Annual fee $0. 3% chosen category; 2% grocery and wholesale clubs; combined quarterly cap; 1% other; first-year bonus rate under current offer.
See if it fits my walletThe 3 reviewed personal cards that share the most card types and features with the Customized Cash Rewards.
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Quarterly cap; first-year rate is promotional
Check current offer This link goes to Bank of America’s site. Dean earns nothing if you apply.Annual fee: $0 plus refundable deposit, against $0 for the Customized Cash Rewards. Best fit: People building credit who can use category rewards. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Secured, Choose-your-category cash back.
Read Dean’s reviewSame annual fee: $0. Best fit: People with predictable household bills. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Choose-your-category cash back.
Read Dean’s reviewAnnual fee: $0 plus refundable deposit, against $0 for the Customized Cash Rewards. Best fit: People building credit with predictable bills. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Secured, Choose-your-category cash back.
Read Dean’s review| Card | Annual fee | Rewards and benefit summary | Best fit | Main drawback | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customized Cash RewardsBank of America | $0 | 3% chosen category; 2% grocery and wholesale clubs; combined quarterly cap; 1% other; first-year bonus rate under current offerCategory can be changed monthly; Preferred Rewards boost where eligible | People with a predictable choice category or Bank of America relationship | Quarterly cap; first-year rate is promotional | Bank of America Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Customized Cash Rewards SecuredBank of America | $0 plus refundable deposit | Choice-category, grocery, wholesale-club, and base cash back under current termsCredit-building review path; rewards while secured | People building credit who can use category rewards | Deposit and category cap | Bank of America Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Cash+ Visa SignatureU.S. Bank | $0 | 5% on first $2,000 combined in 2 chosen categories each quarter; 2% chosen everyday category; 1% other; portal travel bonusUnusual categories such as utilities and streaming; no annual fee | People with predictable household bills | Quarterly selection and cap | U.S. Bank Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Cash+ Secured VisaU.S. Bank | $0 plus refundable deposit | Chosen 5% and 2% categories under program caps; 1% otherCredit-building path with customizable rewards | People building credit with predictable bills | Deposit, quarterly selections, and caps | U.S. Bank Checked 2026-07-22 |
3% chosen category; 2% grocery and wholesale clubs; combined quarterly cap; 1% other; first-year bonus rate under current offer.
On everyday purchases that fit no bonus category, Dean counts 1% back when it ranks this card for you.
Category can be changed monthly; Preferred Rewards boost where eligible.
Dean treats these as the reasons to hold the Customized Cash Rewards. If you would not use them, the card is worth less to you than its marketing says.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Dean read this offer on Bank of America’s own page on October 24, 2026. A welcome offer is paid once. Judge the card on what it does for you in year 2.
Dean lists the Customized Cash Rewards for good, excellent credit. It is a personal card. Availability: public national.
A listed credit range is a starting point, not an approval promise. Bank of America decides approval, your credit limit, and your rate when you apply.
Quarterly cap; first-year rate is promotional.
Annual fee: $0. Dean checked the fee and terms against Bank of America on July 22, 2026. Terms can change after that date, so read the live offer before you apply.
Fixed bonus rates for categories such as groceries, dining, gas, online retail, or entertainment. Higher return on routine spending.
Best for: People whose spending matches the card's permanent categories. Watch for: Caps, merchant coding, and exclusions can reduce the headline rate.
Bonus categories change each quarter or promotion period. High rates in changing categories.
Best for: Optimizers willing to activate categories and track caps. Watch for: Activation and quarterly limits usually apply.
Cardholder selects one or more bonus categories. Lets rewards follow personal spending.
Best for: People with one predictable high-spend category. Watch for: Selection deadlines and combined category caps can apply.
Same rate on most eligible purchases.
Conditions to check: Excluded cash-like transactions and redemption value. Best for simplicity and uncategorized spend.
Higher earn rate for named merchant categories.
Conditions to check: Merchant category code, caps, activation, and geographic limits. Verify how the merchant codes, not how it describes itself.
Recurring credit at named restaurants, services, or merchants.
Conditions to check: Enrollment, monthly or semiannual breakage, locations, and payment method. Discount heavily if it changes your normal behavior.
Dean links directly to the issuer. Card terms and eligibility can change after the review date.