Bank of America Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America Review: Customizable Cash Back for a Cause
Discover if the Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® card offers the perfect blend of customizable cash back in categories like online shopping and gas, plus the satisfaction of supporting a great cause with every swipe.
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | $200 Cash Rewards Bonus |
| Rewards Rate | 1%-6% Cash Back |
| Intro APR | 0% Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account. |
| Regular APR | A Variable APR that's currently 17.49% to 27.49% will apply after the intro APR offer ends. 17.49% - 27.49% variable |
| Other Fees | 3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 5%. Transfer fees may apply. |
Overview
The Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® from Bank of America is a standout no-annual-fee card that combines a powerful rewards structure with a charitable mission. Its most compelling feature is the ability to earn an impressive 6% cash back in a category of your choice for the first year (on up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases), which then reverts to a still-strong 3%. Categories include practical options like online shopping, dining, gas, or travel. The card also offers an automatic 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Combined with a solid $200 online cash bonus offer and a lengthy 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, it presents a very strong value proposition upfront.
What makes this card unique is that your everyday spending also supports the Susan G. Komen® foundation, as Bank of America makes donations for new accounts and a percentage of purchases. This allows cardholders to contribute to a cause they care about without any extra effort or cost. The flexibility to change your 3% bonus category once a month means you can adapt your rewards strategy as your spending habits shift throughout the year, maximizing your cash back.
This card is an excellent fit for budget-conscious consumers with good credit who want to earn high cash back rates in their biggest spending areas without paying an annual fee. It’s particularly well-suited for someone who wants to make a large purchase or transfer a balance while taking advantage of the intro APR period. If you value customizable rewards and appreciate that your card usage can support a charitable cause, this card is a compelling choice.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate in choice category (first year)
- Cashback on purchases
- Customizable bonus categories
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fees
- Quarterly cap on bonus rewards
- Reduced rewards rate in choice category after the first year
Benefits
Generous Welcome Offer and First-Year Rewards
This card kicks things off with a valuable and easy-to-earn welcome bonus: you can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending just $1,000 in the first 90 days. For a card with no annual fee, this is a highly competitive offer. The real standout feature, however, is the rewards rate during your first year. Cardholders earn an exceptional 6% cash back in a category of their choice, which can be changed monthly. Available categories cover common spending areas like gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement, making it incredibly easy to maximize your earnings.
Flexible and Ongoing Cash Back
After the first year, the rewards structure remains strong. The choice category rate adjusts to a still-impressive 3% cash back, which is a top-tier rate for a no-annual-fee card with this level of flexibility. In addition, you'll consistently earn an automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. These bonus rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery, and wholesale club purchases each quarter, with all other purchases earning an unlimited 1% back. This structure makes the card a powerful tool for optimizing rewards on everyday essentials.
Valuable Intro APR and Charitable Giving
Beyond rewards, the card provides a lengthy 0% introductory APR for your first 15 billing cycles on both new purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days. This makes it a great option if you need to finance a large purchase or pay down existing debt without accruing interest. As a unique benefit, using this card also supports a good cause. Bank of America makes a contribution to the Susan G. Komen® foundation for each new card that's used and for every purchase you make, adding a layer of charitable giving to your daily spending.
Drawbacks
While the card's 6% cash back rate in a chosen category is an excellent introductory perk, it's important to remember this rate only lasts for the first year. Afterward, it drops to a still-competitive 3%. The bonus rewards are also limited by a quarterly spending cap; you'll only earn the higher rates on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter across your choice category, grocery stores, and wholesale clubs. For heavy spenders, this cap could limit the card's overall earning potential.
The card's biggest drawback is its potentially high regular APR, which ranges from 17.49% to 27.49% Variable. If you tend to carry a balance, the interest charges could quickly outweigh any cash back you earn, making this a poor choice for long-term financing. Similarly, while it has an introductory balance transfer offer, the ongoing balance transfer fee jumps to 5% after the first 60 days, which is higher than what many other cards charge.
Decision Guidance
This card is a compelling choice if you want to maximize cash back in a specific, high-spending category like online shopping or gas, while also supporting a charitable cause. Its flexible 3% bonus category and no annual fee offer strong, consistent value for everyday spending. However, the quarterly spending cap on bonus rewards means it's better suited for moderate spenders rather than those with very high expenses in a single category.
Summary
The Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards card delivers exceptional value for a no-annual-fee card, pairing a powerful 6% introductory cash back rate in a category of your choice with a meaningful charitable mission. While the bonus rewards are capped quarterly, it's an ideal choice for strategic spenders who want to maximize returns in their biggest spending category and feel good knowing their purchases support an important cause.