Alyssa Lane
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3% cash back on purchases made online or via mobile apps from select merchants, including Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Macy's, and Target. However, it is important to note that insurance companies, utilities, schools, hospitals, and other non-retail services are excluded from this category. While some cardholders have reported receiving cash back for insurance payments made through Apple Pay or PayPal, Bank of America has recently clarified that these transactions do not qualify for the 3% cash back category.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insurance bills | Almost always billed in the insurance category which is specifically excluded by BOA |
| Online shopping category | Includes online and mobile app purchases in a wide variety of merchant categories |
| Online shopping category examples | Bookstores, clothing and apparel, department stores, cable, internet and streaming services, etc. |
| Excluded from the online shopping category | Doctors and hospitals, government services and taxes, membership organizations, schools, utilities and other non-retail services |
What You'll Learn
Online shopping with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great option for online shopping. It offers 3% cash back on online shopping, including purchases made through mobile apps, cable, internet, streaming services, books, music, fashion, electronics, and toys.
However, it's important to note that some purchases may not be categorized as expected. Insurance, utilities, and other non-retail services are excluded from the online shopping category. To maximize your rewards, it's best to review the merchant category codes (MCCs) or check your account to see how each purchase is categorized.
Additionally, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has spending caps. You can earn 3% and 2% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, respectively. After reaching the cap, you'll earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
To make the most of your online shopping with this card, consider the following:
- Shop strategically: Pay attention to the merchant category codes (MCCs) to ensure your online purchases qualify for the 3% cash back.
- Maximize bonus spending caps: Try to reach the spending caps each quarter without overspending to get the most value from the card.
- Redeem rewards wisely: Enroll in the Preferred Rewards program and redeem your rewards for direct deposit to get up to 75% more rewards with high balances in your Bank of America® or eligible Merrill accounts.
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Insurance payments with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 of combined bonus category/grocery store/wholesale club spending per quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases.
The card's 3% cash-back category options include:
- Online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet, and phone plans)
- Home improvement and furnishings
- Gas
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug stores
You can change your 3% bonus category once a month. If you don't make a selection, the default 3% cash-back category will be set to gas.
While insurance is not included in the 3% cash-back category, you can still earn 1% cash back on insurance payments with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
It's important to note that some purchases may not fall into the category where you expect them to appear, as Bank of America does not control how merchants classify their purchases.
Additionally, there are some reports from cardholders that insurance payments are excluded from the online shopping category and only earn 1% cash back. However, there are also reports that paying with PayPal linked to the Bank of America Cash Rewards card can get the online shopping bonus.
Therefore, while insurance payments may not qualify for the 3% cash-back category, you can still earn rewards on these purchases with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
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Online shopping rewards categories
Online shopping rewards are a type of loyalty program for e-commerce shoppers. These programs may be points-based, cashback, airline frequent flyer-miles-based, hotel points, donations to charity, or even carbon offsets.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good example of a card with online shopping rewards categories. Cardholders can earn 3% cash back in the category of their choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and 1% on all other purchases. The 3% cash-back category can be chosen from the following:
- Gas & EV Charging Stations
- Online Shopping/Cable/Internet/Phone Plan/Streaming
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug Store/Pharmacy
- Home Improvement/Furnishings
The Online Shopping category includes online and mobile app purchases from a wide variety of merchants, including:
- Bookstores
- Cable, Internet & Streaming Services
- Clothing and Apparel
- Department Stores
- Discount Stores
- Electronics
- Landline & Mobile Phone Providers
- Specialty Retail Stores
- Sporting Goods
- Apple.com (Includes iTunes & Store)
However, some classes of merchants are excluded from the Online Shopping category, such as doctors and hospitals, government services and taxes, insurance, membership organizations, schools, utilities, and other non-retail services.
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Bank of America online shopping category list
Bank of America offers a Customized Cash Rewards credit card that allows users to earn 3% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category. The Online Shopping category includes online and mobile app purchases from merchants such as Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Macy's, and Target.
- Bookstores
- Clothing and Apparel
- Department Stores
- Discount Stores
- Electronics
- Specialty Retail Stores
- Sporting Goods
- Cable, Internet, and Streaming Services
- Landline and Mobile Phone Providers
It is important to note that purchases from certain merchants may not fall into the categories where you expect them to appear, as Bank of America does not control how purchases are classified.
Additionally, some merchants are excluded from the Online Shopping category, including:
- Doctors and Hospitals
- Government Services and Taxes
- Insurance
- Membership Organizations
- Schools
- Utilities
- Other non-retail services
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Bank of America online shopping exclusions
Bank of America offers a Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card that allows users to earn 3% and 2% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. The 3% cash back categories include online shopping, and the bank has recently modified this category to include cable, internet, and streaming services.
However, it is important to note that some purchases may not be included in the online shopping category. Bank of America does not determine the merchant category code (MCC) that a merchant chooses to classify itself under. As a result, some purchases may not fall into the expected category.
- Doctors and Hospitals
- Government Services and Taxes
- Insurance
- Membership Organizations
- Utilities
- Other non-retail services
These lists are not exhaustive, and it is always a good idea to refer to the official Bank of America website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.
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Frequently asked questions
No, insurance bills are excluded from the Bank of America 3% online shopping category.
The Bank of America 3% online shopping category includes bookstores, clothing stores, department stores, internet and phone services, and specialty retail stores.
Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Macy's, and Target.
Payments to insurance companies, utilities, schools, hospitals, doctors, government services, taxes, and membership organizations.
To maximize the card, you need to have a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch account with a high balance. Shopping strategically and choosing the right spending category can also help, but the main factor is loyalty to Bank of America.
