If you're looking for a Bank of America credit card with no annual fee and an introductory APR offer, you may be considering the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card and the BankAmericard Credit Card. The Unlimited Cash Rewards card is better for earning cash back, with a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. In contrast, the BankAmericard is more suitable for those seeking a longer no-interest period, offering 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, compared to 15 billing cycles for the Unlimited Cash Rewards card.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers cash back and a sign-up bonus, making it the superior choice over BankAmericard Credit Card.
Updated: November 4, 2024
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- Regular APR18.74% - 28.74% variable15.74% - 25.74% variable0% APR Offer0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases0% for the first 18 billing cyclesBalance Transfer Offer0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers0% for the first 18 billing cyclesAnnual Fee$0$0Rewards SummaryEarn 1.5% cash backEarn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.-Recommended Credit670–850 (Good to Excellent)670-850 (good to excellent)Not sure?
Those seeking rewards may benefit more from the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card than the BankAmericard Credit Card. Unlimited Cash Rewards offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. However, if minimizing debt is a priority, the BankAmericard Credit Card's longer 0% intro APR period for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers could be more beneficial. Choose the Unlimited Cash Rewards for cash back or the BankAmericard for debt management.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card if: You're interested in earning cash back on every purchase. With this card, you'll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which can add up quickly if you use your card for daily expenses. Additionally, there's a $200 cash back introductory offer after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, which is a nice bonus for new cardholders. The card also offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers, which can be helpful if you're planning a large purchase or want to move a balance from a high-interest card. However, keep in mind that a variable APR will apply after the introductory period.
You might prefer the BankAmericard Credit Card if: You're looking for a card with a longer introductory APR period to manage existing credit card debt or plan a significant purchase. This card offers a 0% intro APR for the first 18 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers, giving you a longer window to pay off your balance without accruing interest. It's a solid choice if you're not as concerned with earning rewards but focused on saving on interest charges. Just like the Unlimited Cash Rewards card, it has no annual fee. However, it comes with balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees, so it's best for domestic use and when you're not transferring balances frequently.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a straightforward choice for those who value simplicity in their rewards program. This card is a solid option for individuals with good to excellent credit. It offers a simple yet effective rewards structure, providing unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card is particularly suitable for consumers who prefer not to keep track of rotating bonus categories or complex rewards systems.
The card boasts a $0 annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday use. Additionally, new cardholders can benefit from a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers can also provide breathing room for those looking to make large purchases or consolidate debt. Overall, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a compelling option for those seeking uncomplicated cash back rewards.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The BofA Unlimited Cash is a solid choice if you're looking for an uncomplicated cash back card. It comes with unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles. If your account on Bank of America is over $20,000, you may even qualify for a higher cash back rate.
- PROS
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles
- Easy cash back redemption options
- Preferred Rewards boost
CONS- Limited perks beyond cash back
- Requires good to excellent credit
- No bonus categories
Introductory Offers
- Cash Bonus: Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Introductory APR: Enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After the introductory period, the variable APR ranges from 18.74% to 28.74%.
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% fee for balance transfers during the first 60 days, then 4% thereafter.
Cash Back
- Cash Back: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No Expiration: Cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
- Preferred Rewards: If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase, depending on your relationship balance. See “BofA Unlimited Cash Rewards Cash Back Program.”
APRs, Fees and Penalties
- Annual Fee: No annual fee.
- Regular APR: 18.74% - 28.74% variable, based on your creditworthiness.
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable for late or missed payments.
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% during the first 60 days, 4% after.
- Late Fees: Up to $40 for missed payments.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% on each transaction made outside of the U.S.
Perks & Benefits
- Fraud Protection: Enhanced security measures to protect against fraud.
- Balance Connect® for Overdraft Protection: Links your Bank of America checking account to your credit card for overdraft protection.
MoneyGeek's Take on the BankAmericard® Credit Card
The BankAmericard Credit Card benefits those looking to consolidate debt and enjoy a period of no interest on balances. This card is a solid choice if you're seeking a straightforward credit solution with no annual fee and an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles. It's particularly well-suited for individuals with a credit score in the range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent) who can take full advantage of the card's balance transfer features. Although the card does not offer rewards, its value lies in the potential savings from balance transfer fees and the extended introductory APR period.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
We recommend the BankAmericard® credit card to people who are looking for no-annual-fee cards with intro APR offers. This card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles. However, you need to carry out your balance transfer within the first 60 days, and you need to pay a balance transfer fee. Using this card outside of the U.S. might not be a good idea because it comes with foreign transaction fees.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles
CONS- Balance transfer fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- No rewards program
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 18 billing cycles, then a variable APR between 16.24% and 26.24%.
- No penalty APR.
- Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3%, whichever is greater.
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% (5% for overseas cash advances).
- FICO Score for free.
Details Comparison: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card
Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features so you can identify which card aligns with your spending habits and financial goals — whether you seek a longer intro APR period or cash back on every purchase.
Regular APR
The BankAmericard Credit Card offers a lower APR range, starting at 16.24%, compared to the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card's starting APR of 18.24%. This makes the BankAmericard Credit Card better for those seeking a lower regular APR.
Annual Fee
Both cards have a $0 annual fee, making them equally attractive for users looking to avoid extra costs.
Introductory 0% APRs
The BankAmericard Credit Card offers a longer introductory 0% APR period for purchases and balance transfers, lasting 18 billing cycles, compared to the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card's 15 billing cycles. This makes BankAmericard more favorable for those seeking to maximize their 0% APR period.
Rewards
The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers better rewards, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. In contrast, the BankAmericard Credit Card does not offer rewards.
Welcome Offers
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is better for welcome offers, offering a $200 cash back bonus after $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. The BankAmericard Credit Card does not offer a welcome bonus.
Recommended Credit Score
Both cards require a credit score in the range of 670 to 850, indicating they are targeted towards individuals with good to excellent credit. Neither card is better based on the recommended credit score, as both have the same credit score requirement.
Penalties and Fees
The BankAmericard Credit Card is better for penalties and fees because it does not have a penalty APR. Both cards impose a late fee of up to $40. However, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card includes a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable, which the BankAmericard does not. Additionally, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card charges a lower cash advance fee of 3% compared to BankAmericard's 5% cash advance fee.
Issuer Satisfaction
The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card and the BankAmericard Credit Card are both issued by Bank of America and have the same issuer rating.
Other Features & Perks
Neither card has distinctive perks that make one more advantageous over the other in terms of perks.
FAQ: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card
What are the main differences in rewards between the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card and the BankAmericard® Credit Card?
The Unlimited Cash Rewards card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, while the BankAmericard does not have a rewards program.
Which card offers a longer introductory APR period on purchases?
The BankAmericard offers an 18-billing-cycle 0% intro APR on purchases, longer than the Unlimited Cash Rewards card's 15 cycles.
Are there foreign transaction fees on either card?
Yes, both cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases.
What credit score is required for each card?
Both cards recommend a credit score range of 670 to 850, which falls into the good to excellent category.
Can I avoid paying late fees with these cards?
Late fees can be avoided by paying on time; both cards charge up to $40 for late payments.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
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