Key takeaways
- Both the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card feature no annual fee and intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers.
- If you need as much time as possible to pay down existing debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card would be the better choice since it comes with one of the longest intro APR offers for balance transfers on the market.
- If you don’t need a long period of time to pay down debt, and if you’re looking for a card with more long-term value, the Citi Custom Cash would be the better choice given its ongoing rewards structure.
Citi is an advertising partner
For many individuals, reducing a credit card balance can be challenging, which is why assistance is often needed. The Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offer introductory APR offers on purchases and balance transfers, as well as no annual fees.
These two credit cards provide some of the lengthiest introductory APR offers on the market for debt repayment. While this feature alone is beneficial, one of these cards surpasses the other by offering rewards and benefits that enhance its overall value.
Main details
| Card | Citi Custom Cash Card | Citi Diamond Preferred Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 20,000 ThankYou Points (worth $200 in cash back) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months | None |
| Rewards rate |
|
None |
| Foreign transaction fees | 3% fee on foreign transactions | 3% fee on foreign transactions |
| Intro APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24%; transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening; 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies | 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months and on balance transfers for 21 months, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.99%; transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening; 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Citi Diamond Preferred vs. Citi Custom Cash highlights
Let’s delve into the offerings of these cards and determine the superior choice.
Welcome bonus winner: Citi Custom Cash
Although achieving the welcome bonus within the specified timeframe may be challenging, the Citi Custom Cash offers a generous welcome bonus. Spend $1,500 within the first six months of account opening and receive 20,000 basic Citi ThankYou points, equivalent to $200 in cash back.
The Citi Diamond Preferred does not feature a welcome offer.
Rewards rate winner: Citi Custom Cash
The Citi Custom Cash emerges as the clear winner in this category since it is a rewards card, unlike the Citi Diamond Preferred, which lacks rewards and functions solely as a balance transfer card.
Some credit cards, known as rotating category credit cards, require you to select the categories where you spend the most (such as grocery stores or gas stations) or activate assigned bonus categories monthly or quarterly. For instance, you may receive one spending category per quarter that offers a higher cash back rate. Failure to change your chosen category for the next quarter or activate the category results in the spending category reverting to the lowest cash back rate (usually 1 percent).
For many individuals, managing rotating rewards categories can be complex and confusing. The Citi Custom Cash streamlines this process by automatically providing the highest cash back rate – 5 percent cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1 percent back. If you spend at least $500 in an eligible spending category, you can earn at least $25 in cash back per billing cycle ($300 annually).
The eligible 5 percent cash back spending categories are diverse, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, live entertainment, select travel and transit expenses, and fitness clubs.
Annual fee winner: Tie
Both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Diamond Preferred offer their benefits without an annual fee.
Foreign transaction fee winner: Tie
Both cards impose a 3 percent foreign transaction fee, making them less ideal for international travel or online purchases in foreign currencies.
Intro APR winner: It depends
The winner of the intro APR offer is not definitive. It depends on whether you seek a better intro APR offer for purchases or balance transfers. Both cards provide introductory APR offers for purchases and balance transfers, albeit for varying durations.
The Citi Diamond Preferred offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months, whereas the Citi Custom Cash provides a 0 percent intro APR offer on purchases for 15 months. Therefore, if you prioritize a superior intro APR offer for purchases, the Citi Custom Cash is the winner in this category.
However, the Citi Diamond Preferred features a lengthier intro APR offer for balance transfers – a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, as opposed to the Citi Custom Cash’s 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months. Both cards require completion of balance transfers within four months of account opening, with a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applicable.
Upon expiration of the intro APR offers for both cards, the Citi Diamond Preferred offers a slightly lower variable APR of 18.24 percent to 28.99 percent, while the Citi Custom Cash’s variable APR ranges from 19.24 percent to 29.24 percent.
Which card earns the most?
The Citi Custom Cash stands out here, as the Citi Diamond Preferred does not provide an opportunity to earn rewards. With the Citi Custom Cash, your top eligible spending category can earn you 5 percent cash back on up to $500 worth of purchases each billing cycle (1 percent back beyond that limit). Additionally, you’ll earn 4 percent cash back on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel (until June 30, 2025), along with 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
Spending example
For instance, if you spend $600 at restaurants, $500 at grocery stores, and $100 at gas stations in a month, you would receive:
- $26 back on restaurant spending ($25 for the first $500, $1 for the remaining $100)
- $5 back on grocery store spending
- $1 back on gas station spending
This totals to $32 in cash back for that billing cycle. Subsequent months may yield different results from different eligible spending categories, but the Citi Diamond Preferred would provide nothing in comparison.
Why should you get Citi Diamond Preferred?
If you aim to transfer a balance and secure the lengthiest introductory APR offer available, the Citi Diamond Preferred is a valuable choice.
Additional benefits
Aside from the excellent intro APR offer on balance transfers and no annual fee, the remaining benefits of the Citi Diamond Preferred are standard and commonly found across the credit card industry. These include 24/7 customer service, contactless payments, account alerts, digital wallet capabilities, and access to Citi Entertainment – features that are now standard in the industry and do not stand out as distinct “additional benefits.”
Redemption options
There are no redemption options available for the Citi Diamond Preferred since it does not offer rewards.
Recommended credit score
The recommended credit score for the Citi Diamond Preferred is good to excellent (FICO score of 670 to 850).
Why should you get Citi Custom Cash?
The Citi Custom Cash is a suitable choice if you prefer not to remember which spending category earns you 5 percent cash back and desire a card that adapts to your monthly spending habits. Additionally, this card is recommended for individuals seeking a welcome bonus, introductory APR offers, and no annual fee.
Additional benefits
The additional benefits of the Citi Custom Cash mirror those of the Citi Diamond Preferred. However, the inclusion of the rewards rate in the Citi Custom Cash makes it feel like you are receiving additional benefits beyond the standard offerings.
Redemption options
The redemption options for the Citi Custom Cash are diverse as the cash back is provided in the form of Citi ThankYou points, albeit the basic version (meaning rewards cannot be transferred to most Citi travel partners). You can redeem your rewards for cash back via direct deposit, check, or statement credit. Additionally, redemption options include gift cards, travel booked through Citi, or shopping with points at eligible merchants.
Recommended credit score
The recommended credit score for the Citi Custom Cash is also good to excellent.
The bottom line
While the Citi Diamond Preferred Card boasts one of the longest introductory APR offers for balance transfers and no annual fee, its features are limited. On the other hand, the Citi Custom Cash Card offers 5 percent cash back on a top eligible category each billing cycle (up to $500 per cycle, then 1 percent back). Therefore, unless you require an extended introductory balance transfer period, the Citi Custom Cash surpasses the Citi Diamond Preferred – and the difference is significant.