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

Both the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Citi Custom Cash® Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fees, making them strong contenders for your wallet. The *Citi Custom Cash edges ahead with its 5% cash back on your top spending category, which can be particularly lucrative if your spending is concentrated in one area.

The Blue Cash Everyday Card is still a strong option, especially with its 3% cash back at supermarkets, online retailers and gas stations, which can add up quickly for everyday spenders. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on where your spending is focused and how you can maximize your rewards.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Everyday if you frequently spend at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and on online retail purchases, because it offers 3% cash back in these categories up to $6,000 per year. Its introductory APR period and welcome offer are also appealing if you plan to make significant purchases or transfer balances early on.

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if your spending varies across categories, because it automatically rewards you with 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent. Its welcome offer is easier to attain with a lower spending requirement in the first six months.

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you spend heavily in one category, the Citi Custom Cash's 5% cash back on your top spending category could be lucrative. Consistent spenders at supermarkets and gas stations might prefer the Blue Cash Everyday's 3% cash back.

The Citi Custom Cash edges out the Blue Cash Everyday in terms of potential rewards, thanks to its 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent. This feature is particularly beneficial if you tend to concentrate your spending in one area.

But the Blue Cash Everyday is not to be overlooked, especially for consistent spenders at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases and U.S. gas stations, where it offers a solid 3% cash back up to the annual limit. While both cards have no annual fee, the Citi Custom Cash Card's higher reward rate in the top category makes it a compelling choice for maximizing returns on everyday spending.

Citi Custom Cash Categories

For the Citi Custom Cash, the eligible top spend categories include:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Select travel
• Select transit
• Select streaming services
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores
• Fitness clubs
• Live entertainment

These categories allow for flexibility and the potential to earn significant cash back where you spend the most each month.

The bonus categories for each card are shown in the following table.

With the Blue Cash Everyday, you can redeem your cash back for statement credits or use it at Amazon.com checkout, offering straightforward value without expiration.

The Citi Custom Cash also provides flexibility, allowing redemptions for statement credits, gift cards, travel or direct deposits, with no expiration on points and no earning cap. Both cards ensure your rewards are easily accessible and enduring.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Blue Cash Everyday and Citi Custom Cash based on their performance in various use cases. 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. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express, please click here.