BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card review

BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card review

Updated: September 30, 2019
Updated: September 30, 2019
Ratings Policy
Balance Transfer Rating:
0 rating
0 rating
0 / 5
Introductory Offer:0.0
Net Value:0.0
Features:0.0

In a Nutshell:

The BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card offers a unique incentive for paying more than the minimum amount due, but its standard APR (see terms) is too high for carrying a balance and its 0 percent balance transfer period is relatively short. This offer is no longer available.

0% Introductory Period
12 billing cycles

Poor

Transfer Fee
$10 or 3% (whichever is higher)

Excellent

Introductory Purchase APR
None

Poor

Regular APR
See terms

Average

Annual Fee
$0

Excellent

Other Notable Features: Overdraft protection, mobile banking, text banking

Ratings Policy
Low Interest Rating:
0 rating
0 rating
0 / 5
Rates, Fees, Penalties:0.0
Rewards:0.0
Features:0.0

In a Nutshell:

While this card offers a reasonable 12.49 percent interest rate and there’s no annual fee, there’s not much else to recommend it. This offer is no longer available.

Regular APR
See terms

Fair

Introductory Purchase APR
None

Poor

Introductory Balance Transfer APR
See terms

Excellent

Fees

  • No annual fee
  • 3% or $10 balance transfer fee (whichever is higher)
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% or $10 cash advance fee (whichever is higher)
Very Good

Penalties

  • $38 late payment fee
  • $27 returned payment fee
Fair

Other Notable Features: Overdraft protection, mobile banking, text banking

Ratings Policy
Rewards Rating:
0 rating
0 rating
0 / 5
Rewards Value:0.0
Annual Percentage Rate:0.0
Rewards Flexibility:0.0
Features:0.0

In a Nutshell:

Designed for cardholders who regularly carry a balance, the BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card uses a quarterly cash reward to motivate cardholders to quickly shave down their balance; however, the card’s $25 carrot isn’t very large. This offer is no longer available.

Rewards Rate

  • $25 each quarter you pay more than the minimum amount due
  • $5 each quarter for having a Bank of America account
Poor

Sign-up Bonus
None

Poor

Annual Fee
$0

Excellent

Average Yearly Rewards Value ($1,325 monthly spend)
$120

Poor

APR
See terms

Very Good

Rewards Redemption
Pros

  • Cash back doesn’t expire
  • Cash automatically debited to your credit card balance
  • Rewards encourage responsible credit card use

Cons

  • You are limited to earning a set amount each quarter
  • Rewards can only be applied to your statement balance
Very Good

Other Notable Features: Overdraft protection, mobile banking, text banking

This offer is no longer available. For current offers, visit ourreviews section.

BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards doesn’t offer any outstanding features except one: It gives you a small monetary reward for paying more than a monthly minimum. Other than that, it’s pretty much plain vanilla. It charges all kinds of fees, and the penalty fees are especially drastic. The card has a zero percent balance transfer APR, but it only lasts 12 months, and there is no introductory APR for new purchases (see terms).

The APR is not great

If you have great credit, you can find a card with a considerably lower APR. Some low rate credit cards feature an APR as low as 8 percent or even 7 percent and offer much better savings in the long run.

Unusual rewards program

While the card doesn’t offer cash back rewards in the traditional sense, you will get $25 every quarter ($30 if you are a Bank of America customer) when you pay more than the monthly minimum by the due date every month. With this program, you can earn $100-120 per year.

Don’t miss a payment

The penalties for missing a payment are pretty drastic with this card. Bank of America will charge you a $38 late fee and your APR could skyrocket after just one missed payment (see terms). In addition, you will lose your $25 reward for the quarter during which you incur the “infraction.” So be careful and pay on time. Better yet, you can automate your monthly payments.

Why get the BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card?

  • You want a zero percent introductory balance transfer rate for 12 months.
  • You always pay more than the minimum amount due and want to earn up to $120 a year.
  • You want a simple no-fee, low interest rate card.

How to use the BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards card:

  • The BankAmericard Better Balance Rewards Credit Card doesn’t offer a zero percent APR for purchases (see terms). So if you buy something, you will be charged interest effective immediately. If you use the card to make purchases, don’t transfer the balance from other cards, and if you transfer balances, don’t use the card for purchases.
  • In order to receive the quarterly $25 reward, you must use the card every month. In case you don’t regularly use the card, you can set up your credit card to make a recurring payment (e.g., for your gym membership) and your banking account to automatically repay the card.

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