If you're looking for a rewards card with no annual fee from Bank of America, you may be considering the Bank of America Travel Rewards and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit cards. The best card for you depends on whether you prefer travel points or cash back. The Travel Rewards card is ideal for those who want to earn points for travel purchases, while the Unlimited Cash Rewards card is better suited for those who prefer straightforward cash back on all purchases.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Although both offer no annual fee, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card outshines Bank of America® Travel Rewards because of its higher effective reward rate and cash back on all purchases.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Jlyne Ubina
Content Editor
Jlyne Ubina is a MoneyGeek content editor with over 10 years of experience in news and web content writing and research editing, covering topics such as business, economics and technology. She previously worked at a multinational media organization and a global market intelligence firm.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Jlyne Ubina
Content Editor
Jlyne Ubina is a MoneyGeek content editor with over 10 years of experience in news and web content writing and research editing, covering topics such as business, economics and technology. She previously worked at a multinational media organization and a global market intelligence firm.
Updated: April 22, 2024
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- Regular APR19.24%–29.24% variable19.24%–29.24% variable0% APR Offer0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases0% for 15 billing cycles on purchasesBalance Transfer Offer0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfersAnnual Fee$0$0Rewards SummaryEarn 1.5 pointsEarn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.Earn 1.5% cash backEarn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.Recommended Credit670–850 (Good to Excellent)670–850 (Good to Excellent)Not sure?
Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Bank of America® Travel Rewards if: you are a frequent traveler looking to earn points that can be redeemed for travel-related expenses. With this card, you earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases, and you can kickstart your travel fund with an introductory offer of 25,000 bonus points. The $0 annual fee and the 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers make it a cost-effective choice for those with good to excellent credit who want to leverage their everyday spending into travel rewards.
You might prefer the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card if: you value simplicity and flexibility in your rewards. This card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which can be an attractive option for those who prefer cash rewards over points. Additionally, the card comes with a $200 cash back introductory offer after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, providing a tangible reward early on. Like the Travel Rewards card, it also features a $0 annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, making it a solid choice for individuals with good to excellent credit who want to earn consistent cash back across all spending categories.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Bank of America® Travel Rewards
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for those looking to earn travel points without the constraints of specific categories. It's a competitive option for individuals with good to excellent credit. This card simplifies the rewards process by offering unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders to accumulate points.
Additionally, the card entices new users with an introductory offer of 25,000 online bonus points after meeting the initial spending requirements, which can be a significant boost to your travel budget. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's tailored for those who travel frequently and prefer a simple rewards structure.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card garners a MoneyGeek balance transfer score of 3.5 out of 5, reflecting its solid offering in this category. This card is a strong contender for those who value straightforward cash rewards. It offers a consistent 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which can be particularly appealing for consumers seeking simplicity over rotating bonus categories.
With a $0 annual fee and an introductory offer that includes earning $200 cash back after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, the card is accessible to those with a credit score ranging from 670 to 850. The Unlimited Cash Rewards card is well-suited for everyday spending, providing a reliable return on purchases without the need to track specific bonus categories.
Details Comparison: Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features. This side-by-side analysis enables you to match each card's specifics to your financial behavior and preferences. For instance, if you frequently travel, the Travel Rewards card's point system might be more beneficial, whereas the Unlimited Cash Rewards card could be more appealing for straightforward cash back on purchases.
Regular APR
Neither card is better in terms of regular APR as both the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offer a variable APR range from 18.24% to 28.24%.
Annual Fee
Both cards have a $0 annual fee. This makes the annual fee a neutral factor in deciding between these two cards.
Introductory 0% APRs
Both cards offer a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has a balance transfer fee that increases to 4% after the first 60 days, whereas the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card maintains a consistent 3% fee. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is slightly better for balance transfers due to its consistent fee structure.
Rewards
Both cards offer an unlimited 1.5 rate on earnings, but in different forms: points for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and cash back for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. This makes the choice between them a matter of personal preference regarding rewards type.
Welcome Offers
Bank of America® Travel Rewards offers 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, while Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card provides $200 cash back after the same spend requirement. Your preference for points or cash back will guide which offer is better for you.
Recommended Credit Score
Both cards require a credit score range from 670 to 850 (good to excellent). This means neither card has an advantage over the other based on the recommended credit score.
Penalties and Fees
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is slightly better for penalties and fees due to its lower cash advance fee. Both cards charge a late payment fee up to $40 and have a penalty APR up to 29.99% variable APR. However, the cash advance fee for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater, compared to the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card's 3% of the amount of each transaction.
Issuer Satisfaction
Both the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card are issued by Bank of America. You can expect the same issuer experience from these cards.
Other Features & Perks
Both the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit cards offer similar perks, being products of the same issuer. Both cards benefit from Bank of America's customer service and security features, ensuring a level playing field in terms of issuer satisfaction and additional benefits.
FAQ: Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Travel Rewards card earns points for travel, with no foreign transaction fees, while the Unlimited Cash Rewards card offers cash back on all purchases. Learn more about earning rewards.
Yes, both cards offer a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. Explore best zero interest credit cards.
The Travel Rewards card has no foreign transaction fees, while the Unlimited Cash Rewards card charges 3%.
Both cards require a credit score of 670 to 850 (good to excellent). Check your recommended credit.
Late fees of up to $40 can be avoided by making timely payments. Tips on how to avoid credit card late fees.
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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.