Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex®

Citi Custom Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Flex® are two leading cash back cards with no annual fees, offering up to 5% back on spending. Beyond that, the cards differ significantly. The Citi card adjusts to your spending, while the Chase option requires users to activate higher-earning categories. Despite the differences, both are popular among rewards enthusiasts. Dive into our Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex® analysis to identify which card is best for you. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser. Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash^® Card product as of May 28, 2026. 

card_name vs. card_name at a glance

Rewards structure comparison

Both credit cards are fantastic cash back options, but vary in how they operate. Citi Custom Cash® Card adapts to your spending, and Chase Freedom Flex® requires category activation.

How Citi Custom Cash® Card rewards work

Citi Custom Cash® Card has a straightforward rewards structure. Earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 per billing cycle. Other features include:

• 1% cash back on all other expenditures
• No need to activate categories
• Ten categories qualify for the 5% bonus, including restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, select travel, and home improvement stores

How Chase Freedom Flex® rewards work

Chase Freedom Flex® pays up to 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, but it’s on rotating categories, and you must activate them to qualify. Other features include:

• 5% back on travel purchased via the Chase Travel℠ portal and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1% back on all other purchases
• Variety of rotating categories

 ➤  SEE MORE:Chase Freedom® quarterly rewards categories

Which rewards system is better?

When choosing the best card for you, it’s important to know your goal. If you want simplicity, Citi Custom Cash® Card is the clear choice. There’s no need to activate categories, and the card adjusts to your top qualifying spending category each month.

There’s more potential value with Chase Freedom Flex®, but it requires active monitoring to get it.

Which card earns more cash back?

When comparing Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Citi Custom Cash® Card, knowing which earns more is essential. Here’s how the two cards stack up.

Grocery spending example

Citi Custom Cash® Card is better for grocery spending, but with a caveat. Groceries are a standard category for Citi Custom Cash® Card, so spending $500 monthly nets you $25 back.

In a standard month, you only receive $5 back with Chase Freedom Flex®. However, if grocery spending is a rotating category, you can earn up to $75 that quarter.

Gas spending example

Gas spending is similar to groceries for both cards. Citi Custom Cash® Card users can receive up to $25 monthly. Chase Freedom Flex® pays only $5 back in a standard month, but if gas is a rotating category, users can earn $75 that quarter.

Dining spending example

Dining out makes the Citi Custom Cash® Card or Chase Freedom Flex® murkier. Citi Custom Cash® Card pays 5% on up to $500 monthly, but only if it’s your top category. Otherwise, it’s just 1% cash back.

Chase Freedom Flex® users enjoy 3% back on dining and takeout year-round, with no activation required. If you dine out regularly and want consistency, Chase Freedom Flex® is a better fit.

Mixed spending example

Many people don’t just spend in one category. For those who do, Citi Custom Cash® Card is suitable because it offers 5% cash back on up to $500 in monthly spending. If you spend $1,500 on one category each month, you will receive $25 back on the first $500, but only $10 on the remaining $1,000.

There’s more potential with the Chase Freedom Flex®. For a person who spends $5,000 or $10,000 monthly, across numerous categories, you can likely earn more, thanks to 3% back on dining and drugstores, plus the 5% on rotating categories and travel spending.

Welcome bonus comparison

Considering the welcome bonus is important when reviewing Chase Freedom Flex® vs Citi Custom Cash® Card. Here’s how they compare.

Citi Custom Cash® Card welcome offer

Citi Custom Cash® Card is currently offering new cardholders signup_reward after spending signup_bonus_spend_amount in the first six months. Users receive the bonus as 20,000 ThankYou^® points, which you can convert to $200 cash back,

Chase Freedom Flex® welcome offer

Chase Freedom Flex® offers new users signup_reward after spending signup_bonus_spend_amount in the first three months. Cardholders receive the bonus as Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash or travel.

Which bonus is easier to earn?

The Chase Freedom Flex® welcome bonus is easier to earn. Users just need to spend signup_bonus_spend_amount to earn the signup_reward bonus.

Travel and redemption value

For frequent travelers, choosing the best card can help you maximize your points.

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi cardholders earn ThankYou^® points, which you can use in the Citi travel portal. Users can Citi transfer points to partners to leverage them for travel. Generally, Citi Custom Cash® Card is best for cash back when traveling.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Ultimate Rewards is the currency of Chase Freedom Flex®. You can redeem points for cash or use them to redeem for travel needs within the Chase travel portal. If you value premium travel and want a no-annual-fee credit card, Chase Freedom Flex® is a compelling option.

Which rewards program is more valuable?

If you want a simple, cash back option, Citi Custom Cash® Card is suitable. For people who want to optimize rewards, Chase Freedom Flex® is the winner, especially when paired with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. You can combine points with either one, and both Sapphire cards can get more value when redeeming for travel.

Benefits and protections

Rewards aren’t the only thing you receive from credit cards; you get other perks, too.

Citi Custom Cash® Card benefits

Popular benefits of the Citi Custom Cash® Card card include:

• World Elite Mastercard benefits
• Access to Citi Entertainment

Chase Freedom Flex® benefits

Popular benefits of the Chase Freedom Flex® card include:

• Up to $800 in cell phone protection, after a $50 deductible
• Purchase protection on qualifying purchases for 120 days
• Extended warranty of an additional year on qualifying warranties of three years or less
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

There may be some exclusions for travel-related perks, so keep that in mind.

Which card offers better perks?

Chase Freedom Flex® is the clear choice for people who want better perks. Citi Custom Cash® Card offers Citi Entertainment, but Chase Freedom Flex®‘s perks are more robust and provide greater peace of mind when needed.

Which card is easier to use?

Simplicity isn’t something to overlook when considering your next credit card. Rewards are important, but not if they’re too difficult to manage.

Citi Custom Cash® Card simplicity

Citi Custom Cash® Card‘s selling point is ease of use. It’s a fit for simplicity-seekers for several reasons, including:

• Citi identifies which category you spend more in to reward cash back
• You don’t need to predict spending
• It has ten qualifying categories

Chase Freedom Flex® optimization potential

Chase Freedom Flex® isn’t difficult, but it takes effort. It’s a fit for you if:

• Pair it with a Sapphire card to maximize value
• Don’t mind opting into rotating categories to earn more

Which card fits your spending style?

Citi is the smarter choice if you don’t want to put in any effort. The bank identifies your top spending category. There’s no strategy required. That’s not the case with Chase Freedom Flex®. If you want to be intentional, Chase Freedom Flex® is the wiser selection.

Can you have both cards?

You can have more than one credit card if you wish and, obviously, qualify for both Citi Custom Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Flex®.

Why many users pair Citi Custom Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Flex®

Both cards have a weakness. Citi Custom Cash® Card caps your earning to the first $500 spent. Chase Freedom Flex® requires category activation. Pairing the two lets you hit a spending category each month and then cover a rotating category.

Adding in Chase Freedom Flex®‘s 3% back on dining and drugstore spending further enhances potential.

Best two-card cash back strategy

To boost earnings, it’s prudent to use Citi Custom Cash® Card for a qualifying category you plan to spend $500 in each month. After hitting that goal, switch to Chase Freedom Flex® for rotational category spending.

If you’re eating out or spending at a drugstore, use the Chase Freedom Flex® for its 3% back, unless you’re using Citi Custom Cash® Card for restaurants that month. Most, if not all, travel should go through Chase Freedom Flex®.

When owning both makes sense

You don’t need to own both cards, but if you’re a rewards enthusiast, it may make sense. If you like the idea of strategically earning 5% with multiple cards, both are suitable. For those who don’t like managing categories or want a single card, it’s wise to choose the card that best fits your needs.

Citi Custom Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex® for different users

When researching Chase Freedom Flex® or Citi Custom Cash® Card, it’s advisable to know which card is best for the given situation.

Best for gas and groceries

Citi Custom Cash® Card is best as it’s consistent, but Chase Freedom Flex® is better when groceries are a rotating category.

Best for dining rewards

Chase Freedom Flex® is the winner, thanks to its 3% cash back on restaurant spending.

Best for simplicity

Citi Custom Cash® Card is the winner as there’s no need to manage rotating categories.

Best for beginners

Citi Custom Cash® Card is the smarter choice thanks to its simple rewards stucture.

Best for maximizing rewards

Chase Freedom Flex® is best, as there are more opportunities to earn. And, if you plan to get more Chase cards, you can maximize your rewards with the Chase Trifecta.

Best for travel rewards users

Chase Freedom Flex® is best, thanks to its access to Chase Ultimate Rewards and the potential to pair with a Sapphire card.

Best as a standalone cash back card

Citi Custom Cash® Card stands out if your spending is focused. If you plan to spend significantly across multiple categories, Chase Freedom Flex® is better.

Best for building a rewards ecosystem

Chase Freedom Flex® is the winner, thanks to its versatility within the Ultimate Rewards network.

Who should get Citi Custom Cash® Card?

Citi Custom Cash® Card is a wise choice for users who want a simple, predictable approach to earning cash back. If you only want one card, it’s a top choice for various reasons, including:

• Automatic 5% cash back
• Your spending is focused on one area
• Predictable rewards
• Simplicity
• You don’t want to track categories

Citi Custom Cash® Card is one of the top no-annual-fee credit cards for people who value straightforward rewards.

Who should get Chase Freedom Flex®?

Chase Freedom Flex® is a wise choice for people who want flexible rewards. Other reasons to consider getting the Chase Freedom Flex® include:

• Plan, or already use other Chase cards
• You value travel redemption versatility
• Heavy dining or drugstore spenders
• People who want purchase protection
• You want to maximize rewards

Chase Freedom Flex® is a top choice for rewards enthusiasts or for people who plan to pair it with a Sapphire card.

Final verdict

Identifying your goals is necessary when choosing a new credit card. Getting cash back is attractive, and for those who want a convenient way to earn 5% back on everyday spending, Citi Custom Cash® Card is the best option. If you want to be strategic and are willing to put in some effort, Chase Freedom Flex® is the wiser choice. For a cash back lover, owning both cards may be optimal. The combination gives you two ways to earn 5% back on purchases, which can help you avoid hitting a cap and receiving only 1% cash back on additional purchases.

Frequently asked questions