Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Cash Rewards Card
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Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Cash Rewards Card

Both cards have no annual fee, but when it comes top redemption value - the Customized Cash Rewards gives you more. Here's our analysis.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

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Table of Content

Bank of America is one of the country’s most popular financial institutions and offers a raft of credit card options. This review and comparison is going to focus on two cards from this offering.

They both have their unique features, as well as some common features. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and  Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card are highly popular and you can learn a bit more about if one of these cards is going to be suitable for you.

General Comparison

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

Bank of America® travel rewards

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America Travel Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%)
1.5X
Welcome bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
0% Intro APR
15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account., then 18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers APR
15 billing cycles for purchases, then 18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers APR
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
0%
Purchase APR
18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers
18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers
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Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?

It can be a useful exercise to work out what the breakdown of rewards will be when using different types of cards and covering varying expenses. Here is a look at what these two Bank of America cards have to offer in terms of rewards:

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

Bank of America® travel rewards

Spend Per Category
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America Travel Rewards
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$250
22,500 points
$3,000 – Restaurants
$30
4,500 points
$1,500 – Airline
$15
2,250 points
$1,500 – Hotels
$15
2,250 points
$4,000 – Gas
$120 (3% preffered category)
6,000 points
Estimated Redemption Value
1 point ~ 0.6 – 1 cent
Estimated Annual Value
$530
$225 – $375

As you can see, if you are looking at cards purely for the cash that you can get from them, then the Bank of America Cash Rewards card is going to be a better all-around fit. However, you can get more bang for your buck out of the travel rewards points if you use them as statement credit for the likes of dining and travel-related purchases.

However, keep in mind to adjust the numbers to your regular spending categories, which may be different – so the exact calculation depends on your personal habits.

Welcome Bonus And Fees

With the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, you will get 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. For the cash rewards card, you will get $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

Neither of these cards carries an annual fee or any foreign transaction charges. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% or $10 (the greater). Both of these cards also have 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After this time period has elapsed, then you will be looking at variable APR rates of 18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers.

Compare Perks

As well as the standard features that come with a lot of credit cards for good credit, there are also some types of features that stand out when you are dealing with certain issuers of these cards. Here are the similar perks between these two Bank of America credit cards, as well as any features that are unique to a given card.

Here are the additional benefits you'll get on both cards:

  •  Overdraft Protection: You can get overdraft protection for both of these card types. You need to activate this option and need to link your Bank of America checking account.

  • Digital Wallet: You are able to link these cards to your mobile device and use the likes of Apple Pay and Google Play in-store.

  • FICO Score: You will be able to opt-in to get access to your FICO Score on a monthly basis.

  • Alerts on the Account: You can set up alerts that will inform you of upcoming due dates and your card balance.

Unique Perks

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

  • Extra Bonuses Available: If you have significant account balances in your Bank of America investment account or bank account, then you can get access to better cashback rates.

Bank of America Travel Rewards

Bank of America® travel rewards

  • Points-Based System: You will earn cashback points with this type of card as it is related to travel, as opposed to cash rewards.

  • Preferred Rewards Bonus: If you are a member of the Preferred Rewards program to Bank of America, you can get bonuses to your cashback of between 25% and 75%.

Compare The Drawbacks

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

There are caps in place on your earning of premium cashback rates.

The definitions of grocery stores is a bit up in the air, as the Bank of America Cash Rewards card will often not give you cashback when making purchases at certain multiple-category stores like Target and Walmart, as well as the likes of convenience stores.

Bank of America Travel Rewards

Bank of America® travel rewards

For a travel-related card, it was surprising to see that cardholders do not get access to the likes of complimentary lounges, free checked bags, and certain flight upgrades.

When compared to competing travel-related cards, the rewards with the Bank of America Travel Rewards are quite modest.

Compare Redemption Options

With the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, you will be able to earn 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points. There is no limit on the number of miles that you can earn and there is also no expiry. You are able to redeem these points as statement credit to pay for the likes of travel and dining purchases. 

If you use these points as statement credit for these types of purchases, it works out as each point being worth $0.012. You can redeem the points for cash rewards, which usually sees each point being worth $0.006 each. Finally, you can get gift cards in exchange for these points, with the redemption rate varying depending on the gift card.

You can also donate your credit card points to charity with Bank of America through their portal, where you can choose your preferred charity organization..

How to Maximize Cards Benefits?

If you want to make the best use of your Cash Rewards card, there are some tips to help you:

  • Hit the Quarterly Cap: To get the most out of the premium cashback reward rates, you should make sure to hit the quarterly cap on purchases each month.

  • Be Aware of Exclusions: There are certain major grocery stores that are excluded from getting the premium cashback rates.

  • Maximize the Signup Offer: You should make sure to get the most out of the signup offer before it expires.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

If you want to make the best use of your Travel Rewards Card, there are some tips to help you:

  • Use the Points for Travel and Dining: You will get much better bang for your buck if you spend the points on travel and dining purchases as statement credit rather than redeeming the points for cash.

  • Maximize the Signup Offer: You should make sure to get the most out of the signup offer before it expires.

  • Become a Bank of America Preferred Rewards Member: If you are a part of this program, you can get 25%-75% bonuses to your cashback rewards.

Bank of America® travel rewards

Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?

Bank of America has outlined thousands of real customer ratings for each of these card options on its website. Those who enjoy the card hail the travel-related rewards, while the negative reviews refer to quality of the redeeming options.

Those who enjoy this card talk about how it rewards people on purchases that they make the most. The negative reviews often relate dot the equality of customer service experience.

When You Might Want the Cash Rewards Card?

The Bank of America Cash Rewards Card is a good choice if you:

  • Want a Card for Everyday Spending: This card offers some great cashback rates on the types of purchases that you will be making on a regular basis.

  • Good Rewards: There is generally a good range of rewards on offer for you, including the signup bonus.

  • Cost-Effective: There is no annual fee with this card and you also get 0% intro APR for the first 15 months of having an account.

When You Might Want the Cash Travel Card?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card is a good choice if you:

  • Travel Often: You can use your points to get a good rate on your travel-related and dining purchases.

  • Don’t Spend Travel in Luxury: There are not too many luxury travel-related perks on offer with this card.

  • Want Something Simple: The way that you earn rewards through this card is very simple and straightforward, remaining the same rates of cashback for every type of purchase.

Compare The Alternatives

These two Bank of America cards have their own uses. The Bank of America Travel Rewards is naturally going to be better suited for travel-related purchases, while the Cash Rewards card is going to be a better fit for everyday purchases.

However, there are some alternatives that you should know as well before making a decision of what's best choice for you.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

chase_sapphire_preffered

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95 ($0 intro for the first year)
$95
Rewards
1.5% 1.5% cash back on all purchases
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$250 $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
2.70%
0%
Purchase APR
19.24% – 29.24% variable
18.74% – 29.74% Variable
20.49% – 27.49% variable APR

FAQ

There is no limit in place as to how many rewards points you are able to earn when you are using the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card to make purchases.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card rewards points will not expire if you are keeping this account open and not considering closing it.

The main way in which you are able to redeem the rewards that you earned through the Bank of America Cash Rewards Card will be by redeeming them for cash, statement credit or gift card.

It is not very hard for you to get your hands on a Bank of America Cash Rewards Card. You just need to fill out the application and make sure that you fit the bill in terms of its requirements.

Review Rewards Credit Cards

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Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.