Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
vs. Citi Custom Cash® Card

Both the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express and the Citi Custom Cash Card offer compelling cash back rewards. The Citi Custom Cash Card has a flexible 5% cash back on your top spending category.

However, the Blue Cash Preferred Card should not be overlooked, especially for those who spend heavily on supermarkets and streaming services; Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% cash back in these areas. While both cards cater to the same credit range, your personal spending patterns will be the deciding factor.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if you enjoy streaming services and spend a lot on groceries. With high cash back rates in these categories, significant savings can be made, especially if these are your primary expenses. However, consider the annual fee after the first year when calculating potential rewards.

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if your spending varies or is concentrated in one category that changes over time. The card's flexibility to give you 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle, up to $500, can be valuable. Plus, there's no annual fee to worry about.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers, and other features will illuminate which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you spend heavily on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred may offer more value despite its annual fee, whereas the Citi Custom Cash could be more rewarding if your spending is varied and you prefer no annual fee.

The Blue Cash Preferred card leads with an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, appealing to those who prioritize groceries and digital entertainment. While it does have an annual fee after the first year, the high reward rates in these categories can offset that cost for frequent shoppers and streamers.

The Citi Custom Cash card shines with its 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent. This flexible rewards structure can be particularly beneficial if your spending varies or is focused on one of the eligible categories each month. However, the Blue Cash Preferred may still come out ahead for consistent high spenders in its bonus categories, despite the Citi Custom Cash's adaptability.

For the Citi Custom Cash card, the eligible spending categories for the 5% cash back include:

• Restaurants
• Gas Stations
• Grocery Stores
• Select Travel
• Select Transit
• Select Streaming Services
• Drugstores
• Home Improvement Stores
• Fitness Clubs
• Live Entertainment

These categories offer a tailored rewards experience, automatically adjusting to your highest spending area each billing cycle.

Please refer to the following table for a detailed comparison of the bonus categories for both cards.

With the Blue Cash Preferred, you can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or use it directly at Amazon.com checkout, providing a straightforward way to offset purchases. These rewards do not expire, allowing you to accumulate and use them at your leisure.

The Citi Custom Cash also offers diverse redemption choices, including statement credits, gift cards and travel, with the added option of direct deposits. Unlike the Blue Cash Preferred, there's no minimum redemption threshold for most options, giving you immediate access to your cash back. Points remain valid indefinitely, ensuring that your rewards are available whenever you need them.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Blue Cash Preferred and Citi Custom Cash based on their performance in various uses. For this comparison, each card is assessed in the category where it scores highest, which for both is cash back.

The most important factors in determining these scores are the effective reward rate, which accounts for the actual cash back value from card usage, and the return on investment for any offers. These factors, along with other considerations such as fees and APRs, contribute to a comprehensive score. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you're welcome to review our ranking methodology.