If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
When it comes to credit cards, the best Bank of America credit cards offer a little bit of everything. You'll find some of the best rewards cards with travel perks and generous cash back rates. Bank of America also offers cards with lengthy intro APR offers or lenient credit requirements. These Bank of America credit cards are simple and effective, and they could give your wallet a great boost.
No credit card has it all, but you can prioritize those features that benefit you most. To help you compare credit cards, here are some features to look for:
Start by looking at the credit score requirements for the credit cards you're considering. It's important to only apply to one or two cards at once (and only apply to ones you're pretty sure you'll be approved for), because applying to a credit card causes a small dip in your credit score.
If you need to build credit, a secured or student credit card can help. They're generally easier to get approved for, too.
Typically, you'll want to look for a credit card with minimal fees. These include:
First, decide whether you prefer travel rewards or cash rewards. Then look for a card that helps you maximize credit card rewards. That might be a card with the highest rewards rate on everyday purchases, or it might be a card with a bonus category where you do a lot of spending.
Folks who are looking to earn the most rewards possible should look for a card with a good sign-up bonus. Some of the Bank of America credit cards offer a welcome bonus, and they're generally straightforward to earn. Make sure that you can meet any minimum spending requirement the sign-up bonus has.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Great for: Cash rewards program
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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 3% cash back in your choice category, 2% at grocery stores & wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200
Includes a big welcome offer, a long 0% intro APR, and a flexible cash rewards program that enables you to earn premium rewards in a category of your choice. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Great for: One-card wallet
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200 cash rewards
A solid pick for a one-card wallet with a nice sign-up bonus, great 0% intro APR offer, and simple rewards program. It's an even better pick for Bank of America customers in the Preferred Rewards program. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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
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. Read Full Review
BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
Great for: Building credit
New/Rebuilding Under(579)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
25.99%
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
This card offers a low minimum deposit and a high maximum to go along with free access to your FICO® score and the ability to graduate to an unsecured card -- the only thing missing is a modest rewards program.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Great for: Students and cash rewards
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200
This student credit card has it all. You'll have a hard time finding a student card with a cash back program this lucrative to go along with a sign-up bonus. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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 Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
1.5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Great for: Students and travel rewards
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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
With a generous sign-up bonus and a rewards program, it'll be harder to find a better card for students. Read Full Review
Great for: Cash rewards program
Includes a bonus that is among the biggest we've come across in the no annual fee category and a flexible cash rewards program. You'll earn premium cash back in a category of your choice.
Read the full Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review
Great for: 0% intro APR
The BankAmericard® credit card packs in a rare combination of a long 0% intro APR for both purchases, and for balance transfers made within the first 60 days. Many competing cards offer a long 0% intro APR for one, and at the expense of the other.
Read the full BankAmericard® credit card review
Great for: One-card wallet
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card packs in the essentials we think make for a good one-card wallet. There's unlimited 1.5% cash back, a great intro APR offer, and a big sign-up bonus.
Read the full Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card review
Great for: Premium travel rewards
The bonus offer, premium travel and dining, and up to $200 in travel-related statement credits make this a compelling offer for frequent travelers.
Read the full Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card review
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee
No annual fee travel cards typically skimp on the sign-up bonus, but this card delivers with its wallet-friendly perks, including a big intro bonus offer and unlimited rewards.
Read the full Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card review
Great for: Building credit
This card offers a low minimum deposit and a high maximum to go along with free access to your FICO® Score. Plus, it has the ability to graduate to an unsecured card. The only thing missing is a modest rewards program.
Read the full BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card review
Great for: Students and cash back
This student credit card has it all. You'll have a hard time finding a student card with a cash back program this lucrative to go along with a sign-up bonus.
Read the full Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students review
The best credit cards cater to your specific needs, and Bank of America has a credit card for everyone. Some of the best Bank of America credit cards include:
The bank stands out with its diverse co-branded cards. It offers cards with travel partners like Alaska Airlines and Norwegian Cruise Lines. It also offers cards with other brands, including MLB®, the World Wildlife Fund, and Susan G. Komen®.
Another strength is its flexible cash rewards credit cards. Also, folks with no credit or bad credit will enjoy the bank's secured cards or student cards.
When comparing the best Bank of America credit cards, you should first ask yourself what your primary goal is in opening a credit card.
Do you want to earn a reward for your spending? If so, do you prefer travel rewards or a cash rewards credit card? Are you hoping to do a balance transfer to pay off debt, or finance a purchase at a low interest rate? Or are you trying to improve your credit score? Look for a credit card that helps you reach your goals.
For example, if you have a credit score below 600, you'll probably want to opt for the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card or the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students to build credit.
If you travel internationally, you'll want a card like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card because they don't charge a foreign transaction fee. If you spend a lot, a card with an annual fee that offers a higher rewards rate -- such as the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card -- might be worth it.
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card will be lucrative for those who spend a lot on travel and dining, while the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns big on spending. Then there are cards like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students, which lets you choose your own custom bonus category.
Every Bank of America credit card has a different credit score requirement. A travel rewards credit card or a cash rewards card will typically require a good credit score, while a secured credit card or a student credit card may only require fair credit -- or no credit at all.
The best Bank of America credit card depends on your needs. We've chosen the best cards offered by this card issuer, but to narrow it down, you'll have to decide what you want to prioritize.
One of the best Bank of America perks is its Preferred Rewards program. If you're in this program and you have a qualifying Bank of America credit card, you'll earn an extra 25% to 75% on all your credit card rewards. To get Preferred Rewards benefits, you must maintain a minimum combined balance across your banking and investment accounts with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch.
The Preferred Rewards program doesn't just boost your credit card rewards. It entitles you to extra benefits with all Bank of America services you use. For example, you could get a higher savings account interest rate, a lower auto loan interest rate, and a reduction in your mortgage origination fee.
The bottom line is that Bank of America likes to give special treatment to its most loyal clients. If you're part of that group, that's good news.
In addition to the Preferred Rewards program, Bank of America credit cards have quite a few useful features, including:
If you qualify for the Preferred Rewards program, then you should get a Bank of America card. Bank of America credit cards already have competitive rewards rates, and an additional 25% to 75% makes those rates even better.
You'll need a combined balance of at least $20,000 to qualify for the Preferred Rewards Gold tier, and higher balances can qualify you for the Platinum or Platinum Honors tier.
Even if you're not an existing Bank of America client, its credit cards still have some strong benefits. Its cards are worth a look if you're interested in travel rewards or cash back, among other features.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
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. |
Great For: Cash rewards program |
|
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. |
Great For: One-card wallet |
|
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. |
Great For: Premium travel rewards |
|
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. |
Great For: Travel card with no annual fee |
|
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. |
Great For: Building credit |
|
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25 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. |
Great For: Students and cash rewards |
|
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. |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
|
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. |
Great For: Students and travel rewards |
The best Bank of America credit cards include the following:
Bank of America offers every major type of credit card. Their lineup includes cash back cards, travel cards, no annual fee cards, secured cards, and student cards as well as both Mastercard and Visa cards.
You can compare Bank of America credit cards by looking at key features like interest rate, annual fee, rewards, welcome bonus, and credit requirements. From there, decide which features you want to prioritize to choose a card that's right for you.
As a Bank of America Preferred Rewards program member, you'll get a 25%, 50%, or 75% bonus on your credit card rewards earnings with select Bank of America credit cards. You can qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program by opening an eligible checking account with Bank of America and maintaining the required minimum balance -- $20,000 for Gold tier, $50,000 for Platinum tier, and $100,000 for Platinum Honors tier.
Our Credit Cards Expert
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa and Mastercard.