Citi Custom Cash vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Custom Cash wins 4-1. Auto-detects your top spend category each cycle — set-and-forget. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Custom Cash | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months | = 60,000 miles 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 | · 4.2/5 |
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 United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
FAQ
›Citi Custom Cash vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Citi Custom Cash wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). 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 Citi Custom Cash for its best categories, Chase United Explorer 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 United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.