Citi Custom Cash® Card
vs. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Updated: November 22, 2024

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Both the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offer attractive features with no annual fees and introductory APR offers, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to optimize their credit card usage. If you're leaning toward maximizing cash back rewards, the Citi Custom Cash is the superior choice with its 5% cash back on your top spending category.

But if you’re focused on managing existing debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred stands out with its extended 0% APR period for balance transfers. While the Citi Custom Cash may not offer a rewards program, its introductory APR offer on balance transfers and purchases is a notable benefit that could still make it a valuable card for your wallet.

Credit Card logo for Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
Rates & Fees
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ of 5
Rates & Fees
REVIEW & APPLY
On Issuer's Site
REVIEW & APPLY
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if you're looking for a card that adapts to your spending habits, offering 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent. With no annual fee and a $200 cash back offer after meeting the initial spending requirement, this card rewards your everyday purchases efficiently.

You might prefer the Citi Diamond Preferred Card if your primary goal is to save on interest with balance transfers. With a lengthy 0% APR offer for 21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases, this card can help manage existing debt. Additionally, it provides exclusive access to Citi Entertainment, all without an annual fee.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card aligns with you. For instance, if you're looking to maximize cash back, the Citi Custom Cash may be appealing, whereas the Citi Diamond Preferred could be ideal for consolidating debt with its longer balance transfer offer.

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    Regular APR: Citi Diamond Preferred

    The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is slightly better, offering a lower APR range of 18.24% to 28.99% variable compared with the Citi Custom Cash Card's 19.24% to 29.24% variable.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Diamond Preferred have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Diamond Preferred

    The Citi Diamond Preferred offers a longer 0% APR period for balance transfers at 21 months, compared with the Citi Custom Cash's 15 months, making it the better choice for those looking to transfer balances.

    But for purchases, the Citi Custom Cash provides a 0% APR for 15 months, slightly better than the Citi Diamond Preferred's 12 months.

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    Rewards: Citi Custom Cash

    For rewards, the Citi Custom Cash is the clear winner. It offers 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% cash back thereafter. Additionally, it provides an extra 4% cash back on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal until June 30, 2025. Rewards do not expire, and there are multiple redemption options available. By contrast, the Citi Diamond Preferred does not offer any rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Custom Cash

    The Citi Custom Cash is better for welcome offers, offering a $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first six months. The Citi Diamond Preferred does not have a current welcome offer.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Diamond Preferred cater to people with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850, indicating good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and Citi Diamond Preferred cards impose up to $41 for late payments, up to 29.99% penalty APR for late or returned payments, a 5% cash advance fee with a $10 minimum, and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Diamond Preferred are issued by Citi, resulting in identical issuer satisfaction scores of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks: the Citi Custom Cash provides a special travel offer through the Citi Travel portal, while the Citi Diamond Preferred offers exclusive access to Citi Entertainment for event tickets and free access to FICO Scores. The best card for other features and perks depends on what you value more: travel benefits or entertainment and financial insights.

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzes credit cards like the Citi Custom Cash and Citi Diamond Preferred for various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. Each card receives a score for the use case where it performs best.

The Citi Custom Cash scores highest for cash back, while the Citi Diamond Preferred is top for balance transfers. The largest factors influencing these scores include the effective reward rate and introductory purchase offers for cash back, and the introductory purchase offers and regular APR for balance transfers.

FAQ: Citi Custom Cash vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card?
Which card offers a better APR for balance transfers?
Are there any annual fees associated with either the Citi Custom Cash or the Citi Diamond Preferred?
Does the Citi Custom Cash have an introductory offer?
Can I avoid foreign transaction fees with either the Citi Custom Cash® Card or the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

Read Full Bio »
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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