Editorial take: Bank of America Premium Rewards
Only a standout if you're a BoA Preferred Rewards member, that boost can push earnings to 2.625x on everything, 3.5x on travel and dining. Without it, Venture and Sapphire both beat it.
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Side-by-side
Bank of America Premium Rewards vs Discover it Cash Back
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Premium Rewards comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/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.
| Feature | Bank of America Premium Rewards | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Bank of America | Discover |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Bank of America Premium Rewards
$95/yr ·
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Premium Rewards or Discover it Cash Back?
- The Discover it Cash Back has a public bonus (Cashback Match (first year, unlimited), worth roughly $200), while the Bank of America Premium Rewards doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Bank of America Premium Rewards's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
- At $95/yr, the Bank of America Premium Rewards is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Cash Back's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Bank of America Premium Rewards and Discover it Cash Back?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Discover) 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 Premium Rewards or the Discover it Cash Back first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Premium Rewards: no published min spend. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.