Refreshed Review
Updated Jan. 27, 2023
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card isn't a perfect card for everyone, but it's quite competitive in a crowded field. In fact, Bank of America credit cards often find their way into many people's wallets, thanks to the bank's size and coverage area. This specific card has a great deal to like, particularly for its target no annual fee audience. Find out more details in our Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card review below.
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 18 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 (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0%, 18 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 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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No-annual-fee travel cards typically skimp on the sign-up bonus, but this card delivers with its intro bonus offer, unlimited rewards on purchases, and a generous 0% intro offer on purchases and balance transfers.
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- Big sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- Competitive rewards rate on purchases
- Great 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- 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.
- 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.
- New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 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 (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- 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 credit card review
This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers who want a no annual fee travel card. Bank of America clients can earn bonus rewards if they meet balance minimums in their banking or investment accounts.
Top perks
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card comes with a variety of desirable features.
25,000 bonus points offer
A sign-up bonus provides a serious head start in the points total. This card's 25,000 bonus points offer is worth $250 for travel. The minimum spend is low, too -- the bonus kicks in after you make at least $1,000 in qualifying purchases within 90 days of opening the account. It's worth noting that this is one of the biggest bonuses in a travel card with no annual fee.
Unlimited 1.5 points per $1
The card keeps it simple with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get 1.5 points per $1 on transactions. There are no spending caps and earning is unlimited.
No annual fee
This no annual fee credit card still offers many of the perks and features of rival cards that do charge a yearly fee.
No foreign transaction fee
Foreign purchases aren't charged the de facto standard 3% fee that many other credit cards levy. If you plan to travel abroad with this card, this is a helpful perk that can save you money.
See more: Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards members
People loyal to Bank of America's products can earn 25% to 75% point bonuses through the Preferred Rewards program. The Preferred Rewards card bonus tiers are as follows:
- Gold Preferred Rewards: Earn a 25% points bonus.
- Platinum Preferred Rewards: Earn a 50% bonus.
- Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards: Earn a 75% bonus.
Preferred Rewards program members can boost the value of their credit card rewards.
If you're eligible to earn the maximum 75% bonus, you would earn 2.62 points per $1 instead of 1.5 points per $1 with this credit card.
Related: Best Rewards Credit Cards
Alternatives to consider
If you travel more than a couple of times per year: You might want to consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. This card charges an annual fee but offers a higher rewards rate on travel and dining as well as a sign-up bonus that's twice as big.
If you want to earn bonus points on travel, groceries, select streaming services, and dining : Another great option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases. It also comes with a generous sign-up bonus and points can be transferred to many travel partners.
Learn more: Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards
As of Feb. 03, 2023
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| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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 stars
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, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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 |
|
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Good/Excellent (670-850)
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. |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Good/Excellent (670-850)
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. |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Good/Excellent (670-850)
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. |
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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: 50,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening 50,000 points |
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 60,000 bonus points |
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Rewards Program: 1.5 points per dollar |
Rewards Program: 2 points per dollar on travel & dining purchases, unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, 25%-75% more points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members 1.5 - 2 points per dollar |
Rewards Program: Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more. 1x - 5x points |
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Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 18 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 (min $10) applies to all balance transfers. Purchases: 0%, 18 billing cycles Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 20.24% - 27.24% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $95 |
Annual Fee: N/A $95 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Show More
Show Less
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What could be improved
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card falls short in a couple obvious areas.
No bonus points for travel spending
It's unusual that a card billed as a travel rewards card doesn't offer bonus points for travel-related purchases, though this card has other perks for travelers. (The story is different with the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card). Yes, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns cash back on purchases at a flat rate, but there are no annual fee cards that feature a higher bonus rate for certain spending categories, such as groceries or travel.
Clumsy points redemption
It takes some hunting around Bank of America's site to find the redemption options, and even then it isn't 100% clear how to redeem points. Some cardholders may have to resort to calling the bank's customer service line for clarification on how to redeem points. An intuitive online redemption process would be preferable.
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
Bank of America says that good to excellent credit is required to obtain this card, so you should have a FICO® Score of at least 670 before applying. That said, approval is never guaranteed no matter your score, and some consumers with lower scores may still be able to qualify for this card.
Read more: Best Bank of America Credit Cards
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is right for you if:
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is best for occasional travelers looking for a good travel credit card with no annual fee. The intro bonus is one of the biggest in the no annual fee category and it's also very well suited to existing Bank of America customers, especially if they are enrolled in one of the Preferred Rewards programs. You won't find a no annual fee travel card that offers such a lucrative earnings rate for the highest Preferred Rewards tiers nor will you find many competing cards with such a long intro APR offer.
Keep reading: Best Credit Cards
FAQs
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The credit limit for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is typically a minimum of $1,000, and qualified applicants can get much larger limits. On the high end, cardholders have reported limits of $50,000 or more. When you're approved for the card, Bank of America sets a credit limit using various factors, including your income and credit profile.
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No, this card doesn't have trip cancellation insurance.
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Bank of America travel rewards don't expire, as long as your card account remains open and in good standing.
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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