Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card vs. United Explorer Card
On the criteria below, United Explorer Card wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America
United Explorer Card
Chase
United Explorer Card wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card wins on annual fee and earning ceiling; United Explorer Card wins on first-year math, travel insurance, and foreign transactions.
Pick the United Explorer Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
2 vs 3- First-year math United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns more on its best category (3× vs 2×).
- Travel insurance United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- $150
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $200
- $910
- First-year net
- +$200
- +$760
- Peak earning rate
- 3×
- 2×
- Top categories
- Choice Category, Grocery
- Airfare, Hotels Resorts, Dining
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- Yes
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3.00%
- None
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- United MileagePlus
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.