Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

Updated: August 4, 2024

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The Discover it® Cash Back Card and the BankAmericard® Credit Card both offer enticing 0% introductory APRs, appealing if you’re looking to transfer balances or finance purchases without immediate interest. The BankAmericard edges ahead if you’re prioritizing a longer introductory APR period on balance transfers.

But the Discover it Cash Back is a strong contender for its cash back rewards, particularly in rotating categories. While the BankAmericard is unmatched in its lengthy 0% APR offer, the Discover it Cash Back's reward structure should not be overlooked if you can benefit from its cash back categories.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Cash Back Card
Discover it® Cash Back Card
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the BankAmericard if you're looking for a straightforward credit card with a long introductory APR period. Its 18 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers can be particularly beneficial if you're planning a large purchase or want to consolidate debt. But it lacks a rewards program and charges foreign transaction fees, which might not be ideal for travelers or those who value earning rewards on their spending.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you enjoy optimizing your spending to earn rewards. With 5% cash back in rotating categories and a first-year cash back match, this card can be rewarding for those who track and activate the bonus categories. Additionally, the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it a good choice for international use. The rotating categories require activation and have quarterly caps.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you prefer earning rewards, the Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories might appeal to you, while the BankAmericard could be favorable for its longer intro APR period on balance transfers.

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    Regular APR: BankAmericard

    If you're prioritizing a lower regular APR, the BankAmericard edges out with a starting APR of 16.24%, compared with the Discover it Cash Back's starting APR of 17.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Discover it Cash Back and the BankAmericard have no annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: BankAmericard

    For introductory 0% APRs, the BankAmericard outperforms with its 18 billing cycles offer for purchases and balance transfers, compared with the Discover it Cash Back Card's 15 months.

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    Rewards: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back is better for rewards, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories upon activation, then 1%, and 1% on all other purchases. The BankAmericard Credit Card does not offer rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back card outshines the BankAmericard in welcome offers, featuring a unique cashback match at the end of the first 12 months, a benefit not offered by the BankAmericard.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the BankAmericard and the Discover it Cash Back require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back edges out with more favorable terms for penalties and fees, offering no fee for the first late payment and no foreign transaction fees, compared with the BankAmericard's up to $40 late fee and 3% foreign transaction fee.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Both Discover and Bank of America have an issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Discover it Cash Back provides a cash back match at the end of the first year, earns 5% cash back on rotating categories, and offers online data protection. The BankAmericard offers free FICO Score access.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards for various use cases, such as balance transfers and cash back rewards. In this comparison, both the Discover it Cash Back and BankAmericard are assessed based on their performance in balance transfers, which is their highest-scoring use case.

The largest factors in determining their scores include the quality of the balance transfer offer and the introductory purchase APR. Other considerations include issuer satisfaction and penalty rates. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology. This approach ensures that you can make an informed decision on which card aligns best with your financial needs.

FAQ: Discover it Cash Back vs. BankAmericard Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Discover it Cash Back and the BankAmericard?
Which card offers a longer 0% intro APR period on purchases?
Are there any foreign transaction fees for either the Discover it Cash Back or the BankAmericard?
Does the Discover it Cash have an introductory cash back match offer?
What are the balance transfer fees for the BankAmericard?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*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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