Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Review

Bank of America issues excellent credit cards that provide benefits for a wide range of cardholders — not just the bank’s customers. Many have no annual fees, and allow you to choose cash back or point rewards.

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is one of the bank’s popular cash back cards. In this credit card review, I examine the card and three of its closest competitors. Together, we can find the best option for your financial situation.

Main Things to Know About the Card

• You need good to excellent credit to qualify for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card.

• The card provides several helpful security benefits.

• It offers a potentially high credit line if you have a solid credit history.

• It charges no annual fee and no interest on purchases or balance transfers during its introductory promotional period. Once this period ends, a regular APR applies.

How to Qualify & Apply For the Card

You are eligible for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card if you are 18 or older, reside in the United States, and have a Social Security number and email address. You must earn enough income to afford your monthly minimum payment.

Here are more details about the card’s terms and features, and a link to apply:

The card suits consumers who want a flat cash back rate on all eligible purchases. You collect rewards automatically without any concern over different cash reward rates or rotating categories. New cardmembers receive a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%) (15 billing cycles).

Keep in mind, a regular APR will apply at the end of the promotional period, and a balance transfer fee will apply.

Benefits & Drawbacks

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card focuses its benefits on cash rewards and card security. It’s not a travel card, so don’t expect perks such as travel insurance or airport lounge access. Let’s start with the card’s positives:

Benefits

• • Unlimited cash back: Earn unlimited cash back at a single flat rate on all purchases without any category restrictions.

• • Sign-Up Bonus: It offers a one-time signup bonus to new customers who satisfy a specific spending threshold within the first 90 days of account opening.

• • Annual fee: It has a $0 annual fee, so you get the full value of your cash back rewards.

• • Introductory APR: It provides an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR based on creditworthiness. Only transfers you make in the first 60 days qualify for the promotion, and a regular APR applies once it ends.

• • Bank of America customer bonuses: Preferred Rewards members can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase, depending on their balances in Bank of America banking and/or Merrill investment accounts.

• • Redemption flexibility: You can redeem cash back in any amount for a statement credit, deposit made directly into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or to an eligible Merrill account.

• • Digital wallet compatibility: Supports digital wallets, making it convenient for contactless payments.

• • Security features: Includes fraud protection, overdraft protection, and account alerts to keep your account secure.

• • No expiration on rewards: Cash rewards do not expire as long as the account remains open.

Drawbacks

• • No bonus categories: Unlike some other cash back cards, this one does not offer higher cash back rates in specific categories such as dining, travel, or groceries.

• • Requires good to excellent credit: Approval for this card typically requires a good to excellent credit score, which is not feasible for everyone.

• • No special perks for travel and dining: The card lacks additional perks such as travel insurance or dining credits that some other credit cards provide.

• • Cash back rate is lackluster: Several flat-rate cards offer higher cash reward rates.

• • Preferred Rewards Program requirements: You must maintain a significant balance in Bank of America or Merrill accounts to maximize rewards through the Preferred Rewards program.

• • Foreign transaction fees: This card charges a fee for foreign transactions. Fees can quickly accumulate if you travel abroad or purchase items in foreign currencies.

• • Balance transfer fee. There is a fee for balance transfers, which will reduce the overall savings. As mentioned, only balance transfers you complete within the first 60 days receive the introductory APR. After that, a regular APR will apply.

• • Other costs: Its APRs are higher for cash advances, and a fee applies for each advance. Try not to miss a payment, as you will face a late payment fee and a penalty APR.

The card’s biggest deficiency is the absence of consumer benefits beyond those for security and privacy. Although, the $0 annual fee and potentially low APR may compensate for the scarcity of perks.

Best Alternative Credit Cards

Considering alternative credit cards is similar to tailoring your financial wardrobe to suit your needs and lifestyle. A card that rewards your specific spending habits may offer more value. Signup bonuses and 0% introductory APRs for new cardholders can also be quite appealing.

On the flip side, interest rates and fee structures play a key role when planning sizable purchases. Additionally, a card’s perks and protections — ranging from travel insurance to extended warranties — add a layer of value and security that goes beyond transactions.

Any of the following three credit cards may provide a superior option that complements your spending habits and improves your lifestyle.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card will attract consumers who like to choose where they earn rewards. You can select a new top-tier category each month, including online shopping, travel, drug stores, dining, gas, and home furnishings. Bonus cash back is subject to a purchase limit.

The card also provides a signup bonus, APR promotions for purchases and balance transfers, and potentially more cash back through the bank’s Preferred Rewards program. Later in the article, we include a more in-depth comparison between this card and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card.

The Discover it® Cash Back card has generous benefits for new cardmembers. When you sign up, you get an introductory APR on balance transfers and eligible purchases, as well as a one-time Cashback Match that pays off at the end of the first year. A regular APR will apply at the end of the promotional period.

The card provides bonus cash back on quarterly rotating categories such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and other merchants. To earn the bonus rate, you must activate the new category each quarter, and a purchase limit will apply. Discover® is one of the most trusted credit card companies due in part to its straightforward advertising practices.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is popular due to its excellent introductory promotions and generous cash back rewards rate on several common spending categories. You earn a first-year bonus rate on a limited amount of eligible purchases. You also get an introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.

If you also own one of the Chase Sapphire travel rewards credit cards, you can transfer this card’s Chase Ultimate Rewards points and bump up their value by 25% or 50% when you book trips using Chase Travel.

Cardholder Reviews on Reddit

Put_It_All_On_Bick thinks the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a good choice if you don’t travel internationally:

“The 3% foreign transaction fee will be meaningless for some people, and a dealbreaker for others. Personally, I think this card is better than the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card for most people, as it has the same cash back, but with a $95 annual fee. [With the Premium Rewards card], you get no foreign transaction fee, $100 airline incidental, and global entry. The Premium is the better card [for travelers], but every year, you have to make use of the incidental credit or spend $3,000 abroad to come out even, which can be an annoying hoop to jump through if you’re not a traveler”

This card is not the favorite of Born-Pepper-4972:

“I don’t recommend this card unless you are part of Bank of America Preferred Rewards, because overall it is just a 1.5% card that has foreign transaction fees … If you want to stay within Bank of America, I would rather have the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, as it gets 1.5 points per dollar, which can be used to erase travel purchases and it does not charge foreign transaction fees.”

The card receives generally positive reviews under the proviso that you have a sizable sum in a Merrill or Bank of America account, enabling a much higher cash back percentage through its Preferred Rewards program.

FAQs: What Is the Card’s Credit Limit?

This Visa® Signature card starts with a credit limit of at least $5,000, but don’t be surprised if you hear about cardowners landing limits of up to $50,000 or more. Bank of America bases its credit limits on several factors, starting with your creditworthiness.

A high FICO score may lead to a higher credit limit since it shows you can manage your credit responsibly. The bank wants to ensure you have the resources to cover your monthly payments comfortably based on your income, job situation, and debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

DTI compares what you owe each month to what you bring in. A smaller DTI ratio may open the door to a higher limit. It’s also a good sign when you have other cards and aren’t maxing them out.

Naturally, Bank of America has its own playbook for deciding limits and how it sees risk. When you apply, the bank takes a personalized look at your situation.

How Do I Redeem My Rewards?

You can redeem cash rewards for a statement credit, check, or direct deposit into a Bank of America demand account. You can also receive a credit to a cash management account or a qualifying 529 plan with Merrill.

You can request a redemption at any time, and some redemptions may require a minimum amount

You can earn a 25% to 75% rewards bonus when you enroll in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards Program. You’ll collect benefits based on the balances in your Bank of America and Merrill accounts.

Your reward tier depends on your three-month combined average daily balance:

TIER	BALANCE REQUIREMENTS	REWARDS BONUS
Gold Tier	$20K to <$50K	25% rewards bonus
Platinum Tier	$50K to <$100K	50% rewards bonus
Platinum Honors Tier	$100K to <$1M	75% rewards bonus
Diamond Tier	$1M and up	75% rewards bonus and no international transaction/ATM fees

Membership in the Preferred Rewards Program also provides better deals on savings rates, mortgages, brokerage and banking fees, auto loans, and home equity loans, among other financial products.

You must maintain an account balance of $100,000 to $1 million to earn the best rewards, which may be out of reach unless you are affluent.

Do Bank of America Cash Rewards Expire?

Rewards do not expire while your account remains open and in good standing. However, you must redeem the cash rewards within 90 days if the bank closes the card account for inactivity or you voluntarily close the account.

You will lose your unredeemed cash rewards if the bank closes your account for reasons other than inactivity.

What Security Features Are Available With This Card?

The card’s security features protect cardholders from fraud, theft, and unauthorized transactions. As a Visa® Signature card, it automatically qualifies for several of the features, while Bank of America supplies the others:

• • Chip technology: This EMV chip card provides added security at chip-enabled terminals by creating a unique transaction code that is difficult to counterfeit.

• • Continuous fraud monitoring: The bank may alert you or temporarily freeze your card to prevent unauthorized transactions if it detects unusual activity.

• • Customizable alerts: You can set up alerts for various activities on your account, such as transactions over a certain amount or changes to your account information. This helps you keep track of your spending and spot unauthorized use.

• • Zero liability protection: This Visa® card protects against fraudulent transactions — you aren’t responsible for bogus charges if you report unauthorized use.

• • Account access: You can control access online or via a mobile app with features that include two-factor authentication and long passwords. These can protect your information when you check your account balance, pay your bill, or transfer money.

• • Card replacement: You can quickly get a replacement for a lost or stolen card, often with expedited delivery.

• • Digital wallet compatibility: You can add your card to a digital wallet for contactless and virtual payments, eliminating the need to enter your card details or show your physical card during in-person transactions

• • Bank of America’s mobile banking app: The app offers additional capabilities, such as setting travel notices, locking and unlocking your card, and using its virtual assistant for secure account inquiries.

• • Free FICO score: This feature helps you keep an eye on your credit health and monitors for any unusual changes or potential signs of identity theft. Regularly checking your FICO Score not only allows you to stay informed about your credit status but also enables you to act quickly if you find any discrepancies that indicate fraudulent activity.

Bank of America’s security features work together to provide a comprehensive safety net. That vigilance can keep your financial information secure and give you peace of mind while using your card.

Does the Card Offer Overdraft Protection?

In addition to the security features previously mentioned, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers an optional service called Balance Connect for overdraft protection. This feature adds another layer of financial security and convenience. The bank specifically designed it to help you manage your accounts and avoid the fees and complications associated with overdrafts.

The feature allows you to link your credit card to your Bank of America checking account as a backup source of funds. The bank can automatically transfer your funds in increments to cover the shortfall. It helps you avoid overdraft fees if you’re about to overdraw your checking account.

How Does It Differ From the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card?

Bank of America’s flagship cash back cards are similar. One dispenses the same flat rate of cash back on all eligible purchases, and the other offers tiered rewards you can control. But aside from how the cards distribute their cash back, it’s difficult to tell them apart.

Here’s a chart outlining the differences between the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card:

FEATURE	Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card	Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Cash Back Rate	Unlimited 1.5% on all purchases	1% on all purchases, 2% to 3% in choice categories
Bonus Categories	None	Choose categories for higher cash back (e.g., gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings)
Signup Bonus	Yes	Yes
Annual Fee	$0	No
Intro APR Period	0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases	0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Free FICO Scores	Yes	Yes
Balance Connect for Overdraft Protection	Yes	Yes
Security Features	Chip technology, fraud monitoring, customizable alerts, and zero liability protection	Chip technology, fraud monitoring, customizable alerts, and zero liability protection

The major difference between them is their rate of cash back, so I will give you a concrete example that should prove enlightening.

Suppose you are a frequent traveler and designate travel as your 3% custom reward category. You charge $5,000 in the quarter with your Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card on the following eligible purchases:

• • Travel (3% tier): $2,000

• • Groceries/wholesale clubs (2% tier): $1,000

• • Miscellaneous purchases (1% tier): $2,000

Your rewards will be ($2,000 x 3% for travel rewards) + ($500 x 2% for grocery rewards) + ($2,500 x 1% for miscellaneous rewards), or $95. Notice that the top two tiers are subject to a $2,500 cap.

If you instead use the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, your reward will be $5,000 x 1.5%, or $75. Score this round for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.

But let’s take a look at a different use case. Suppose you didn’t travel during the quarter and spent the $2,000 on miscellaneous purchases instead.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card rewards would be ($1,000 x 2%) + ($4,000 x 1%), or $60, assuming you didn’t change your favored category. This round goes to the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card by a $15 margin.

Thus, the best credit card depends on how frequently you change your favored merchant category and your actual spending for the quarter.

Is the Card Worth Getting If I Don’t Have a Bank of America Account?

The answer is: Maybe!

On the plus side, the card offers rewards with an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a straightforward perk for anyone who likes to keep things simple. The $0 annual fee adds to its appeal since it doesn’t dilute your rewards.

Additionally, the 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%) (15 billing cycles) provides significant savings, especially if you’re contemplating some big-ticket purchases or aiming to reduce existing credit card debt.

All of that accounts for this rose’s sweet smell. The thorns arise from missing out on the bank’s Preferred Rewards program, which significantly enhances cash back earnings. While the card offers competitive rewards and benefits for those who haven’t opened a Bank of America account, its maximum value goes to those who enjoy a broader relationship with the bank.

This Card May Be For You If…

• • You want simple, unlimited rewards without multiple tiers or rotating categories

• • You intend to make a significant purchase soon or want to consolidate debt and save on interest

• • You are already a Bank of America customer or are considering opening an account to qualify for the Preferred Rewards program bonus.

If you’re the kind of person who loves keeping things simple, especially when it comes to rewards, then I would recommend the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card as your next wallet companion. You get a flat cash back rate on everything you buy without the brain scramble of remembering which categories earn more this period. Plus, there’s no annual fee to worry about, making it a carefree choice.

With benefits such as free FICO score access and comprehensive fraud protection, it’s more than a credit card — it’s a financial tool that fits seamlessly into your daily life.

If you don’t have a Bank of America account, be sure to check out the three alternative cards I reviewed above. One of them may be the best credit card for your lifestyle.