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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Both are cashback travel cards. The Citi Custom Cash comes from Citi at $0/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony 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 | Citi Custom Cash | PayPal Cashback Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash back | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,500 in 6 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | Synchrony |
| Card category | cashback | cashback |
| Best earning category (Top_category) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | citi-ty | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Read the full review
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Custom Cash or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $200. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
- Is the Citi Custom Cash's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The Citi Custom Cash has no annual fee, so the question is whether the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Citi Custom Cash.
- Can I have both the Citi Custom Cash and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and Synchrony) 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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Custom Cash: $1,500 spend in 6 months. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 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.