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Side-by-side

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Custom Cash

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase 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

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the Citi Custom Cash's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Citi Custom Cash after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredCiti Custom Cash
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 points$200 cash back
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$1,500 in 6 mo
IssuerChaseCiti
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
  • 5% on top category
  • Auto-selected monthly
  • No annual fee
  • Convert to TY Points
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

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, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Custom Cash?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Citi Custom Cash.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Custom Cash?
At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Sapphire Preferred or the Citi Custom Cash first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 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.