SIDE A
A
Bank of America · Visa
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
VS.
×
SIDE B
B
Citi · Mastercard
Citi Custom Cash Card
FILING
Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly
Both the Bank of America Customized Cash and Citi Custom Cash cards offer identical $200 bonuses, zero annual fees, and 0% intro APR periods. They're aimed at fair-credit borrowers seeking flexible cash back without category restrictions. The core difference lies in how they structure bonus rewards. BofA lets you lock in a 3% category of your choice with a $2,500 quarterly cap, plus automatic 2% at groceries. Citi automatically tracks your spending and rewards your highest-spending category at 5% with a $500 monthly cap. The choice between them depends entirely on your spending patterns and whether you want control or convenience.
THE VERDICT
Our ruling.
“Choose Citi Custom Cash if your spending naturally concentrates in one category each month and you want maximum simplicity. Choose Bank of America if you spend heavily in groceries, prefer locking in a predictable category, or want to stack rewards through Preferred Rewards membership.”
CHOOSE A
Side A is for you if…
- 01You spend more than $500 monthly in a single category (groceries, gas, or dining) — BofA's guaranteed 2-3% beats Citi's $500 monthly cap
- 02You're a Bank of America customer with Preferred Rewards status — the 25-75% bonus multiplier substantially increases all cash back earned
- 03You want predictability and control — choosing your 3% category and locking it in avoids guesswork about whether you'll hit category thresholds
- 04You shop at wholesale clubs frequently — the 2% back on warehouse clubs and supermarkets is valuable and has its own $2,500 cap
CHOOSE B
Side B is for you if…
- 01Your spending shifts monthly between different categories — Citi automatically rewards your highest spend each cycle without requiring changes
- 02You want the highest possible cash back rate — 5% on your top category beats BofA's 3%, though the $500 monthly cap limits total earnings
- 03You value minimal card management — no need to select or change categories; Citi handles it automatically
- 04You spend modestly in any single category — if you typically spend under $500/month in your top category, Citi's 5% rate maximizes returns
THE LEDGER
Side by side.
- ISSUER
- Bank of America
- Citi
- NETWORK
- Visa
- Mastercard
- ANNUAL FEE
- $0
- $0
- APR RANGE
- 18.24% – 28.24%
- 18.24% – 28.24%
- INTRO APR (PURCHASES)
- 0% for 15 billing cycles
- 0% for 15 months
- INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS)
- 0% for 15 billing cycles
- 0% for 15 months
- REWARDS TYPE
- cashback
- cashback
- REWARDS RATE
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- SIGN-UP BONUS
- $200 bonus
- $200 bonus
- BONUS VALUE
- $200
- $200
- MIN. CREDIT SCORE
- 670+
- 670+
- FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
- Yes (3%)
- Yes (3%)
A HIGHLIGHTS
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- —3% back in the category of your choice (change anytime)
- —2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- —0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles
- —Preferred Rewards members earn 25-75% more cash back
- —No annual fee
B HIGHLIGHTS
Citi Custom Cash Card
- —Automatic 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle
- —No annual fee
- —0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- —Categories include restaurants, gas, groceries, travel, and more
- —Citi Entertainment perks
QUESTIONS · ANSWERS
Frequently filed.
Bank of America wins decisively. You'd earn 2% on the full $600 in groceries ($12/month) plus 3% on the $400 gas if you select gas as your category ($12/month). Citi caps at 5% on $500 of your top category ($25/month max), meaning you'd lose 5% cash back on any spending over $500. BofA's dual caps and guaranteed rates favor higher spenders.