Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® leads on drugstores; the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Barclays
Bank of America
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Tv | 1X | 3X |
The The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® wins in 1 of 1 categories. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card leads in 0. 7 more categories depend on booking channel or caps.
Healthcare
The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Home Improvement
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Online Shopping
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Cable Tv
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Travel
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Ongoing value favors the The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard®; year-one value favors the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card.
| Dining | 1X | 3X |
| Drugstores | 3X | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 3X |
| Home Improvement | 1X | 3X |
| Online Shopping | 1X | 3X |
| Travel | 1X | 3X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 2X |
| Healthcare | 2X | 1X |
| Wholesale Clubs | 1X | 2X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Grocery Stores
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Wholesale Clubs
Depends: up to $2,500/quarter
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X when conditions are met; The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Ongoing value favors the The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard®; year-one value favors the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card.
| Scenario | The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $144 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $144 Year one: $244 | Rewards: $120 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $120 Year one: $320 | The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $576 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $576 Year one: $676 | Rewards: $480 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $480 Year one: $680 | The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
