Discover it® Chrome
vs. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Updated: June 23, 2024

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When considering the Discover it Chrome and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, both offer enticing rewards and introductory APRs, which is why you're likely weighing these options. The BofA Customized Cas hedges ahead with its higher cash back in customizable categories, making it a good choice for those who value flexibility in rewards.

However, Discover it Chrome also has valuable features. The Discover it Chrome offers an introductory 0% on purchases and balance transfers, which can be helpful for managing debt. While both cards cater to the same credit score range, your decision may hinge on whether you prioritize cash back or balance transfer benefits.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
Discover it® Chrome
Credit Card logo for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you frequently dine out or fill up at gas stations, as it offers 2% cash back in these categories. Additionally, if you travel internationally, you'll benefit from no foreign transaction fees. The first-year cashback match can also boost your rewards if you're a heavy spender in your first year with the card.

You might prefer the BofA Customized Cash if you're looking for flexibility in earning high cash back in categories that you choose, such as online shopping or home improvements. The longer 0% APR introductory offer on purchases can help with upfront costs, and if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn even higher cash back rates.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features side by side clarifies which card matches your financial habits. For instance, if you frequently dine out or purchase gas, Discover it Chrome's rewards structure may be advantageous. Bofa Customized Cash could be more beneficial if you prefer choosing your high-yield cash back categories.

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    Regular APR: Tie

    Both the Discover it Chrome and the BofA Customized Cash offer identical APR ranges from 18.24% to 28.24% variable, making them equally competitive.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Discover it Chrome and BofA Customized Cash offer a $0 annual fee, making them equally attractive for those looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    BofA Customized Cash offers 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, with a 3% balance transfer fee. Discover it Chrome provides 0% APR for six months on purchases and 18 months on balance transfers, but with a 5% transfer fee after the intro period.

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    Rewards: BofA Customized Cash

    The BofA Customized Cash is better for rewards, offering 3% cash back in a chosen category and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, with a $2,500 quarterly cap on combined purchases. Discover it Chrome provides 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. BofA's broader range of high-reward categories makes it more versatile for different spending habits.

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    Welcome Offers: BofA Customized Cash

    For welcome offers, BofA Customized Cash is better. It offers $200 online cash rewards if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, compared to Discover it Chrome's cash back match, which has a lower return on investment (ROI).

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Discover it Chrome and the BofA Customized Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are equally accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome is better for penalties and fees, offering a first late fee waiver, no foreign transaction fees, and no penalty APR. BofA Customized Cash charges up to $40 for late payments, has a 3% foreign transaction fee, and a penalty APR up to 29.99% variable.

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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

    Discover it Chrome provides an unlimited cash back match for the first year and a service to help reduce online personal information exposure. BofA Customized Cash offers flexibility with no expiration on rewards and extra cash back for Preferred Rewards members.

Rewards Comparison

The BofA Customized Cash card edges out with a higher expected reward value and a flexible rewards program. Its standout feature is the 3% cash back in a category of your choice, which can align with your top spending areas.

While the Discover it Chrome offers a solid 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, it doesn't match the potential of BofA's customizable category. For cardholders who frequently spend on gas and dining, the Discover it Chrome maintains a competitive edge with its bonus categories.

However, the BofA Customized Cash card allows you to tailor your 3% cash back to one of the following categories: gas — now including electric vehicle charging stations; online shopping — now including cable, streaming, internet and phone services, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvements and furnishings. BofA Customized Cash also offers 2% at grocery stores or wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 quarterly).

Following this section, you'll find a table detailing the bonus categories for each card.

Category
Discover it Chrome
BofA Customized Cash

Gas Stations

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

3% on a category of choice (includes gas)/1% thereafter

Restaurants

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

3% on a category of choice (includes dining)/1% thereafter

Grocery Stores

1%

2% for the first $2,500 in combined 2% and 3% categories quarterly/1% thereafter

Wholesale Clubs

1%

2% for the first $2,500 in combined 2% and 3% categories quarterly/1% thereafter

Online Shopping

1%

3% on a category of choice (includes online shopping)/1% thereafter

Redeeming Rewards

The Bofa Customized Cash allows redemption for cash as a deposit or statement credit, among other options, with the assurance that cash back doesn't expire as long as the account is open. Discover it Chrome offers redemption for cash back as gift cards, donations, or even direct Amazon payments, with the added benefit that rewards never expire. Both cards provide a range of choices to suit different preferences without the pressure of an expiration deadline.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates credit cards like Discover it Chrome and BofA Customized Cash, assigning scores based on the highest-scoring category for each card. For Discover it Chrome, the focus is on balance transfers, while Bofa Customized Cash is assessed for its cash back potential.

The factors influencing these scores include the introductory APR on purchases and the regular APR for balance transfers, and the effective reward rate and introductory APR for cash back. For a deeper understanding of our scoring system, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Discover it Chrome vs. BofA Customized Cash Card

What are the balance transfer fees for each card?
Which card offers a higher cash back rate?
Do either of the cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Are there any introductory offers for new cardholders?
Can I earn bonus rewards with either card?

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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