Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card Review: Rewards, Fees & Benefits

Rewards

Reward TypeCash Back

Base Rate1.5x / 1.5%

Point Value~0.01¢ each

Travel Portal1x

ExpirationCash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

Category	Rate	Type	Cap
All Other Purchases Earns cash back on all eligible purchases.	1.5x	Cash Back	No cap

Benefits & Protections

Benefit	Category	Value / Coverage
Mobile Banking App Access Manage your account, pay bills, view statements, and monitor transactions conveniently through the Bank of America Mobile Banking app.	Digital Tools	Mobile app access
Online Banking Access Access and manage your credit card account securely online, view statements, make payments, and set up alerts.	Digital Tools	Online account management
Credit Building This secured credit card helps you establish or rebuild your credit history by reporting your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus. Responsible use can lead to an improved credit score.	Financial Management	Credit history reporting
Free FICO® Score Access Access your FICO® Score for free within your online banking account or mobile app, helping you monitor your credit health.	Financial Management	Free FICO® Score
No Annual Fee The card has no annual fee, allowing you to save money while building credit and earning rewards.	Financial Management	No annual fee
Overdraft Protection Service Link your credit card to your Bank of America checking account to help prevent overdrafts. Funds from your credit card's available credit will be advanced to cover transactions that exceed your checking account balance.	Financial Management	Overdraft protection
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases made with the card, with no rotating categories or caps on the amount of cash back you can earn.	Rewards	1.5% cash back
Fraud Monitoring and Protection Benefit from continuous fraud monitoring and protection against unauthorized transactions, helping to keep your account secure.	Security	Fraud protection
Lost/Stolen Card Reporting Provides assistance in reporting a lost or stolen card to the appropriate parties and helps prevent unauthorized use.	Security	Assistance with lost/stolen card
Visa Zero Liability Protection You are protected from unauthorized use of your card or account information. If your card is lost or stolen, you won't be held responsible for fraudulent charges made with your Visa card.	Security	No liability for unauthorized charges
Emergency Card Replacement If your card is lost or stolen, Visa can arrange for a replacement card to be sent to you, typically within 1 to 3 business days, anywhere in the world.	Travel Assistance	Expedited card replacement
Emergency Cash Disbursement If your card is lost or stolen, Visa can arrange for emergency cash to be sent to you, typically within hours, at a convenient location worldwide.	Travel Assistance	Emergency cash access
Roadside Dispatch® A pay-per-use roadside assistance program available 24/7. Services include standard towing, tire changing, jump starting, lockout service, fuel delivery, and winching. Cardholders are responsible for service fees.	Travel Assistance	Pay-per-use roadside assistance
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services Provides a range of assistance services when you're traveling, including medical and legal referrals, emergency transportation assistance, and pre-trip assistance. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any services rendered.	Travel Assistance	Referral and coordination services

Interest Rates

Purchase APR26.24%–29.24% Variable

Cash Advance APR29.99%

Fees

Annual Fee $0 — No Annual Fee

Foreign Transaction FeeNone

Balance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater.

Cash Advance FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

Late Payment FeeUp to $40

Returned Payment FeeUp to $40

Approval & Eligibility

580 Recommended minimum FICO · Range 580–669

300 Poor580 Fair 670 Good740 Very Good 800+ Exceptional

Approval DifficultyEasy

Credit ProfileFair

Approval OddsGood

Decision Time1-3 days

Pre-QualificationNot available

Co-ApplicantNot allowed

Business EligibleNo

Credit Limit Range $200 – $5,000

Issuer Rules & Restrictions

Maximum Cards per Issuer

You can hold up to 4 cards from this issuer simultaneously.

Shutdown Risk Triggers

Late or missed payments, defaulting on the security deposit, suspicious account activity, fraudulent transactions, excessive credit limit utilization across all Bank of America accounts, or a history of account abuse (e.g., manufactured spending, though less common for secured cards).

Cliff Effect Rules

The primary 'cliff effect' for this card is its potential to graduate to an unsecured Bank of America credit card. This typically occurs after a period of responsible use (e.g., 6-12 months) where the security deposit is returned, and the account transitions to a standard unsecured product. There are no complex bonus eligibility 'cliff' rules as there is no traditional sign-up bonus.

International Friendly

May have limitations for international use.

Additional Issuer Rules

This card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. Eligibility requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and be a U.S. resident. A security deposit is required, which typically determines the credit limit. While there is no traditional sign-up bonus, responsible use can lead to graduation to an unsecured Bank of America credit card. Bank of America's '2/3/4 Rule' applies to new credit card applications across all BofA cards: a maximum of 2 new cards in the past 2 months, 3 new cards in the past 12 months, and 4 new cards in the past 24 months. This secured card counts towards these limits. An existing banking relationship with Bank of America (e.g., checking or savings account) may improve approval odds.

Military & Hardship

SCRA Benefits

Eligible active duty Servicemembers may qualify for SCRA benefits, including a reduced interest rate on their credit card account. To learn more, visit bankofamerica.com/SCRA.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card