9 ways to maximize the Citi Custom Cash card’s 5% cash-back categories (2024)

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The Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically earns 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/25. Best of all, you don’t have to choose categories or activate a promotion beforehand.

Cash-back credit cards like this provide a valuable opportunity to maximize your rewards on the categories you spend the most on. However, you may need to be a little creative with your spending to maximize Citi Custom Cash’s elevated cash-back categories.

Learn about nine ways to maximize your rewards with the Citi Custom Cash Card.

How to maximize the Citi Custom Cash’s 5% cash back

When you have a rewards credit card, maximizing the rewards on your everyday purchases can take some effort. Use these nine strategies to get the most cash back from your Citi Custom Cash credit card.

1. Double up on rewards by earning the welcome bonus

As a new cardholder, you are eligible to earn a welcome bonus. This allows you to double up on the cash-back rewards on your purchases since you’ll need to make purchases (which earn rewards) to qualify for the bonus. The Citi Custom Cash Card’s current welcome bonus is $200 cash back, in the form of 20,000 ThankYou® points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

2. Know which categories are eligible for the elevated cash back

Having 10 cash-back categories provides numerous options for cardholders to maximize their cash-back rewards. However, it can also be overwhelming for some people to keep track of them all. The best way to earn maximum cash back is to write down the eligible bonus categories someplace that’s easy to access.

The bonus categories include:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Select travel
• Select transit
• Select streaming services
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores
• Fitness clubs
• Live entertainment

You’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/25. For all purchases that aren’t eligible for bonus cash back, consider using a cash-back card that offers a higher flat rate, like the Citi Double Cash® Card, which earns 2% cash back on purchases — 1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, plus, for a limited time, 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

3. Track your monthly spending

Since the Citi Custom Cash Card caps its elevated cash-back rewards at $500 per month, it’s important to track your spending. This not only helps you stay within your budget, but it also allows you to maximize your rewards. After you’ve reached the $500 cap, consider switching to another card that offers a higher rewards rate.

4. Bundle expenses each month

If you’re having trouble reaching the $500 spending cap for the elevated rewards category, consider bundling your expenses. Bundling expenses means timing your purchases to be in a certain billing cycle. For example, if groceries were your highest spend this month, you could stock up on non-perishables at the grocery store. Or, if gas is your top spend category this month, consider topping off your tank on the last day of the billing cycle.

5. Prepay expenses to maximize rewards

Prepaying expenses builds upon the bundling strategy but often has a longer focus. Depending on your monthly spending, you may choose to prepay expenses several months in advance. For example, buying gift cards from your favorite restaurant to meet the $500 spending cap prepays meals for an extended period of time.

Try to time these purchases during promotions where the restaurant offers a bonus for buying gift cards. Restaurants typically hold promotions during the holidays or other special events, where they might offer a $5 bonus for every $25 gift card or similar promotions.

6. Buy gift cards for non-bonus purchases

Even though the Citi Custom Cash Card has 10 eligible bonus categories, not all of your monthly purchases will earn bonus cash back. When stores don’t qualify for a bonus, consider buying a gift card from a store that does.

For example, gas stations, grocery stores and home improvement stores often sell gift cards to a variety of retailers. Buying a Kohl’s or Amazon gift card from your local supermarket can turn a base cash-back purchase into elevated cash back.

7. Take advantage of the intro APR offer on purchases

Many consumers need extra time to pay off large purchases. With the intro APR offer for new cardholders, the Citi Custom Cash Card offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed in the first 4 months. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). This allows you to maximize the elevated cash-back categories each month, even if you don’t have the money right away to pay off your purchases.

You should only use this technique if you have strong budgeting skills. You’ll want to ensure that you don’t overspend and that you pay off the balance before the introductory offer expires.

What does 0% APR mean? Here’s what you need to know about that zero

8. Add an authorized user

You can add an authorized user to your Citi Custom Cash Card for free. This can help the authorized user build their credit while also helping you earn cash back on their purchases. Their spending can help you maximize your cash-back rewards and hit the spending cap on your elevated cash-back category.

9. Transfer points to airline and hotel partners

Your Citi Custom Cash Card cash-back rewards are issued as Citi ThankYou® Points. These points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. However, the highest value tends to come from transferring to its partners to book award travel. Rewards from this card can be transferred to a limited number of partners, including Choice Privileges, JetBlue TrueBlue and Wyndham Rewards.

Final verdict

The Citi Custom Cash Card is an excellent choice for cash-back rewards because it automatically applies the elevated earnings to the eligible category where you spend the most. You don’t have to select your bonus category ahead of time or pre-register for limited-time promotions.

With 10 eligible bonus categories, it can be challenging for some cardholders to maximize rewards. By following one or more of these nine strategies, you can max out your rewards and earn over $300 per year in cash-back rewards.