Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
vs. Citi Custom Cash® Card

Updated: October 7, 2024

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Both the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Custom Cash® Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, appealing if you value straightforward savings. The Quicksilver edges ahead with its unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it a strong choice for consistent rewards across the board.

But the Citi Custom Cash Card is a formidable contender, especially if you can maximize the 5% cash back in their top spending category each billing cycle. While the Quicksilver may be the more versatile option overall, the Citi Custom Cash shouldn't be overlooked if you can benefit from its higher cash back rate in frequently used categories.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Quicksilver if you value a straightforward rewards program. With a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no cap on earnings, it's a solid choice for consistent rewards without having to track spending categories.

You might prefer the Citi Custom Cash if your spending is concentrated in specific categories. The card offers 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, which can be lucrative if your spending aligns with the eligible categories.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features side by side clarifies which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if you prefer consistent rewards, the Quicksilver's flat-rate cash back might appeal to you, whereas the Citi Custom Cash could be more beneficial if your spending is concentrated in one category.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Citi Custom Cash

    The Citi Custom Cash offers a slightly better regular APR range, starting at 19.24% compared with the Quicksilver's 19.99%.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Citi Custom Cash have no annual fee, making them equally attractive if you’re looking to avoid extra charges.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Quicksilver

    Both cards offer a 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. But the Quicksilver has a lower balance transfer fee of 3% compared with the Citi Custom Cash's 5%, making it the better option if you’re looking to transfer balances.

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    Rewards: Citi Custom Cash

    The Citi Custom Cash is better for rewards. It provides 5% cash back on top spending categories each billing cycle up to the first $500 spent, and a special travel offer through June 30, 2025. The Quicksilver offers a consistent 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

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    Welcome Offers: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver offers a better welcome bonus, requiring less spending ($500 vs. $1,500) within a shorter timeframe (three months vs. six months) to earn the same $200 cash back.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Citi Custom Cash cater to people with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850, classified as good to excellent.

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    Penalties and Fees: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver is better for penalties and fees, offering no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR. By contrast, the Citi Custom Cash has a foreign transaction fee of 3% and a penalty APR up to 29.99% (variable).

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Quicksilver

    Capital One edges out the Citi in issuer satisfaction, with a rating of 4.2 compared with Citi's 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique travel perks. The Quicksilver provides up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership and 5% cash back on bookings through Capital One Travel. The Citi Custom Cash offers an additional 4% cash back on bookings through the Citi Travel portal until June 30, 2025.

Rewards Comparison

The Citi Custom Cash edges out the Quicksilver in potential reward value, particularly for those who spend heavily in one category. With its 5% cash back on your top spending category for the first $500 each billing cycle, it caters to focused spending habits.

But the Quicksilver's consistent 1.5% cash back on all purchases is a straightforward, no-fuss option for those who prefer simplicity and have varied spending. The Quicksilver also offers a notable 5% back on travel booked through Capital One, which can be a significant perk for frequent travelers.

Citi Custom Cash Categories

For the Citi Custom Cash Card, the top eligible spend categories are

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

The table shows a visual comparison of the bonus categories for both cards.

Category
Quicksilver
Citi Custom Cash

Travel (Hotels and Rental Cars)

5% if purchased through Capital One Travel/1.5% all other

1%/5% if purchased through Citi Travel portal until 6/30/2025

Top Eligible Spend Category

N/A

5% for the first $500 spent each billing cycle/1% thereafter

All Other Purchases

1.5%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

Both the Quicksilver and Citi Custom Cash cards offer flexible options. With the Quicksilver, you can redeem rewards for statement credits, checks and gift cards, among others, with no expiration as long as the account remains open. There's also the convenience of automatic redemption either at a set time each year or when a certain threshold is reached.

The Citi Custom Cash allows for redemption of points for statement credits, gift cards and travel with no minimums for most options, except for a $5 minimum for check redemptions. Points do not expire, ensuring long-term value for your spending.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Quicksilver and Citi Custom Cash using a tailored scoring system for 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.

FAQ: Quicksilver vs. Citi Custom Cash

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
What are the introductory offers for these cards?
How do the APRs compare between the two cards?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either 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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