Discover it Miles vs. BankAmericard Credit Card Comparison

Q: What is the balance transfer fee for each card?

Both cards charge a 3% balance transfer fee , with Discover it Miles having a minimum of $5.

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Both the Discover it Miles and BankAmericard credit card have great features, which is likely why you're considering them. If you're looking for the best balance transfer terms, BankAmericard edges out with its longer 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers.

However, if earning rewards on every purchase is important to you, Discover it Miles offers an unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent and a unique first-year miles match. Neither card is co-branded, ensuring their benefits aren't tied to specific retailers or brands. While BankAmericard is excellent for those focused on debt management, Discover it Miles is a strong contender for everyday spending and travel.

Discover it® Miles

BankAmericard® Credit Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.9/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
15.74% - 25.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for the first 18 billing cycles
Intro Offer
Discover Match®
-
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
-
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for the first 18 billing cycles
Balance Transfer Fee
3% for each balance transfer, minimum $5
3% of the amount of each transaction
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (good to excellent)
Penalty APR
None
None
Not sure?
The Discover it Miles has a great reward program, offering 1.5 miles per dollar spent and a unique first-year miles match, making it a compelling choice for those who value earning on every purchase. In contrast, the BankAmericard is tailored for those seeking a longer introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers; it has with no rewards program.
While both cards have no annual fee, the Discover it Miles also has the advantage of no foreign transaction fees, which is beneficial for international use. Overall, the Discover it Miles is better for everyday spending with rewards, whereas the BankAmericard is ideal for those focusing on balance transfers and financing large purchases.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the BankAmericard if you're looking for a card with a generous introductory APR period for balance transfers and purchases, which can help with managing existing debt or large upcoming expenses. However, it lacks a rewards program, making it less suitable if you're looking to earn points or miles on your spending.

You might prefer the Discover it Miles if you value earning rewards on every purchase and plan to use your card internationally, as it has no foreign transaction fees. The unique first-year miles match can significantly boost your rewards, making it an attractive option for those who travel frequently or make regular purchases.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, and introductory offers will illuminate which card best meets your financial needs. Use this section to compare Discover it Miles and BankAmericard, considering how each card's specifics, like balance transfer fees or rewards programs, fit your spending habits and goals.

Regular APR: BankAmericard

For regular APR, BankAmericard is the better option, with a lower range starting at 16.24%, compared to Discover it Miles, which starts at 18.24%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and the BankAmericard have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on yearly costs.

Introductory 0% APRs: BankAmericard

For those seeking a longer period to pay off purchases or balance transfers without accruing interest, the BankAmericard outperforms with its 18 billing cycles of 0% intro APR, compared to Discover it Miles' 15 months. Both cards charge a 3% fee on balance transfers.

Rewards: Discover it Miles

Discover it Miles has a rewards program, offering 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase, with no expiration on miles and flexible redemption options for travel or cash back. BankAmericard does not offer a rewards program.

Welcome Offers: Discover it Miles

Discover it Miles offers a more beneficial welcome offer with its Discover Match, providing an unlimited mile-for-mile match for all the miles earned at the end of the first year. BankAmericard does not offer a welcome bonus.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and the BankAmericard cater to individuals with a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating a requirement for good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Discover it Miles

Discover it Miles offers a more favorable fee structure, with no foreign transaction fees and no late fee for the first late payment. In contrast, BankAmericard charges up to $40 for late payments and a 3% fee on foreign transactions.

Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

Both Discover and Bank of America have the same issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5. This indicates a tie in terms of customer satisfaction with their respective issuers.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks. Discover it Miles provides an unlimited match of all miles earned at the end of the first year, online personal information protection, account freeze capabilities and dark web alerts. BankAmericard offers a free FICO score.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Discover it Miles and BankAmericard using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. In this comparison, both cards are assessed based on their balance transfer performance. The largest factors in this score are the quality of the balance transfer offer and the 0% APR offer on purchases.

Other considerations include recommended credit, issuer satisfaction, penalties and reward rates.

FAQ: Discover it Miles vs. BankAmericard Card

What are the rewards earning rates for each card?

Discover it Miles earns 1.5x miles on all purchases, while BankAmericard does not offer a rewards program. Discover it Miles is a great rewards card.

Do either of the cards offer a 0% intro APR period?

Yes, Discover it Miles offers 0% for 15 months, and BankAmericard offers 0% for 18 months. Both are great zero interest cards initially.

Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

Discover it Miles has no foreign transaction fees, while BankAmericard charges 3%. Consider a card with no foreign transaction fees for travel.

What is the balance transfer fee for each card?

Both cards charge a 3% balance transfer fee, with Discover it Miles having a minimum of $5.

Which card is better for someone with good to excellent credit?

Both cards are suited for those with good to excellent credit, with recommended scores 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® Miles vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card