Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards: Simple, Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card delivers straightforward, unlimited cash back rewards without rotating categories, spending caps, or annual fees. Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make—whether buying groceries, filling up gas, booking travel, paying bills, or shopping online. New cardholders receive a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening, plus enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles (then 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR). Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can boost rewards by 25%-75%, turning that 1.5% into up to 2.625% cash back on every purchase—all with no annual fee.


Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on Everything: Earn a flat, unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make with no categories to track, no quarterly activations required, and no annual spending caps to worry about. Whether you spend $100 or $100,000 annually, every dollar earns the same straightforward 1.5% cash back rate. This simplicity makes budgeting and reward tracking effortless—just use your card for all purchases and automatically earn cash back on 100% of your spending without complex redemption calculations or category restrictions.
$200 Online Cash Rewards Bonus: New cardholders qualify for a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This achievable spending threshold means you can earn the bonus through normal everyday purchases like groceries, gas, utilities, and monthly subscriptions without changing your spending habits. The $1,000 requirement works out to just $333 per month over three months, making it accessible for most cardholders. Combined with the 1.5% earned on those purchases ($15), you'll receive $215 in total cash back rewards during your first three months.
0% Intro APR for 18 Billing Cycles: Take advantage of 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles from account opening (then 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR applies). This extended promotional period provides flexibility for larger purchases or consolidating existing credit card debt from higher-interest cards. Balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening qualify for the intro rate, with a 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $10) applied to each transfer. The 18-month window gives you substantial time to pay down balances interest-free, potentially saving hundreds of dollars in interest charges compared to cards with standard APRs.
Preferred Rewards Bonus Cash Back: Bank of America Preferred Rewards program members automatically receive bonus rewards on their credit card cash back earnings based on their combined average daily balance in eligible Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts. Gold tier members (qualifying balance of $20,000+) earn a 25% rewards bonus, Platinum tier ($50,000+) earns 50%, and Platinum Honors tier ($100,000+) earns 75%. This means Platinum Honors members effectively earn 2.625% cash back on every purchase (1.5% base + 75% bonus), ranking among the highest flat-rate cash back cards available without spending category restrictions.
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card represents an ideal solution for consumers who want straightforward, predictable cash back rewards without the complexity of rotating bonus categories, quarterly activations, or spending caps that characterize many competing rewards cards. By offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on every single purchase, Bank of America eliminates the mental overhead of tracking which categories earn bonus rewards each quarter or remembering to activate special earning rates. This simplicity appeals to busy consumers who want to earn rewards passively without studying spending patterns or optimizing category usage—just use the card for all purchases and automatically maximize cash back earnings.

No Annual Fee, Maximum Value

Unlike premium cash back cards that charge annual fees ranging from $95 to $550, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards carries no annual fee—ever. This means every dollar of cash back you earn goes directly into your pocket without being offset by annual membership costs. For cardholders who spend $20,000 annually (roughly $1,667 per month), the 1.5% cash back rate delivers $300 in annual rewards with zero annual fee, providing genuine net value. By comparison, a card with a 2% cash back rate but a $95 annual fee would net just $305 on the same spending, offering minimal advantage while requiring you to remember and budget for the annual charge. The no-annual-fee structure makes this card accessible to consumers at all spending levels, from modest budgets to high-volume spenders.

Powerful Preferred Rewards Integration

The Bank of America Preferred Rewards program transforms the Unlimited Cash Rewards card from a solid 1.5% cash back card into an exceptional value proposition for customers who maintain qualifying balances with Bank of America and/or Merrill. Preferred Rewards membership is free and automatically applied when you maintain the minimum qualifying balance. At the Platinum Honors tier (requiring a combined average daily balance of $100,000 or more in eligible Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts), cardholders earn a 75% bonus on base credit card rewards, effectively earning 2.625% cash back on every purchase (1.5% × 1.75 = 2.625%). This positions the card among the highest earning flat-rate cash back cards available, rivaling or exceeding many premium fee-based alternatives.

Strategic Balance Transfer Opportunity

The 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 billing cycles provides a valuable opportunity to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt from higher-interest cards. If you currently carry balances on cards charging 20%-30% APR, transferring those balances to this card can save substantial interest charges while you work toward paying off the debt. For example, transferring a $5,000 balance from a card with 24% APR saves approximately $1,800 in interest charges over 18 months if you pay the balance down steadily. The 3% balance transfer fee ($150 on a $5,000 transfer) is significantly lower than the interest you'd pay on the original card, creating net savings of $1,650 in this scenario. Balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the promotional rate.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards Guide

Additional Premium Features:

Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit to reduce your balance, direct deposit to your Bank of America checking or savings account, transfer to eligible Merrill accounts, donate to eligible charitable organizations, or request a check. Cash back rewards never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. There are no minimum redemption thresholds—redeem any amount at any time. Statement credit redemptions typically post within 1-2 business days, providing quick access to your earned rewards.
Visa Signature Benefits: Access exclusive Visa Signature benefits including emergency card replacement, emergency cash disbursement, roadside dispatch (available 24/7 for towing, flat tire service, locksmith service, and more), travel and emergency assistance services, and concierge services for travel planning, restaurant reservations, entertainment bookings, and gift purchases. These complementary benefits enhance the card's value beyond cash back rewards.
Digital Wallet Compatibility: Add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay for secure contactless payments using your smartphone or smartwatch. Digital wallet transactions use tokenization technology that replaces your actual card number with a unique digital identifier, enhancing security for in-store and online purchases. Earn the same 1.5% cash back on digital wallet transactions as you do with your physical card.
BankAmeriDeals Cash Back Offers: Access exclusive BankAmeriDeals offers that provide additional cash back at participating merchants beyond the standard 1.5% rewards rate. Browse available deals in online banking or the mobile app, add deals to your card with a single click, and automatically receive cash back when you use your card at participating merchants. These stackable offers can increase your total cash back to 3%, 5%, or even higher at specific retailers, restaurants, and service providers.
Account Alerts and Controls: Set up customizable account alerts via email, text message, or push notification to monitor spending, track reward earnings, receive payment reminders, and detect potential fraud. Temporarily lock and unlock your card instantly through the mobile app if you misplace it, preventing unauthorized use while you search for it. These digital controls provide peace of mind and help you manage your account proactively.

Smart Everyday Spending Strategy

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards card excels as an everyday spending card for consumers who want simplicity without sacrificing rewards earning potential:

Groceries and Gas: Earn 1.5% cash back on groceries, gas, and other essential purchases that form the foundation of household spending. Unlike category bonus cards that might offer 3% or 5% on groceries for one quarter only, this card delivers consistent 1.5% year-round without tracking or quarterly limits.
Recurring Bills: Set up autopay for utilities, phone bills, internet service, streaming subscriptions, insurance premiums, and other monthly recurring payments to automatically earn 1.5% cash back on expenses you're paying anyway. These regular charges add up to substantial annual cash back with zero extra effort.
Online Shopping: Earn 1.5% cash back on all online purchases from Amazon, eBay, specialty retailers, and any other e-commerce platform. The card works seamlessly for online transactions with no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for purchases from international merchants as well.
Large Purchases: Use the 0% intro APR period strategically for large planned purchases like appliances, furniture, electronics, home repairs, or medical expenses. The 18-month interest-free period provides flexibility to spread payments across multiple months while still earning 1.5% cash back on the full purchase amount.

Ideal Cardholder Profile

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards card delivers maximum value for specific consumer profiles. You'll benefit most if you prefer simplicity over complexity in rewards earning, value consistent cash back over rotating categories, want a no-annual-fee card that delivers genuine rewards, have good to excellent credit (typically 690+ credit score), are a Bank of America banking customer or willing to become one, maintain or plan to maintain deposit/investment balances with Bank of America or Merrill for Preferred Rewards benefits, want flexibility for balance transfers or large purchases with 0% intro APR, and prefer cash back that can be redeemed flexibly without complicated redemption systems.

This card particularly excels for current Bank of America customers who maintain banking relationships with the institution. The Preferred Rewards program integration provides substantial upside for customers with qualifying deposit and investment account balances, transforming the base 1.5% cash back into 2.625% for Platinum Honors members. Even customers who don't qualify for Preferred Rewards tiers benefit from the card's straightforward earning structure, generous welcome bonus, extended 0% intro APR period, and no annual fee.

Conversely, this card may not suit you if you prefer travel rewards over cash back, want to maximize category bonuses through rotating or fixed bonus categories, don't have established credit history (this card typically requires good to excellent credit), prefer cards with extensive travel protections and insurance benefits, or want premium perks like airport lounge access. In these cases, consider alternatives like travel rewards cards, category-specific bonus cards, secured credit cards for credit building, or premium annual fee cards with luxury benefits.

Rates, Fees, and Important Disclosures

Annual Fee: $0. Welcome Offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Earning Rate: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Preferred Rewards Bonus: Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn 25%-75% bonus rewards based on tier (Gold: 25%, Platinum: 50%, Platinum Honors: 75%). Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles from account opening. Standard Purchase APR: 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after intro period ends, based on creditworthiness. Balance Transfer APR: 19.24% - 29.24% variable (same as purchase APR). Cash Advance APR: 29.24% variable. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction (minimum $10). Balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening to qualify for 0% intro APR. Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. Late Payment Fee: Up to $40. Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40.

Representative Example (Required by TILA): If you make $10,000 in purchases with an APR of 24% and make only minimum payments, you will pay approximately $3,200 in interest over approximately 12 years before the balance is paid off. Your actual APR, interest charges, and payoff period will vary based on your creditworthiness and payment behavior. To avoid interest charges on purchases, pay your full statement balance by the due date each billing cycle. The 0% intro APR period provides an opportunity to make purchases or transfer balances without accruing interest for 18 billing cycles, but interest at the standard variable APR will apply to any remaining balance after the promotional period ends.

Important Risk Warnings: Credit cards are a form of borrowing that must be managed responsibly. Missing payments can damage your credit score, result in late fees up to $40, trigger penalty APRs, and create long-term financial difficulties. The standard variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% is substantial—carrying balances month-to-month will accrue significant interest charges that can quickly negate the value of cash back rewards earned. Only borrow what you can afford to repay, and always aim to pay more than the minimum payment to reduce interest charges and pay down balances faster. This card works best for consumers who pay their balance in full each month to avoid interest charges while maximizing cash back rewards.

Preferred Rewards Qualification: To qualify for Preferred Rewards bonus rewards, you must enroll in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program (free enrollment) and maintain the required combined average daily balance in eligible Bank of America deposit accounts (checking, savings, certificates of deposit) and/or Merrill investment accounts. Qualifying balances are calculated based on your combined average daily balance for the three-month period ending on the last day of each calendar month. Gold tier requires $20,000+, Platinum requires $50,000+, and Platinum Honors requires $100,000+. Bonus rewards are calculated on the base rewards you earn and deposited separately.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Credit card terms, rates, fees, and benefits are subject to change by Bank of America without notice. Always review the current Pricing Information, Key Terms, and Cardmember Agreement from Bank of America before applying. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your creditworthiness, income, debt obligations, and other factors. For the most current and accurate product information, visit the official Bank of America website or contact Bank of America customer service directly. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Bank of America.