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The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has been getting a lot of attention in the Slickdeals community. Users have been raving about the card's unique benefits and perks, and why they love using the card. We've rounded up what our users have to say about its key features and their own real-life experiences on what makes this card a standout choice for everyday spending and rewards.
Competitive Bonus Offer
New cardholders can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This is a pretty standard bonus offer compared to other cash-back credit cards, although we have seen some competitors with similar bonus offers but with a lower spend requirement. That said, the minimum spend to earn the bonus offer is relatively easy to hit, especially if you can time your card opening around a large purchase or use it for your everyday spending.
Slickdealder u/OldwestGambler expresses longstanding satisfaction, saying, "I've had this card for years and really like it...and I don't pay anything for using other bank's ATM's as a preferred client." The user added, "I also like being able to pay my balance to zero a few times a month. My other card won't allow that. It's also great card to have for Merrill Lynch customers, too."
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work
- APR18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases
- Annual Fee$0
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Bonus Offer
$200Cash Bonus
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice for many people who want to maximize their everyday spending. The card is one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market because it provides flexibility with its top rewards bonus category. It’s especially worth considering if you’re a Preferred Rewards member with the card issuer.
Overview
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card is a good cash back card for people who don’t spend a lot each month. It has flexibility with the 3% cash back on the category of your choice (choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement and furnishing), and you can change which one you go with each month. Since it’s a Visa card you can also use it at Costco and get 2% back, which is the rate for wholesale clubs and grocery stores. However, once you’ve spent the quarterly limit of $2,500 in purchases combined between the 3% and 2% categories, you only get 1% back after that.
Pros
- Ample bonus spending categories
- No annual fee
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- bonus spending categories capped at $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases
You Choose Your 3% Cash-Back Category
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Cardholders can enjoy a convenient cash-back structure with the card's 3% cash back in a category of their choice, plus 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter). All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
Current 3% cash-back categories include:
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Online shopping
- Cable, internet and phone plans
- Streaming
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug stores and pharmacies
- Home improvement or furnishings
You can change your 3% cash-back category once a month based on your desired spending habits.
Slickdealer u/picubed shares a clever strategy when it comes to the "online shopping" category, which can cover more categories than one might expect, saying "I usually make the payments in-store using Apple Pay or Walmart Pay and many of these transactions track as online purchases along with my preferred client bonus. Every quarter I max out on my online category cashback."
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Boosted Cash Back for Preferred Rewards Members
If you are a Preferred Rewards member, you'll benefit from boosted rewards when using your Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card.
One Slickdealer emphasized the benefits for Preferred Rewards members, reminding potential users, "you can get up to 75% match."
Users can earn an additional 25%-75% cash back on every purchase, potentially reaching a cash-back rate of 3.75%-5.25% in their selected category. This tiered rewards system can add significant value for cardholders who qualify for Preferred Rewards status.
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Cash Back Where You Want It Most
Many users also praise the versatility of the 3% cash-back category and the ability to adjust your preferences every month. Being able to customize your cash-back structure is key if you're trying to maximize your rewards when pairing it with other credit cards.
Slickdealer u/BarginHunterodOhio shares a tip on how useful the customized categories have been, noting that they have used the 3% category for home improvements during their remodeling. "I have this card and really like it. I got it at the beginning of the year and they did give the $200 credit when I met the $1000 spent," the user wrote. "I was doing some home improvements and I switched the 3% to the (home improvement) category when buying at Home Depot and IKEA. I then switched back to gas 3% when done. It's treated me well so far."
Bottom Line
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a competitive choice that combines strong perks, flexible rewards and higher reward-earning potential for Preferred Rewards members. Whether you're a frequent online shopper, a savvy home DIY enthusiast or a wholesale club loyalist, this card's expansive 3% cash-back category options make it a must-have card to add to your wallet.
However, if you prefer a simple, flat-rate card that doesn't require category tracking or want a card that does not have an earning cap on bonus category rewards, a 2% flat-rate card may be a better fit for you.
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Slickdeals Money Staff
The Slickdeals Money editorial team is dedicated to helping readers navigate the personal finance space. We’re passionate about educating our readers on the very best financial tools & products on the market today.
