Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: June 2026.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® is better for drugstores, while the Citi Custom Cash Card wins on dining. Here's how they compare.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® | Citi Custom Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1X | 5X |
| Drugstores | 3X | 5X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 5X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 5X |
| Home Improvement | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Drugstores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Healthcare
The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Home Improvement
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Streaming
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® is better for drugstores, while the Citi Custom Cash Card wins on dining. Here's how they compare.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® | Citi Custom Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1X | 5X |
| Drugstores | 3X | 5X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 5X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 5X |
| Home Improvement | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Drugstores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Healthcare
The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Home Improvement
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Streaming
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® is better for drugstores, while the Citi Custom Cash Card wins on dining. Here's how they compare.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® | Citi Custom Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1X | 5X |
| Drugstores | 3X | 5X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 5X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 5X |
| Home Improvement | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Drugstores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 3X
Healthcare
The AARPĀ® Essential Rewards MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Home Improvement
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Streaming
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 5X |
| Streaming | 1X | 5X |
| Transit | 1X | 5X |
| Travel | 1X | 5X |
| Healthcare | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Transit
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Travel
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Get the Citi Custom Cash Card if you:
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 5X |
| Streaming | 1X | 5X |
| Transit | 1X | 5X |
| Travel | 1X | 5X |
| Healthcare | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Transit
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Travel
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Get the Citi Custom Cash Card if you:
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 5X |
| Streaming | 1X | 5X |
| Transit | 1X | 5X |
| Travel | 1X | 5X |
| Healthcare | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Transit
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Travel
Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
Get the Citi Custom Cash Card if you: