Discover it Chrome vs. BofA Unlimited Cash Credit Card Comparison

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Both the Discover it Chrome and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card entice with cash back rewards and introductory APR offers. The BofA Unlimited Cash edges ahead with its higher cash back score, offering 1.5% cash back on every purchase and a $200 welcome bonus.

However, Discover it Chrome's balance transfer offer, with an 0% introductory APR for 18 months, makes it a strong contender, especially for those looking to manage existing debt. While neither is a co-branded or store card, each has its unique advantages that could benefit you based on your financial goals.

Discover it® Chrome

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.8/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

3.9/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
18.74% - 28.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases
Intro Offer
Cashback Match
Earn $200 cash back
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–2% cash back
Earn 1.5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of the amount of each transfer after intro fee
3% for the first 60 days, then 4%
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670–850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
None
Up to 29.99% variable
Not sure?
The Discover it Chrome stands out for those who spend regularly on gas and dining with its 2% cash back in these categories, while the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards is ideal for straightforward, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Discover it Chrome offers a longer balance transfer introductory period, but Bofa Unlimited Cash provides a longer intro APR on purchases. Both cards have no annual fee, but balance transfer fees are more favorable with BofA Unlimited Cas initially. Choose Discover it Chrome for bonus categories or BofA Unlimited Cash for simplicity.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you frequently spend on gas and dining, as you'll earn 2% cash back in these categories. The first-year cash back match can significantly increase your rewards, and there are no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travelers. The extended 0% APR period on balance transfers can be beneficial if you're planning to transfer and pay down existing debt.

You might prefer the BofA Unlimited Cash if you value simplicity in earning rewards, with a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The $200 welcome bonus is an immediate perk, and the longer 0% APR period on purchases can help with financing larger expenses. If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you could also earn additional cash back.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will illuminate which card, Bofa Unlimited Cash or Discover it Chrome, aligns with your needs. Use this section to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each card, such as BofA's flat-rate cash back versus Discover's bonus categories, to inform your choice.

Regular APR: Tie

Both the Discover it Chrome and the BofA Unlimited Cash cards offer a variable APR range of 18.24% to 28.24%, making them equally competitive in terms of interest rates.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Discover it Chrome and the BofA Unlimited Cash have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for those looking to avoid extra costs.

Introductory 0% APRs: BofA Unlimited Cash

For introductory 0% APRs, the BofA Unlimited Cash card offers a longer period of 0% APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles compared to Discover it Chrome's six months. Both cards offer a 0% APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles and 18 months, respectively, but BofA Unlimited Cash has a lower balance transfer fee in the first 60 days.

Rewards: Discover it Chrome

The Discover it Chrome is better for rewards, offering 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and an unlimited 1% on all other purchases. It also features a unique first-year cash back match. The BofA Unlimited Cash card offers a consistent 1.5% back on all purchases.

Welcome Offers: BofA Unlimited Cash

The BofA Unlimited Cash card offers a more advantageous welcome offer, featuring a $200 cash back bonus after a $1,000 spend in the first 90 days, translating to a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to Discover it Chrome's year-end cashback match.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the BofA Unlimited Cash and Discover it Chrome cater to individuals with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850, indicating a requirement of good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

Discover it Chrome is better for penalties and fees, offering a first-time late fee waiver, no penalty APR and no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, BofA Unlimited Cash imposes up to $40 late fees, up to 29.99% variable APR for penalties and a 3% fee on foreign transactions.

Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

Discover and Bank of America have the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

BofA Unlimited Cash provides the convenience of contactless payments and enhanced rewards for Preferred Rewards members. Discover it Chrome matches all cash back earned in the first year, offers free overnight card replacement, and helps protect personal information online.

Rewards Comparison

The BofA Unlimited Cash card keeps it straightforward with an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This flat rate is appealing for its simplicity and consistency across all spending categories. In comparison, the Discover it Chrome card caters to those who frequent gas stations and restaurants, offering 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter in these categories and 1% on all other purchases.

While the Bofa Unlimited Cash provides a steady reward on every swipe, Discover it Chrome could yield more for those who align with its bonus categories. The Discover it Chrome's gas and dining rewards are particularly compelling for commuters and food enthusiasts. Although both cards lack an annual fee, the Discover it Chrome may be better for those who can maximize the quarterly spending cap in its favored categories.

Following is a table of bonus categories to help you visualize the rewards for each card.

Category	Discover it Chrome	BofA Unlimited Cash
Gas Stations	2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter	1.5%
Restaurants	2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter	1.5%
All Other Purchases	1%	1.5%

Redeeming Rewards

Moving from earning to using your rewards, both the BofA Unlimited Cash and Discover it Chrome offer flexible redemption options. With BofA Unlimited Cash, you can redeem via direct deposit, credit to Merrill accounts, or statement credits, and rewards don't expire as long as your account is open. Discover it Chrome expands choices to include gift cards, donations, and even Amazon payments, also without an expiration on rewards.

Methodology

MoneyGeek provides in-depth reviews of credit cards like Discover it Chrome and Bofa Unlimited Cash using a ranking process tailored to specific cases. For instance, Discover it Chrome scores highest for balance transfers, while BofA Unlimited Cash excels in cash back rewards.

The evaluation considers factors such as introductory APR offers and regular APR for balance transfers, and effective reward rates for cash back.

FAQ: Discover it Chrome vs. BofA Unlimited Cash Card

What are the cash back rates for each card?

Discover it Chrome offers up to 2% on gas and dining, while Bank of America Unlimited Cash offers a flat 1.5% on all purchases.

Do either of the cards have foreign transaction fees?

Discover it Chrome has no foreign transaction fees. Bank of America Unlimited Cash charges 3%.

What are the introductory offers for these cards?

Discover it Chrome matches all cash back in the first year. Bank of America Unlimited Cash offers a $200 bonus. Both are among the best cards for earning cash back

Are there annual fees for either card?

Neither card has an annual fee.

What is the recommended credit score for these cards?

Both cards recommend a credit score of 670 to 850.

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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*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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Discover it® Chrome vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card