Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review
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Written by
Jasmin Baron
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a strong option for those seeking a no-fee travel rewards card with straightforward earning and redemption. Existing Bank of America customers can earn even higher rewards.
Purchase and Balance Transfer 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 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
Intro Bonus
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
Rewards
1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.
3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% – 75% more points on every purchase.
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Annual Fee
$0
CardCritics™ Opinion
This no annual fee travel rewards card is a popular choice among travelers due to its flexible rewards and lack of foreign transaction fees. If you are looking for a straightforward travel card that comes with no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus as well as an intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers this card is a great option.
Our Critical Analysis:
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Higher than average welcome bonus
- Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Flexible redemption options
- $0 annual fee
- Flat-rate rewards keep things simple
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members can earn higher rewards
PROS
- Elevated points for certain purchase categories are limited
- No additional travel perks offered
- Higher earning rates only available to certain customers
- No airline or hotel transfer partners
CONS
Welcome Bonus Worth $250
As a new cardholder of the Travel Rewards card you will earn 25,000 points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases. Rewards cards that do not charge annual fees typically offer a $200 bonus so this makes this bonus worth $250 really stand out.
Unlimited 1.5 points Per $1
With the Travel Rewards card you will earn an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all of your purchases. You can redeem your points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as:
- Flights
- Hotel stays
- Car and vacation rentals
- Baggage fees
- Restaurants including takeout
You can also earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Generous Intro APR
Unlike most travel cards the Travel Rewards card offers a generous intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers. You’ll get a 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 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
The ongoing APR will apply after that intro period is over so it’s good to make a budget and pay that balance down within 15 billing cycles if possible.
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%.
However, these fees are likely much lower than the interest you are paying on another card. The ongoing APR will apply after that intro period is over so it’s good to make a budget and pay that balance down within the introductory period.
Earn more with Bank of America Preferred Rewards®
Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program members can accelerate their cash back earnings by 25% to 75%. Your eligibility for this program is based on your Bank of America and Merrill combined balances.
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. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Is It the Right Card For You?
The Travel Rewards card may be the right fit for you if any of the following apply:
- You want a travel rewards card without having to pay an annual fee
- You prefer a straightforward rewards structure with a flat 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
- You are an existing Bank of America client, especially if you are in the Preferred Rewards® program, which boosts rewards earning potential
- You are a traveler who wants flexible points redemption for a variety of travel-related expenses, including flights and hotels
Card Details From Bank of America
- 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.
- 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.
- 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% 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.
- If you’re a Bank of America 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. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card takes a straightforward approach to earning and redeeming rewards. These answers to some frequently asked questions will help you decide if it’s the right card for you.
What credit score is needed for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card?
The Travel Rewards card requires good to excellent credit. Typically a FICO credit score of 670 or above meets this criteria. However, having a credit score of 670 or above does not guarantee approval since other factors are taken into consideration.
Does the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card charge an annual fee?
No. The Travel Rewards card does not charge an annual fee.
Is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card welcome bonus hard to earn?
The welcome bonus is relatively easy to earn. You will earn the welcome bonus by making at least $1,000 in purchases on your card in the first 90 days of account opening.
Is there a minimum point balance to make a redemption?
Redemption of points is available once 2,500 points are reached. Bank of America sets a minimum of 3,125 points for redemption in the form of gift cards.
Is there a limit to the points you can earn?
There’s no limit on points with this card. There’s no fee to redeem points, and points do not expire as long as your card is active.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
