Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
vs. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Shield Insurance

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Both the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fees, appealing if you’re seeking straightforward value from your credit card. The Quicksilver edges ahead with its higher overall cash back score and the simplicity of its rewards program.

But the BofA Customized Cash's higher cash back in customizable categories should not be overlooked, especially for if you can maximize your chosen categories. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your preference for simplicity versus customization in earning rewards.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 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 BofA Customized Cash if you're confident you can maximize the 3% cash back in categories you frequently spend in, such as gas or online shopping, and you're comfortable with the combined spend limit on these rewards. The card's introductory offers and potential for extra rewards for preferred members can also be quite lucrative if you meet the credit requirements.

You might prefer the Quicksilver if you value a straightforward rewards program with a flat cash back rate on all purchases. This card is particularly appealing if you travel and book hotels or rental cars, as you'll earn an impressive 5% cash back through Capital One Travel. The lower spend required to earn the welcome bonus also makes it accessible if you don’t spend as much.

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 maximizing cash back in specific categories is your goal, the BofA Customized Cash might appeal to you, whereas the Quicksilver offers simplicity with a flat cash back rate on all purchases.

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    Regular APR: BofA Customized Cash

    The BofA Customized Cash offers a more favorable APR range starting at 18.24%, compared with the Quicksilver’s starting point of 19.99%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the BofA Customized Cash have no annual fee, making them equally appealing if you’re looking to save on costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the BofA Customized Cash offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. This makes them equally appealing if you’re looking to make a large purchase or transfer balances.

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    Rewards: BofA Customized Cash

    For rewards, the BofA Customized Cash edges out the Quicksilver. The BofA card offers 3% cash back in a chosen category and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter), compared with Quicksilver's flat 1.5% back on all purchases.

    This makes the BofA Customized Cash more advantageous if you can maximize your spending in these higher cash back categories.

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    Welcome Offers: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver offers a more attractive welcome bonus, providing a higher return on investment. With a requirement to spend $500 within three months to earn $200 cash back, it presents a more achievable goal compared with the BofA Customized Cash, which requires spending $1,000 in the first 90 days for the same cash reward.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the BofA Customized Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are suited for people with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver is better for penalties and fees, offering no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR. Both cards have a late fee up to $40, but the Quicksilver's absence of a foreign transaction fee make it more favorable.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: BofA Customized Cash

    Bank of America leads with an issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5, compared with Capital One's 4.2. This suggests a slightly higher level of customer satisfaction with Bank of America.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Quicksilver provides up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership and unlimited 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One. The BofA Customized Cash offers no expiration on rewards and extra cash back for Preferred Rewards members.

Rewards Comparison

The BofA Customized Cash card edges out the Quicksilver in rewards potential, particularly if you spend heavily in one category. With the ability to choose a 3% cash back category, the BofA card caters to customized spending.

But the Quicksilver's flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases offers simplicity and consistent value, especially if your spending doesn't align with common bonus categories. While Quicksilver doesn't lead in specific categories, its 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One Travel is notable for frequent travelers.

BofA Customized Cash Categories

For BofA Customized Cash, eligible spending categories for the 3% cash back include 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. There's a combined spend limit on 2% and 3% categories each quarter, so strategic planning can maximize rewards.

The table showcases the bonus categories for both cards to help you compare at a glance.

Category
Quicksilver
BofA Customized Cash

Travel

5% if booked through Capital One Travel

3% if travel is chosen category

Gas

1.5%

3% if gas is chosen category

Online Shopping

1.5%

3% if online shopping is chosen category

Dining

1.5%

3% if dining is chosen category

Drug Stores

1.5%

3% if drug stores is chosen category

Redeeming Rewards

Both the BofA Customized Cash and Quicksilver cards offer flexibility and ease. With the former, you can redeem your cash back directly as a deposit or statement credit, among other options, without worrying about expiration as long as your account is active.

Similarly, the Quicksilver allows for redemption through statement credits, checks, and gift cards. Additionally, Quicksilver offers the convenience of automatic redemption at set times or when certain thresholds are met, with the assurance that rewards remain valid for the life of the account.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Quicksilver and BofA Customized Cash for various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Quicksilver vs. BofA Customized Cash

What are the cash back rates for each card?
How do the welcome bonuses compare between the two cards?
Are there any annual fees for either card?
Which card offers better rewards for grocery purchases?
Can I benefit from a 0% intro APR period with these cards?

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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