Chase Freedom Unlimited®
vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fees, making them strong contenders for your wallet. But the Freedom Unlimited edges ahead with potentially higher cash back in specific categories, which could be more lucrative for your everyday spending.

The BofA Unlimited Cash card offers a solid 1.5% cash back on all purchases and bonuses for Preferred Rewards members. But the Chase card's tiered rewards system may yield greater returns if you frequently spend on travel, dining and drugstore purchases. Both cards share the same credit score requirement, ensuring accessibility if you with good to excellent credit.

You might prefer the Freedom Unlimited if you dine out frequently or spend significantly on travel and drugstore purchases. With its tiered rewards system, you can earn more cash back in these categories, maximizing the benefits from your spending habits.

You might prefer the BofA Unlimited Cash if you value simplicity and consistency in your cash back rewards. This card offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it easy to earn rewards without tracking spending categories.

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you spend frequently on dining and travel, Freedom Unlimited's higher rewards rates in these categories might appeal to you, whereas the BofA Unlimited Cash offers simplicity with a flat cash back rate on all purchases.

The Freedom Unlimited outpaces the BofA Unlimited Cash with a higher expected reward value and a more varied rewards structure. With the Freedom Unlimited, you earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases. This diverse rewards rate makes it a strong contender if you spend across these categories.

The BofA Unlimited Cash card, while not as robust, still offers a solid 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It's a straightforward, no-fuss option if you prefer simplicity and do not want to track multiple reward categories.

The bonus categories for each card are shown in the following table.

With the BofA Unlimited Cash, you can redeem your cash back directly into a bank or Merrill account, or as a statement credit. Rewards remain valid as long as your account is active.

The Freedom Unlimited also offers versatile redemption choices, including cash back, Amazon shopping, gift cards or travel via Chase Travel, with no minimum amount required for cash back redemption. Additionally, your cash back rewards are yours for the taking indefinitely, provided your account is in good standing.

MoneyGeek offers insights and reviews on credit card options like Freedom Unlimited and BofA Unlimited Cash using a comprehensive scoring system tailored to 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.