venues or primary sellers for concerts, theater, and sporting events. Limits or catches: Resale sites and marketplaces may code as "online services" instead of entertainment; bar or restaurant charges inside a venue usually don't count.

Heads-up: Custom Cash pays 5% on your single highest eligible category each monthly billing cycle, up to $500 in purchases; everything else earns 1%. Category recognition depends on the merchant category code (how the store is registered), not what you think you bought.

Citi Custom Cash is an easy 5% back on your top category (up to $500 each cycle). If you want extra value, pair it with Citi Strata Premier (or Citi Strata Elite): move your rewards into that account, then transfer to airline and hotel partners where redemptions can beat the usual 1¢-per-point math.

This is optional and a bit advanced—you'll learn award bookings and stay flexible on dates. Quick upside: think $500 in cash vs. potentially $750–$1,000+ in flights if you catch a good transfer deal with partners like United (via Aeroplan/Avios options), JetBlue, or British Airways Avios.

Check out our Level 2 Travel section to learn more.