Citi Custom Cash vs Chase Freedom Unlimited
By Alex Compton · Updated
Historical comparison for existing Citi Custom Cash cardholders: Citi closed Custom Cash to new applications on May 28, 2026. Existing holders still have its automatic 5% top-category structure, while Chase Freedom Unlimited remains open as a broad everyday earner.
Citi Custom Cash (Closed)
Citi
- Our rating
- 8.4/10
- Welcome bonus
- Under review
- Bonus value
- Withheld
- Annual fee
- Under review
- Credits, max/yr
- Under review
- Foreign txn fee
- Under review
Top earning rates
- Under review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase
- Our rating
- 8.4/10
- Welcome bonus
- 20,000 points
- Bonus value
- ≈$200
- Annual fee
- $0
- Credits, max/yr
- $0
- Foreign txn fee
- 3%
Top earning rates
- 5x Chase Travel purchases
- 3x Dining and drugstores
- 1.5x All other purchases
Where Each Wins
Top-category earning
Custom Cash (Closed)The Custom Cash earns 5% on your top eligible category each billing cycle, up to $500 of spend, automatically, no activation. The Freedom Unlimited's best everyday rate is 3% on dining and drugstores.
Everything-else earning
CFUThe Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% on all other purchases plus 5x on Chase Travel. The Custom Cash drops to 1% the moment you leave your top category.
Caps
CFUThe Custom Cash's 5% is capped at $500 a month, $30 in maximum monthly bonus cash. The Freedom Unlimited has no caps anywhere.
Points ceiling
CFUFreedom Unlimited earnings become full Ultimate Rewards next to a Sapphire, transferring 1:1 to Hyatt, United, and Southwest. Custom Cash earnings become transferable ThankYou points next to a Citi Strata Premier. Both paths work; Chase's partner list is stronger for most travelers.
Welcome offer
TieCustom Cash no longer has a public application offer. Freedom Unlimited remains open, so it wins the new-applicant comparison by default.
Foreign transaction fees
TieBoth charge 3% abroad. Neither belongs in your travel wallet outside the US.
The Compound Verdict
Existing holders can still pair Custom Cash with Freedom Unlimited exactly this way. New applicants cannot open Custom Cash, so start with Freedom Unlimited and consider Citi Strata if you want a current no-fee ThankYou category card.
Our ratings score these dead even. The right pick depends on your spending. Current welcome-offer comparisons are withheld until both official-source checks are refreshed.
Read the full reviews for the complete math: Custom Cash (Closed) review and CFU review, or put them side by side in the comparison tool.
Common Questions
Is the Citi Custom Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited better?
For existing Custom Cash holders, concentrated spending can favor its 5% lane. New applicants cannot open it, so Freedom Unlimited is the actionable choice between these two as of September 2026.
Can I have both the Custom Cash and Freedom Unlimited?
Existing Custom Cash holders can keep both because the cards come from different banks and have no annual fees. Citi is no longer accepting new Custom Cash applications.
Does the Custom Cash 5% require activation?
No. Citi automatically applies the 5% to whatever eligible category you spent the most on that billing cycle, up to $500 of spend. That zero-maintenance design is its core advantage over rotating-category cards.