New: Compare up to 3 cards side-by-side instantly Compare now →
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express vs Citi Custom Cash Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
[ 01 / 02 ]
·
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred from American ExpressAmerican Express | Citi Custom Cash CardCiti |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| APR | 19.49% - 28.49% | 17.49% - 27.49% |
| Signup Bonus | $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in 6 months | $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr), 6% on select U.S. streaming, 3% on U.S. gas and transit, 1% on everything else | 5% on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent), 4% on hotels/cars/attractions via Citi Travel, 1% on everything else |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000/year is the highest grocery rate available 6% on streaming subscriptions 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 5% on your top spending category automatically — no activation needed 10 eligible 5% categories including dining, groceries, gas, streaming 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers |
| Cons | $95 annual fee ($0 intro first year) $6,000 annual cap on 6% grocery earnings American Express not accepted everywhere | $500/billing cycle cap on 5% category Only 1% on non-top-category spending Limit of one Citi Custom Cash card per person |
| View Details → | View Details → |
[ 02 / 02 ]
·
Verdict
Our Pick: Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Both cards tie at 4.5/5, but At $95/yr, the value proposition is strong. The Blue Cash Preferred is the king of grocery rewards. 6% back at U.S. supermarkets plus 6% on streaming makes it the best card for families who spend heavily on groceries. The $95 fee pays for itself quickly if you spend $2,000+ per year on groceries.