Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America Review: Flexible Cash Back, No Annual Fee, Supports Charity
Discover how the Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® from Bank of America combines flexible, no-annual-fee cash back with the chance to support a vital charity. Find out if its generous rewards and intro APR fit your spending.
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | $200 online cash rewards bonus |
| Rewards Rate | 6% 2% 1% 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. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 17.74% to 27.74% will apply. 3% 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America. |
| Regular APR | Standard APR 17.74% - 27.74% 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% |
Overview
The Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America stands out with a highly flexible and lucrative rewards structure, especially for a card with no annual fee. Its most compelling feature is the ability to earn 6% cash back in a category of your choice for the first year (then 3%), with options including gas, online shopping, dining, and more. This is paired with an automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, making it a powerful tool for maximizing returns on everyday spending. On top of the ongoing rewards, new cardholders can earn a generous $200 online cash bonus after meeting a reasonable spending requirement.
Beyond its strong rewards, the card offers excellent introductory terms, including a 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers. While the top cash back rate drops after the first year and rewards are capped at the first $2,500 in combined bonus category spending each quarter, the ongoing value is still very competitive. Furthermore, using the card supports a charitable cause, as Bank of America makes contributions to Susan G. Komen® with each new account and purchase.
This card is an ideal fit for budget-conscious consumers who want to tailor their rewards to their specific spending habits without paying an annual fee. It’s particularly valuable for those who can take advantage of the generous first-year cash back rate and the introductory APR offer, all while contributing to a worthy cause through their daily transactions.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High cashback rate in customizable categories for the first year
- Cashback on everyday purchases
- Supports a charitable cause
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fees
- Spending caps on bonus categories
- Rewards rate decreases after the first year
Benefits
Generous Welcome Offer and Intro APR
This card immediately stands out with a valuable welcome offer and a lengthy introductory APR period. New cardholders can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending a reasonable $1,000 in the first 90 days. For a card with no annual fee, this is a highly competitive and easily attainable bonus. Beyond the initial cash boost, the card provides a 0% Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles on both new purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days. This makes it an excellent tool for financing a large purchase or paying down existing debt without accruing interest for over a year.
Exceptional and Customizable Cash Back Rewards
The rewards structure is the main attraction, offering outstanding flexibility and earning potential, especially in the first year. Cardholders receive a remarkable 6% cash back in a category of their choice for the first 12 months. You can select from practical, high-spend categories like gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement. This rate is nearly unmatched by any other no-annual-fee card. Additionally, you'll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
After the first year, the top rewards rate reverts to a still-excellent 3% in your chosen category, keeping the card valuable for the long term. These bonus rewards apply to the first $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery store, and wholesale club purchases each quarter. For those who want to support a cause while they spend, Bank of America also makes a contribution to Susan G. Komen® for new accounts and a percentage of every purchase made with the card.
Drawbacks
While this card's rewards are strong, its value is significantly diminished after the first year. The excellent 6% cash back rate on your chosen category drops to a still-competitive, but less exciting, 3%. More importantly, the high-earning categories (your choice category plus grocery stores and wholesale clubs) are subject to a combined spending cap of $2,500 per quarter. Once you hit that limit, your earnings fall to an unlimited 1% cash back, which can be a major constraint for households with high spending in these areas.
Potential cardholders should also be aware of the high costs associated with carrying a balance. Once the 0% introductory APR period ends, the ongoing variable APR can be as high as 27.74%, a rate that can quickly negate the value of any cash back earned. Similarly, while the introductory balance transfer fee is standard, the fee for transfers made after the first 60 days jumps to 5%, which is higher than what many competing cards charge. This makes the card a less-than-ideal choice for long-term debt management.
Decision Guidance
This card is an excellent choice for those who want to maximize cash back in a specific spending category, like online shopping or dining, without paying an annual fee. The exceptional 6% first-year rewards rate and 0% intro APR offer significant upfront value for new cardholders. While the top rewards rate drops after the first year and is capped quarterly, its ongoing flexibility makes it a powerful tool for strategic spenders who also appreciate supporting a charitable cause.
Summary
The Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards card offers standout value for a no-annual-fee card, led by an exceptional 6% cash back rate in a category of your choice for the first year (then 3%). While the bonus rewards are capped quarterly, the card’s rare combination of flexibility, a strong intro APR offer, and built-in charitable support makes it a compelling choice for anyone seeking to maximize returns on their biggest spending area.