U.S. Bank Cash+ vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: Best Cash Back Credit Card in 2026?

U.S. Bank Cash+ vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards (2026)

For cardholders who want to choose their own bonus categories instead of accepting fixed ones, two no-annual-fee cards lead the category: the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card. Both are $0/year and both let you pick what earns extra — but they structure that choice very differently.

Compare both cards on SmartRates →

Why "Choose Your Category" Cards Exist Alongside Fixed-Category Cards

Choose-your-own-category cards fill a gap that fixed-category cards can't: a household whose top spending area doesn't match a big-bank card's predetermined 3x list (say, home improvement or streaming rather than dining or travel) can still capture an elevated rate by selecting the category that actually fits. This flexibility is the entire value proposition of both cards, and it's worth revisiting your selected category periodically as your spending shifts, rather than picking once at account opening and never touching it again.

Annual Fee and APR

• U.S. Bank Cash+: $0/year, 17.74%–27.99% variable APR
• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: $0/year, 17.49%–27.49% variable APR

Both free; Bank of America's APR range runs slightly lower at both ends.

Earning Rates

U.S. Bank Cash+:

• 5% on two categories you choose each quarter, from a list of 12+ options (up to $2,000 in combined spend per quarter)
• 2% on one everyday category (gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants — your choice)
• 1% on everything else

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards:

• 3% in one category you choose (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement)
• 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (combined with the 3% category, capped at $2,500/quarter)
• 1% on everything else

U.S. Bank's structure is objectively more generous on paper: two 5% categories beats one 3% category, and its category list is unusually broad — options like TV/streaming, home utilities, and fast food aren't available on most competing cards. Bank of America's single 3% category caps out lower, but its cap of $2,500/quarter (combined with groceries) is larger than U.S. Bank's $2,000/quarter cap.

Winner: U.S. Bank Cash+, on raw category rate and selection breadth — unless you're a Bank of America/Merrill relationship customer (see below).

The Bank of America Preferred Rewards Wildcard

Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program boosts cash back by 25% to 75% for customers who keep qualifying balances across Bank of America and Merrill accounts. At the top tier, the Customized Cash Rewards card's 3% category effectively becomes 5.25% — higher than U.S. Bank Cash+'s 5% rate. U.S. Bank Cash+ has no equivalent relationship-based boost.

Winner: Depends entirely on whether you already bank with Bank of America/Merrill at a qualifying balance tier. If not, this advantage doesn't apply to you.

Welcome Bonus and Credit Score

• U.S. Bank Cash+: $250 cash back after $1,000 spend in 90 days, minimum credit score around 660
• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: $200 cash bonus after $1,000 spend in 90 days, minimum credit score around 670

Winner: U.S. Bank Cash+, on both the bonus size and the slightly more accessible credit score requirement.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Both cards charge roughly a 3% foreign transaction fee, making neither a good choice for international spending.

Winner: Tie.

Don't Forget to Actually Select Your Categories

The single most common way cardholders undermine either of these cards is simply forgetting to make a category selection at all — both cards default to their base 1% rate if you never actively choose a bonus category, silently turning a potential 5% or 3% card into an ordinary 1% one. Set a recurring reminder tied to your billing cycle (quarterly for U.S. Bank Cash+, whenever you want to adjust for Bank of America) so the card is always actively working at its advertised rate rather than quietly defaulting to its floor.

Who Should Get the U.S. Bank Cash+?

• You want the highest possible category rate (5%) and the widest selection of category options
• You don't already have a Bank of America or Merrill relationship
• You spend across unusual categories like TV/streaming, home utilities, or fast food

Who Should Get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards?

• You already maintain Preferred Rewards status through Bank of America/Merrill balances
• You'd rather manage one bonus category instead of two plus an everyday-category pick
• Your combined grocery and bonus-category spending regularly exceeds $2,000/quarter (up to BofA's higher $2,500 cap)

Bottom Line

On paper, U.S. Bank Cash+ is the stronger card for most people — a higher 5% rate, two categories instead of one, and a bigger welcome bonus. Bank of America only pulls ahead if you're already a Preferred Rewards customer at a qualifying tier, at which point its 3% category effectively out-earns U.S. Bank's 5% rate. See the full U.S. Bank Cash+ review → and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards review →.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pick new categories every quarter on both cards?

On U.S. Bank Cash+, yes — you select (or re-select) your two 5% categories each quarter. Bank of America's Customized Cash Rewards lets you change your chosen category through its online account tools if you want to adjust it.

What is Bank of America Preferred Rewards, and how do I qualify?

It's a relationship tier based on your combined three-month average balance across Bank of America deposit accounts and Merrill investment accounts. Higher balance tiers unlock progressively larger cash back boosts on eligible Bank of America credit cards.

Which card has better everyday categories if I don't want to think about it?

Neither is designed to be "set and forget" — both require an active category selection to earn their top rate. If you want a no-thought flat rate instead, consider a card like the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash, both of which pay a flat 2% with no categories to manage.

Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying. Compare all cash back credit cards →