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Side-by-side

Citi Custom Cash vs USAA Rewards Visa Signature

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi Custom Cash comes from Citi at $0/yr; the USAA Rewards Visa Signature from USAA 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.

FeatureCiti Custom CashUSAA Rewards Visa Signature
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus$200 cash back2,500 USAA Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$200$25
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,500 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerCitiUSAA
Card categorycashbackrewards
Best earning category (Top_category)5x1x
Transfer partnersciti-tyNone
Headline benefits
  • 5% on top category
  • Auto-selected monthly
  • No annual fee
  • Convert to TY Points
    Read the full review
    Citi Custom Cash
    $0/yr · $200 cash back
    Read the full review
    USAA Rewards Visa Signature
    $0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points

    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.

    Editorial take: USAA Rewards Visa Signature

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Custom Cash or USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    The Citi Custom Cash has the bigger bonus, $200 cash back, worth roughly $200, versus 2,500 USAA Rewards points (~$25) on the USAA Rewards Visa Signature.
    Is the Citi Custom Cash's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    The Citi Custom Cash has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Rewards Visa Signature's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Rewards Visa Signature'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 USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and USAA) 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 USAA Rewards Visa Signature first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Custom Cash: $1,500 spend in 6 months. USAA Rewards Visa Signature: $0 in 0 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.