Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Custom Cash vs Amex Business Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Custom Cash
Wins 2 of 10
US
Premium
American Express
Amex Business Platinum
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 Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (shopping) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months | = 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| 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 Business Platinum
- 5x points on flights + prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- 1.5x on purchases ≥$5,000 (uncapped)
- Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 airline fee credit + $200 dell credit + $400 Indeed credit
- Hilton Honors Gold + Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Generous expense-management features (Vendor Pay)
FAQ
›Citi Custom Cash vs Amex Business Platinum: 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 Business Platinum 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 Business Platinum 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 Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months.