Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Both the Discover it Cash Back Card and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them strong contenders for your wallet. If maximizing cash back is your goal, the Discover it Cash Back may edge out with its 5% cash back in rotating categories.

However, for consistent rewards on every purchase, the BofA Unlimited Cash's flat 1.5% cash back is hard to beat. While the Discover card offers a unique first-year cash back match, the BofA Unlimited Cash card's additional cash back for Preferred Rewards members could tip the scales for those with an existing relationship with the bank.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you enjoy maximizing your cash back by keeping up with rotating categories and planning your spending accordingly. The card's unique cash back match in the first year can be particularly lucrative if you use your card frequently across the bonus categories.

You might prefer the BofA Unlimited Cash if you value simplicity and consistency in your rewards. With a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a welcome bonus, this card offers straightforward benefits without the need to track rotating categories. Additionally, Bank of America customers with Preferred Rewards can enjoy even greater cash back.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will show which card suits your financial needs. Use this section to contrast the Discover it Cash Back and BofA Unlimited Cash, considering how each card's specifics apply to your spending patterns and financial goals. For example, if maximizing rewards is your priority, note the Discover it Cash Back's 5% in rotating categories versus BofA's flat 1.5% on all purchases.

The Discover it Cash Back card edges out the BofA Unlimited Cash in terms of potential rewards, thanks to its 5% cash back in rotating categories, up to a quarterly maximum. This can be particularly rewarding for those who align their spending with these categories. On the flip side, the BofA Unlimited Cash card's flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases is straightforward and hassle-free, which may appeal to those seeking simplicity without the need to track or activate bonus categories.

For the Discover it Cash Back card, the rotating categories can include a variety of everyday expenses such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and online shopping portals like Amazon.com. These categories change quarterly and require activation, which is something to keep in mind for cardholders who want to maximize their rewards.

Following this comparison, please find a detailed table of bonus categories for both cards.

After earning rewards, the next step is redeeming them. The BofA Unlimited Cash offers direct deposit, credit to eligible Merrill accounts, or statement credits, with no expiration as long as the account is active. The Discover it Cash Back provides a broader range of options, including gift cards and donations, with the flexibility to redeem rewards at any time and in any amount, with no expiration.

MoneyGeek's ranking process assigns multiple scores to each credit card for various uses, such as balance transfers and cash-back rewards. In this comparison, the Discover it Cash Back card scores highest for balance transfers, while the Bofa Unlimited Cash card leads in cash back rewards.

The most important factors influencing these scores include the introductory purchase APR and the regular APR for balance transfers, and the effective reward rate and the introductory purchase APR for cash back rewards.