Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?

The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?

The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?

The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

The Citi Custom Cash Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard ($95/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Wells Fargo

Citi Custom Cash Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Hotel

200 Cash

Earn Rates

Category	Choice Privileges Select Mastercard	Citi Custom Cash Card
Choice Hotels	10X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 7 of 11 categories. The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard leads in 4.

Choice Hotels

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Phone Plans

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Telecom

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

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

The Bottom Line

The Citi Custom Cash Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?: The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?: Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Explore More

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard — Full Review All Wells Fargo Cards

Citi Custom Cash Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Wells Fargo cards · Citi cards

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.

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Wells Fargo

Citi Custom Cash Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Hotel

200 Cash

Earn Rates

Category	Choice Privileges Select Mastercard	Citi Custom Cash Card
Choice Hotels	10X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 7 of 11 categories. The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard leads in 4.

Choice Hotels

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Phone Plans

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Telecom

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

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

The Bottom Line

The Citi Custom Cash Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?: The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?: Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Explore More

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard — Full Review All Wells Fargo Cards

Citi Custom Cash Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Wells Fargo cards · Citi cards

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Wells Fargo

Citi Custom Cash Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Hotel

200 Cash

Earn Rates

Category	Choice Privileges Select Mastercard	Citi Custom Cash Card
Choice Hotels	10X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Custom Cash Card wins in 7 of 11 categories. The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard leads in 4.

Choice Hotels

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 10X vs 1X

Phone Plans

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Telecom

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard earns 5X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

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

The Bottom Line

The Citi Custom Cash Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth the higher annual fee?: The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Custom Cash Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
Should I get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard or the Citi Custom Cash Card?: Choose the Citi Custom Cash Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Explore More

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard — Full Review All Wells Fargo Cards

Citi Custom Cash Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Wells Fargo cards · Citi cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Automatic Platinum Elite status with meaningful benefits
+Industry-leading 10x earning at Choice Hotels
+Strong 5x earning on gas, grocery, home improvement, and phone plans
+30,000 anniversary bonus points (worth ~$180 in stays)
+20 elite night credits annually

+Automatic 5% cash back on top spending category with no activation required
+No annual fee makes it easy to keep long-term for credit history
+10 eligible bonus categories including dining, gas, groceries, streaming, and transit
+0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
+Pairs with Strata Premier to unlock ThankYou Points transfer partners

Cons

−$95 annual fee that may be hard to justify for occasional guests
−Higher $3,000 spend requirement for welcome bonus vs no-fee card
−Choice Hotels limited to economy and midscale properties
−Points value relatively low compared to premium hotel programs
−No lounge access or premium travel benefits

−$500 monthly cap limits value for high spenders (max $25/month in bonus rewards)
−3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international travel
−Cannot manually select bonus category - algorithm chooses based on spend
−Only one Custom Cash card allowed per person
−48-month restriction on welcome bonus if you've had one before

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Automatic Platinum Elite status with meaningful benefits
+Industry-leading 10x earning at Choice Hotels
+Strong 5x earning on gas, grocery, home improvement, and phone plans
+30,000 anniversary bonus points (worth ~$180 in stays)
+20 elite night credits annually

+Automatic 5% cash back on top spending category with no activation required
+No annual fee makes it easy to keep long-term for credit history
+10 eligible bonus categories including dining, gas, groceries, streaming, and transit
+0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
+Pairs with Strata Premier to unlock ThankYou Points transfer partners

Cons

−$95 annual fee that may be hard to justify for occasional guests
−Higher $3,000 spend requirement for welcome bonus vs no-fee card
−Choice Hotels limited to economy and midscale properties
−Points value relatively low compared to premium hotel programs
−No lounge access or premium travel benefits

−$500 monthly cap limits value for high spenders (max $25/month in bonus rewards)
−3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international travel
−Cannot manually select bonus category - algorithm chooses based on spend
−Only one Custom Cash card allowed per person
−48-month restriction on welcome bonus if you've had one before

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Automatic Platinum Elite status with meaningful benefits
+Industry-leading 10x earning at Choice Hotels
+Strong 5x earning on gas, grocery, home improvement, and phone plans
+30,000 anniversary bonus points (worth ~$180 in stays)
+20 elite night credits annually

+Automatic 5% cash back on top spending category with no activation required
+No annual fee makes it easy to keep long-term for credit history
+10 eligible bonus categories including dining, gas, groceries, streaming, and transit
+0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
+Pairs with Strata Premier to unlock ThankYou Points transfer partners

Cons

−$95 annual fee that may be hard to justify for occasional guests
−Higher $3,000 spend requirement for welcome bonus vs no-fee card
−Choice Hotels limited to economy and midscale properties
−Points value relatively low compared to premium hotel programs
−No lounge access or premium travel benefits

−$500 monthly cap limits value for high spenders (max $25/month in bonus rewards)
−3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international travel
−Cannot manually select bonus category - algorithm chooses based on spend
−Only one Custom Cash card allowed per person
−48-month restriction on welcome bonus if you've had one before

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Citi Custom Cash Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Citi Custom Cash Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs Citi Custom Cash Card

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

Citi Custom Cash Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?