Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card vs Citi Custom Cash
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card 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.
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 | Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,500 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Citi |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Best earning category (Marriott_hotels) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
|
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, Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card or Citi Custom Cash?
- The Citi Custom Cash has a public bonus ($200 cash back, worth roughly $200), while the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Custom Cash?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card 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 Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card 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 Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card or the Citi Custom Cash first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: 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.
