Looking for the best no-annual-fee cash back card but can't decide between the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards? You're not alone. Both cards offer solid earning potential without the sting of an annual fee, but they take very different approaches to maximizing your cash back.

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 2% at U.S. gas stations and select department stores, and 1% on everything else. Meanwhile, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards lets you choose your own 3% category each month from options like online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.

The Bottom Line: The Blue Cash Everyday is perfect for grocery-heavy spenders who value Amex's superior customer service and acceptance. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards wins for those who want flexibility to optimize their 3% category monthly and can benefit from the Preferred Rewards program.

The Bottom Line: The Blue Cash Everyday is perfect for grocery-heavy spenders who value Amex's superior customer service, while the Bank of America card wins for those who want flexibility to optimize their 3% category monthly.

Key Features & Benefits

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express takes a straightforward approach to cash back rewards. You'll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1%), 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select department stores, and 1% on all other purchases.

What makes this card special isn't just the earning rates – it's the ecosystem. As an Amex card, you'll enjoy world-class customer service, robust purchase protection, and the peace of mind that comes with the American Express brand. The supermarket category is particularly generous, essentially giving families a $180 annual bonus just for buying groceries.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card flips the script entirely. Instead of fixed categories, you choose your 3% cash back category each month from rotating options including online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, home improvement, or furnishings. You'll earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases.

The real power comes from Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program. If you maintain $20,000+ in Bank of America deposits and investments, your rewards get a 25-75% bonus. That means your 3% category could earn up to 5.25% cash back with Platinum Honors tier.

Earning Structure Deep Dive

The Grocery Store Battle

This is where these cards diverge most dramatically. The Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% cash back at supermarkets with a $6,000 annual cap, translating to a maximum of $180 in grocery rewards per year.

The Bank of America card counters with 2% back at grocery stores with no cap, plus the ability to choose groceries as your 3% category if needed (though you'd lose the 2% base rate). For most families spending $500-800 monthly on groceries, the Amex approach typically wins.

Real-world example: A family spending $600 monthly on groceries ($7,200 annually) would earn $180 from Amex (3% on first $6,000, then 1%) versus $144 from Bank of America (2% on all purchases). The Amex card wins by $36 annually just on groceries.

Category Flexibility Face-Off

The Bank of America card's monthly category selection is genuinely innovative. Rather than guessing what Discover or Chase will offer each quarter, you control your destiny. The available categories typically include:

• Online shopping (perfect for Amazon, major retailers)
• Dining (restaurants, fast food, coffee shops)
• Travel (airlines, hotels, rental cars)
• Drug stores (CVS, Walgreens, pharmacies)
• Home improvement & furnishings

This flexibility shines during specific spending periods. Planning to buy $2,000 worth of furniture? Switch to home improvement for $60 in rewards versus $20 with the Amex card's 1% default rate.

The Gas Station Factor

The Blue Cash Everyday offers 2% back at U.S. gas stations automatically. The Bank of America card offers 1% at gas stations but could potentially earn 3% if you select travel as your category and your gas station codes as travel (results vary by station).

For drivers spending $200+ monthly on gas, the Amex card provides consistent value without the need to optimize categories.

Fees & Requirements

Both cards excel with no annual fees, making them perfect for long-term wallet residents. However, their other fee structures show key differences.

Foreign Transaction Fees: The Blue Cash Everyday charges no foreign transaction fees, while the Bank of America card charges 2.7% on international purchases. This matters significantly if you travel internationally.

Credit Requirements: The American Express card typically requires good to excellent credit (670+ score), while the Bank of America card may be accessible to those with fair credit.

Minimum Redemption: Amex requires $25 minimum for redemption, while Bank of America allows $1 redemptions.

Acceptance and Usability

Here's where practical considerations matter. American Express acceptance, while improved dramatically over the past decade, still lags behind Visa and Mastercard. The Bank of America card runs on the Visa network, virtually guaranteeing acceptance anywhere cards are taken.

For everyday U.S. spending, this rarely matters. But it becomes crucial for small businesses, some online merchants, and international travel. If you've ever been turned away because a merchant doesn't accept Amex, you understand this pain point.

The Blue Cash Everyday compensates with superior mobile app experience, excellent customer service, and robust account management tools. Bank of America's app is functional but doesn't match Amex's polish and feature set.

Real-World Spending Scenarios

Scenario 1: The Typical Family

Monthly Spending: $500 groceries, $150 gas, $300 dining, $200 otherAnnual Total: $13,800

Amex Blue Cash Everyday:

• Groceries: $6,000 × 3% + $0 × 1% = $180
• Gas: $1,800 × 2% = $36
• Other: $6,000 × 1% = $60
• Total: $276

BofA Customized Cash (optimizing dining):

• Groceries: $6,000 × 2% = $120
• Dining: $3,600 × 3% = $108
• Other: $4,200 × 1% = $42
• Total: $270

Winner: Amex by $6 annually

Scenario 2: The Strategic Optimizer

Monthly Spending: $300 groceries, $100 gas, $500 online shopping, $400 otherAnnual Total: $15,600

Amex Blue Cash Everyday: $234 annually

BofA Customized Cash (optimizing online shopping):

• Online: $6,000 × 3% = $180
• Groceries: $3,600 × 2% = $72
• Other: $6,000 × 1% = $60
• Total: $312

Winner: Bank of America by $78 annually

Maximizing Value: Tips & Strategies

For the Blue Cash Everyday Card

1. Max out your grocery spending: Hit that $6,000 annual cap early in the year to maximize the 3% rate
2. Use for subscription services: Many recurring subscriptions don't fall into bonus categories on other cards
3. Pair strategically: Combine with a 2% everything card for non-bonus purchases
4. Leverage Amex Offers: Check your account regularly for targeted spending bonuses

For users wanting to maximize the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, the grocery category is your golden goose. Families should front-load grocery spending early in the year to hit the $6,000 cap while earning 3%.

For the BofA Customized Cash

1. Plan your categories: Look ahead monthly and optimize for your biggest upcoming expenses
2. Stack with Preferred Rewards: Maintain qualifying balances for 25-75% bonus rewards
3. Track quarterly spending: Know when you're approaching quarterly caps
4. Use calendar reminders: Set monthly alerts to update your 3% category

The Bank of America Ecosystem Advantage

The Customized Cash Rewards card becomes significantly more attractive when you're already in the Bank of America ecosystem. Their Preferred Rewards program offers substantial benefits:

• Gold ($20,000+ balances): 25% rewards bonus (3% becomes 3.75%)
• Platinum ($50,000+ balances): 50% rewards bonus (3% becomes 4.5%)
• Platinum Honors ($100,000+ balances): 75% rewards bonus (3% becomes 5.25%)

These bonuses apply to the entire card's earning structure, making it potentially the highest-earning no-fee cash back card available. However, the high balance requirements limit this benefit to affluent households.

Who Should Choose Which Card?

Choose the Blue Cash Everyday If You:

• Spend $400+ monthly on groceries consistently
• Value American Express customer service and benefits
• Prefer set-it-and-forget-it earning without monthly optimization
• Travel internationally and want no foreign transaction fees
• Don't maintain large Bank of America balances
• Want a card that works well long-term without thinking about it

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is ideal for families with predictable grocery spending who value simplicity and excellent customer service.

Choose the BofA Customized Cash If You:

• Like to optimize and don't mind changing categories monthly
• Are already a Bank of America customer or can qualify for Preferred Rewards
• Have spending that varies significantly month to month
• Want maximum flexibility in your 3% category
• Don't spend heavily on groceries (under $300/month)
• Prioritize Visa acceptance over Amex benefits

Application Process

Blue Cash Everyday from American Express

Credit Score: Good to excellent (670+)
Application: Online application typically provides instant decisionCurrent Welcome Offer: Check current bonus offer

BofA Customized Cash Rewards

Credit Score: Fair to excellent (580+)Application: Online or in-branch, instant decision common
Existing Relationship: Being a Bank of America customer may improve approval odds

Comparing Alternatives

Both cards face competition from other no-fee cash back options:

vs. Citi Double Cash: The 2% everywhere Citi card offers simplicity but lacks the high-earning categories of both cards reviewed here. Choose Citi if you want true simplicity and don't spend heavily in any particular category.

vs. Capital One SavorOne: The SavorOne offers 3% on dining and entertainment with no annual fee. Choose it if these categories represent your biggest spending, but note the Blue Cash Everyday likely offers more value for typical families.

vs. Discover it Cash Back: Discover's rotating 5% categories can beat both cards in specific quarters, but the unpredictable nature and lower acceptance make it a complement rather than replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both cards to maximize rewards?
Absolutely! Many reward optimizers carry both cards, using the Blue Cash Everyday for groceries and gas, and the BofA card for whatever 3% category makes sense each month. Just ensure you can manage multiple cards responsibly.

Do either cards have limits on the 3% categories?
The Blue Cash Everyday caps supermarket spending at $6,000 annually for 3% back. The BofA Customized Cash caps the chosen 3% category at $2,500 per quarter ($10,000 annually). Plan accordingly.

Which card is better for someone just starting with credit cards?
The Bank of America card may be more accessible for those with limited credit history, while the Amex typically requires established good credit. However, both require responsible credit management.

How do welcome bonuses compare?
Both cards periodically offer welcome bonuses, but these change frequently. The current Blue Cash Everyday offer and Bank of America promotions should be compared at application time.

Can I downgrade from premium cards to either of these?
Yes! The Blue Cash Everyday is a common downgrade path from the Blue Cash Preferred when you want to avoid the annual fee. Similarly, the BofA Customized Cash can be a downgrade option from their premium cash back cards.

Which has better customer service?
American Express is renowned for superior customer service, with 24/7 phone support and excellent dispute resolution. Bank of America's service is adequate but doesn't match Amex's reputation for going above and beyond.

The Bottom Line: Making Your Choice

Both the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards earn their place in the no-annual-fee cash back conversation, but they serve different personalities and spending patterns.

Choose the Blue Cash Everyday if you're a grocery-focused family who values predictable rewards and excellent customer service. The 3% back on supermarkets, combined with 2% on gas stations, creates a solid foundation for most households' biggest expense categories. The Amex ecosystem benefits and no foreign transaction fees add meaningful value.

Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash if you're a strategic spender who enjoys monthly optimization and can benefit from the Preferred Rewards program. The ability to earn up to 5.25% (with Platinum Honors status) on your choice of category monthly is unmatched in the no-fee space.

For many households, the optimal strategy involves both cards – using each for its strength categories while maintaining the flexibility to optimize monthly spending. Just remember that more cards mean more complexity, so only pursue this approach if you can manage multiple cards responsibly.

Ready to apply? Check the current welcome bonus on the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express to see if there's a limited-time offer that might tip the scales in your decision.