Citi Custom Cash vs. Citi Simplicity Credit Card Comparison

Name: Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Citi Simplicity® Card
Item: Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Citi Simplicity® Card
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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Both the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card offer appealing benefits without an annual fee, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to manage their finances effectively. If cash back is your priority, the Citi Custom Cash is the superior choice with its 5% cash back on your top spending category.

However, if you’re focused on consolidating debt, the Citi Simplicity's long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers is unmatched. While the Citi Custom Cash may be the go-to for everyday spending and rewards, the Citi Simplicity's absence of late fees and penalty rates makes it a forgiving option if you’re seeking a straightforward credit solution.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% variable
18.74% - 29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 12 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Earn $200 Cash Back
No current offer
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–5% cash back
-
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
3 percent ($5 minimum) intro balance transfer fee for balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, a 5 percent fee for each transfer (minimum $5) applies.
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99% (variable)
-
Not sure?
The Citi Custom Cash is tailored for those who want to maximize cash back rewards, offering 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent). By contrast, the Citi Simplicity excels with its 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers, ideal if you’re looking to pay down debt.
While both cards have no annual fee, the Citi Custom Cash's bonus cash back rate is capped and comes with a penalty APR, unlike the Citi Simplicity, which has no late fees or penalty rates but lacks a rewards program. Therefore, if cash back on everyday spending is your priority, the Citi Custom Cash stands out. But for managing existing debt with a generous intro APR period, the Citi Simplicity is the clear winner.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if you're looking for a card that rewards your spending habits. With 5% cash back in your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500, then 1%), and an additional cash back offer, this card is designed to put money back in your pocket for your everyday expenses.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity Card if you're seeking a card that offers financial flexibility. The long 0% intro APR period on balance transfers can help you manage existing debt, and the absence of late fees and penalty rates provides peace of mind for the occasional slip-up.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating the Citi Custom Cash and Citi Simplicity cards across APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will clarify which aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you prioritize earning rewards, the Custom Cash's cash back program might appeal to you, whereas the Simplicity's longer balance transfer offer could be ideal for managing existing debt.

Regular APR: Citi Custom Cash

For regular APR, the Citi Custom Cash is preferable, offering a slightly lower maximum APR of 29.24% compared with the Citi Simplicity's 29.99%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Simplicity offer a $0 annual fee.

Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Simplicity

The Citi Simplicity outshines the Citi Custom Cash for introductory 0% APRs, offering a longer 0% APR period on balance transfers (21 months vs. 15 months) and a lower balance transfer fee (3% vs. 5%).

Rewards: Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash outperforms the Citi Simplicity in rewards. It offers 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% thereafter.

Additionally, it provides a special travel offer of 4% cash back on bookings through the Citi Travel portal until 6/30/2025. Rewards do not expire, and there's no limit to the amount you can earn, with flexible redemption options. By contrast, the Citi Simplicity does not offer any rewards.

Welcome Offers: Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash is better for welcome offers, offering $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first six months. By contrast, the Citi Simplicity does not provide any welcome offer.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Simplicity require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are equally accessible to people with good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Citi Simplicity

The Citi Simplicity is better for penalties and fees, offering no late fees or penalty APR, in contrast to the Citi Custom Cash's up to $41 late fee and up to 29.99% variable penalty APR. Both cards have a 3% foreign transaction fee and similar cash advance fees.

Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

Because both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Simplicity are issued by Citi, they share the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.1.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks. The Citi Custom Cash provides a special travel offer, allowing cardholders to earn an additional 4% cash back on certain travel bookings through Citi Travel until June 30, 2025. The Citi Simplicity offers Citi Quick Lock, enhancing security by allowing cardholders to easily lock their card if lost or stolen.

Methodology

We have reviewed over 200 credit cards like the Citi Custom Cash and Citi Simplicity using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. The Citi Custom Cash scores highest for cash back rewards, emphasizing the effective reward rate and the cost of the annual fee.

Conversely, the Citi Simplicity is most notable for balance transfers, with a focus on the introductory purchase APR and the regular APR. These factors, among others, contribute to a comprehensive score reflecting each card's strengths in its respective category.

FAQ: Citi Custom Cash vs. Citi Simplicity Card

What are the main differences between the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card?

The Citi Custom Cash excels in cash back, while the Citi Simplicity has a longer intro APR period.

Does the Citi Custom Cash® Card have an introductory APR offer for balance transfers?

Yes, it offers 0% for 15 months on balance transfers, although it isn't among our best balance transfer cards.

Can I earn rewards with the Citi Simplicity® Card?

No, the Citi Simplicity does not offer a rewards program. It's focused on saving on interest.

Are there annual fees for either the Citi Custom Cash® Card or the Citi Simplicity® Card?

No, both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Simplicity are cards with no annual fee.

Which card should I choose if I want to save on interest?

The Citi Simplicity is better for saving on interest with its long intro APR period.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

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.

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*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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