The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express edges out the Citi Custom Cash for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers $300 signup bonus earns more (up to 6x vs 5x). The Citi Custom Cash is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Custom Cash
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Which Card Comes Out Ahead?
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is the stronger all-around option for most people in this matchup because it wins more measurable categories in our scoring model. Citi Custom Cash still makes sense if your spending pattern lines up better with its fee profile, issuer rules, or rewards ecosystem.
Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.
Best if transfer partners and redemption flexibility matter more than simplicity.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- U.S. Supermarkets 6x
- Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions 6x
- U.S. Gas Stations 3x
- Top Eligible Category 5x
- All Other Purchases 1x
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Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express edges out the Citi Custom Cash for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers $300 signup bonus earns more (up to 6x vs 5x). The Citi Custom Cash is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express tops out at 6x versus 5x for Citi Custom Cash. Current signup bonus values are roughly $300 for Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express and $2 for Citi Custom Cash. Updated June 7, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/blue-cash-preferred-card-from-american-express-vs-citi-custom-cash
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express reaches 6x; Citi Custom Cash reaches 5x.
- Annual fee: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is $95/yr; Citi Custom Cash is no annual fee.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $300 and $2.
Common Questions: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Custom Cash
Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or Citi Custom Cash better for dining?
Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express currently offers $300 signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 6 months). Citi Custom Cash offers $2 signup bonus (spend $1,500 in 6 months). Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express and the Citi Custom Cash?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is from American Express and Citi Custom Cash is from Citi, so they're governed by separate bank policies.
Keep Researching
If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.