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Cash Back · 3 min read

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Review 2026

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Review 2026

Summary

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee, and Preferred Rewards members can earn up to 2.625% back.

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is one of the simplest, most straightforward cash back cards on the market, and for good reason. With a flat unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, no annual fee, and a solid intro APR offer, it delivers consistent value without requiring you to track bonus categories or rotating rewards.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America

How the Rewards Work

Every dollar you spend earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back, whether you're buying groceries, filling up at the pump, or booking a flight. There are no caps, no expiration dates, and no confusing category rules to follow. Your rewards accumulate automatically and can be redeemed as a statement credit, deposit into a Bank of America® or Merrill® account, or check.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards Boost

If you're already a Bank of America customer with qualifying deposit or investment balances, the Preferred Rewards program can supercharge your earnings significantly:

Preferred Rewards Boost (based on 2.0% base rate)

Tier Required Balance Bonus Effective Rate
Gold $20k+ balance +25% bonus 2.5% cash back
Platinum $50k+ balance +50% bonus 3% cash back
Platinum Honors $100k+ balance +75% bonus 3.5% cash back

At the Platinum Honors level, this no-annual-fee card outpaces most premium cash back cards, making it exceptional value for existing BofA customers. Bank of America also offers two ultra-high tiers above Platinum Honors — Diamond ($1M+ in qualifying balances) and Diamond Honors ($10M+) — which push the effective rate even higher, but the Platinum Honors tier is realistic for most readers and already best-in-class.

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Welcome Offer & Intro APR

New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, after which a variable APR applies. There's also a cash rewards bonus for new cardholders who meet the minimum spend requirement in the first 90 days. Check the current offer when you apply, as amounts vary.

Featured Offer

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Hosted by Bank of America

Key Card Details

Annual Fee $0
Rewards Rate 2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Foreign Transaction Fee 3%

Who Should Get This Card?

The Unlimited Cash Rewards card is a great fit if you:

  • Want a simple, no-fuss cash back card with no annual fee
  • Don't want to think about rotating categories or redemption rules
  • Are already a Bank of America or Merrill customer (Preferred Rewards makes this card exceptional)
  • Need a long 0% intro APR window to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance

Potential Drawbacks

  • No bonus categories: If you spend heavily on groceries or dining, a card like the Blue Cash Preferred® or Citi Custom Cash® might earn more in those areas.
  • 3% foreign transaction fee: Not the best companion for international travel.
  • Flat rate without Preferred Rewards: At 1.5% base, you'll find equal or better flat-rate offers elsewhere if you don't bank with BofA.

How It Compares

Before you apply, line this card up next to the other major flat-rate cash back options — the Citi Double Cash® (2% effective), the Wells Fargo Active Cash® (2%), and the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% + travel perks). For most non-BofA customers, the math favors a 2% card. For Preferred Rewards members at Platinum or Platinum Honors, the BofA card pulls ahead.

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Our Verdict

For everyday simplicity and especially for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, the Unlimited Cash Rewards card is hard to beat. The combination of $0 annual fee, solid flat-rate cash back, and potential Preferred Rewards boosts makes it one of the best value cards in its category.

Featured Offer

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Hosted by Bank of America

Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for current terms and conditions.