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Bank of America Travel Rewards Review: A Simple Travel Card With No Fees, but Few Perks

Review Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Author: Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Content Manager

Brooklyn Sprunger is a former full-time Content Manager and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, where she oversaw product reviews and ratings while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

If you're like me, a travel card is often the key to making the most of your adventures, especially when it comes with no annual fee. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers exactly that: a straightforward, affordable option with no foreign transaction fees, a solid welcome bonus, and easy-to-redeem points. While it might not have the flashy perks of high-end travel cards, it gets the job done for those who want the basics.

I've been using a travel card for years, and I'll walk you through where this one shines and where it falls a bit short so you can decide if it's the right fit for your wallet and your wanderlust.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Bonus offer

Earn 25,000 bonus points when you spend just $1,000 in your first 90 days — that’s worth $250 toward travel with this favorite card!

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular APR

17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.

1.5-3 points per dollar

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

25,000 points (worth $250 travel credit)

  • If you’re looking for a top travel card without an annual fee, this one is tough to beat. It offers a generous welcome bonus worth $250 after spending just $1,000 within 90 days of account opening, plus a simple yet valuable rewards structure: unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases and 3X points on travel booked through BofA Travel.

    A 0% intro APR period of 15 billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers (then 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)) allows you to avoid interest for over a year – a very rare perk for a travel card. And while many travel cards charge hundreds of dollars in annual fees, this one charges $0 – making it one of our top value picks.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Competitive rewards rate on purchases
    • Great intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
    • Limited ways to use points
    • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
    • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
    • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.
    • Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Travel Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to getaways - BofA Rewards™ members earn more points.
    • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
    • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
    • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of America content updated on 8/3/26.

We rate travel credit cards based on how well they reward frequent travelers — not just with points and miles, but with valuable perks and flexible redemption options. Our scoring prioritizes cards that offer strong earning rates and a rewarding travel experience.

Our highest-rated travel cards have:

  • Elevated rewards on travel or everyday purchases, with the ability to transfer points
  • Flexible redemption options through travel portals or transfer partners
  • Welcome bonuses that meaningfully offset the annual fee in the first year
  • Perks that improve the travel experience, like airport lounge access, statement credits, and trip protections

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

We rate travel credit cards based on how well they reward frequent travelers — not just with points and miles, but with valuable perks and flexible redemption options. Our scoring prioritizes cards that offer strong earning rates and a rewarding travel experience.

Our highest-rated travel cards have:

  • Elevated rewards on travel or everyday purchases, with the ability to transfer points
  • Flexible redemption options through travel portals or transfer partners
  • Welcome bonuses that meaningfully offset the annual fee in the first year
  • Perks that improve the travel experience, like airport lounge access, statement credits, and trip protections

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

What I like about Bank of America Travel Rewards

Easy to earn points

Some cards make you jump through hoops to earn rewards, with rotating categories, earning caps, or restrictions on where you can redeem them. Not this one. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card keeps it simple: earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases and 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.

No categories you have to activate, no changing rates depending on if you're at the grocery store or gas pump. Just straightforward, unlimited point opportunities.

Flexible redemption options

Bank of America takes a pretty loose approach to what counts as "travel," which works in your favor. You can redeem points for statement credits on flights, hotels, rental cars, baggage fees, and even restaurants. Unlike some travel cards that lock you into a specific airline or hotel program, this one gives you the freedom to use your points wherever you want.

Solid welcome bonus

This card offers 25,000 points (worth $250 travel credit) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. That's an above average welcome bonus for a no annual fee card, where the typical bonus is around $200. That said, it's worth comparing to the Discover it® Miles, which takes a different approach.

Instead of a one-time bonus, Discover will match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. If you put a lot of spending on your card, that could mean a bigger payoff. Plus, Discover Miles can be redeemed for either travel or cash back, making them even more flexible.

Extra rewards for Bank of America Rewards members

If you're already a Bank of America or Merrill customer, this card gets even better. The BofA Rewards program now offers a bonus ranging from 10% to 75% on credit card rewards. And since any BofA checking account holder can enroll at no cost, that baseline 10% bump is available to virtually everyone.

Here's how the math plays out across tiers:

Bank of America BofA Rewards® status Rewards Bonus Points per Dollar Spent Points Earned if You Spent $15,000 in a Year
Member (any checking account holder) 10% 1.65 24,750 points ($247.50 value)
Preferred Plus ($30K–$100K combined balance) 25% 1.875 28,125 points ($281.25 value)
Preferred Honors ($100K–$1M combined balance) 50% 2.25 33,750 points ($337.50 value)
Premier ($1M+ combined balance) 75% 2.625 39,375 points ($393.75 value)
Data source: Bank of America. Calculations by author.

If you qualify for these bonus tiers, this card's rewards rate beats most no annual fee competitors. Without them, it's still solid, but not as much of a standout.

Long intro APR period

This card offers 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers made in the first 60 days and for purchases, which can be a big perk if you need time to pay off a large purchase or tackle existing credit card debt. (After the intro period, the go-to 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable) APR applies.) This intro APR period is on the longer end for no annual fee cards, making it a great tool if you need to book a big trip now and pay it off over time.

A balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5% applies to balance transfers completed with the card.

If used strategically, it's a great way to avoid interest while managing your finances. But just be sure to pay off the balance before the intro period ends to avoid high interest charges later.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
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Best for long 0% intro APR 		N/A N/A

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back 		Earn $200 cash back Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening 1.5% - 5% cash back Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 27.74% Variable

Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points (worth $250 travel credit) Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5-3 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Downsides you should consider

Unlike many travel cards, this one doesn't offer benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits, or airport lounge access. Some of that is to be expected, since most cards that offer perks like lounge access typically come with an annual fee. But travel insurance is fairly basic for a travel card.

Low rewards rate if you're not a BofA Rewards™ member

This is a big one. If you don't qualify for the BofA Rewards program (formerly known as the Preferred Rewards program), the rewards rate is just okay. Earning unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases is solid, but plenty of other cards offer higher rates without requiring a bank relationship.

Unlike the old program, you no longer need a minimum balance to qualify for the new rewards program. Any Bank of America client with a personal checking account can now enroll in BofA Rewards at no cost, immediately unlocking a 10% credit card rewards bonus. That brings your effective earn rate to 1.65 points per $1 on everyday spending. And it only goes up from there. Clients with $30,000 or more across qualifying BofA and Merrill accounts move to Preferred Plus (25% bonus), while higher tiers unlock 50% and 75% bonuses respectively.

For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2X miles on every purchase (but comes with a $95 annual fee), or the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers 3X on key categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans ($0 annual fee, see rates and fees). So if you're a BofA checking customer who enrolls in BofA Rewards, this card becomes much more competitive.

No transfer partners

One of the best ways to stretch travel points is by transferring them to airlines or hotel partners, but Bank of America doesn't offer that option. With my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, I can transfer points to several airlines and hotels at a 1:1 ratio, which often gets me the highest redemption value. That's not the case here. While the redemption options are straightforward and easy to use, they don't offer the same level of flexibility or potential value that transfer partners provide.

High credit score requirement

This credit card isn't the easiest to qualify for -- it requires good to excellent credit (670 or higher). If your score isn't quite there yet, qualifying will be tough. A secured credit card could be a better starting point to build your credit, and once your score improves, you can revisit this card for its travel rewards.

Who should consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

This card is a hidden gem for Bank of America customers, but just average for everyone else. With BofA Rewards bonuses, you can unlock significantly higher earning potential, making it a strong choice. Now that BofA Rewards is open to any personal checking account holder with no minimum balance requirement, the 10% rewards bonus is essentially available to everyone in the BofA ecosystem. But if you don't bank with BofA, it's more of a middle-of-the-pack option.

If the Bank of America Travel Rewards card checks all the boxes for you, the perks are waiting. Apply and start earning today.

FAQs

  • If you're a BofA Rewards member, this card offers solid value with higher rewards rates. If not, it's still a decent no annual fee travel card, but there are other options with stronger earning potential.

  • No, this card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.

  • Not directly. Points can only be redeemed as statement credits for travel and dining purchases. If you want pure cash back, a general cash rewards card might be a better fit.