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Bank of America's credit cards won't win every comparison chart, but for the right customer, they're seriously underrated. Between solid no-annual-fee options and valuable extras for Preferred Rewards members, there's real potential here. Below, I'll walk you through which card fits which kind of spender and why we chose it as one of our favorites.
Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring 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.
Best for travel rewards: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Best for flexible cash back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Great for: 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 for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. 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
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards 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. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
1.5-3 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
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases, 3X points on travel booked through Bank of America, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier).
Read Full ReviewIf you're looking for one BofA card to use on everything and earn travel points along the way, this is it. You'll earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases with no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees when you go abroad. Preferred Rewards members can boost their earnings by up to 75%, making this an underrated gem for existing BofA customers.
That said, travelers looking for airport lounge access or luxury perks might be more interested in the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
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, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% 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 4%. 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
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
1% - 6% 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 back
This card's wide range of extra cash back options speaks for itself, with a choice of six bonus categories you can change monthly for 6% earnings for the first year in the category of your choice. And you can earn 2% back automatically at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. No annual fee and a nice welcome bonus also make this one a winner. Plus, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card will be even more valuable for you.
Read Full ReviewThis card gives you 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, including popular picks like online shopping or gas. You can even change your pick monthly as your spending changes. You'll also get 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases. But even once you hit the cap, you'll get unlimited 1% cash back after that.
It's a great no-annual-fee option for people who want to maximize rewards in one or two key areas. Heavy spenders may hit the cap too fast, but most everyday budgets will do just fine.
Great for: Students wanting to build credit
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, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% 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 4%. 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
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
1% - 6% 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 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 Full ReviewThis version keeps all the perks of the standard card -- 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, then unlimited 1% cash back after that -- but it's designed with first-time cardholders in mind.
There's no annual fee, making it a low-risk way to build credit while earning actual rewards, not just "training wheels" points.
Great for: Balance transfers
Good/Excellent (670-850)
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, 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers for the first 60 days; a 4% fee applies afterwards. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
15.24% - 25.24% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
Few cards in this category can compete with this offers long 0% intro APR offer.
There's nothing flashy here, and that's the point. With a long 0% intro APR offer and $0 annual fee, this card is built to help you pay down a balance without adding to it. It doesn't earn rewards, but if your goal is to get out of debt, that's a feature, not a bug. Just be sure to make your balance transfer in time to qualify for the promo rate -- this card has a go-to APR of 15.24% - 25.24% (Variable).
Great for: Secured card
New/Rebuilding Under(579)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
25.49%
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.
Rebuilding your credit doesn't have to cost you, and this card proves it. You'll put down a refundable deposit starting at $200, and Bank of America reports to all three credit bureaus. No annual fee, no rewards, just the basics to help you get your score moving in the right direction. It's a smart pick for someone who wants to prove they're ready for an unsecured card down the road.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring 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.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring 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.
Choosing the right Bank of America card comes down to two big things: how you spend and whether you're a Preferred Rewards member. If you want to earn the most cash back, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card gives you flexibility -- just be mindful of that quarterly cap.
Prefer simplicity? The Bank of America Travel Rewards card let you swipe and forget about categories. If you already have a Bank of America checking or savings account and can qualify for Preferred Rewards, that changes the math big time: every card here becomes more valuable, and your points or cash back can stretch even further. On the flip side, if you're not in the BofA ecosystem, you might want to compare a few other top cards before you commit.
If you already bank with Bank of America, the Preferred Rewards program can seriously level up your credit card perks. The difference between being a Preferred Rewards member or not can easily be the deciding factor between getting a BofA card or not.
Depending on how much you keep in eligible BofA or Merrill accounts, you could earn 25% to 75% more points or cash back on top of your card's base rewards.
Here's how it works:
Tier | 3-Month Combined Average Daily Balance Requirement | Rewards Bonus |
---|---|---|
Gold | $20,000 -- $49,999 | 25% |
Platinum | $50,000 -- $99,999 | 50% |
Platinum Honors | $100,000 -- $999,999 | 75% |
Diamond Honors | $1 million+ | 75% |
So if your card normally earns 1.5% back, that could turn into 2.62% with the 75% bonus. The catch? You'll need to maintain the qualifying balance across your linked accounts. But for loyal BofA customers, this is one of the best ways to squeeze more value out of these cards.
Yes, you can. Many customers carry multiple BofA cards to earn different types of rewards or take advantage of balance transfer offers.
Preferred Rewards is BofA's loyalty program for customers with at least $20,000 across eligible accounts. It offers up to 75% more rewards on eligible cards, making a good card even better.
Yes, BofA has multiple student and secured versions of its cards available that are designed for new or rebuilding credit users.
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