Bank of America® Travel Rewards
vs. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you're looking for a rewards card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Bank of America Travel Rewards and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Customized Cash Rewards card is better for maximizing cash back in specific categories, offering a $200 cash rewards bonus and higher cash back rates in chosen categories. In contrast, the Travel Rewards card is ideal for those who prefer earning travel points on all purchases, with a potentially more valuable introductory bonus for travelers. Both cards cater to good to excellent credit profiles and share similar APR ranges.

You might prefer the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if: You value flexibility in your rewards and spend significantly in specific categories. This card allows you to earn 3% cash back on a category of your choice, such as gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases (then 1%). If your spending aligns with these categories, you could maximize your cash back earnings, especially with the expected reward value of $470 annually. Additionally, the card's introductory offer of $200 online cash rewards after meeting the qualifying spend can be a quick win for new cardholders.

You might prefer the Bank of America Travel Rewards if: You're a frequent traveler looking for a simple rewards structure without having to track spending categories. With this card, you'll earn an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, which you can redeem for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. You can also redeem the introductory offer of 25,000 points for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. Since there's no annual fee and points don't expire, it's a straightforward choice for earning travel rewards on everyday spending.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for those looking to earn travel points without worrying about an annual fee. It's a competitive option for individuals with good to excellent credit. This card is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers who want to earn points on every purchase. You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, making it straightforward to accumulate rewards over time. The card also offers a generous introductory bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after meeting the initial spending requirements, which can significantly boost your travel points balance. With no foreign transaction fees, it's an excellent choice for international spending.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is great for managing existing debt. This card has no annual fee and the ability to earn 3% cash back on a category of your choice, which includes gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, then 1%. Cardholders also earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. You can maximize cash back with its introductory offer of $200 online cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made within the first 60 days, followed by a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%. However, it requires a high credit score (670 to 850), and navigating the rewards structure can be complex. This card is ideal for individuals who prefer tailored rewards and are willing to manage their spending categories to optimize cash back.

Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features, empowering you to choose the card that fits your spending habits and financial goals — whether you frequently travel and may benefit from the Travel Rewards card's point system or you find the Customized Cash Rewards card more advantageous for its tailored cash back options.