Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Citi Custom Cash
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
American Express
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
US
Citi
Citi Custom Cash
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (shopping) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | 2.7% | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
Citi Custom Cash
- 5% cashback in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500)
- 1% on everything else
- Eligible categories: restaurants, gas, grocery, travel, etc.
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
FAQ
›Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Citi Custom Cash: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins on 2 criteria, Citi Custom Cash on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories, Citi Custom Cash for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months. Citi Custom Cash: $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months.