Published on Apr 15, 2025 5 min read

Citi Custom Cash vs. Chase Freedom Flex: A Detailed Comparison of Two Top Cash Back Cards

When it comes to cash back credit cards, few offer as much flexibility as For cash back credit cards, the Citi Custom Cash and the Chase Freedom Flex are about as flexible as they get. Both cards offer great rewards for what they provide, but they go about it in completely different ways. Both are fee free, but they both cater to different types of spenders because of their different rewards structures and additional perks. If you're deciding which card to apply for, you need to know the fine points that differentiate these two cards.

This article will compare the Citi Custom Cash and Chase Freedom Flex across various aspects: rewards programs, introductory offers, benefits, and overall value. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of which card best suits your spending habits and lifestyle.

Rewards Structure: How They Stack Up?

The rewards structure of a cash back card is central to picking the card that will give you the most value. The cash back on both the Citi Custom Cash and Chase Freedom Flex is great, but they go about it differently.

What makes the Citi Custom Cash unique is its highly personalized reward structure. Earn 5% cash back on your choice of categories each billing cycle on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1% thereafter. Things like restaurants, groceries, gas stations and more fall under categories. Then, the card earns 1% cash back on everything else. This flexibility let's you make the most of your rewards based on how much you spend each month.

While the Chase Freedom Flex gives you 5% cash back on different categories every quarter, up to $1,500 on combined purchases. Categories change every three months, and have included things such as Amazon, grocery stores, and even gas. The rotating category feature is a nice perk, but you have to keep track of what you can earn higher rewards on each quarter. The cash back rate is 1% on the rest of your purchases.

If you prefer a predictable cash back structure where you can pick your own categories, the Citi Custom Cash may be more appealing. However, if youre willing to keep an eye on the rotating categories and spend heavily in them, the Chase Freedom Flex might offer more opportunities to earn higher cash back on a wider variety of purchases.

Introductory Offers: Which Card Gives You More Value?

Credit cards often entice new customers with a sign-up bonus, and both the Citi Custom Cash and the Chase Freedom Flex are no exception. Lets take a closer look at the introductory offers for both cards and see which one provides the best initial value.

The Citi Custom Cash offers a $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,500 in purchases within the first 6 months of account opening. This offer is straightforward and easy to achieve, especially if youre someone who can spend that amount in just a few months.

Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Flex offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. The bonus requirement is lower, and this makes the Chase Freedom Flex a bit easier to earn the bonus. However, with its higher spending limit for the bonus ($1,500), the Citi Custom Cash might be a better choice if youre someone who tends to make larger purchases.

Both cards offer a similar cash bonus but differ in the time frame and spending requirements. If youre looking for a quicker route to earning a bonus, the Chase Freedom Flex is the way to go. However, if you want a slightly more generous bonus and can hit the higher spending threshold, the Citi Custom Cash offers a better deal in the long run.

Additional Benefits: Whats Included Beyond Cash Back?

The Citi Custom Cash and the Chase Freedom Flex both come with a range of additional benefits that add value to the card. However, the perks differ slightly in terms of scope and usefulness.

Chase Freedom Flex even includes purchase protection, which protects new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $500 per claim). It also has extended warranty on eligible purchases, so if you want to get a little more security on your purchases, then this one will do. And, on top of that, the Chase Freedom Flex has the usual travel perks, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, and travel accident insurance. These are perks that strengthen the card for road warriors in search of added protection on the road.

In comparison, the Citi Custom Cash offers a set of protections as well, but theyre not as comprehensive. It offers purchase protection and access to the Citi Entertainment program, which gives cardholders exclusive access to presale tickets for concerts, sports events, and other entertainment. However, the Citi Custom Cash lacks some of the more extensive travel-related benefits that the Chase Freedom Flex offers, which makes the latter a better option for those who prioritize travel insurance and related perks.

If youre someone who values travel perks or wants added protection for your purchases, the Chase Freedom Flex might be the better option. However, if your focus is primarily on earning cash back with fewer frills, the Citi Custom Cash might suit your needs better.

Conclusion

Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Chase Freedom Flex offer strong cash back rewards, but their features cater to different needs. If you prefer predictable rewards and flexibility in categories, the Citi Custom Cash is ideal. However, if you're comfortable with rotating categories and value added travel protections, the Chase Freedom Flex may be more beneficial. Choose based on your spending habits and the benefits that matter most to you.