Review
Updated
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is a high-value student credit card that offers flexible travel rewards and a long list of attractive features. At first glance, this card appears to have it all: sign-up bonus, unlimited flat-rate rewards, 0% intro APR offer, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fees. However, it's not without its drawbacks. Learn more about this card in our Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students review so you can decide whether it's right for you.
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Great for: Students
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
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.
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
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.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Credit Score
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 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
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
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards
1.5 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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
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With a generous sign-up bonus and a rewards program, it'll be harder to find a better card for students.
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- Big sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- Competitive rewards rate
- 0% intro APR offer
- No bonus categories
- Limited ways to use points
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- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 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.
- 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% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Full Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students review
This credit card is a good fit for: Students who are getting started building a credit history and want easy-to-use travel points.
Top perks
Unlimited 1.5 points per $1
This flat-rate rewards system is easy and lucrative, offering an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, so you don't have to worry about using different cards for different purchases to maximize your rewards. This is one of the best basic cash back rates out there across all rewards credit cards, and the fact that it's a student credit card makes it even more impressive.
25,000 offer
You can earn 25,000 points with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. These points can be redeemed for a 25,000 statement credit toward travel purchases. This is one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses offered by a student credit card.
Intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
On top of the rewards, you can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening the account. While this isn't the longest 0% intro APR offer, it's still pretty generous for a student credit card that also offers rewards. Just make sure to pay off your balance before the intro period ends and the standard APR is applied.
Flexible rewards
Rather than earning miles and points that can only be redeemed with one brand, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students earns generic points that can be used for statement credits to cover a wide range of travel purchases. These include flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, baggage fees, and rental cars. Points are worth $0.01 each, so you'd need 10,000 points to "erase" a $100 travel purchase.
Read more: Best Rewards Credit Cards
No foreign transaction fees
If you're going to travel internationally, having a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees is a must. Most credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, meaning you'd pay $30 in fees per $1,000 you spend. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students, you don't have to worry about fees eating up your vacation funds.
No annual fee
This card doesn't charge an annual fee, so you can give it a spin without worrying about accumulating fees that will cancel out any rewards you earn.
Alternatives to consider
- If you want bonus cash back at restaurants and gas stations: The Discover it® Student Chrome doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement, and it still comes with a cash back rewards program. You'll even earn 2% cash back on restaurant and gas station purchases ($1,000 spending cap quarterly). And at the end of their first year, new cardholders will get a dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match of rewards earned during that time.
- If you want generous flat-rate cash back on purchases and have good credit: If you've got good credit, it's worth considering the Citi Double Cash® Card You'll effectively earn 2% cash back on purchases, making the rewards on this card more generous and more flexible. While it doesn't offer a sign-up bonus, it does come with a lengthy balance transfer offer if you're paying off debt.
Read more: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
As of Nov. 27, 2023
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| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students | Discover it® Student Chrome | Citi Double Cash® Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
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 |
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
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 |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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 |
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Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
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)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
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: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Fair/New to Credit Under(669) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
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: Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Fair to Excellent (580-850) |
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Welcome Offer: 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 |
Welcome Offer: N/A Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
Welcome Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. 20,000 ThankYou® Points |
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Rewards Program: 1.5 points per dollar |
Rewards Program: 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically 1% - 2% Cashback |
Rewards Program: 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay Up to 2% cash back |
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Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers. 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 |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 6 months Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months |
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Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR |
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
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What could be improved
Transfer partners
While a point value of $0.01 each is pretty standard for rewards credit cards, you can often get more value from a card that allows you to transfer points to rewards partners. Strategic transfers can easily yield a value of $0.02 to $0.03 per point, so adding some transfer partners would up the value of this card.
Minimum redemption requirement
This card comes with a minimum redemption requirement of 2,500, meaning you have to wait until you have at least that many points saved up before you can redeem them. Ideally, there would be no set minimum.
Credit score requirement
This credit card has more stringent credit requirements than many other student credit cards, so it might be harder to qualify if you're new to credit or rebuilding credit.
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students likely requires a good credit score of at least 670 for approval. If you have low or no income, Bank of America also allows cosigners.
For more options, take a look at our picks for the best credit cards for good credit.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is right for you if:
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students definitely packs a punch, and for the right person, it comes with just about everything you could ask for in a credit card. This card is best for you if:
- You're a student with good credit and/or a cosigner
- You make travel-related purchases regularly
- You're looking to finance a purchase you can pay off within one year
- You're looking for an easy, fee-free credit card
Because the rewards points can only be applied to travel purchases like airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and cruises, this card isn't ideal for folks who don't make those purchases at least once per year. It's also harder to get than other student credit cards, so it's not the best choice if you're just getting started on your credit-building journey.
FAQs
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The credit limit for this card typically ranges from $500 to $1,500, although some cardholders get higher or lower amounts. Since this is a student credit card, Bank of America tends to issue low credit limits to start.
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Yes, this card is only for students. There's another version of the card with the same features, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, for non-students.
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No, this card doesn't have trip cancellation insurance.
Our Credit Cards Expert
Elizabeth is a personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, debt repayment, and small business. Her work has appeared on The Motley Fool, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, and Business Insider. She’s an avid credit card points collector and perpetual traveler currently living in Costa Rica.
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