bank of america travel rewards explained

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Credit Cards > Reviews

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review: A travel credit card for the fee-averse

Glen Luke Flanagan

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 11:13 a.m. UTC March 29, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers a simple approach to rewards, with a base rate of 1.5 points per $1 on purchases — and the chance to earn up to an impressive flat rate of 2.62 points per dollar on purchases for being a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member. 

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 50+ cards analyzed.
• 8 data points considered.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card basics

• Annual fee: $0.
• Welcome bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Rewards: Earn 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, with the chance to earn 25% to 75% bonus points as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer. Also, earn an additional 1.5 points per dollar on Bank of America Travel Center purchases.
• APR: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, followed by a 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR. A 3% intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days; then a 4% fee applies to future balance transfers.
• Preapproval tool: Yes.
• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Welcome 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.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• 15 billing cycles of intro APR financing on both new purchases and on qualifying balance transfers.
• Earn an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees so it’s a good choice to use abroad.
• Points must be redeemed towards eligible travel and dining purchases for maximum redemption value.
• You can’t transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners.

Card details

• 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.
• 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%.
• 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.
• 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 Travel Rewards review

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a mainstay among no-annual-fee travel credit cards . This card offers a flat 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, but if you’re a loyal Bank of America or Merrill customer, you may be able to earn as much as 2.62 points per dollar on purchases. You’ll also earn more rewards when you use your card to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

With no annual fee , the card doesn’t offer much in the way of travel benefits. But its welcome bonus is solid, giving you 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. And if you need an introductory APR promotion, this card offers a lengthy one, 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, followed by a 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR. A 3% intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days; then a 4% fee applies to future balance transfers.

The card can be a great introduction to travel rewards for someone who prefers to avoid an annual fee, and it can also be a great way for certain Bank of America or Merrill customers to maximize their rewards on every purchase. But if you’re serious about travel rewards and perks, a different card may be a better fit, even if it charges an annual fee. 

• Intro APR offer: The card’s intro offer is helpful for anyone wanting extra time to pay off a big purchase or looking to tackle some debt.
• Relationship bonus: Those who are already banking with Bank of America or Merrill can earn higher rewards based on their relationship tier via the bank’s Preferred Rewards program.
• Simple travel rewards: Navigating travel rewards can be complicated with some credit card programs. The flat-rate rewards on this card are relatively simple to earn and use.
• No notable travel benefits: If you want added benefits when you travel, such as robust travel protections, airport lounge access or reimbursement for the Global Entry application fee, you may be disappointed with this card.
• No everyday bonus categories: You can earn extra points when you book travel through Bank of America, but the card doesn’t offer any other bonus categories. 
• Steep price to maximize rewards: To earn the highest rewards rate possible, you’ll need a three-month combined average daily balance of at least $100,000 in eligible Bank of America deposit accounts or Merrill investment accounts. 

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card rewards

The card offers a flat base rate of 1.5 points per $1 on purchases. However, if you use your card to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 on those purchases — an extra 1.5 points per $1 on top of the base rewards rate.

Additionally, the card earns 25%, 50% or 75% more points per purchase if you’re eligible for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. To join, you must have a three-month combined average daily balance of at least $20,000 in eligible Bank of America deposit accounts or Merrill investment accounts. 

Depending on which Preferred Rewards tier you qualify for, you can earn between 1.87 to 2.62 points per dollar on most of your purchases with this card. Note, however, that this bonus doesn’t apply to the card’s welcome offer.

The welcome offer provides 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. 

To redeem your rewards, simply use your card to pay for eligible travel or dining purchases, then request a statement credit with your points within 12 months of the transaction date. You can also redeem points for cash or gift cards, but you’ll only get 0.6 cents per point with cash redemptions — and gift card redemption values can vary. As a result, it’s best to stick to travel and dining statement credits.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card rewards potential

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card.

If you’re earning the base rate of 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, you could earn $376.31 worth of points every year. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, though, you could earn up to $657.28 in value.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card APR details

As a new cardholder, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, followed by a 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR. A 3% intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days; then a 4% fee applies to future balance transfers. That’s a rare benefit among travel credit cards, so it’s even more impressive that it’s also a relatively lengthy intro APR period.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card vs. Discover it® Miles

If you’re a big spender, you could benefit from a big bonus offer from the Discover it Miles . The card offers 1.5 miles per $1 on purchases, and Discover will automatically match all miles earned at the end of the first cardmember year, with no limit to how many miles you can earn. 

You can redeem miles as a statement credit for travel purchases made up to 180 days after they post, for cash back to a bank account or you can use them to shop online at Amazon.com and through PayPal. 

The card also has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, but keep in mind that if you plan to travel abroad, Discover is not widely accepted internationally.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For a modest $95 annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers substantial rewards value. As a new cardholder, you’ll earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases. 

You can redeem miles as statement credits for past travel purchases, use them to pay for Capital One Travel bookings or transfer them to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

In terms of perks, you’ll get an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100), two complimentary annual visits to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges, Hertz Five Star status¹, bonus miles on Turo car rentals and more. 

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. 

Points are typically worth 1 cent each (though the value may vary for certain redemptions). Redemption options include cash back, statement credits, gift cards, Apple purchases and online shopping. You can also use them to book travel through Chase Travel℠ and receive 25% more value per point, or transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

The card also offers a $50 annual statement credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel, as well as partner benefits with Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash and Peloton. There’s a $95 annual fee.

Finally, the Sapphire Preferred provides a robust lineup of travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay reimbursement and primary rental car insurance .

Should you get the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card?

If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, the Travel Rewards credit card can be a great way to rack up a lot of points on your everyday purchases, especially if you can qualify for the maximum 75% points bonus — which brings the earning rate up to 2.62 points per dollar spent on purchases. 

That said, it may also be worth considering another travel card with added perks for when you travel, since this one’s benefits are slim compared to popular travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

If you’re not a Preferred Rewards customer, the Bank of America travel card may still be a good fit if you want to earn travel rewards but don’t want to deal with an annual fee. However, it should be mentioned there are many travel credit cards that charge an annual fee but offer enough value in perks alone to make up for the cost every year. Shop around and compare several options to determine which one offers the best value for you based on your travel and spending habits.

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of travel credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. We factored the following into our analysis:

• Annual fees.
• Travel reward rates.
• Value of rewards.
• Redemption options.
• Additional benefits that a card may offer for travelers, such as travel insurance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The card is designed for consumers with good or excellent credit. According to FICO , that typically means a credit score of 670 or higher. That said, Bank of America will review your full credit history, income and other factors to determine your eligibility. 

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, you can use the card issuer’s preapproval tool, which can help you gauge your approval odds for any Bank of America credit card.

After you use your card to pay for an eligible travel or dining purchase, you can log in to your account and request a statement credit up to 12 months after the transaction posts. Alternatively, you can redeem your points for a paper check or a deposit into an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account or to buy gift cards.

As long as your account remains open and you can actively make purchases, your points will never expire. However, you will forfeit your points if you or Bank of America closes your account.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

¹Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

*The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ben Luthi is a freelance writer who covers all things personal finance and travel. His work has appeared in dozens of online publications. Ben lives in Salt Lake City with his two children and two cats.

Glen Luke Flanagan is a deputy editor on the USA TODAY Blueprint credit cards team. Prior to joining Blueprint, he served as a deputy editor on the credit cards team at Forbes Advisor, and covered credit cards, credit scoring and related topics as a senior writer at LendingTree. He’s passionate about helping people understand personal finance so they can make the best decisions possible for their wallet. Glen holds a master's degree in technical and professional communication from East Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Radford University.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card review

Written by: Re'Dreyona Walker

Edited by: Tracy Stewart

Partner Offer

In a Nutshell:

  You can travel anytime you want with this flexible travel card: The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card sets itself apart from other travel cards by doing away with restrictive travel policies and letting you book your rewards-funded travel yourself.

Learn more about this card

Other Notable Features: No foreign transaction fees, Visa Signature benefits, EMV chip card with the ability to add a PIN for international travel, auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge services

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for occasional travelers who like to search the web for the best deals without sacrificing their option to use rewards for the purchase. It’s an incredibly flexible card when it comes to redemption options and earning capacity, however, it lacks many of the appealing benefits offered by other popular travel credit cards. That said, there are some limitations compared to cards with a potentially higher rewards value.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a solid rewards program, especially if you already have Merrill or Bank of America® accounts. The Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program offers even more rewards on top of what you would earn with its flat-rate 1.5-point rewards structure. For those who don’t mind having a more complicated rewards structure in return for more travel benefits, rewards and cardholder perks, you may do better with other comparable travel rewards cards.

• No annual fee : Most travel rewards cards require you to pay an annual fee in exchange for premium travel perks, so having a $0 annual fee is unique.
• No foreign transaction fee : Foreign transaction fees can make the overall cost of your purchases go up tremendously. Fortunately, when going abroad, travelers do not have to worry about these pesky charges when using this card.
• Decent sign-up bonus : After spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days after account opening, new cardholders can get 25,000 online bonus points, which is an excellent offering on top of the card’s ongoing rewards rate.
• Uncapped reward earnings : Since there is no limit to the number of points you can earn, you can easily maximize your reward earnings.
• Special perks for Bank of America customers : The Preferred Rewards program allows certain Bank of America® credit card holders to earn extra bonus rewards. If you have enough money in combined balances in your Bank of American and Merrill accounts, you can earn 25%-75% more rewards.
• Requires good or excellent credit : Potential applicants may be denied if they do not fulfill the credit score requirement, which could prevent many people from applying.
• Potentially high APR : Depending on your creditworthiness, you could be subjected to an APR that you may not be comfortable with.
• No bonus categories : The card only offers flat-rate rewards, which may not be enough for people looking for tiered categories to boost their reward earnings.

Why you might want the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

If you’re the type of cardholder always looking around for a good sign-up bonus on a card with no annual fee, then Bank of America’s travel card is a great option for you. You’ll earn a flat rate of rewards on all your purchases, giving you the freedom to shop for what you want, when you want to and still earn a decent rate.

One unique benefit of this card is that if you happen to have a Merrill or a Bank of America account you can earn a boosted rewards rate with Preferred Rewards.

Higher sign-up bonus

Though not the most valuable sign-up offer currently available, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card does include a decent bonus of 25,000 online points for users who spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. If you redeem these points for travel purchases, they are worth up to $250.

Flat-rate rewards on all purchases

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card comes with one flat earning rate on all purchases – making it easy to rack up points without keeping track of bonus categories or focusing your spending in one area. Cardholders bring in 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase. The one exception to this is purchases made in the Bank of America Travel Center, which earn an additional 1.5 points per dollar for a total of 3 points per dollar spent.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

If you are already a Bank of America or Merrill checking or savings account holder, you might be able to boost your earning rate on the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. This is certainly the case if you have a significant balance. Bank of America has a tiered rewards rate program that increases at incremental stages depending on how large your account balance is in your Bank of America or Merrill account. You can potentially qualify for a 75% point boost with an increased earned rate of 2.6% (up from the standard 1.5% per dollar spent) by qualifying for Platinum Honors – Bank of America’s highest Preferred Rewards tier.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards tiers and earning rates

As you can see, even if you don’t have a balance over $100,000 in your Bank of America or Merrill account you can still earn either a 25% or 50% boost to your rewards rate.

When combined with some of the other benefits of this card, even a 1.9% earning rate makes this card stand out despite the fact some flat-rate rewards cards have a slightly higher rate.

Flexible point redemption

Points earned with the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card are worth the same amount whether you book travel with the bank or another site – unlike other travel cards that offer a boost on certain purchases. However, this gives the card some added flexibility and means you can think less critically about how you want to use those points.

You can redeem points for any travel purchase made on your card in the last 12 months. That means you can find a better deal on a third-party travel site and still use your rewards to cover the cost. You may also redeem points for a statement credit to pay for dining purchases, a cash redemption or gift card.

Bank of America Travel Rewards redemption options

Solid intro apr for new purchases and balance transfers.

In addition to easy-to-earn rewards and flexible redemption, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for new purchases (18.24% to 28.24% variable thereafter) and for balance transfers made within the first 60 days (after which, the 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR applies). There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.

Very few travel cards offer an intro APR on both balance transfers and new purchases, so this card could be an ideal pick if you need to pay off debt or chip away at the cost of a new purchase in the short term, but want to focus on earning travel rewards long term.

This can be a great perk for users who have a big purchase to make and want to pay it down over time without racking up interest. You’ll have a little more than a full year to make slow payments without having to worry about additional charges. Just be sure not to charge more than you can pay off in the introductory period, as the ongoing APR can be high.

Why you might want a different travel rewards card

If you’re familiar with rewards programs, know which categories you spend your money the most and can plan accordingly to use different cards for every purchase, you might want to opt for a more elaborate card strategy that takes advantage of higher earning cards. A rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent is a decent rate, but it’s by no means the best offer out there.

That said, there are a few shortcomings the Bank of America Travel Rewards card has that makes it fall a little further down the list of best travel rewards cards.

No bonus for travel redemption

Redemption through an issuer’s travel portal is a competitive feature on a travel rewards card that comes with some other cards in this category. Unfortunately, points redeemed for travel through the Bank of America Travel center won’t see an increase in value like on some other issuer’s cards. This puts Bank of America’s card a little further down the list.

Although purchases made through the travel center will earn double points, redeeming those points for travel won’t increase their value. Meaning you’ll need to spend more to increase the worthiness of your rewards, while with another card it might mean spending less and redeeming for more.

For example, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earn an additional 25% value when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal, making points (normally worth 1 cent each) worth 1.25 cents each.

The most value you can get out of a Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card point is 1 cent per point, other travel cards can often outpace its value. When comparing to another card, be sure to keep point value in mind because, like Chase, some issuers have increased point value.

Low rewards rate

While earning 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase is convenient and it can be boosted if you’re a Bank of America or Merrill account holder, for a general cardholder who’s looking for a solid travel rewards card, it’s a little low. Even the 3 points per dollar on travel booked through Bank of America’s Travel Center is comparatively low to other cards, especially considering the points’ low value for redemption.

If you want to step into travel rewards and fly higher, you might benefit from a card that earns at a higher rate on general purchases and pair it with a card from the same issuer that earns a high rate for travel. This may allow you to pool your points and redeem them through that issuer’s rewards portal.

For instance, you might be better served with a 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) paired with the Citi Premier® Card . While the Premier Card has an annual fee of $95, depending on how much you spend you may be able to offset that fee by earning more rewards than you would with the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.

No standout perks

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card has a few benefits that make it valuable for frequent travelers, but it doesn’t have many extensive perks.

• No foreign transaction fee – When traveling abroad, you won’t pay any surcharge on foreign transactions.
• Car rental insurance – If your rental car is damaged or stolen, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card can reimburse you in excess of the company’s insurance policy.
• Add PIN for international travel – The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is an EMV chip card, and you can add a PIN for easy use when traveling overseas.

While certainly not the most impressive travel perks available on a rewards card, all these benefits could potentially save frequent travelers some money on their next trip — but in comparison to other travel rewards cards, you could get a much better lineup of perks than with this card.

How does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card compare to other cards?

The flat earning rate on the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card makes it easy to rack up points with this no-annual-fee option, but savvy spenders might be able to get more out of a travel card with a different structure. Here are a few popular alternatives:

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

A fan-favorite travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a good rewards rate and a valuable sign-up bonus. If you redeem all 60,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first three months to earn the bonus) for travel in the Chase Travel portal, they are worth up to $750. The biggest drawback to the Sapphire Preferred in comparison to the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card is its $95 annual fee, though heavy spenders can probably offset this cost with a great earning rate on travel and restaurant purchases.

See Related :  Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which is best for you?

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Capital One VentureOne

Like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, the Capital One VentureOne doesn’t charge an annual fee and offers a flat rate of miles on most purchases – 1.25 miles per dollar. The Capital One VentureOne also charges no foreign transaction fee. However, the VentureOne also comes with a higher low-end and high-end APR rate (19.99% to 29.99% variable) than the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card does. Miles with the VentureOne are also worth that same as Bank of America points at 1 cent apiece. However, with a lower earning rate, the VentureOne won’t compete well with cards that have a high point value and a high earning rate.

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Wells Fargo Autograph

The Wells Fargo Autograph is another popular no-annual-fee travel card, thanks to its extensive list of categories that qualify for the 3 point-per-dollar rate. Cardholders can earn 3 points per dollar on restaurants, travel, transit, gas station purchases, select streaming services and phone plans as well as 1 point per dollar on other purchases. This makes it easy to rack up plenty of points. Plus, cardholders who also have a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card may earn even more cash rewards on purchases.

How to use the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card:

• Spend at least $1,000 in the first 90 days to earn the sign-up bonus.
• Put all your purchases on the card to take advantage of a generous flat rewards rate.
• Consider purchasing travel through the Bank of America Travel center to earn double points.
• If you are eligible, sign up for Preferred Rewards to boost your earnings.

Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card right for you?

If you are the type of cardholder who prefers to put all their purchases on one card and not worry about keeping track of bonus categories, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a good rate of points for a card with no annual fee. Plus, Bank of America account holders with a significant balance can boost their rewards rate and fast-track their way to their next vacation.

On the other hand, if the realm of rewards earning sparks your curiosity and you want to maximize how much you get back for what you spend, you might consider a more strategic approach. That said, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a terrific option for newcomers to rewards or for those who aren’t confident in their ability to offset the annual fees they may face with more beneficial cards.

Need more information on this card? See related articles:

• Bank of America Travel Center: How to book flights, hotels and vacations.
• Card Comparison – Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Card Comparison – Bank of America Travel Rewards card vs. Bank of America Cash Rewards card
• Card Comparison – Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Capital One Venture Card

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Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review: Simplicity for points beginners

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card overview

The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has the potential to be a solid flat-rate card if you are a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program . However, without the Preferred Rewards earning bonus, the card falls short compared to other flat-rate cards on the market. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

* Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

For beginners, points and miles can seem daunting. When I first started earning credit card rewards, the idea of transferring points and trying to find the absolute best redemptions was exciting but also nerve-wracking — and I'm not alone. Many beginners give up on using credit card rewards to pay for travel because it seems too complicated.

That's where an option like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card comes into play. It has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670. Points and miles experts will likely not be amazed at the perks and redemption options, but the simplicity of this card's earning rate and redemption process provides a nice starting point for beginners.

Let's dig into the card details so you can decide if it's right for you.

Bank of America Travel Rewards welcome offer

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is currently offering 25,000 bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are redeemable at a flat rate of 1 cent per point toward travel or dining purchases, so this bonus is worth $250 — a solid offer but significantly less valuable than what you'll find on other top travel cards .

It's not a flashy bonus, but it is easy to hit since the minimum spending requirement works out to $11.11 per day. And since the card has no annual fee, you're essentially earning rewards on purchases you would have normally made without any up-front cost.

Bank of America does have a 24-month restriction , though the details vary from card to card. The wording for the Travel Rewards card states:

"This card may not be available to you if you currently have or have had the card in the preceding 24 month period."

This means that you can get a second Travel Rewards card if you held one before but must wait 24 months after closing your old account before opening a new one.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Bank of America Travel Rewards benefits

The real benefit of the Bank of America Travel Rewards is its simplicity. There are no bonus categories, earning caps or transfer partners. For beginners, that can be a great way to start a points and miles journey.

The card offers an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases. Your points don't expire as long as you keep your account open. You'll also enjoy no booking restrictions when you redeem your points and will pay no foreign transaction fees when you swipe the card outside the U.S.

As expected with a no-annual-fee card, you won't get luxury perks with this card. However, since it is a Visa Signature card, you will still have access to certain travel protections and benefits, including:

• Auto rental insurance
• Zero fraud liability
• Roadside assistance

Again, this isn't an extensive list of benefits, but it's decent for a no-annual-fee card.

Related: How to build a no-annual-fee card strategy

Earning points on the Bank of America Travel Rewards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card has a simple earning structure, but there's more than meets the eye. You'll earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase. There's no yearly cap on rewards earned, and your points won't expire for as long as your account is open.

This is a fairly standard earning rate for a no-annual-fee card, though you can find cards with more competitive reward structures . However, the rewards structure becomes much more valuable if you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program .

To enroll in Preferred Rewards, you'll need an eligible Bank of America personal checking account and a three-month average balance of at least $20,000 across your Bank of America and Merrill accounts. There are four levels of Preferred Rewards, and each comes with an earning bonus on the Travel Rewards card.

As you can see, those with Platinum Honors and Diamond can earn 2.625 points per dollar on every purchase, which is an impressive return for everyday purchases. Plus, you'll get a savings account interest bonus, discounted banking and investing fees, and discounted rates on auto loans and mortgages.

Still, if you aren't a Preferred Rewards member, the earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar is lackluster.

Related: Stop ignoring Bank of America Preferred Rewards

Redeeming points on the Bank of America Travel Rewards

Bank of America points act more like cash-back rewards since each point is worth a flat 1 cent . You can redeem them as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases (starting at a minimum of 2,500 points). When you make a purchase, simply login, log in to your account and select any qualifying transaction from the previous 12 months.

Although travel enthusiasts may see this as a disadvantage, beginners might rejoice at this no-stress process. You don't have to think about maximizing reward redemptions or figuring out the best transfer partner for booking your travel, which can be a headache for someone looking for a simple, no-frills way to earn and use their points.

You can also use your points for a cash reward — a check or a deposit into a qualifying Bank of America account. However, you'll get a value of just 0.6 cents per point this way (2,500 points = $15), so you're much better off using them for travel or dining purchases.

Finally, you can redeem your points for gift cards, though the exact value varies by merchant.

Related: The best Bank of America credit cards of 2024

Which cards compete with the Bank of America Travel Rewards?

One of these may be a better fit if you want more perks or a different earning structure than the Bank of America Travel Rewards offers.

• If you want more perks : The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a mid-tier travel card with a $95 annual fee. It earns the same 1.5 points per dollar base rate as the Travel Rewards card, but you'll also earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and get more travel perks. For more information, see our full review of the Premium Rewards card .
• If you want more flexible rewards : The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Capital One Travel. However, the card shines by giving you access to the issuer's 15-plus transfer partners , including British Airways, Turkish Airlines and Wyndham. For more information, see our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards .
• If you want even more cash back: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another great no-annual-fee card option and offers 5% cash back on travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1.5% back on all other purchases. For more information, see our full review of the Freedom Unlimited .

For additional options, check out our full list of the best cash-back credit cards .

Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card

Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards worth it?

If you're looking for simplicity in how you earn and redeem points, the no-annual-fee Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card could be a good option for you, especially if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer. However, more seasoned points and miles travelers will likely want a card with higher earning rates and more redemption options.

Bottom line

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers a simple earning rate and redemption options many beginners will appreciate. However, frequent travelers who want better earning rates and the flexibility of transfer partners should consider other options.

Apply here: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card

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Card Details

Help build your credit while earning unlimited points.

Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points as long as your account remains open.

We'll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account and overall relationship with us, and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.

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Bank of America – Outstanding Customer Satisfaction with Financial Health Support – Banking & Payments, 2 years in a row

Secured card products are not eligible for a new account bonus offer, like a bonus points offer and introductory APRs are not available.

J.D. Power 2023 Financial Health Support Certification SM is based on exceeding customer experience benchmarks using client surveys and a best practices verification. For more information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Interest Rates & Fees Summary †

Introductory apr, standard apr, balance transfer fee.

of each transaction †

† Please see Terms and Conditions for rate, fee and other cost information, as well as an explanation of payment allocation. All terms may be subject to change.

Note: minimum payments are applied to lower-interest balances first. Additional payments are applied to higher-interest balances first.

Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time.

No blackout dates or restrictions and points do not expire as long as your account remains open.

Use our rewards calculator to see where your points can take you...

Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.

Flexibility to redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants – including takeout.

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Now, when you opt-in you can access your FICO ® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. FICO ® Score Program . The FICO ® Score Program is for educational purposes and for your non-commercial, personal use. This benefit is available only for primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card account who have a FICO ® Score available. The feature is accessible through Online Banking, the Mobile website, and the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply." data-footnote="ADDITIONAL_BENEFITS_FOOTNOTE_07" aria-label="Footnote 5"> Footnote [5] Learn More   about Free FICO Credit Score opens in a new window

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We are currently updating our systems to bring enhanced features to the online rewards experience. As a result, this website is temporarily unavailable. Rewards redemption will not be accessible until late afternoon on May 20. Thank you for your patience.

En este momento, estamos actualizando nuestros sistemas para incorporar características mejoradas a la experiencia de recompensas en línea. Como resultado, este sitio web se encuentra temporalmente fuera de servicio. El canje de recompensas no estará disponible hasta las últimas horas de la tarde el 20 de mayo. Gracias por su paciencia.

Important Notice

We are in the process of converting your BankAmericard Privileges ® with Travel Rewards credit card to a BankAmericard Travel Rewards ® credit card. As a result, you will not be able to access the rewards site at this time. Thank you for your patience.

Your BankAmericard Privileges ® with Travel Rewards credit card has recently been converted to a BankAmericard Travel Rewards ® credit card. Please visit bankofamerica.com to access your new rewards site and find out what your new credit card program has to offer.

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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval, also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

Great for Bank of America loyalists who travel occasionally.

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Re’Dreyona Walker is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, focusing on product guides and reviews. As a personal finance expert, she is dedicated to providing honest product reviews as well as in-depth, comprehensive guides to assist readers in building credit and finding the best credit cards for their needs.

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Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at Reviews.com and worked as the loans editor at The Simple Dollar.

Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is the former senior director of content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration.

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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money and how we rate our cards . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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Bottom line

This no-annual-fee travel card is a flexible alternative to more complex travel rewards cards that may take more work to maximize. However, since you can’t transfer points to travel partners and there aren’t any travel-specific benefits, it can feel like a flat-rate cash back card with more red tape.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Intro 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.

Offer valuation

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

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.

Regular APR

On This Page

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Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card pros and cons

• Reasons to get this card
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• Bank of America Travel Rewards Card vs. other travel cards

Best cards to pair with the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

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Frequently asked questions

Bank of america® travel rewards credit card overview.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a decent flat-rate rewards card for occasional travelers who want to avoid an annual fee. Since this travel rewards credit card offers a flat rewards rate and isn’t tied to specific hotel or airline partners, you won’t need to adjust your spending to fit into any particular category and can book your travel with any provider.

Bank of America credit cards also have a looser definition of travel than cards from other issuers. This lets you earn rewards for purchases at campgrounds, travel agencies, zoos, art galleries and more. You can also redeem your points for a statement credit toward dining purchases.

However, this card lacks travel-specific features you might find on competing travel cards, and you can’t use rewards to book travel directly through an issuer portal or a transfer partner. This could be a dealbreaker if you’re a frequent traveler since these redemption methods typically offer the best value. Chase , Capital One and American Express travel cards all offer this feature, which drastically increases the value of their reward programs. 

• Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases

Expert Appraisal: Typical See our expert analysis

Welcome offer

• 25,000 online bonus points ($250 statement credit value toward travel purchases) if you make $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening the account

Expert Appraisal : Typical See our expert analysis

0% APR offer

• 0 percent 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 percent to 28.24 percent will apply. A 3 percent 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 percent.
• 18.24 percent to 28.24 percent ongoing variable APR

Expert Appraisal : Good See our expert analysis

Rates and fees

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fee
• 3 percent balance transfer fee (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 percent)

Other cardholder perks

• Bank of America Preferred Rewards® 
• BankAmeriDeals
• Museums On Us
• Visa Signature benefits

The lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers offers more room for managing debt than other rewards cards.

You can boost your rewards rate by up to 75 percent as an eligible Preferred Rewards member, which could make it one of the most rewarding flat-rate travel cards for no annual fee.

You can redeem its flexible points to cover a comprehensive list of travel and dining purchases — even if those purchases are nearly a year old.

The minimum redemption of 2,500 points for travel or cash back (worth $25) is higher than other competing cards.

It offers some of the best travel-related redemption coverage, but the rewards rate is low if you aren’t a Preferred Rewards member.

The limited travel benefits make travel less convenient than it can be with other cards.

Why you might want the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card offers a decent flat reward rate on every purchase. Not only that, you can pay down your purchases with an intro APR offer comparable to many dedicated low-interest cards.

Intro APR: Great length for purchases and balance transfers

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers a 0 percent intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days. A 3 percent balance transfer fee applies for transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After your intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4 percent. After the promotional period, an 18.24 percent to 28.24 percent variable ongoing APR applies. 

Compared to competing reward cards that offer a 12-month intro APR period or shorter, this is a fairly lengthy offer that can provide you with more than enough time to pay down a transferred balance or big purchase during the first year. Once your intro APR offer ends, you’ll still enjoy long-term value from the card by earning flat-rate rewards on purchases.

Welcome offer: Decent value compared to similar cards

Bank of America offers 25,000 bonus points when you spend at least $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of opening your account. If you redeem these points for a statement credit, they’ll be worth about $250 in statement credit toward travel. This is a generous offer for a card with no annual fee.

A $250 value is slightly higher than what you’ll find with other no-annual-fee cards, but remember that some competing cards only require a $500 spend to earn a $200 bonus: You have to spend double with the Bank of America Travel Rewards card to earn an extra $50 in rewards.  But on the bright side, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card doesn’t come with an annual fee that eats into your reward earnings. 

Rewards: Earn more with the preferred rewards program 

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card allows you to earn unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases. However, the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program gives the Travel Rewards card an edge over similar competing cards if you already have an eligible account with Bank of America or Merrill. 

Depending on your status tier, you can earn 25 percent to 75 percent bonus points on every purchase. That means Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards members can earn up to 2.62X points on all purchases and up to 5.25X points on Travel Center purchases. Plus, you could receive other benefits like boosted interest rates on savings accounts and reduced interest rates on your home equity and auto loans.

Here are Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards status tiers:

• Gold (at least a $20,000 combined balance): 25 percent bonus rewards
• Platinum (at least a $50,000 combined balance): 50 percent bonus rewards
• Platinum Honors (at least a $100,000 combined balance): 75 percent bonus rewards

The Preferred Rewards program also offers a Diamond Tier status above the Platinum Honors Tier, but it carries the same 75 percent bonus rewards boost and is only available to account holders with a combined balance of $1 million to $10 million.

This boost results in a card with one of the best flat rewards rates available, especially for no annual fee. It could make the Travel Rewards card an exceptional deal since rival cards typically max out at 2X rewards on general spending and 5X rewards on comparable travel portal purchases through the issuer.

Redemption: Fair options for a variety of travel and dining categories

You can redeem your points for gift cards, cash or a statement credit to cover travel-related purchases. Even better, you can request credit for your travel-related purchases up to 12 months after you make them. This feature opens the door to exceptional deals you might not find with other travel reward programs, such as discounted bookings through external travel websites. 

You can also redeem points for cash back as a check or direct deposit to an eligible Bank of America checking or savings account or Merrill Cash Management account, though there’s a 2,500-point redemption minimum for travel credits and cash and a 3,125-point minimum for gift cards. 

One of the best features of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card’s travel credit redemption is that it covers categories that may not typically qualify as travel or dining. For example, you can redeem points on admission tickets to tourist attractions, bar and nightclub purchases, transit and RV and boat rentals. However, some travel or dining-related expenses, such as in-flight goods and services and duty-free airport purchases, aren’t eligible for statement credits.

Knowing which purchases qualify for credits can get confusing, so here’s a list of Bank of America Travel Rewards card categories eligible for travel credits:

• Eligible travel-related category examples
• Eligible dining-related category examples
• Hotels and motels
• Trailer parks, motor homes and recreational vehicle rentals
• Campgrounds
• Car, truck, trailer and boat rentals
• Cruise lines
• Travel agencies, tour operators and real estate agents
• Transit including passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, parking lots and garages, tolls and bridge fees
• Tourist attractions and exhibits like art galleries, amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums, zoos
• Restaurants and eating places
• Fast food restaurants
• Cocktail lounges

Why you might want a different travel card

Though the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card has plenty of perks, it has some drawbacks compared to competitors, including a lower value for cash back redemption and the inability to transfer points to hotel or airline partners.

Flexibility: Low redemption value and you can’t transfer points

This card offers a solid rewards rate on your purchases, whether you’re traveling or at home, but these travel rewards work differently than typical bonus miles. Instead of using rewards to book travel, you can redeem Bank of America travel rewards as statement credits on travel or dining purchases, making this card function more like a cash back credit card .

When you redeem this way, they're worth 1 cent each — so 25,000 points equals $250 in statement credit. But redeeming your rewards for anything else is a value loss. When you redeem for gift cards, the value of your points will vary by retailer, leading to inconsistent value. And when you redeem for cash, your points are only worth 0.6 cents each (or $150 for every 25,000 points). 

Compared to Chase and other issuers with robust travel reward programs, this card offers more flexible reward categories, but you can’t book travel with your points or transfer them to travel partners for a higher value. Bank of America Travel Rewards points are stuck at a maximum value of 1.0 cents cents per point. According to Bankrate’s point valuations , several issuers’ points or miles can be worth around 2 cents each on average with the right transfer partner.

Perks: Doesn’t quite stand out compared to other travel cards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card isn’t as robust in perks as other travel-oriented rewards credit cards. Along with basic features like free access to your credit score, overdraft protection and account alerts, it has just a few extra benefits outside the Preferred Rewards program that might be helpful during your travels, such as:

• BankAmeriDeals : Bank of America cardholders have exclusive access to BankAmeriDeals , the issuer’s version of card-linked limited-time offer programs like Amex Offers or Chase Offers. You can log into your account and usually earn anywhere from 5 percent to 50 percent extra cash back (up to a certain limit) or a sum of cash back (usually $4 to $35) for spending a certain amount at participating restaurants and other merchants after activating the respective offer. BankAmeriDeals won’t rake in big bucks, but the “coins” you earn for regularly using the program can help you access upgraded deals.
• Visa Signature benefits : As a Visa credit card , your Bank of America Travel Rewards card grants access to a portfolio of Visa Signature perks that can be useful while traveling. Contact your issuer to determine the specific features your card offers. You can expect standard benefits like extended warranty protection, Visa Signature® Concierge services, Roadside Dispatch®, lost luggage reimbursement and travel and emergency assistance. However, you’ll want to contact Bank of America to determine the specific features your card offers.
• Museums On Us : If you love planning day trips to popular museums, then this benefit is an underrated gem. Simply presenting your Bank of America debit or credit card and a valid photo ID will grant you free admission to over 225 cultural institutions during the first weekend of each month.

However, in the travel card landscape, these features aren't particularly competitive. Many of the more popular travel cards offer airport perks such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits, in-flight or airline credit, airport lounge access, free checked bag(s), rental car assistance and more. You’ll normally have to pay an annual fee for these types of travel cards, but these card perks typically offer enough value to offset the cost of that annual fee. 

Fees: Not terrible, but c harges a balance transfer fee

Though it lacks an annual fee and has a long intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card charges a 3 percent fee for each balance transfer you make (for the first 60 days; after the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4 percent). 

If one of your primary goals in opening a new credit card is to consolidate existing debt and save on interest, this fee could prove a dealbreaker. If you have an especially large debt to transfer or want to perform several balance transfers over time, a dedicated balance transfer credit card might better serve your needs. 

How the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card compares to other travel cards

If you value flexibility, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is one of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee . It doesn’t operate like a traditional travel card with bonus points or miles, but works like a flat-rate cash back card — except your statement credits are restricted to travel and dining-related categories. But if you don’t travel frequently and you like to redeem for cash back, you’re probably better off with a true flat-rate cash back card. 

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.

Recommended Credit Score

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card lets you redeem your points to cover travel and travel-related purchases like dining and attractions. This makes it a superb choice if you don’t always need a flight or rental car for a vacation. However, a true travel card can offer similar versatility if you want more travel-based perks.

However, a true travel card can offer similar versatility if you want more travel-based perks.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers more traditional travel card rewards but maintains a streamlined experience. It offers a higher rewards rate of 2X unlimited miles on all qualifying purchases, credit toward TSA Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees and the opportunity to earn a larger welcome bonus. It also rewards hotel and rental car travel purchases that you book through the Capital One Travel portal at a higher rewards rate. But as a tradeoff, you’ll need to pay the card’s annual fee and be okay with slightly less flexible reward categories. 

The Venture card’s rewards can also increase in value with the right transfer partner. According to Bankrate’s latest mile valuation, Venture miles are worth an average of 1.7 cents per mile when you transferred to the right high-value partner, and the bulk of Capital One’s partners have a 1:1 transfer rate. So if you’re willing to trade some elbow grease for greater reward value, choosing the Venture card is likely the wiser route.

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

If you’re undecided about investing money into a card with an annual fee but would like to benefit from a higher rewards rate on specific travel and dining purchases, consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card . The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card offers 2X points on travel and dining and 1.5X points on all other purchases.

The card also offers valuable travel perks typically found on top-tier travel cards like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost and delayed luggage coverage and trip delay reimbursement.

Although the rewards rate on travel and dining is only a minor upgrade and the card lacks notable bells and whistles, you’re getting plenty for the price. Frequent flyers can completely offset the annual fee via annual airline incidental statement credits and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits (applicable every four years). Keep in mind that the incidental credits only cover costs like seat upgrades, baggage fees, airline lounge access and in-flight services rather than general airfare, but savvy travelers will find the Premium Rewards a much better deal than the base Travel Rewards card.

Since the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a flat-rate card, the best cards to pair it with will reward your most frequent spending categories with higher rates. Your Travel Rewards card points are best used to cover travel and dining purchases, so you’ll want a card that covers spending outside those two categories.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could be one of the best cash back cards for your everyday spending. It earns high cash back rates on popular spending categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, transit and U.S. gas station purchases. This card has an annual fee, but the sheer amount of earning potential could more than offset the cost.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card doesn’t offer many travel benefits or rewards, so you might look into a brand-specific airline credit card to cover those gaps. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a $0 intro annual fee the first year (then $150), along with an impressive welcome bonus and perks such as Main Cabin 1 Priority boarding, 20 percent statement credit back on select in-flight purchases and after spending $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.

Who is the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card right for?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card offers plenty of benefits, but it may not be the best option for everyone. It might be a good fit if you align with one of the following personas. 

Budget travelers

If you’re seeking a travel rewards card with no annual fee and are willing to forgo luxury travel perks, then the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card makes sense. You can earn a higher reward rate on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, which you can use to make more travel purchases.

Entertainment seekers

If you frequently visit amusement parks, go on family outings to zoos and aquariums, or visit cocktail clubs, this card might be valuable for you. These are rare categories to find on a rewards card, which gives the Travel Rewards card an interesting niche.

Bank of America loyalists

If you are a Preferred Rewards member or want to become one, you’ll benefit from the program's additional bonus points on every purchase, depending on your status tier. At the highest tiers you can earn up to 75 percent boosted bonus points, which gives the Travel Rewards card one of the strongest rewards rates on the market.

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card worth it?

The no-annual-fee Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a good choice for frequent travelers who value flexibility, particularly Preferred Rewards members already banking with Bank of America or Merrill.

Since you can redeem points for a travel rewards statement credit, you won’t have to deal with blackout dates or travel restrictions when redeeming, and you have the freedom to book through third-party sites for better travel deals. You can also use your points to cover a wide range of travel purchases, from aquarium tickets to hotel stays, which aren’t covered by comparable rewards cards. 

However, there aren’t any travel-specific perks or opportunities to transfer rewards, so if you want richer travel opportunities you may find this card lacking. A 2 percent flat-rate cash back card may be a better option if you aren’t a Preferred Rewards member.

How we rated this card

We rate credit cards using a proprietary card scoring system that ranks each card’s estimated average rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more against those of other cards in its primary category.

Each card feature is assigned a weighting based on how important it is to people looking for a card in a given category. These features are then scored based on how they rank relative to the features on other cards in the category. Based on these calculations, each card receives an overall rating of 1-5 stars (with 5 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest). 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards and cash back cards to determine where each stacked up based on their value, cost, benefits and more. Here are some of the key factors that influenced this card’s overall score and how the score influenced our review:

Rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards or cash back card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . 

Based on this data, we determine a “chargeable” spend (which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards). This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,200
• Dining out: $3,000
• Entertainment: $2,500
• Gas: $2,100
• Apparel and services: $1,700

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 23 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases, as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

We also rate cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each rewards or cash back card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards or cash back cards. 

We also score each card based on how its annual fee influences its overall value. 

We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value, but if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score even if it carries a high annual fee. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against other cards in the category when you subtract its annual fee.

Flexibility

We rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards and factor this rating into a card’s overall score. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you redeem for some options versus others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners. 

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 has less than standard card features (an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits. 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

What credit score do you need for the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

You’ll have the best approval odds if you apply for the Bank of America Travel Rewards card with a good to excellent credit score (a FICO score of 670 or higher or a VantageScore of 661 or higher).

How do you redeem Bank of America Travel Rewards points?

Once you log into your online banking account, select your card and navigate to the “Rewards” page. You can redeem your rewards for gift cards, cash back (as a check or direct deposit to an eligible savings or checking account with Bank of America or Merrill) or a statement credit for travel and dining purchases made in the last 12 months. Travel and cash redemptions‌ require a minimum of 2,500 points, while gift cards have a higher minimum of 3,125 points.

Does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card offer travel insurance?

Unfortunately, the standard Travel Rewards card doesn’t offer travel insurance. Although some no-annual-fee travel cards offer various travel protections, you’ll have to pony up for the Bank of America Premium Rewards card to receive insurance like trip cancellation/interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement, luggage protections and more.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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How to use Bank of America travel rewards points

Key takeaways.

• T he Bank of America travel rewards program can be lucrative and flexible, but the specifics of how you’ll earn points in this program depend on which credit card you sign up for.
• Bank of America travel rewards points can generally be redeemed for eligible travel purchases, cash back and gift cards.
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn an additional 25 percent to 75 percent more in rewards for each dollar spent.

Many credit card issuers boast a lineup of rewards credit cards that let you earn cash back, points or miles on travel, and Bank of America is no exception. Although not as popular as travel credit cards from Chase or American Express, Bank of America travel cards can be rather lucrative and flexible — but the specifics will depend on which credit card you sign up for.

If you’re ready to give the Bank of America travel rewards program a chance, you should find out which Bank of America credit cards let you earn rewards for travel, which travel rewards benefits are offered and how to use Bank of America travel rewards points to your advantage.

Which Bank of America cards earn travel rewards?

The main two Bank of America travel rewards cards are the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card . However, Bank of America also offers the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card * and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students .

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for no annual fee

• Welcome bonus: 25,000 online bonus points ($250 statement credit value toward travel purchases) if you make $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening the account
• Rewards rate: Unlimited 1.5X points per dollar on all purchases; 3X points on Bank of America Travel Center purchases
• Annual fee:  $0
• Notable perks: No foreign transaction fees, flexible travel rewards

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card: Best for occasional travelers

• Welcome bonus: 60,000 online bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
• Rewards rate: Unlimited 2X points per dollar on travel and dining; 1.5X points per dollar on all other purchases
• Annual fee:  $95
• Notable perks: Up to $100 in statement credits per year for incidental airline expenses to cover eligible costs; up to a $100 statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees every four years; no foreign transaction fees

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card: Best for frequent travelers

• Welcome bonus: 75,000 online bonus points (a $750 value) after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Rewards rate:  Unlimited 2X points on dining and travel purchases; unlimited 1.5X points on all other purchases
• Annual fee: $550
• Notable perks: Up to $300 annually in airline incidental statement credits for qualifying purchases (like seat upgrades and baggage fees); up to $150 annually for eligible lifestyle conveniences (including video streaming services, food delivery, fitness subscriptions and rideshare services); up to a $100 statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees every four years; complimentary Priority Pass membership; 20 percent off on domestic or international airfare for any class when paid with points

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Best for students

• Welcome bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
• Rewards rate: 1.5X points on all purchases
• Annual fee: $0
• Notable perks: No foreign transactions fees, flexible travel rewards

Which Bank of America travel cards do not earn travel rewards points?

Bank of America also offers a surprising number of co-branded travel credit cards that are geared to loyalists with specific brands. However, these cards do not earn Bank of America travel rewards points. These include:

• Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
• Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®*
• Allegiant World Mastercard®*
• Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® card*
• Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard®*
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® card*
• Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® *
• Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®*

When it comes to redeeming your Bank of America travel rewards, your options may vary depending on the card you have.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card and Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

With the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, you can use your points for:

• Cash back in the form of a check or direct deposit to an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account
• A statement credit to cover eligible travel-related purchases

Unlike with other travel rewards programs, you can use your eligible card to book travel with any eligible providers, and Bank of America’s list of qualifying travel purchases is extensive. In addition to airlines, hotels, car rentals and eligible transit, travel-related purchases also include purchases made with eligible cruise lines, parking garages, travel agencies, tourist attractions, art galleries, amusement parks and more.

From there, you can redeem your points for a travel credit statement through your Bank of America account. However, note that you’ll need at least $25 worth of points to redeem for a travel credit.

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card lets you cash in your rewards for:

• Travel bookings through the Bank of America Travel Center
• Cash back in the form of a statement credit or a direct deposit to an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card

With the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card, you can redeem your points for:

• Travel, experiences, event tickets and more through our Bank of America’s Concierge service

How to maximize Bank of America travel rewards points

To get the most of your travel rewards points with Bank of America, you should try to be as strategic as you can. When you go to redeem points, consider the ways you may be able to earn more points on your spending and any ways you can maximize your rewards .

Join the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

One major way to earn more Bank of America travel rewards involves signing up for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program . Doing so can net you an additional 25 percent to 75 percent more in rewards for each dollar you spend. However, note that you do need to meet certain qualifications to enroll in this program, including:

• An active, eligible Bank of America checking account
• A three-month average combined balance of $20,000 or more in eligible Bank of America accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts

Also, keep in mind that the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program offers additional perks like savings boosters and loan discounts for members with cash on deposit. The following chart shows how much more you could earn in rewards as a member, as well as how much you need to keep in eligible accounts to qualify for each tier.

While the minimum balance requirements are high, the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can help you earn considerably more points on your spending if you qualify. For example, Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card members in the Platinum Honors tier have the potential to earn up to 3.5X points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and up to 2.62X points on other purchases.

Also, it’s worth noting that there is one more Bank of America Preferred Rewards program tier, Diamond Honors.

Compare pricing in the travel portal

Keep in mind that the Bank of America Travel Center lets you make travel bookings with over 200,000 hotels and resorts and more than 200 airlines, among other options. Since some Bank of America travel rewards credit cards let you redeem your points for either travel-related statement credits or travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, you should compare the prices offered in the travel portal with other travel sites. By comparing prices, you can make sure you get the best deal.

Pick a card with an annual fee

Finally, make sure to think about your goals before you sign up for a travel credit card from this issuer. After all, a card with an annual fee comes with more benefits and perks. For example, when you pay the $95 annual fee for the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, you’ll get higher rewards rates on travel and dining spending, up to a $100 annual credit for incidental airline expenses to cover eligible costs and up to a $100 application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years. All of this could easily leave you “ahead” in a financial sense.

The bottom line

Bank of America travel rewards can work differently depending on the card you sign up for, so make sure to compare all the rewards card options available before you decide on a card. In the meantime, spend some time comparing cards from this issuer to travel rewards credit cards from other major issuers. You may find that Bank of America has what you’re looking for in a travel rewards card, but you’ll never know for sure unless you check.

The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on June 23, 2023.

The information about the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card was updated on June 23, 2023.

*The information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card, Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®, Allegiant World Mastercard®, Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® card, Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard®, Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® card, Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® and Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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Bank of America Travel Rewards Card for Students: Good Credit Required

It's an OK pick if you can meet the credit requirements. But if that's the case, you can likely already qualify for a better card. And if not, other student credit cards are easier to get.

• No annual fee.
• New cardholder bonus offer.
• Intro APR period.
• Requires good/excellent credit.
• Best rewards limited to certain customers.

18.24%-28.24% Variable 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%

Rewards rate

Bonus 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.

Ongoing APR

APR: 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: See Terms

Penalty APR: 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%

Foreign transaction fee

• 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.
• 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%.
• When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. 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.

Compare to Other Cards

Detailed review: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

In theory, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students offers a lot of value for cards in its class. Students looking for their first credit card might be wowed by the $ 0 annual fee, the lucrative sign-up bonus, the long 0% introductory annual percentage rate period and the decent rewards for everyday spending.

The problem is, this card requires at least good credit to qualify ( FICO scores of 690 or higher), meaning it'll be inaccessible for many students with limited credit history.

If you can already clear that FICO hurdle, you might qualify for any number of better (nonstudent) cards. Alternately, even if you have thin or less-than-ideal credit, plenty of other student credit card options are available, many of which will be easier to qualify for.

» MORE: What's the easiest credit card to get?

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is nearly identical to the nonstudent version of the card, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card . Both cards require good credit or above. Check out our guide to all four of Bank of America®'s student credit cards.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students : The basics

Card type: Student .

Annual fee: $0

Sign-up 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.

1.5 points per $1 spent on purchases.

3 points per $1 spent on eligible travel booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.

(Cardholders can qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® program, which adds a multiplier to the everyday 1.5 points per $1 you’d earn. But to qualify, you need at least $20,000 in a qualifying Bank of America® account. For most students, that required account balance will make this benefit unattainable.)

Redemption: Points are worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed for a statement credit against travel or restaurant purchases, or 0.6 cents apiece for cash. There is a minimum redemption of 2,500 points for travel or cash. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards at varying values depending on the retailer.

Interest rate: 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% .

Foreign transaction fee: None .

Benefits and perks

Simple ongoing rewards.

Simplicity is a key feature of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students . You'll earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on nearly all purchases with no cap. That makes this card perfect for students with other things to worry about than bonus categories.

But if you’re an optimizer, you might do better with the Discover it® Student Cash Back , which earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter in categories that rotate every three months. (Activation is required; all other purchases earn 1% back.)

» MORE: See Discover's current 5% bonus categories

Sign-up bonus

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students comes with a big sign-up bonus, especially for a student card, and that can help defray any number of costs you might incur while on campus. But remember, many students won’t qualify because of the credit score requirements. 

If you’re a student looking to earn a sign-up bonus on a card that will be easier to obtain and help build your credit report, consider the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card . It offers the same ongoing earnings rate, along with the following sign-up bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.

» MORE: Best credit card bonuses for new cardholders

0% intro APR offer

The introductory APR offer on the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is a stellar promotional period for a travel card, let alone a student card. This might provide some peace of mind to students looking to finance a purchase like textbooks or a new laptop. Just remember, you’ll still have to pay the minimum balance due every month. And if you pay your balance in full each month, you’ll never have to worry about interest charges anyway.

» LEARN: How to avoid credit card interest

No proof of student status required

Though the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is marketed toward students, it's one of the few student cards that don't require proof of enrollment at a college or university. Other student cards will require more documentation. 

» LEARN: Do you have to be a student to get a student credit card?

Drawbacks and considerations

Good credit score required.

Despite being geared toward students, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students requires good to excellent credit to qualify. That won’t be possible for many students who are shopping for their first credit card. But don’t worry; other student credit cards have less-stringent credit score requirements. In fact, some such cards — like the Discover it® Student Chrome or Chase Freedom® Student credit card — may not require an established credit history at all.

» LEARN: What to do when you’re denied a student credit card

Other cards have better earning potential

For qualifying students who want a no-hassle entry into earning credit card rewards, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students will work fine. But for optimizers who are OK with managing their card, there may be better options. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an uncapped 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and grocery purchases, along with the following sign-up bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months. And this card will be easier to qualify for than the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students .

This $0 -annual-fee card requires at least fair credit (FICO scores starting at 630), so it may be easier to qualify for. It earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and eligible streaming services and at grocery stores. Other purchases earn 1% back.

How to decide if it's right for you

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students would be competitive with other student cards if the requirements for approval were similar. But because of the card's credit score criteria, students without an established credit history will want to look elsewhere. And if you do have the credit history to qualify for this card, you can likely find one with a better sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards.

• The best credit cards of 2024
• Best travel credit cards
• Best rewards credit cards
• Best cash back credit cards

Methodology

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

About the author

Craig Joseph

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card review 2024: rewards, benefits, and more

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card offers generous travel rewards for a reasonable annual fee, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who prioritize earning points on hotels, airlines, and dining expenses.

Marc Guberti

Marc Guberti is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor (CPFC) and Bankrate contributor. He also writes articles on finance and investing for US News & World Report, InvestorPlace, Benzinga, and other publications.

Hanna Horvath

Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Bankrate's senior editor of content partnerships.

Updated April 24, 2024, 2:34 PM EDT

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The new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card is a great travel card with a reasonable annual fee. This card is best for frequent travelers thanks to its unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel, and 1X points on all other purchases.

In this review, we'll dive into the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, helping you determine if it's the right fit for your wallet.

Key takeaway

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card offers great rewards on hotels, airlines, and dining expenses alongside travel protection benefits, making it a valuable tool for those who spend heavily in these categories and want to maximize their travel rewards.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

• 5X points back on hotels and other great travel rewards
• Generous welcome bonus
• Annual statement credit for airfare purchases
• No portal that restricts which travel purchases qualify for bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel protection benefits
• Rewards primarily focused on travel and dining categories
• No introductory APR period
• $95 annual fee

Key features

• Unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x  points on other travel and dining, 1x on other purchases
• $50 annual airfare statement credit 

Travel protection benefits 

Benefits and rewards.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card comes with a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 reward points after spending $4,000 within the first three months. This bonus can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, giving you a head start on earning points. 

One of the most attractive aspects of this card is its unlimited reward structure. Cardholders earn 5X points on hotel bookings, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently stay at hotels. 

The card also offers 4X points on airline purchases, helping you accumulate points quickly when booking flights. For other travel expenses and dining, you'll earn 3X points, while all other purchases earn 1X points.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card costs $95 per year, on par or lower than many other comparable travel credit cards. 

You’ll also get a $50 annual statement credit for any airline booking (with a $50 minimum airline purchase), effectively reducing the annual fee to just $45. This credit can offset the cost of flights, making your travel even more affordable.

Redeeming rewards

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is a flexible travel card, which means you can transfer points to hotel or airline partners.

Co-branded cards often offer 2X-5X points on travel and may restrict which airlines or hotel chains you can use points with. For example, an American Airlines credit card often requires you to board an American Airlines plane to get the maximum points back. 

Unlike other travel cards, you don’t have to use Wells Fargo’s travel portal to earn bonus points when booking travel. For example, you can earn 5X points on travel purchases with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , but you must make those purchases within the Chase Travel℠ portal to earn the bonus points.  

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card doesn’t have this type of restriction. Also, unlike many other cards, there’s no cap on the rewards you can earn, says David Shipper, Strategic Advisor at Datos Insights. 

This card offers trip cancellation, reimbursing you up to $15,000 for non-refundable expenses such as lodging, flights, and activities if your trip is canceled for a covered reason. This benefit provides peace of mind when booking travel, knowing you're protected against unforeseen circumstances. 

The Autograph Journey card also offers other travel protections, such as trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and auto rental collision damage waiver. These benefits can save you money and hassle in travel disruptions or mishaps.

Considerations and downsides

While the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card offers impressive rewards, there are a few potential downsides.

The card comes with an annual fee of $95, which may be a deterrent for some (especially when there are plenty of solid no annual fee cards on the market). But, the $50 annual statement credit for airfare effectively reduces the annual fee to $45, making it more manageable. 

“The card comes with a $95 fee, which many consumers will not want to pay. However, that fee is in line with other travel-related credit cards (if not a bit lower) and will more than offset by the card's many bonus features,” Shipper says. 

Another drawback is that the card's rewards are focused primarily on travel and dining. If you don't spend heavily in these categories, you may be unable to maximize the card's rewards. 

Additionally, the redemption options for reward points may be limited compared to other travel cards . While Wells Fargo does have a list of travel partners you can transfer points to at a 1:1 rate, the network is not as diverse or large as other competitors.  

This card also doesn’t have a 0% introductory APR offer, making it not the best choice for those who may carry a balance.

Who is the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card best for?

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who spend heavily on hotels, airlines, and dining. The lack of limits on your bonus points makes this card especially worthwhile.

But if you spend regularly outside of these categories, this may not be the best card for you. 

You’ll get 1X points back on non-travel and non-dining purchases, but that’s the minimum across the industry. You’re better off using another card for groceries, electronics, gas, and everyday purchases.

Alternatives

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card offers many perks for people who like to travel often. However, you should compare credit cards before choosing the right travel card for your finances. Here are some alternatives.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also offers 60,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.

The card offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase’s Travel portal, 2X on other travel purchases, 3X on dining and grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 3X points on select streaming services, and 1X on all other purchases.

The Sapphire Preferred card has a greater range of spending categories that exceed 1X points back. You’ll also get 25% more value when you redeem your points through the Chase Travel℠ portal. For example, 60,000 points can be valued at up to $750 for qualifying travel expenses. The card has a $95 annual fee.  

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers a straightforward unlimited 2X miles for every dollar you spend. You’ll also earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, all for a $95 annual fee.

The new cardholder offer is 75,000 bonus miles if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your card. The card comes with travel accident insurance.

The ability to earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase is a good perk for non-travel spending categories. However, you must use Capital One Travel to book your flights and hotels to receive the maximum bonus miles.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a good starter card for those who want to earn travel rewards but don’t want to pay an annual fee.

You can receive unlimited 3X points at restaurants, travel, gas and electric vehicle charging stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. All other purchases are eligible for 1X points. You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, and cash.

The card doesn’t have as many travel benefits but has some notable perks. You’ll get up to $600 of cell phone protection against theft or damage, 24/7 roadside dispatch, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

You can earn 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 within the first three months of opening your account, which is worth up to $200 in cash back. 

Citi Premier® Card 

The Citi Premier card has a 60,000 bonus point welcome offer if you spend $4,000 after the first three months of opening your account. This card has a $95 annual fee. You can earn a $100 annual hotel credit if you spend $500 or more, helping you offset the annual cost.

The card offers 3X points back on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels. You will receive 1X points back on all other purchases. Points do not expire, and there is no limit to how many bonus points you can earn.

For a limited time, you can earn up to 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (excluding flights) booked through Citi’s travel portal. This promotional offer lasts until June 30, 2024. 

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a straightforward card with no annual or foreign transaction fees. You’ll earn a flat 1.5X points on every purchase. You can also receive 25,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Unlike the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, this card has a 0% introductory APR offer. You’ll get 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchase. The intro balance transfer fee is 3% for the first 60 days, and this balance transfer fee goes up to 4% after the initial promotion.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25%-75% additional points on every purchase. Your membership level depends on your two-month combined average daily balance across your Bank of America bank accounts.

Outside of that, the card doesn’t have as many perks. It’s good for beginners who want to get started earning travel rewards. However, you may earn more rewards and access additional benefits if you use a card with an annual fee.   

The bottom line

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is a great, flexible choice for travelers with a moderate annual fee. The card also has a generous welcome bonus similar to what you will find with other travel cards.

But it’s important to consider your spending habits and travel preferences when deciding if this card is right for you. If travel and dining aren’t your primary spending categories, you may find more value in alternative cards with different rewards. Its rewards, benefits, and travel protections make this card a solid choice for travelers. 

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.