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.
Best Bank of America credit cards
- Cash rewards program: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- 0% intro APR: BankAmericard® credit card
- One-card wallet: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
- Premium travel rewards: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Travel card with no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Building credit: BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
- Students and cash back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Great for: Cash rewards program
Apply Now for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.
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. 4.50/5
Apply Now for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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Includes a big bonus in the no-annual fee category and a flexible cash rewards program that enables you to earn premium cash back in a category of your choice. Plus, the long intro APR offer makes this card a standout among its peers. Read Full Review
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- Competitive sign-up bonus
- Bonus cash back in a category of your choice
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR offer
- Foreign transaction fee
- Limit on bonus cash back
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- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 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 all other purchases.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- 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, 14.24% - 24.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- 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.
Great for: 0% intro APR
Apply Now for BankAmericard® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 5.00/5
Apply Now for BankAmericard® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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This no-annual-fee card has among the longest 0% intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Few cards pack in such a long promo period for both, plus a sign-up bonus. Read Full Review
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- Sign-up bonus
- Long 0% intro APR offer
- No annual fee
- FICO® Score for free
- No penalty APR
- No rewards
- Balance transfer fee
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- $100 statement credit online bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- 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, 13.24% - 23.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- No annual fee.
- No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
- 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.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Great for: One-card wallet
Apply Now for Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.50/5
Apply Now for Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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A solid pick for a one-card wallet with a nice sign-up bonus, simple rewards program, and competitive 0% intro APR offer. It's an even better pick for Bank of America customers in the Preferred Rewards program. Read Full Review
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- Unlimited cash back
- Intro APR offer
- Sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- No bonus categories
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign transaction fee
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- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn up to 2.62% cash back on every purchase.
- No annual fee.
- No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire.
- 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, 14.24% - 24.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- 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.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Great for: Premium travel rewards
Apply Now for Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.00/5
Apply Now for Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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The bonus offer, premium travel & dining rewards, and up to $200 in travel-related statement credits make this a compelling offer for travelers who can justify paying an annual fee. Read Full Review
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- Big sign-up bonus
- Bonus travel and dining rewards
- Travel credits
- Consumer and travel protections
- Annual fee
- No 0% intro APR offer
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- Receive 50,000 online bonus points - a $500 value - after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn up to 3.5 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
- No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire.
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Low $95 annual fee.
- 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.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee
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.
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.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. 5.00/5
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
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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 other wallet-friendly perks. Read Full Review
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- Big sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- Competitive rewards rate on purchases
- Great intro APR
- 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.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR offer ends, 14.24% - 24.24% Variable APR will apply.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn up to 2.62 points for every $1 spent.
- 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.
BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
Great for: Building credit
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.00/5
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
23.24% variable
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
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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.
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- No minimum credit score required
- No annual fee
- Free credit score monitoring
- Can graduate to an unsecured card
- High minimum deposit
- Foreign transaction fee
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- A secured credit card designed to help establish, strengthen or rebuild credit.
- It can graduate to an unsecured card once Bank of America feels you qualify.
- Your maximum credit limit will be determined by the amount of the security deposit you provide, your income and your ability to pay the credit line established. If you provide a deposit that exceeds the calculated maximum amount based on your ability to pay, a check will be returned to you for the difference.
- Now, you can access your FICO Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. Opt-in to receive your score, the key factors affecting your score, and other information that can help you keep your credit healthy.
- We'll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account with us and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
- Access to credit education on topics like using credit cards responsibly, budgeting and more.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Great for: Students and cash back
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.50/5
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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
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- Competitive sign-up bonus
- Bonus cash back in a category of your choice
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR offer
- Foreign transaction fee
- Limit on bonus cash back
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- No annual fee.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 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.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then 14.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
- No expiration on rewards.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase.
Overview of the Best Bank of America Credit Cards
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
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. Plus, the long intro APR offer makes this card one of the best Bank of America credit cards.
Read the full Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review
BankAmericard® credit card
Great for: 0% intro APR
This no annual fee card has among the longest 0% intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Few cards pack in such a long promo period for both. It's even rarer for competing cards to include a sign-up bonus, like this card does.
Read the full BankAmericard® credit card review
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
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
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
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
BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
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
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
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
Types of Bank of America credit cards
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:
- Cash back credit cards
- Travel credit cards
- 0% intro APR credit cards
- Secured credit cards
- Student credit cards
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.
What credit score do you need for a Bank of America credit card?
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.
How to compare Bank of America credit 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?
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 with any credit card issuer.
The basics
Credit score requirements: First, you want to make sure you have a good chance of being approved for a credit card before applying. Look at the qualification requirements the credit card issuer has as well as credit score requirements for the credit card you're considering.
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
Fees: Typically, you'll want to look for a credit card with minimal fees. These include:
- Interest rate
- Foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee
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 extras
Rewards: Decide whether you prefer travel rewards or cash rewards, and 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.
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.
Sign-up bonus: Folks who are looking to earn the most rewards possible should look for a card with a good sign-up bonus. Most of the Bank of America credit cards offer a welcome bonus, and they're generally pretty easy to earn. Make sure that you can meet any minimum spending requirement the sign-up bonus has.
What is the best Bank of America credit card?
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.
- If you want to pay off debt or finance a purchase, get the BankAmericard® credit card.
- If you spend a lot on travel and dining, get the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
- If you prefer flat-rate travel rewards, get the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card.
- If you want to earn cash back on groceries and a bonus category of your choosing, get the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
- If you want to build credit, get the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card.
- If you're a student, get the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students.
How does Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program work?
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:
- High rewards rates, with both cash back cards and travel rewards cards
- 0% intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
- Large sign-up bonuses
- Premium travel perks
Which Bank of America card is right for you?
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, cash back, or 0% intro APR offers.
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Cash rewards program |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: 0% intro APR |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: One-card wallet |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Premium travel rewards |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Travel card with no annual fee |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Building credit |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Students and cash back |
FAQs
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The best Bank of America credit cards include the following:
- For bonus cash back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- For premium travel rewards: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- For travel rewards with no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- For building credit: BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
- For students: Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
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Bank of America offers every major type of credit card. Their lineup includes cash back cards, travel cards, no annual fee cards, 0% intro APR cards, secured cards, and student cards as well as both Mastercard and Visa cards.
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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.
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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.
About the Author
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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