Bank of America · Personal card

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards

Annual fee $0. Unlimited 1.5% cash back, with potential Preferred Rewards boost.

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Dean’s short answer

Best fit: Bank of America or Merrill customers who qualify for relationship boost.

Dean files it under
Flat-rate cash backRelationship rewards
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This card and its closest alternatives

The 3 reviewed personal cards that share the most card types and features with the Unlimited Cash Rewards.

When a link pays Dean a commission, the card says so right there. Paid or not, the ranking never changes, and no issuer sponsors or endorses Dean. Approval, rates, and terms are controlled by the card issuer.

Bank of AmericaUnlimited Cash Rewards
$0

Bank of America or Merrill customers who qualify for relationship boost

Base rate trails 2% cards without relationship boost

Check current offer This link goes to Bank of America’s site. Dean earns nothing if you apply.
Capital OneQuicksilver Cash Rewards
$0

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

Same annual fee: $0. Best fit: People wanting a basic no-fee card. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Flat-rate cash back, 0% intro APR.

Read Dean’s review
CitiDouble Cash
$0

Citi Double Cash

Same annual fee: $0. Best fit: People wanting a simple 2% baseline card. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Flat-rate cash back, Balance transfer.

Read Dean’s review
Wells FargoActive Cash
$0

Wells Fargo Active Cash

Same annual fee: $0. Best fit: People wanting a no-fee 2% everyday card. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Flat-rate cash back, 0% intro APR.

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The Unlimited Cash Rewards beside its closest alternatives
CardAnnual feeRewards and benefit summaryBest fitMain drawbackSource
Unlimited Cash RewardsBank of America$0Unlimited 1.5% cash back, with potential Preferred Rewards boostSimple redemption and no annual feeBank of America or Merrill customers who qualify for relationship boostBase rate trails 2% cards without relationship boostBank of America Checked 2026-07-22
Quicksilver Cash RewardsCapital One$01.5% cash back on every purchase plus portal travel bonusesNo foreign transaction fee; simple redemptionPeople wanting a basic no-fee cardFlat rate trails 2% alternativesCapital One Checked 2026-07-22
Double CashCiti$02% cash back total: 1% when buying and 1% when paying; portal hotel, car, and attraction bonus under termsCash or ThankYou redemptions; no annual feePeople wanting a simple 2% baseline cardForeign transaction fee; transfer fee and promo termsCiti Checked 2026-07-22
Active CashWells Fargo$0Unlimited 2% cash rewards on eligible purchasesCell-phone protection under terms; Visa Signature benefitsPeople wanting a no-fee 2% everyday cardForeign transaction feeWells Fargo Checked 2026-07-22
01

What it earns

Unlimited 1.5% cash back, with potential Preferred Rewards boost.

On everyday purchases that fit no bonus category, Dean counts 1.5% back when it ranks this card for you.

02

What comes with it

Simple redemption and no annual fee.

Dean treats these as the reasons to hold the Unlimited Cash Rewards. If you would not use them, the card is worth less to you than its marketing says.

  • Simple redemption and no annual fee
03

The welcome offer

Limited-time online offer: $250 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.

04

Who can get it

Dean lists the Unlimited 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.

05

The catch

Base rate trails 2% cards without relationship boost.

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.

06

How a flat-rate cash back card works

Same cash-back rate on most eligible purchases. Simple earning, no category tracking, flexible statement credit or deposit.

Best for: People who want one everyday card. Watch for: The best rate can require a linked account or paid membership.

07

How a fixed-value travel rewards card works

Miles or points offset travel purchases at a defined rate. Simple travel redemptions with fewer blackout concerns.

Best for: Travelers who value ease over award optimization. Watch for: Travel-only redemptions can be less flexible than cash.

08

How a rent or mortgage rewards card works

Rewards housing payments through a special payment network or card program. Earns value on a large expense that normally has a fee.

Best for: Renters or homeowners who can follow program rules. Watch for: Transaction fees, required non-housing spend, and reward caps can apply.

09

How a investment-linked rewards card works

Cash back deposits into a brokerage, retirement, 529, or investing app. Automatic investing and potentially strong flat rewards.

Best for: People already using the linked financial platform. Watch for: Headline value can require a specific redemption or paid membership.

10

How a relationship rewards card works

Rewards or fee value increases with qualifying deposits or investments. Higher earning, fee credits, or exclusive access.

Best for: Customers willing to consolidate assets with one institution. Watch for: Opportunity cost and balance requirements can exceed card value.

11

Flat rewards: how to value it

Same rate on most eligible purchases.

Conditions to check: Excluded cash-like transactions and redemption value. Best for simplicity and uncategorized spend.

12

Travel portal multiplier: how to value it

Higher rewards or credits for issuer-portal bookings.

Conditions to check: Portal price, cancellation rules, elite credit, and direct-booking benefits. Compare the total trip terms, not only the multiplier.

13

Annual travel credit: how to value it

Statement credit or instant discount for eligible travel.

Conditions to check: Calendar versus cardmember year, portal or merchant restrictions, exclusions. Value it at face value only if you would use it naturally.

Sources and scope

Check the evidence, then check the live offer.

Dean links directly to the issuer. Card terms and eligibility can change after the review date.

Bank of AmericaIssuer page for the Unlimited Cash Rewards. Fee, rewards, and benefits checked July 22, 2026.Dean’s U.S. card marketplaceAll 125 reviewed cards with fees, rewards, drawbacks, and issuer sources.Dean methodologyHow hard filters and usable-value ranking work.
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