Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

Shield Insurance

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Both the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card and the BankAmericard® Credit Card offer appealing introductory APRs and are designed for people with good to excellent credit. If cash back on every purchase is a priority, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card is the superior choice, thanks to its 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $200 welcome bonus.

But if you’re focused on managing existing debt, the BankAmericard stands out with its longer 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. While the Unlimited Cash Rewards card offers ongoing value through cash back, the BankAmericard's extended introductory APR period can provide substantial savings on interest, making it a strong contender for balance transfers.

Credit Card logo for Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the BankAmericard if you're planning a significant purchase or want to transfer a balance and would benefit from a longer 0% APR period. This card is especially useful if you're not interested in rewards and prefer simplicity.

You might prefer the BofA Unlimited Cash if earning rewards on every purchase is important to you. With unlimited 1.5% cash back and a $200 welcome bonus, this card offers continuous value on spending, along with an introductory APR period for new purchases and balance transfers.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will clarify which card aligns with you. For instance, if you're planning a balance transfer, the BankAmericard's longer intro APR might appeal to you, whereas the BofA Unlimited Cash could be more attractive if you value a straightforward cash back program.

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    Regular APR: BankAmericard

    The BankAmericard offers a more favorable range starting at 16.24%, compared with the BofA Unlimited Card's starting APR of 18.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the BankAmericard® and the BofA Unlimited Cash cards have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: BankAmericard

    For introductory 0% APRs, the BankAmericard is superior, offering 0% intro APR for the first 18 billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers, compared with the BofA Unlimited Cash's 15 billing cycles. Both cards have a 3% balance transfer fee, but the BofA Unlimited Cash increases to 4% after the first 60 days.

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    Rewards: BofA Unlimited Cash

    The BofA Unlimited Cash is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $200 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. The BankAmericard does not offer rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: BofA Unlimited Cash

    The BofA Unlimited Cash is better for welcome offers, providing a $200 cash back bonus after a $1,000 spend within the first 90 days, unlike the BankAmericard, which offers no welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the BankAmericard and the BofA Unlimited Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent), making them equally accessible for people within this credit range.

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    Penalties and Fees: BankAmericard

    The BankAmericard is more favorable for penalties and fees, lacking a penalty APR and boasting a higher penalties rating. Both cards have up to $40 late fees and a 3% foreign transaction fee, but the BankAmericard avoids the up to 29.99% variable APR penalty present in the BofA Unlimited Cash.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Because both cards come from Bank of America, they have the same issuer satisfaction scores of 4.5.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The BankAmericard provides free FICO score access, while the BofA Unlimited Cash offers a $200 bonus, 1.5% cash back on all purchases, benefits for Preferred Rewards members, and a contactless card feature. Choosing depends on personal value placed on these perks.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates and reviews credit cards like the BankAmericard and BofA Unlimited Cash using a scoring system tailored to specific use cases. For instance, the BankAmericard scores highest for balance transfers, while the BofA Unlimited Cash is top-rated for cash back rewards. The primary factors influencing these scores include the introductory APR on purchases and the regular APR for balance transfers, and the effective reward rate for cash back.

FAQ: BofA Unlimited Cash vs. BankAmericard Card

What are the rewards differences between the BankAmericard and BofA Unlimited Cash?
Which card offers a longer 0% intro APR period?
Are there any annual fees for either the BankAmericard or BofA Unlimited Cash?
Does either card offer a welcome bonus?
Can I use either card abroad without incurring foreign transaction fees?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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