Rewards & next steps

How to Get the Citi Custom Cash Card Now (and What to Apply for Instead)

★Here's how to get the most from this card. Follow the steps below, then apply on the issuer's official site.

Here is the honest part: you can no longer submit a standard application for the Citi Custom Cash Card. Citi closed new applications on May 28, 2026. So a normal apply button will not get you this card.

There are two realistic paths left. If you already hold an eligible Citi card, you may be able to product-change into a Custom Cash while that window stays open. If you do not, your cleaner move is to apply for a comparable 5% or flat-rate card you can still get today. This section walks through both, plus how to give yourself the best shot at approval on whatever you apply for.

Step by step

1. Confirm the card is closed to direct applications. As of May 28, 2026, a standard online application will not work, so do not waste a hard credit inquiry trying.
2. If you already hold an eligible Citi card (data points include the Double Cash, Strata/Rewards+, and older Dividend cards), request a product change to Custom Cash. Citi's secure chat is usually the fastest route and takes only a few minutes; a product change generally does not trigger a new hard pull, but it also typically comes with no welcome bonus.
3. If you do not hold a Citi card, weigh whether opening one first, then product-changing, is worth it given the closing window and Citi's application rules. For most people it is simpler to apply for a card that is openly available.
4. Pick a comparable card you can apply for today, such as the Citi Double Cash, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover it Cash Back, or U.S. Bank Cash+, and read its current terms on the issuer's official site.
5. Check your credit standing and use pre-qualification tools where offered so you can gauge approval odds with only a soft pull before committing to a hard application.
6. Have your income, Social Security number, and housing cost ready, then apply through the issuer's official website, not a third-party link.
7. Once approved, set up autopay, and if the card offers a 0% intro APR, plan your purchases or balance transfer intentionally so you clear the balance before the intro period ends.

Tips & mistakes to avoid

• Cards in this class typically want good-to-excellent credit. There are no guaranteed approvals, so treat a strong profile as the goal, not a promise.
• Lower your credit utilization before applying. Paying balances down so your reported usage is low is one of the most controllable factors in an approval decision.
• Mind issuer velocity rules. Citi and other banks limit how many of their cards you can open in a short window, so avoid stacking multiple applications close together.
• A product change avoids a new hard inquiry and keeps your account history, which is why it is attractive if you already have an eligible Citi card and just want the Custom Cash rewards structure.
• Apply only through the issuer's official site, verify the current APR, fees, and any welcome offer at the moment you apply, and never rely on numbers from an older article, including this one.

FAQ

Can I apply for the Citi Custom Cash Card online right now?

No. Citi closed new applications on May 28, 2026. Your only options are a product change from an eligible Citi card you already hold, or applying for a different, still-available card.

Does a product change to Custom Cash come with the welcome bonus?

Generally no. Product changes typically do not earn sign-up bonuses. The upside is that a product change usually avoids a new hard credit inquiry and preserves your account age.

What credit score do I need?

There is no published cutoff, and no article can promise approval. Cards like this generally favor applicants with good-to-excellent credit, so lower utilization and a clean recent history help your odds.

Will applying for a replacement card hurt my credit?

A new card application usually triggers a hard inquiry, which can cause a small, temporary dip. A product change on an existing account typically does not. Pre-qualification tools let you gauge odds with only a soft pull first.

What is the best alternative I can actually apply for today?

For a simple no-fee swap, the Citi Double Cash (flat 2%) is Citi's own suggested replacement. If you want 5% categories, look at the Chase Freedom Flex, Discover it Cash Back, or U.S. Bank Cash+, which lets you choose your 5% categories. Confirm each card's current terms on the issuer's site.

Advertiser disclosure: general information only, not financial advice. We are an independent publisher, not a card issuer or lender. Confirm current terms on the issuer's official site.