American Express Gold vs Bank of America Customized Cash
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
American Express Gold wins 3-2. Heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1K+/mo on food) Bank of America Customized Cash is still the right call if choose your 3% category each month — no rotation needed..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Bank of America Customized Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 3% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = $200 cash rewards after $1,000 spend in 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Gold
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (incl. Uber Eats)
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
- 3x on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com
- $120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at select partners)
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America Customized Cash
- 3% on category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, home improvement)
- 2% at grocery stores + wholesale clubs (up to $2,500/quarter combined)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Bank of America Customized Cash: which is better?
American Express Gold wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Gold for its best categories, Bank of America Customized Cash for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months. Bank of America Customized Cash: $200 cash rewards after $1,000 spend in 90 days.