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Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards comes from Bank of America at $0/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash RewardsMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$0$1199
Sign-up bonusNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)-$0
Min spend to unlock bonus-$0 in 0 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categorybusinesstravel
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • $300 airline credit
    • $200 dining credit
    • $120 Global Entry credit
    • 2cpp cash back or airfare
    Read the full review
    Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards
    $0/yr ·
    Read the full review
    Mastercard Gold Card
    $1199/yr · No public welcome offer

    Editorial take: Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards

    Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card

    The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards or Mastercard Gold Card?
    The Mastercard Gold Card has a public bonus (No public welcome offer, worth roughly $0), while the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold Card?
    The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Mastercard Gold Card's $1199 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Mastercard Gold Card's benefits to clear $1199 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards.
    Can I have both the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards and Mastercard Gold Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Barclays (Luxury Card)) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards or the Mastercard Gold Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards: no published min spend. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.