Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Custom Cash vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Custom Cash
Wins 2 of 10
US
American Express
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
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 | Citi Custom Cash | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 6% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | 2.7% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
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
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
FAQ
›Citi Custom Cash vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Citi Custom Cash wins on 2 criteria, Amex Blue Cash Preferred on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Citi Custom Cash for its best categories, Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Citi Custom Cash: $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months. Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months.