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Side-by-side

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs PayPal Cashback Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Travel Rewards comes from Bank of America at $0/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony 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.

FeatureBank of America Travel RewardsPayPal Cashback Mastercard
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus25,000 points$200 cash back
Bonus value (est.)$250$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaSynchrony
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5x everywhere
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
  • Preferred Rewards boost
    Read the full review
    Bank of America Travel Rewards
    $0/yr · 25,000 points
    Read the full review
    PayPal Cashback Mastercard
    $0/yr · $200 cash back

    Editorial take: Bank of America Travel Rewards

    The no-fee version of Premium Rewards. Only shines with BoA's Preferred Rewards boost, otherwise the Capital One VentureOne or Wells Fargo Autograph beat it.

    Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Travel Rewards or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    The Bank of America Travel Rewards has the bigger bonus, 25,000 points, worth roughly $250, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the PayPal Cashback Mastercard.
    Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    The Bank of America Travel Rewards has no annual fee, so the question is whether the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
    Can I have both the Bank of America Travel Rewards and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Synchrony) 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 Travel Rewards or the PayPal Cashback Mastercard first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Travel Rewards: $1,000 spend in 3 months. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 in 3 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.