Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

Both the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them strong contenders for your wallet. However, the Citi Double Cash Card edges ahead with its straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, which can be particularly rewarding for those who prefer a no-fuss rewards program.

The BofA Unlimited Cash offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. But the Citi Double Cash Card's higher overall cash back rate may provide more long-term value. Consider the BofA Unlimited Cash if the introductory APR offer aligns with your immediate financial needs.

You might prefer the BofA Unlimited Cash if you value a straightforward cash back program with a flat rate on all purchases and a generous introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers. Its welcome bonus is easier to attain with a lower spending requirement, making it a good match if you prefer immediate rewards without high upfront spending.

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if maximizing your cash back is your top priority and you are diligent about paying off your balance each month. The card rewards you with up to 2% cash back on purchases, half when you buy and half as you pay, which can add up significantly over time. However, it lacks an introductory APR on purchases, so it's best if you don't plan on carrying a balance for new purchases.

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you plan to carry a balance, the BofA Unlimited Cash's introductory APR offer might be appealing, whereas the Citi Double Cash's higher cash back rate could be more beneficial if you pay in full each month.

The Citi Double Cash stands out with its effective reward rate of over 2%, offering 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This straightforward approach to earning rewards on every purchase without category restrictions makes it a strong contender if you prefer simplicity and higher cash back rates across the board.

The BofA Unlimited Cash, while offering a solid 1.5% cash back on all purchases, doesn't quite match up to the Citi Double Cash in terms of overall cash back potential. However, it does provide a consistent reward rate for all spending, which can be beneficial if you don't want to keep track of payments to maximize their rewards.

The rewards categories are shown in the table.

The BofA Unlimited Cash and Citi Double Cash offer flexible redemption options. With the BofA Unlimited Cash, you can redeem cash back directly into a bank or Merrill account, or as a statement credit, without worrying about expiration as long as your account is active.

The Citi Double Cash allows for cash back redemption via direct deposit, statement credit or check, and also offers the versatility of using ThankYou Points for a variety of rewards. These rewards have no expiration date as long as the account remains open.

MoneyGeek's ranking process reviews credit cards like the BofA Unlimited Cash and the Citi Double Cash across various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.