Citi Custom Cash® Card
vs. U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Updated: October 7, 2024

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Both the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offer compelling cash back rewards, making them strong choices if you want to optimize your credit card benefits. However, the Citi Custom Cash edges ahead with its simplicity in earning rewards. It automatically adjusts to your top spending category each billing cycle, offering 5% cash back without needing to enroll in specific categories.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ card also offers high cash back potential, but its rewards structure is more complex, requiring users to select and enroll in bonus categories. Despite this, the U.S. Bank Cash+ card's higher cash back limit in chosen categories makes it a valuable option if you are willing to manage your rewards more actively.

Credit Card logo for Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Credit Card logo for U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if you value simplicity in your rewards program. With this card, you automatically earn 5% cash back (up to $500) in your highest spending category each billing cycle, and there's no need to sign up for rotating categories. This card is a good fit if you prefer a straightforward approach to earning cash back.

You might prefer the U.S. Bank Cash+ if you like to tailor your rewards to your spending habits. This card allows you to choose two categories for 5% cash back each quarter on up to $2,000 in purchases. It's a solid choice for those who are proactive about maximizing their cash back rewards and don't mind putting some effort into managing their categories.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will clarify which card aligns with your financial landscape. Use this section to pinpoint differences, such as balance transfer fees or reward structures, to guide your choice.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Citi Custom Cash

    If you prioritize a lower regular APR, the Citi Custom Cash card is slightly better, offering a starting APR of 19.24% compared to the U.S. Bank Cash+ card's starting APR of 19.74%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and the U.S. Bank Cash+ offer the advantage of a $0 annual fee, making them equally appealing for those looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: U.S. Bank Cash+

    The U.S. Bank Cash+ card is slightly better for introductory 0% APRs, offering the same 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers as the Citi Custom Cash card. However, U.S. Bank Cash+ has a lower balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) than Citi's 5% (minimum $5).

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    Rewards: Citi Custom Cash

    The Citi Custom Cash card is better for rewards, with a higher effective reward rate of 4.3. It offers 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back after. Additionally, it includes a special travel offer for extra savings. In contrast, the U.S. Bank Cash+ card has an effective reward rate of 3.9 and requires you to select categories each quarter to earn 5% cash back, with a $2,000 purchase limit per quarter.

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    Welcome Offers: U.S. Bank Cash+

    The U.S. Bank Cash+ card offers a better welcome bonus, with a higher return on investment (ROI) of 20% compared to the Citi Custom Cash's ROI of 13.33%. The U.S. Bank Cash+ card requires spending $1,000 in the first 120 days to earn a $200 rewards bonus, whereas the Citi Custom Cash requires spending $1,500 in the first six months for the same $200 cash back.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Citi Custom Cash and the U.S. Bank Cash+ require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit. This makes them equally positioned in terms of credit score requirements.

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    Penalties and Fees: U.S. Bank Cash+

    The U.S. Bank Cash+ is more favorable for penalties and fees due to the absence of a penalty APR, unlike Citi Custom Cash's penalty APR of up to 29.99% (variable). Both cards have similar late fees, cash advance fees and foreign transaction fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Citi Custom Cash

    The Citi Custom Cash card outperforms the U.S. Bank Cash+ in issuer satisfaction, with a rating of 4.1 compared to 3.5.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both Citi Custom Cash and U.S. Bank Cash+ offer additional cash back for travelers. The Citi Custom Cash card has a special offer of additional 4% cash back on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal until June 30, 2025. The U.S. Bank Cash+ card offers 5% cash back on prepaid travel (air, hotel and car reservations) booked directly in the U.S. Bank Rewards Center.

Rewards Comparison

The Citi Custom Cash is better for rewards, with a higher expected reward value and a simpler rewards structure. It provides 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% thereafter. It automatically adjusts to your top spending category each billing cycle, making it a hassle-free option for maximizing cash back without tracking rotating categories.

While the U.S. Bank Cash+ card offers a lower expected reward value, it allows you more control over your bonus categories. It offers 5% cash back on two categories you choose (with a $2,000 purchase limit per quarter) and 2% cash back on one everyday category.

The table below details each card's bonus categories to help you compare their rewards programs at a glance.

Category
Citi Custom Cash
U.S. Bank Cash+

Top Spending Category

5% for the first $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1%

5% for the first $2,000 spent quarterly/1%

Everyday Category Choice

N/A

2% on one category choice

Travel Booked Through Issuer Portal

4%

5%

All Other Purchases

1%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Citi Custom Cash offers a straightforward redemption process with no expiration on points. Redemption options include statement credits and travel without worrying about minimums, except for a $5 threshold for checks.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ requires at least $25 in cash back to redeem and limits redemptions to U.S. Bank accounts, with an expiration of 36 months. This necessitates a more proactive approach to ensure rewards are used before they expire.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Citi Custom Cash and U.S. Bank Cash+ based on their performance in various use cases. The factors that significantly affect the score for cash back cards are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Citi Custom Cash vs. U.S. Bank Cash+

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card?
Which card has a lower balance transfer fee?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
What are the introductory APR offers for these cards?
How do the regular APRs compare between the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® 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.


*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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