Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Citi Custom Cash
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 2-0. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Citi Custom Cash is still the right call if auto-detects your top spend category each cycle — set-and-forget..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3% | = 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 670 | = 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 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
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Citi Custom Cash: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (2 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited 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?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. Citi Custom Cash: $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months.