Discover it® Miles
vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

Updated: April 10, 2024

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If you're seeking a credit card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Discover it Miles and BankAmericard Credit Card. Discover it Miles is the better card for those who want to earn rewards, offering 1.5x miles on every dollar spent and a unique mile-for-mile match in the first year. In contrast, BankAmericard is a more straightforward card, best for individuals who prefer a no-frills credit option and can benefit from its lower APR range after the introductory period.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Miles
Discover it® Miles
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.24% - 28.24% variable
    16.24% – 26.24% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
    -
    Recommended Credit
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Discover it® Miles vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Miles if: You want to maximize your spending with travel rewards. This card automatically earns you an unlimited 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases. The Discover Match intro offer will match all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year. This card is particularly advantageous if you have a good to excellent credit score within the 670 to 850 range. You can also enjoy the flexibility of earning rewards without specific bonus categories to track. Its effective reward rate rating of 3.6 suggests a solid return on your spending, especially if you're a frequent traveler or looking to accumulate miles for future trips.

You might prefer the BankAmericard Credit Card if: Your primary goal is to minimize interest on existing debt or new purchases with a lengthy introductory APR period. This card offers a 0% intro APR for the first 18 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers, which can provide substantial savings if you're planning a large purchase or looking to consolidate and pay down debt. While it doesn't offer rewards on spending, it's a strong contender for those who value a longer period to pay off balances without accruing interest. Like the Discover it Miles, this card suits individuals with good to excellent credit scores. It also has a $0 annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for managing your finances.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Miles

The Discover it Miles card is effective in managing existing credit card debt while also earning travel miles. This card is particularly well-suited for individuals seeking to earn travel rewards without the burden of an annual fee. Cardholders automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase, making it a straightforward option for everyday spending. A standout feature is the first-year mile-for-mile match, which doubles the miles new cardmembers earn at the end of their first year. With no foreign transaction fees and a forgiving approach to the first late payment, the Discover it Miles card is a competitive choice for domestic and international use.

Discover it® Miles
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Miles
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ of 5

Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the BankAmericard® Credit Card

The BankAmericard Credit Card, issued by Bank of America, scores high on MoneyGeek's list of balance transfer credit cards, reflecting its strength in this area. With no annual fee and a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles, this card is tailored for individuals looking to manage existing debt or finance new purchases without incurring interest immediately. However, it's important to consider balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees that may apply. This card is particularly well-suited for those with a good to excellent credit score, ranging from 670 to 850, who are seeking a straightforward credit card with beneficial introductory offers.

BankAmericard® Credit Card
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5

Regular APR
16.24% – 26.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
Balance Transfer Offer
0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
Rewards Summary
N/A
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Discover it® Miles vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features, enabling you to weigh factors like the length of introductory APR periods and potential rewards earnings.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    The BankAmericard Credit Card offers a lower APR range, starting at 16.24% and capping at 26.24% variable. The Discover it Miles has an APR range of 17.24% to 28.24% variable.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee

    Both the Discover it Miles and the BankAmericard Credit Card have a $0 annual fee. This makes them equally appealing for individuals seeking to avoid extra yearly costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs

    The BankAmericard Credit Card offers a longer introductory 0% APR period for purchases and balance transfers, lasting for the first 18 billing cycles. In contrast, the Discover it Miles card provides this benefit for 15 months. This makes the BankAmericard Credit Card a better option for those looking to pay off their balances interest-free for a longer duration.

    coins icon

    Rewards

    Discover it Miles is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase. In contrast, the BankAmericard Credit Card does not offer any rewards. With an effective reward rate of 3.6 and an expected annual reward value of $451, Discover it Miles offers more value in this category.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    Discover it Miles is better for welcome offers, providing an unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers in the first year. On the other hand, BankAmericard Credit Card offers no welcome bonus.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score

    The Discover it Miles and the BankAmericard Credit Card require a credit score in the range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent).

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees

    Discover it Miles is better for penalties and fees due to its no fee for the first late payment and no foreign transaction fees. The BankAmericard Credit Card charges up to $40 for late payments and has a 3% foreign transaction fee. Both cards do not have a penalty APR.

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    Issuer Satisfaction

    Both cards have equal issuer satisfaction ratings. Neither the Discover it Miles nor the BankAmericard Credit Card has an advantage in terms of issuer satisfaction.

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    Other Features & Perks

    An important feature of Discover it Miles is the ability to freeze your account on the mobile app or website in seconds, helping to prevent new purchases, cash advances and balance transfers. Discover can also send you an alert if it finds your Social Security number on any dark websites; this feature can be activated for free.

FAQ: Discover it® Miles vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

What are the APRs for Discover it® Miles and BankAmericard® Credit Card?
How do the fees for Discover it® Miles compare to BankAmericard® Credit Card?
What credit score is required for each card?
How do the rewards for Discover it® Miles and BankAmericard® Credit Card differ?
What are the introductory offers for each 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.


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