Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Custom Cash vs Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Custom Cash
Wins 3 of 10
US
Chase
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
VISA
Wins 3 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 | Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 6% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months | = 3 free nights (each up to 50K Bonvoy points) after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- 6x Bonvoy points at Marriott
- 2x on everything else
- Free annual award night (35K points)
- Marriott Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Citi Custom Cash vs Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Citi Custom Cash wins on 3 criteria, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless on 3.
›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, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless 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. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 3 free nights (each up to 50K Bonvoy points) after $3,000 spend in 3 months.