Citi Custom Cash® Card
vs. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

The Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi both offer appealing cash back rewards without an annual fee, a common thread that likely brought you here. In the face-off, the Citi Custom Cash edges ahead due to its flexible 5% cash back in your top spending category and a 0% introductory APR offer.

But if you're a frequent Costco shopper, the Costco Anywhere’s higher rewards rates on gas, travel and dining, coupled with 2% cash back on Costco purchases, might tip the scales. The Citi Custom Cash is more accessible with a lower credit score requirement, but the Costco Anywhere is a strong contender for loyal Costco members.

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if you're looking for a card with no annual fee and a generous introductory APR offer. Its flexible cash back rewards program adapts to your top spending category each billing cycle, making it a good fit if your spending varies or you plan to make large purchases soon.

You might prefer the Costco Anywhere if you're a frequent Costco shopper and spend a lot on gas, travel and dining. With this card, you'll earn high cash back rates in these categories and additional rewards on Costco purchases. But it requires a Costco membership, which should be factored into its overall value.

Evaluating the Citi Custom Cash and Costco Anywhere cards side by side clarifies their distinct APRs, fees, credit requirements, and rewards. For example, while the Citi Custom Cash offers a 0% introductory APR period, the Costco Anywhere rewards frequent Costco shoppers with exclusive cash back rates.

The Citi Custom Cash edges out the Costco Anywhere in terms of overall rewards, thanks to its higher effective reward rate and flexibility. It adapts to your spending habits, offering 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each cycle, up to $500. This makes it particularly appealing if you have varied spending.

The Costco Anywhere Visa with its 4% cash back on gas and EV charging, making it a strong contender for frequent drivers and Costco loyalists. Its 2% cash back on Costco purchases adds extra value for store members.

Citi Custom Cash Categories

For the Citi Custom Cash, eligible 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

The table shows a detailed comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

The Citi Custom Cash offers a straightforward redemption process with no expiration on points, ensuring that rewards are not lost over time. Cardholders can redeem points for a variety of options such as statement credits, gift cards and travel, with no minimum redemption requirements for most options, providing a high degree of flexibility.

Conversely, the Costco Anywhere takes a more restrictive approach. Rewards are distributed annually and must be redeemed by December 31 of the year they are issued, potentially pressuring cardholders to use them or risk forfeiture. Redemption is primarily in-person at Costco warehouses, potentially limiting convenience for some. While rewards can be redeemed for merchandise or cash back, the latter may be subject to Costco's discretion, possibly in an alternative form such as a check or electronic transfer.

MoneyGeek reviews credit cards like the Citi Custom Cash and Costco Anywhere using a detailed scoring system, highlighting the use case where it scores highest. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.