Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Review 2026

1.5% unlimited cash back at no annual fee — with a first-year 2% boost.

Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Good–Excellent credit — 670+ FICO typical; hard pull required

ClearValue Rating: 4.3 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)

Editorial3.9
Cost5.0
Value4.5
Access3.8

Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.

At a glance

  • Annual fee: $0 (No annual fee)
  • Welcome bonus: $200 (After $1,000 in purchases in first 90 days)
  • Cash back rate: 2% yr 1 / 1.5% after (Unlimited on all purchases; no category restrictions)
  • Intro APR: 0% (15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers)

Who Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for

Existing Bank of America or Merrill customers who want a flat-rate no-fee card and can earn Preferred Rewards bonuses on top.

Pros

  • 1.5% unlimited cash back with no annual fee — simple and consistent
  • 2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening
  • $200 welcome bonus with a low $1,000 spend threshold — reachable in roughly one month at average spending
  • 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
  • Preferred Rewards program can boost the rate to up to 2.625% flat for qualifying BofA/Merrill customers

Cons

  • 1.5% base rate after year one is below Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash (both 2% flat, no fee)
  • 3% foreign transaction fee — not designed for international use
  • Preferred Rewards boost requires $20K–$100K+ in BofA/Merrill accounts to activate meaningful tiers
  • 3% balance transfer fee during intro period; 5% after

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card requirements

Recommended credit: 670+ FICO typical (Good–Excellent)
Application inquiry: Hard pull required
U.S. residency: U.S. residency required
Welcome spend: $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days for $200 bonus
  • 670+ FICO typical
  • Hard pull required
  • U.S. residency required

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card rates & fees

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards card has no annual fee. It earns 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases for the first year, then 1.5% thereafter — no category restrictions, no caps. A 3% foreign transaction fee applies. The regular APR is 17.49%–27.49% variable after the 15-billing-cycle 0% intro period. Verified at bankofamerica.com, June 2026.

Value at a glance

Year 1 valueOngoing value
$200 cash rewards bonus after $1,000 in purchases in first 90 days + 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases in year one + 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, no caps, no annual fee; Preferred Rewards boosts rate 25–75% for qualifying BofA/Merrill customers
Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors tier: 1.5% × 1.75 = 2.625% flat — requires $100K+ in BofA/Merrill accounts

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card alternatives

Citi Double Cash® Card (Citi) — 2% flat from day one — higher ongoing rate with no first-year step-down
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Wells Fargo) — Same 2% flat with a 15-month purchase 0% APR — no step-down after year one
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Chase) — 1.5% base plus no FX fee and Chase ecosystem upside with a Sapphire card
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Bottom line

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card — 1.5% unlimited cash back at no annual fee — with a first-year 2% boost. Best for: Existing Bank of America or Merrill customers who want a flat-rate no-fee card and can earn Preferred Rewards bonuses on top.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.

Questions about Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

How does the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards rate change after year one?

New cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening. After that introductory year ends, the rate drops to 1.5% unlimited on all purchases — the permanent ongoing rate. There are no spending caps or category restrictions at either rate. Verify the current first-year offer and ongoing terms at the Bank of America issuer page before applying.

What is the Bank of America Preferred Rewards boost on this card?

The Preferred Rewards program boosts cash back earnings for customers who maintain qualifying combined balances in Bank of America deposit accounts and Merrill investment accounts. Gold tier ($20K+) adds 25% to the base rate; Platinum ($50K+) adds 50%; Platinum Honors ($100K+) adds 75%. At the Platinum Honors tier, 1.5% × 1.75 = approximately 2.625% flat on all purchases. Preferred Rewards tier qualification and program details are determined by Bank of America — verify current terms and balance requirements at bankofamerica.com.

Does Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes — the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States or in foreign currency. If you travel internationally or make purchases from foreign merchants, a card without a foreign transaction fee is a better fit. Verify the current fee schedule at the Bank of America issuer page.

Is ClearValue Lending a bank or card issuer?

No. ClearValue Lending is not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. This review presents publicly available editorial information about the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card. The card is issued and operated by Bank of America, N.A. APRs, rewards rates, fees, and terms are determined solely by Bank of America and may change — verify current terms at bankofamerica.com before applying.

How we rate

Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).

Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →

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