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.
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Side-by-side
Citi Custom Cash vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi Custom Cash comes from Citi at $0/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($780 more in estimated value) than the Citi Custom Cash's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first; revisit the Citi Custom Cash after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Citi Custom Cash | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash back | 4 Free Night Awards |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,500 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | Chase |
| Card category | cashback | hotel |
| Best earning category (Top_category) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | citi-ty | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
$95/yr · 4 Free Night Awards
Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
One of our favorite keeper cards. The free night award on every card anniversary easily exceeds the $95 fee, and the 15 elite qualifying nights help you reach Marriott status faster.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Custom Cash or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has the bigger bonus, 4 Free Night Awards, worth roughly $980, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Citi Custom Cash.
- Is the Citi Custom Cash's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Citi Custom Cash has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Citi Custom Cash.
- Can I have both the Citi Custom Cash and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and Chase) 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 Citi Custom Cash or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Custom Cash: $1,500 spend in 6 months. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: $3,000 in 3 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.