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Earning rewards from credit card purchases is an effective way to accumulate miles and points that can be used to offset, or sometimes fully cover, the cost of travel. However, earning cash-back rewards may be preferred for its simpler earning structure and ease and flexibility of redemption options.
The debate as to which type of rewards are better (miles, points, or cash-back) will go on, but there’s no doubt cash-back is a popular choice. Below we will dive into how 2 popular cash-back cards can earn you a ton of rewards.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card are cards you want to keep ready in your wallet for earning on everyday purchases. The card that might work best for you, however, will depend on a few factors, including your spending mix.
We’ve set out today to compare how these 2 cash-back cards earn rewards, the options you’ll have at redemption time, and the additional benefits you can expect.
Freedom Flex Card vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card — Summary
We’ll get down to details shortly but first, let’s glance at a quick comparison of the Freedom Flex card and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earning
5% cash-back on rotating quarterly bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter); Chase Travel bookings; and Lyft rides (through March 2025)
3% cash-back on dining and at drugstores
3% cash-back on the category of your choice from select categories*
2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs*
Preferred Rewards additional earnings
* Maximum of $2,500 in spending each quarter for 3% and 2% categories combined, then 1% cash-back
Redemption Options
Travel via Chase travel portal
Transfer to premium Chase credit cards for potential greater redemption value
Cash-back, statement credit, gift cards, shopping with select retailers
Cash-back, statement credit
Transfer to a Bank of America bank account or to an eligible 529 plan or qualifying Merrill account
Top Travel Protections and Benefits
Travel and emergency assistance, car rental insurance, trip cancellation and trip interruption
Travel and emergency assistance, roadside Dispatch
Museums on Us
Shopping Protections and Benefits
Introductory 0% APR on purchases
Top Shopping Protections and Benefits
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Chase Offers, Shop through Chase
BankAmeriDeals
Annual Fee and Authorized Users
$0 annual fee, no fee to add authorized users
$0 annual fee, no fee to add authorized users
The Value of a Welcome Offer
While a key component of selecting a cash-back card is its rewards-earning structure, you’ll also want to consider its initial welcome offer. The Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card each have a cash-back welcome offer that can be earned by meeting minimum spending requirements in the months immediately following card approval.
You’ll find the most current welcome offers, and details on how to earn those offers, in the card table overviews below.
Bottom Line: Both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card come with solid cash-back welcome offers that can be earned by meeting minimum spending requirements in the immediate months after card approval. While these bonuses may be very similar, welcome offers change frequently, so be sure to check for the current bonus and terms before applying.
Earning Potential
Everyday purchases earn well on both of our featured cash-back cards. Image Credit: Authentic Images via Pikwizard
Before selecting a cash-back card, you’ll want to carefully review the bonus-earning categories for each card to determine which one better matches your spending patterns.
Here’s how the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card earn rewards.
Earning Category
Freedom Flex Card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
Quarterly Bonus Categories
5% cash-back on select categories that rotate quarterly, up to a maximum of $1,500 in purchases each quarter, then 1%
3% cash-back on the category of your choice from select categories each quarter on a maximum of $2,500 in purchases each quarter for 3% and 2% categories (listed below) combined, then 1%
3% cash-back when selected as a choice category (limits as noted above apply)
Additional Earnings
3% cash-back at drugstores and dining (including takeout and eligible delivery)
2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
Preferred Rewards members can earn up to 75% more rewards
All Other Purchases
1% cash-back
1% cash-back
Both of our featured cards earn cash-back. However, the bonus-earning structures differ greatly on each card.
Here are some important details you don’t want to miss on how rewards are earned:
Freedom Flex Card
Quarterly Bonus Categories
Each quarter a new set of 5% cash-back bonus categories are announced. Examples of previous quarterly bonus categories have included home improvement stores, Amazon, grocery stores, gas stations, warehouse clubs, PayPal, drugstores, and more. There is a limit of $1,500 in purchases each quarter that will earn 5% back, then 1%. You must activate this bonus-earning feature each quarter.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
Choice Category
Choice Categories allow you to select your own bonus-earning category each quarter. Select your preferred 3% cash-back category from these options: gas stations, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings. Your Choice Category can be changed once each month.
There is a limit of $2,500 in purchases each quarter for your 3% Choice Category and 2% bonus-earning category combined.
Preferred Rewards
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn additional cash-back on all your purchases. Those cardholders who have $20,000 or more in assets across Bank of America and/or Merrill investments qualify for the Gold Tier which includes a 25% bonus on credit card rewards. Those with $50,000 or more qualify for the Platinum Tier and a 50% bonus and those with $100,000 or more qualify for Platinum Honors and earn a 75% bonus.
This translates to the ability to earn 1.25% to 5.25% in cash-back when spending on the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, depending on what Preferred Rewards tier you’re in. Here is how much cash-back you would earn depending on your Preferred Rewards status:
Base Earning Category
Gold
Platinum
Platinum Honors
3% cash-back
3.75% cash-back
4.5% cash-back
5.25% cash-back
2% cash-back
2.5% cash-back
3% cash-back
3.5% cash-back
1% cash-back
1.25% cash-back
1.5% cash-back
1.75% cash-back
Bottom Line: Both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card earn cash-back on select everyday purchases, however, earning structures differ by card. While each card offers flat rate earnings on select categories, the Freedom Flex card offers additional rotating quarterly bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers an option to select your own bonus-earning categories, with the ability to earn additional cash-back for Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers. However, both cards have spending caps on their rotating bonus categories.
Redemption Options
Cash-back is just one of the options at redemption time. Image Credit: CucuMberStudio via Shutterstock
Although both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card are cash-back earning cards, the Freedom Flex card actually earns rewards in the form of points that can be redeemed for cash-back. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card earns cash-back directly.
This is an important difference as it affects how rewards can be redeemed.
Redemption Option
Freedom Flex Card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
Travel
Redeem points for travel at 1 cent each via Chase travel portal
Redeem points for statement credits to offset travel purchases
Redeem cash-back for a statement credit to offset travel purchases; minimum redemption is $25
Cash-back
Statement credit, check, transfer to a bank account
Statement credit, check, transfer to a Bank of America bank account
Additional Redemption Options
Gift cards, shopping with select retailers, Pay Yourself Back for select charitable contributions
Transfer to eligible 529 accounts or a contribution to an eligible Merrill account
Bottom Line: Both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card earn flexible cash-back rewards that can be redeemed via a statement credit or transferred to an eligible bank account. The Freedom Flex card, however, offers the additional redemption options of purchasing travel via the Chase travel portal or transferring points to premium Chase cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Once transferred, Chase points offer greater redemption value through the Chase travel portal, Pay Yourself Back, or with one of Chase’s 13 airline or hotel partners like United Airline and World of Hyatt.
Travel Protections and Benefits
Check your card for travel benefits before setting off on your journey. Image Credit: Day Of Victory Stu via Adobe Stock
Travel protections and benefits can save you money and provide protection when your trip is disrupted. Here are the protections and benefits you can expect on our featured cards:
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — If you need assistance when away from home, you’ll have 24/7 access to help finding medical, transportation, translation, legal services, and more with just 1 phone call. The cardholder is responsible for the actual services received. Both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card come with this service.
Freedom Flex Card
Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Use your card to reserve and pay for your entire rental, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary coverage for theft or damage to the rental car. Secondary coverage means that a claim must first be filed with other applicable coverage before card coverage kicks in.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — You could receive up to $1,500 per person, up to $6,000 per covered trip, if your trip needs to be canceled or is interrupted for a covered reason. Coverage is applicable for prepaid non-refundable passenger fares.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card is a Visa Signature card so you’ll find limited related benefits in addition to Bank of America benefits.
Roadside Dispatch — For a flat rate fee (currently $69.95) you could receive benefits such as limited towing, tire changing, jumpstart service, standard winching, lockout service, and emergency fuel.
Bank of America Museums on Us — Enjoy free admission to select museums on Museums on Us program weekends.
Shopping Protections and Benefits
Shopping benefits such as 0% APR periods can help you save money on large purchases. Image Credit: Curtis Adams via Pexels
Introductory 0% APR on Purchases
Repaying large purchases without incurring interest rate charges can be a money saver. Fortunately, both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offer an introductory 0% APR period for purchases.
The Freedom Flex card comes with a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.99%.
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card comes with a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. Variable rate of 16.24% - 26.24% applies thereafter..
Here are some additional shopping protections and benefits you’ll find on the Freedom Flex card:
Additional Shopping Protections and Benefits — Freedom Flex Card
Cell Phone Protection — Receive up to $800 per claim, a maximum of $1,000 per year, for covered damage or theft to your cell phone. Your monthly bill must be paid for with your card, a $50 deductible per claim applies, and there is a maximum of 2 claims each 12-month period.
Purchase Protection — For eligible items purchased with your card, you could receive up to $500 per item, $50,000 per account, for damage or theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase.
Extended Warranty — Eligible items purchased with your card that have manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less will have the warranty extended by 1 additional year.
Chase Offers — Login to your online Freedom Flex card account and select cash-back offers for making purchases with participating retailers.
Shop through Chase — Purchases made via the Chase shopping portal earn extra cash-back.
ShopRunner Membership — Receive a complimentary 1-year membership that includes discounts at dozens of retailers and free 2-day shipping.
DoorDash DashPass — Receive a complimentary 3-month membership and an additional 9 months for 50% off. You must register for this offer by December 31, 2024.
Instacart Benefits — Activate this offer by July 31, 2024, and receive a free Instacart+ membership plus a $10 quarterly credit.
Gopuff Credit — Use your card to shop via gopuff.com and receive up to $10 in monthly credits, up to $120 in total credits, until December 31, 2023.
Hot Tip: Chase has added Gopuff benefits to dozens of its cards. If you have more than 1 Chase card with a Gopuff benefit, you could receive the statement credit on each card. Here’s a list of eligible cards and how the Gopuff credit works.
Fees and Authorized Users
The Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card do not charge an annual fee and neither card charges a fee to add authorized users.
Everything Else You Need To Know
Getting Approved
To increase your chances of being approved for either the Freedom Flex card or the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score. This translates to a score of at least 670 or above.
Introductory 0% APR Period for Balance Transfers
Each of our featured cards also comes with an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. If you have high-interest credit card debt that you’d like to pay off over time without interest charges, you might be able to save money by transferring the balances during the 0% APR period.
The Freedom Flex card offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.99%.
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card comes with a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. Variable rate of 16.24% - 26.24% applies thereafter..
Each card charges balance transfer fees, so be sure to consider this cost before completing the transaction.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Both the Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card charge foreign transaction fees of 3% of the total transaction.
Final Thoughts
Although the no-annual-fee Freedom Flex card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card each have robust earning structures for everyday spending, the Freedom Flex card has the edge at rewards redemption time with flexible, and potentially transferrable, points. The card also comes with additional travel and shopping benefits, plus valuable cell phone protection.
If you’re a Bank of America customer and qualify for Preferred Rewards, however, the elevated rewards may prove more lucrative and provide an incentive to select the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, depending on your asset level with the bank.
Be mindful that there are limits as to how much you can earn each quarter in the 3% and 2% bonus categories on the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card whereas the Freedom Flex card does not have a limit on 3% categories, 5% cash-back on Chase travel portal purchases or Lyft ride purchases. However, the Freedom Flex does have a $1,500 limit on 5% quarterly bonus category purchases.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The Freedom Flex card is arguably the better choice.
When we compare earning rewards, either card could be a good fit to earn cash-back if the earning structure matches your spending habits. However, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card does have limits on all of its bonus category spending.
At redemption time the Freedom Flex card offers the additional option of redeeming rewards for travel either via Chase travel portal or transferring points to premium Chase cards for potentially greater redemption value.
The Freedom Flex card also comes with benefits such as cell phone protection, secondary car rental insurance, and trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance.
Cash rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase. You can select a bonus category from a Choice Category list, receive bonus cash-back earnings at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and receive additional cash-back if you are a Preferred Rewards member.
When you have accumulated at least $25 in cash rewards, you can redeem the rewards for a statement credit, check, or transfer to an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account.
You will need a good to excellent credit score to increase your chances of getting approved for the Freedom Flex card. A good to excellent score is considered 670 to 850.
No, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card does not charge an annual fee.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
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