Requirements for the Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card represents one of the most innovative cash back credit cards available in the United States, offering automatic 5% cash back on your top spending category without requiring activation or enrollment. While Citi maintains reasonable eligibility criteria to ensure responsible credit usage, the card is generally accessible to applicants with good to excellent credit who demonstrate financial stability. Importantly, Citi enforces a strict one-card-per-person policy for the Custom Cash® Card and imposes a 48-month restriction on welcome bonus eligibility for those who have previously held the card or converted from another Citi product. Here's everything you need to know about qualifying, applying, and understanding the costs associated with this intelligent rewards card.

How to Qualify for the Citi Custom Cash® Card

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Good to Excellent Credit Score: The Citi Custom Cash® Card typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher (good credit range), though many approved applicants report credit scores of 700+. Citi evaluates your FICO® Score from major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) along with your overall credit profile including payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, recent credit inquiries, and mix of credit accounts. A strong credit history includes consistent on-time payment history with no recent late payments or collections, credit utilization below 30% of available limits (preferably below 10% for optimal approval chances), at least 2-3 years of credit history though longer is better, and a diverse mix of credit accounts including revolving credit (credit cards) and installment loans. Before applying, check your credit reports for accuracy at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any errors that could negatively impact your application.

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One Card Per Person Restriction: Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person—this is a strict, non-negotiable policy enforced by Citi's systems. If you currently have a Custom Cash® Card, you cannot apply for an additional one, even if your first account is closed. If you've had a Custom Cash® Card in the past (whether currently open or previously closed), you cannot open a new Custom Cash® Card account. This differs from many other credit cards where you can apply for multiple accounts over time. Additionally, you are not eligible for the $200 welcome bonus if you received a new account bonus for a Citi Custom Cash® Card in the past 48 months (4 years), or if you converted another Citi credit card on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Custom Cash® Card. This means even if you product-changed from a different Citi card that had a bonus to the Custom Cash, you're ineligible for the Custom Cash welcome offer for 48 months from when you earned the original bonus.

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US Residency & Age Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi and Puerto Rico) and either a US citizen, permanent resident with a valid Social Security Number, or resident alien with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Citi requires a permanent US residential address—P.O. boxes are not accepted as primary addresses, though they can be listed as separate mailing addresses. Military personnel stationed overseas can apply using their APO/FPO address. You must have verifiable income or access to income sufficient to demonstrate ability to repay credit obligations in accordance with federal regulations and Citi's underwriting standards.

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Income Verification: Citi requires applicants to provide their annual gross income, which includes salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental property income, investment income, retirement distributions (Social Security, pensions, 401(k) withdrawals), alimony, child support, and other regular income sources that can be verified. If you're 21 or older, you can include household income you have reasonable access to and expectation to use for credit card payments (such as a spouse's or partner's income, even if you're not employed). If you're under 21, federal regulations restrict you to reporting only personal income or income for which you're a co-signer or guarantor. While Citi doesn't publish minimum income requirements for the Custom Cash® Card, having stable, verifiable income significantly improves approval chances and typically results in higher initial credit limits.

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Existing Citi Relationship: While not required, having an existing relationship with Citi (checking account, savings account, investment account, mortgage, or other Citi credit card) may positively influence your application, especially if you maintain positive account history with no overdrafts, returned payments, or delinquencies. Existing Citi customers often report smoother application experiences and may receive targeted offers with enhanced terms. However, if you have negative history with Citi (closed accounts due to delinquency, chargeoffs, or collections), this will negatively impact your application and likely result in automatic denial even if your credit scores are sufficient. Citi also considers your existing Citi credit card portfolio—holding multiple Citi cards with high balances or utilization may reduce approval chances or result in lower credit limits on new applications.

Required Documentation for Application

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Personal Identification: You'll need your full legal name exactly as it appears on government-issued identification, date of birth, Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), current residential address with at least 2 years of address history, email address, and primary phone number (mobile or landline). Citi may request additional identity verification documents during the application process, such as a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) or recent utility bills, bank statements, or lease agreements to confirm your current address. Having these documents ready before applying can expedite the approval process if additional verification is required.

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Income Documents: While not always required upfront, be prepared to provide income verification documents if Citi requests them during application review or within 30 days of account opening. Acceptable documentation includes recent pay stubs (last 2-3 months showing year-to-date earnings), W-2 forms or tax returns for the most recent year, bank statements showing regular salary or business income deposits, Social Security or retirement income statements (Form SSA-1099 or pension statements), proof of investment income (1099-DIV, 1099-INT), or rental income documentation (lease agreements, rental income statements). Self-employed applicants may need to provide business tax returns (Schedule C or 1120), profit and loss statements, or bank statements for business accounts showing consistent revenue. Having these documents organized and readily available ensures smooth processing if verification is requested.

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Housing Information: You'll need to indicate your housing status (own with mortgage, own free and clear, rent, or live with family) and provide your monthly housing payment amount (mortgage or rent). If you own your home, Citi may ask about your estimated home value and remaining mortgage balance as part of their financial assessment and debt-to-income ratio calculation. This information helps Citi evaluate your overall financial stability, debt obligations, and ability to manage additional credit responsibly. If you live rent-free with family, indicate this accurately on the application—do not inflate housing costs as this constitutes fraud and can result in application denial or account closure if discovered.

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Employment Details: Provide your current employer name and address, occupation/job title, years with current employer (and total years in your profession), work phone number (if available), and employment status (full-time, part-time, self-employed, retired, student, homemaker). If you're self-employed, provide your business name, type of business/industry, and years in business. Retired applicants should indicate retirement status and list all income sources such as Social Security benefits, pension payments, IRA or 401(k) distributions, investment income, or rental property income. Students can list part-time employment or indicate student status along with any scholarship funds, parental support (if 21+), or personal income sources. Military personnel should indicate their branch of service, rank, and years of service.

Understanding the Costs: APR, Fees & Charges

Annual Fee: $0 - The Citi Custom Cash® Card charges no annual fee, making premium automatic 5% cash back rewards accessible without ongoing yearly costs. You'll never pay a fee simply to keep this card active, regardless of how much or how little you use it.

Purchase APR: Variable APR of 17.99% - 27.99% based on your creditworthiness. Your specific APR will be disclosed in your approval notice and depends on factors including your credit score, credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio. For example, if you have a $3,000 balance at 22.99% APR (midpoint) and make only minimum payments, you'd pay approximately $689 in interest over one year. To avoid interest charges entirely, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After the intro period, the variable APR of 17.99% - 27.99% applies to any remaining balance. Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. For example, transferring $6,000 would incur a $300 fee (5% of $6,000), but you'd save approximately $1,320 in interest charges over 18 months compared to leaving that balance on a card charging 22% APR, resulting in a net savings of $1,020 even after the transfer fee. Note: The intro APR applies only to balance transfers, not purchases.

Cash Advance APR: Variable APR applies to cash advances (typically 27.99% or higher based on your creditworthiness). Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Cash advances begin accruing interest immediately with no grace period and are generally not recommended due to high costs. Citi also considers ATM withdrawals, cash equivalents (money orders, traveler's checks, prepaid gift cards), casino gaming chips, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer payments as cash advances or cash equivalents that don't earn rewards and incur fees.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in US dollars - The Citi Custom Cash® Card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the United States or with foreign merchants. If you travel internationally frequently or make regular foreign purchases, consider pairing this card with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for international spending while using the Custom Cash for domestic 5% category earning.

Late Payment Fee: Up to $40 if you fail to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. The first late payment fee is up to $30; subsequent late payments within the next six billing cycles result in fees up to $40. Additionally, late payments can trigger penalty APRs up to 29.99%, damage your credit score significantly (drops of 60-110 points for a single 30-day late payment), and result in loss of promotional APR offers. Set up automatic payments through Citi Online or the Citi Mobile® App to avoid late fees and protect your credit score.

Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40 if your payment is returned unpaid due to insufficient funds or closed account. Ensure sufficient funds are available in your payment account before the due date to avoid this fee. Returned payments can also result in late fees, penalty APRs, and negative credit reporting if the minimum payment is not made by the due date.

Minimum Interest Charge: $0.50 per billing cycle if you carry a balance and interest is assessed. Even if your calculated interest would be less than $0.50, you'll be charged the minimum $0.50 fee. This applies when you carry any balance that accrues interest, including purchases, balance transfers, or cash advances.

Other Fees: Citi charges no fees for additional authorized user cards, account maintenance, or standard balance inquiries. Expedited card shipping, emergency card replacement in certain situations, and paper statement fees (if you opt out of paperless statements) may apply. Review the Citi Custom Cash® Pricing and Terms for a complete list of potential fees and charges.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Review Your Credit Profile - Before applying, check your credit score and credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com to ensure accuracy. Verify your credit score is at least 670 (preferably 700+) and review your credit reports for errors, incorrect information, or negative items that could impact your application. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus at least 30-60 days before applying. If your credit needs improvement, consider waiting several months while building positive payment history, reducing credit utilization below 30%, and addressing any collections or delinquencies before applying for premium rewards cards like the Custom Cash.

Step 2: Verify Eligibility for Welcome Bonus - Confirm you haven't received a new account bonus for a Citi Custom Cash® Card in the past 48 months. Check if you've converted another Citi credit card (on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months) into a Citi Custom Cash® Card, as this also disqualifies you from the welcome offer. Remember that Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card per person—if you currently have or previously had a Custom Cash account (even if closed), you cannot apply for a new one. If you're unsure about your Citi credit card history, review your credit reports or contact Citi customer service before applying.

Step 3: Gather Required Information - Collect all necessary information and documents including your Social Security Number or ITIN, current and previous addresses (2 years history), annual gross income documentation, employer information and contact details, monthly housing payment amount, and identification documents. If you have an existing Citi account, have your Citi username and password ready to sign in during the application, which may pre-fill some fields with information from your profile and potentially improve approval chances if you have a positive relationship with Citi.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application - Visit the official Citi Custom Cash® Card page and click "Apply Now." You can sign in to your existing Citi account or apply as a guest. Complete all required fields accurately, including personal information, income details, housing information, and employment data. Double-check all entries for accuracy before submitting, as errors or inconsistencies can delay processing, trigger requests for additional documentation, or result in denial. The application typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Citi uses secure encryption to protect your personal and financial information throughout the application process.

Step 5: Await Application Decision - Many applicants with strong credit profiles receive instant approval or denial decisions within 30-60 seconds of submitting their application. If your application requires further review, Citi will notify you that a decision will be provided within 7-10 business days. You can check your application status by calling Citi's automated application status line at 1-800-362-0526 or by signing into your Citi account online. If approved, you'll receive notification of your credit limit, APR, and account terms. If additional verification is needed, Citi will contact you by phone, email, or mail with specific document requests—respond promptly to avoid application expiration (typically 30 days).

Step 6: Receive and Activate Your Card - Upon approval, your Citi Custom Cash® Card will arrive by standard mail within 7-10 business days. Once received, activate your card immediately by calling the activation phone number on the sticker attached to the card, online through Citi Online, or via the Citi Mobile® App. Set up your online account access if you're not already a Citi customer, enroll in Citi Online for online account management, enable paperless statements to reduce clutter and help the environment, set up autopay or payment reminders to avoid late fees, and explore your ThankYou® Points account for reward redemption options. Download the Citi Mobile® App for convenient account management, instant transaction notifications, mobile check deposit, and secure messaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What credit score do I need to be approved for the Citi Custom Cash® Card?

A: While Citi doesn't publish official credit score requirements, the Custom Cash® Card typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher (good credit range). Most approved applicants report credit scores of 700+. Citi considers your entire credit profile, including payment history (especially recent payment behavior), credit utilization ratios, length of credit history, recent credit inquiries, and types of credit accounts. Having a strong credit profile beyond just the score—such as no recent late payments, utilization below 30%, and several years of credit history—significantly improves your approval chances and may result in a higher credit limit and better APR terms.

Q: Can I get the $200 bonus if I already have another Citi credit card?

A: It depends on your specific situation. You can be approved for the Citi Custom Cash® Card if you have other Citi credit cards (such as the Citi Double Cash® or Citi Premier® Card), as long as you don't currently have or haven't previously had a Citi Custom Cash® Card (remember the one-per-person rule). However, you won't be eligible for the $200 welcome bonus if you received a new account bonus for a Citi Custom Cash® Card in the past 48 months, or if you converted another Citi credit card (on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months) into a Citi Custom Cash® Card. This 48-month restriction is specific to the Custom Cash product and its bonus—bonuses earned on other Citi cards don't affect your eligibility for the Custom Cash bonus unless you product-changed that card to the Custom Cash.

Q: How does the automatic 5% category selection work? Do I need to activate anything?

A: The automatic category selection is completely hands-off and requires no activation, enrollment, or manual intervention. Each billing cycle, Citi's systems automatically analyze your spending across the 10 eligible categories (restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment) and identify which category had your highest spending. You automatically earn 5% cash back (5 ThankYou® Points per $1) on up to $500 spent in that top category, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can view which category is currently earning 5% in the Citi Mobile® App or online account, but you don't need to select or activate anything—it happens automatically in the background based on your actual spending behavior.

Q: Can I redeem my ThankYou® Points for airline miles or hotel points like with other rewards programs?

A: No, ThankYou® Points earned on the Citi Custom Cash® Card cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs. Point transfers to partners like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, JetBlue, and Wyndham Hotels are exclusive to Citi's premium ThankYou® Points-earning cards such as the Citi Premier® Card and Citi Prestige® Card. However, you can redeem Custom Cash points for cash back (statement credit, direct deposit, or check), gift cards, travel bookings through Citi Travel, merchandise, Shop with Points at Amazon.com, student loan payments, mortgage payments, and charitable donations. If you want transfer capabilities, consider pairing the Custom Cash with the Citi Premier® Card—points from both cards pool into your ThankYou® account, and once pooled, you can transfer the combined balance to airline/hotel partners using the Premier's transfer capabilities.

Q: What happens if I close my Citi Custom Cash® Card and want to reopen it later?

A: Due to Citi's strict one-card-per-person policy for the Custom Cash® Card, once you close your Citi Custom Cash® Card account, you cannot reopen it or apply for a new Citi Custom Cash® Card in the future. This restriction is permanent and applies even years after closing your original account. Before closing your Custom Cash account, consider whether you might want the card in the future, as you'll lose the ability to have this product forever. If you're considering closing the card due to wanting different benefits, explore product change options with Citi—you might be able to convert your Custom Cash to a different Citi card (like the Double Cash® or Simplicity®) while preserving your credit history and keeping the account open, though you'd lose the Custom Cash benefits. Contact Citi customer service to discuss product change alternatives before closing the account permanently.

Q: Does the 0% intro APR apply to purchases or only balance transfers?

A: The 0% intro APR applies only to balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening for 18 months. The intro rate does not apply to purchases—new purchases are subject to the standard variable APR of 17.99% - 27.99% from day one. However, you can avoid interest on purchases entirely by paying your full statement balance by the due date each month, which provides an interest-free grace period on new purchases. If you carry a balance after making a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers and new purchases) by the due date each month. For optimal results, focus on paying down your transferred balance during the 18-month intro period while paying new purchases in full monthly to avoid interest charges altogether.

⚠️ Important Disclosure

Representative APR Example: The Citi Custom Cash® Card has a variable APR of 17.99% - 27.99% for purchases based on your creditworthiness. If you carry a balance of $3,000 at the midpoint APR of 22.99% and make only minimum payments, you would pay approximately $689 in interest charges over one year. To avoid interest charges entirely, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. Balance transfer intro APR: 0% for 18 months on transfers completed within 4 months of account opening; thereafter 17.99% - 27.99% variable APR. Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Credit Impact: Applying for a credit card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may temporarily lower your credit score by 2-5 points. Opening a new credit account affects your average age of accounts and can impact your score in the short term. However, responsible use (on-time payments, low utilization below 30%) typically improves your credit score over 6-12 months through positive payment history and increased available credit.

Risk Warning: Credit cards are a form of borrowing. Missing payments can damage your credit score significantly (drops of 60-110 points for a single 30-day late payment), result in late fees up to $40, and trigger penalty APRs up to 29.99%. High credit utilization (using more than 30% of your available credit) can negatively impact your credit score. Only apply for credit if you can manage repayment responsibly. The 0% intro APR is temporary and applies only to balance transfers—plan to pay off balances before the 18-month promotional period ends to avoid interest charges at the standard variable APR.

Product Restrictions: Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person. You are not eligible for the welcome bonus if you received a new account bonus for a Citi Custom Cash® Card in the past 48 months, or if you converted another Citi credit card (on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months) into a Citi Custom Cash® Card. Subject to credit approval. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. BudgetBee is not affiliated with or endorsed by Citi.