Editorial take: Chase Freedom Flex
Worth it only if you'll actually activate the rotating 5% categories every quarter. If you won't, the Freedom Unlimited earns more on everyday spend with zero effort.
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Side-by-side
Chase Freedom Flex vs Citi Custom Cash
Both are cashback travel cards. The Chase Freedom Flex comes from Chase at $0/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.
| Feature | Chase Freedom Flex | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash back | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $500 in 3 mo | $1,500 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Citi |
| Card category | cashback | cashback |
| Best earning category (Rotating) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Freedom Flex
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Read the full review
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back
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. The cash back is paid as ThankYou Points, which transfer directly to Citi's airline and hotel partners at 0.7 of the premium ratio; moving them onto a Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite account gets the printed ratios.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Freedom Flex or Citi Custom Cash?
- The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $200. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
- Is the Chase Freedom Flex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Custom Cash?
- The Chase Freedom Flex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Citi Custom Cash's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Citi Custom Cash's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Chase Freedom Flex.
- Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex and Citi Custom Cash?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Chase Freedom Flex or the Citi Custom Cash first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Freedom Flex: $500 spend in 3 months. 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.