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Side-by-side

Bank of America Premium Rewards vs Citi Custom Cash

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Premium Rewards comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Citi Custom Cash from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBank of America Premium RewardsCiti Custom Cash
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonusNot advertised$200 cash back
Bonus value (est.)-$200
Min spend to unlock bonus-$1,500 in 6 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaCiti
Card categorytravelcashback
Transfer partnersNoneciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 2x travel + dining
  • $100 airline credit
  • Preferred Rewards boost
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 5% on top category
  • Auto-selected monthly
  • No annual fee
  • Convert to TY Points
Read the full review
Bank of America Premium Rewards
$95/yr ·
Read the full review
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back

Editorial take: Bank of America Premium Rewards

Only a standout if you're a BoA Preferred Rewards member, that boost can push earnings to 2.625x on everything, 3.5x on travel and dining. Without it, Venture and Sapphire both beat it.

Editorial take: Citi Custom Cash

Genuinely clever. 5% on whichever category you spent most on each month, capped at $500/month. Earns $25/month = $300/year effortlessly. Pairs with Premier to convert to transferable ThankYou Points.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Premium Rewards or Citi Custom Cash?
The Citi Custom Cash has a public bonus ($200 cash back, worth roughly $200), while the Bank of America Premium Rewards doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Bank of America Premium Rewards's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Custom Cash?
At $95/yr, the Bank of America Premium Rewards is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Custom Cash's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Bank of America Premium Rewards and Citi Custom Cash?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bank of America Premium Rewards or the Citi Custom Cash first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Premium Rewards: no published min spend. Citi Custom Cash: $1,500 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.