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    Best path to 4 Citi Custom Cash cards?

    I currently have a Citi Strata (opened Oct 2025), Strata Premier (Jan 2026), and Strata Elite (Jul 2025). What is the best path for me to obtain 4 Citi Custom Cash cards based on my current Citi cards and ones I can still apply for, and what timeline should I follow to maximize approvals? I only have one hard inquiry in the past 6 months (the January Citi strata premier application). My plan is to keep the Citi Strata Elite and possibly downgrade it to a Premier at some point.

    Best path to 4 Citi Custom Cash cards?
    byu/robdajewels inCreditCards



    Posted by robdajewels

    4 Comments

    1. Crazy-War9823 on

      The first step is to apply for the Citi Custom Cash card to get the SUB. My understanding is that once you PC into one, you are no longer eligible for the SUB.

      Then just PC any of those Strata cards you don’t want to keep into a Custom Cash after you’ve held them for a year.

      Being 1/6, with the latest being a Citi card, I’d likely go ahead and apply for the Custom Cash. After you have that and downgrade two Strata cards, you’ll be at three. For the fourth, if you don’t want a Double Cash to keep, you can get it, work the SUB, and PC it in a year.

    2. Ok-Possibility-6552 on

      Wait your dates are all in 2025/2026 but you said you applied for the Premier in January? Are these typos or am I missing something here

      Anyway for Custom Cash cards you’ll probably want to space out applications since Citi can be picky with multiple cards. Maybe wait like 3-4 months between each application and keep your utilization low. The product change route might work too if you have other Citi cards you can downgrade but not sure which ones convert to Custom Cash

    3. electronautix on

      Probably to apply for the Citi Custom Cash first to secure its SUB, then PC the Strata as soon as you want, and then PC the Premier within 30 days of its 2nd year annual fee posting. The $0 AF Citi cards do not require a full year to be PCed to a Custom Cash, so if you acquire a new one of those then you can do so as early as the statement period after its SUB has fully posted to your account.

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