travel rewards card bank of america

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Review 2024

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a good travel credit card for beginners or those who prefer simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards. It's got a solid bonus for a no-annual-fee card, and you can use your points toward a wide variety of travel purchases.

Earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases

0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening

18.24% - 28.24% Variable

Earn 25,000 online bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some cards earn more rewards, though usually only in bonus categories
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You can't transfer points to travel partners (though you can use points to cancel out travel purchases on your statement)

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a good travel credit card for beginners or those who prefer simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards.

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% 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.

Bottom Line

If you're in search of a no-annual-fee travel credit card that offers a straightforward points program, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is worth considering. This card offers a flat earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, and you can redeem your rewards toward travel expenses you charge to your card.

However, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, the card can be much more lucrative. Depending on your rewards tier, you can earn 25% to 75% more points with this card.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a good choice if you don't like dealing with complicated frequent flyer or hotel rewards programs that limit award availability and make their points hard to use. And on the earning side, there are no bonus categories or spending caps to track, either. If you're new to travel rewards, this could be a great way to start earning and redeeming points.

Detailed Overview

Welcome bonus.

With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you can earn a welcome bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening of account opening. Each point is worth 1 cent, so the welcome bonus offer is worth $250 in travel.

0% Intro APR

New cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening, after which a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR applies. This can save you money if you plan to make a large purchase but want to spread the payments out over several months — as long as you have a plan to pay off the debt before the introductory period runs out.

How to Earn Points From the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no categories or limits to keep track of. 

Things get more interesting if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer. The amount of money you have on deposit (like savings or investments) with Bank of America and Merrill (Bank of America's wealth management division) determines your rewards tier. Depending on your tier, you could earn 25% to 75% more rewards.

One other way to boost your returns from the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is by purchasing travel through the Bank of America travel center. In that case, you'll earn 3 points per dollar (instead of 1.5 points per dollar) for your purchase.

With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you'll earn points that are easy to redeem for a wide variety of travel expenses. Once you charge a travel purchase to your card, you can apply points at a rate of 1 cent each toward a statement credit to cover the purchase. The minimum redemption amount is 2,500 points ($25), and you'll have 12 months from the transaction date to apply your points.

Bank of America has a broad definition of travel, including some purchases most would classify as entertainment. Categories that qualify for a Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card travel statement credit include:

• Trailer parks
• Recreational vehicle rentals
• Campgrounds
• Car rental agencies
• Truck and trailer rental
• Cruise lines
• Travel agencies
• Tour operators and real estate agents
• Operators of passenger trains
• Boat rentals
• Parking lots and garages
• Tolls and bridge fees
• Tourist attractions
• Exhibits like art galleries
• Amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums, and zoos

If you're not traveling, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card allows you to use points for non-travel redemptions, but the rates aren't as attractive. For example, you can use points for gift cards starting at 3,125 points ($31.25), and the value per point varies.

If you prefer cash back, you can redeem points for a check or electronic deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or for credit to an eligible Cash Management Account with Merrill. In that case, your points are only worth 0.6 cents apiece, which is not a great value.

Benefits and Features

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card doesn't have a ton of valuable cardholder perks, which is common among credit cards with no annual fee .

Introductory 0% APR on purchases 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card comes with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening. After that, there's a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.

Using a 0% APR credit card offer can be a good way to spread out payments for a big purchase over time without incurring huge interest charges, but you'll want to be sure you have the means and a plan to pay it off. Otherwise, you'll end up with high-interest debt after the introductory period expires.

Keep in mind there are longer intro periods on the best 0% APR credit cards  available right now, and some also include balance transfers in their offers.

No foreign transaction fees

Good travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees , and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is no exception. Because it doesn't tack on these fees, you can use the card for international purchases and not get stung with extra charges.

Free FICO score 

Primary cardholders with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card can check their FICO score for free through Bank of America's online banking, mobile website, or mobile banking app for iPhone and Android. This is a useful tool for keeping tabs on your credit, especially if you don't have another credit card that offers free credit scores , 

Overdraft Protection

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card comes with an optional Balance Connect overdraft protection feature that lets you link your eligible Bank of America deposit account to your card. If you choose to use the service, Bank of America automatically transfers funds from your credit card account to cover overdrafts on your deposit account, as long as you have credit available on your credit card.

You won't be charged overdraft fees for this service, but you'll pay interest on the cash advance.

Mobile Wallet

When you add your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card to digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, you can use it for in-person, online, or in-app transactions. Because your actual card number isn't stored on your device or shared with most merchants, you'll have more security when you make purchases.

$0 Liability Guarantee

Losing a credit card or having it stolen stinks, but you won't have to worry about fraudulent or unauthorized transactions on your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card as long as you report the issue promptly.

Along with not having an annual fee and offering an intro APR, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card doesn't add foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good pick to have in your wallet when you travel abroad.

As with most other cards, you'll pay fees for balance transfers, cash advances, and late or returned payments.

Card Comparison

Before you decide on the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you'll want to consider similar no-annual-fee cards, because some have better earning rates and more flexible options for redeeming rewards. For example, the  Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, and you can use your rewards for whatever you like — not just travel.

Similarly, the Discover it® Miles earns 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, and at the end of the first 12 billing cycles, Discover will match all the rewards you earn. This means you'll effectively earn 3 miles per dollar in the first year, and while it's framed as a travel card, you can also redeem your miles for cash back at the same rate of 1 cent per mile.

If you're more interested in cash back, Bank of America also has cash-back cards available; you can read our Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card review . Or, if you're looking for a higher-tier travel rewards card and are open to an annual fee, you can read our Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card review .

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people who are approved for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card have at least a good credit score. That means a FICO score of at least 670 or a VantageScore of 700 or more.

You still have options if your credit score is below that range. Our guides to the best credit cards for fair or average credit  and for bad credit include some cards that earn solid rewards. Keep in mind there's also a student version of this card — the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students — that offers most of the same benefits and can be easier to qualify for if you're a college student. 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is worth it if you're looking for a simple way to earn and use credit card rewards for travel without paying an annual fee. It's best suited for beginners or those who don't want to mess with complicated award programs, but to that end, it doesn't come with a lot of benefits.

Yes, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay coverage, as well as lost luggage coverage like many other top travel rewards cards. This is a great benefit for those who want an additional layer of protection. 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a Visa Signature card.

Why You Should Trust Us

Business Insider's experts evaluated the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card relative to other no-annual-fee credit cards that earn points. It's a strong option for beginners getting into travel rewards, especially if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member.

That said, its points aren't as flexible as those from comparable cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Discover it® Miles.

For a closer look at our methodology, see how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Best for travel rewards beginners

When you’re stepping into the world of travel rewards, it’s likely you’re looking for simple earning and redemption options — and that’s exactly what the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is best at. (Partner offer)

At a glance

• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Earn 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.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% 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.

TPG Editor's Rating

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great starter card thanks to its no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees when you travel internationally. Earning and redeeming is effortless, with no confusing bonus categories to keep track of and the ability to redeem your points for all of your travel needs.

• 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other banks such as American Express, Chase or Capital One.
• No travel and purchase protections.

Who is this card good for?

This card is best for those who want to earn travel rewards without any fuss. Additionally, for those who maintain banking relationships with Bank of America, you can increase your rewards earning potential by 25% to 75% if you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program.

Earning Rewards

You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Credit Cards > Reviews

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students review 2024: Flexible rewards and no annual fee for students with good credit

Holly Johnson

Robin Saks Frankel

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

Updated 1:03 p.m. UTC Feb. 7, 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 .

It’s a tempting option for students who love to travel: a card that offers flat-rate rewards and no annual fee. But applicants need good credit  – so good that they may qualify for better travel cards with more perks.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

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

• Accessible for student applicants.
• Solid rewards of 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• High APR outside of intro offer.
• Points have lower value if redeemed for cash back.
• Lack of bonus earning categories.

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%.
• 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.

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.

• 35+ cards analyzed.
• 6 data points considered.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students basics

• Annual fee: $0.
• Welcome bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Rewards: 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
• APR: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then 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.
• Other perks and benefits: Free FICO Score each month.
• Does the issuer offer a preapproval tool? No.
• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.

About the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students 

Students who like to travel may be tempted by the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students . It has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and it earns 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, with no limits and no expiration dates on its rewards as long as your account remains open. There’s just one caveat: Applicants need good or excellent credit to get approved, which excludes students just starting to build a credit history.

For a travel rewards card it doesn’t offer much flexibility when it comes to point redemption. You can take your earnings as a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees, and also for restaurants — including takeout. Although there are no travel loyalty transfer partners like you’ll find on some of the best travel cards , you won’t have to worry about blackout dates or being limited to booking your travel through Bank of America.

Benefits include a welcome bonus of 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. There’s also a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then 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.

Still, the card lacks some of the perks of other travel cards, like the ability to convert the points to cash back or travel protections, and students with good enough credit to qualify for this card may prefer another with more robust offerings. 

• Earn unlimited rewards on all purchases: Cardholders earn a flat 1.5 points per $1 on purchases with no bonus categories or caps to track.
• Avoid interest for more than one year: This card’s introductory APR can yield considerable savings if you decide to carry a balance or use this card to consolidate other debts.
• No annual fee: There’s no cost to own the card.
• No foreign transaction fees: You can use this card for purchases overseas without paying extra surcharges.
• Requires a good to excellent credit score: Many students, still building credit, won’t be able to qualify.
• No bonus categories to help you maximize rewards: This card doesn’t give you the chance to earn more rewards in specific categories like some other cards do.
• Flexible yet limited redemption options for rewards: You can redeem points for travel or dining statement credits, but that’s it.
• High APR after intro offer: This card’s high variable APR will make carrying debt costly over the long run.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students Rewards

The card offers an easy-to-track 1.5 points per $1 on purchases. In addition, new cardholders can earn 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The points can be redeemed for statement credits on travel-related expenses.

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a student in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has $12,544 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card over the course of a year. Here’s what we estimate you could earn in rewards on that spending using the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students:

Our average cardholder would earn 18,813 rewards points that are worth $188 in statement credits toward travel or dining purchases, plus the first-year welcome bonus if the spending requirement is met.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students APR

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students automatically comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then 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.

How the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students compares to other student credit cards 

Bank of america travel rewards credit card for students vs. bank of america® unlimited cash rewards credit card for students.

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students comes with many of the same features since it’s offered through the same card issuer, yet it offers cash back instead of flexible travel points. There’s no annual fee and cardholders earn a flat 1.5% cash back on purchases as well as $200 cash rewards bonus after spending at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. 

This card comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a standard APR of 18.24% to 28.24% variable applies. A 3% intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days; then a 4% fee applies to future balance transfers. Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits or a deposit or credit into an eligible Bank of America checking or savings account or an eligible Merrill account (including 529 accounts). Cash is the most flexible reward of them all since you can use it for travel or anything else you’d like, making the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students a better option for most.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students vs. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash 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.

Similar to the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash 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. doesn’t charge an annual fee, and cardholders earn 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase. However, unlike the BofA card, the Quicksilver for Students is aimed at those building credit and even offers a preapproval tool before you formally apply. The card also offers some perks including the elevated rewards rate on travel booked through Capital One and 10% cash back on qualifying purchases made through the Uber and Uber Eats apps plus reimbursement for the cost of a monthly Uber One membership through Nov. 14, 2024.

A $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and there are no foreign transaction fees.

This card’s rewards also come with several flexible redemption options including cash back, statement credits on your account or gift cards.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Maybe you don’t have any credit history at all or have some credit missteps in your history. In that case a secured credit card like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card may be the best bet. There’s no credit history or credit score requirement fand you can check to see if you’re preapproved before applying. The no-annual fee card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

The card requires a minimum cash deposit of $200 as collateral, but Discover will review your account starting at seven months to see if you qualify to have your deposit returned to you and your account converted to an unsecured card. Discover will also report your balances and payments to the three main credit bureaus , helping you build credit over time.

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

The card earns easy-to-understand rewards, there’s no annual fee and the intro APR offer can be enticing. However, the rewards can only be redeemed for statement credits related to travel or dining. And applicants need a good-to-excellent credit score to qualify for this card – at which point they may qualify for other cards as well, with more robust perks or features.

If you have good enough credit to qualify for this card, seek a more rewarding option. Our list of the best credit cards for students is a good place to start.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students summary

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of 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. Factors we considered when we developed our rankings included:

• Annual fees.
• Any other fees, like account opening fees, monthly maintenance fees or credit limit request fees.
• If the card earned any rewards and/or a welcome bonus
• If the card requires a security deposit.
• If the card requires a credit score to apply.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

While Bank of America does not list a specific minimum credit score requirement for this card, it’s aimed at those with good or better credit.

Points earned with this card are worth one cent each, so 20,000 points are worth $200 in travel or dining statement credits.

To apply for a Bank of America credit card online, applicants need to be at least 18-years-old, have a valid U.S. Social Security number (SSN) and have a physical address in the U.S. International students who don’t meet these requirements can still apply in person within a Bank of America branch but may require additional credentials like an ITIN.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for Students does not charge an annual fee.

*The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash 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.

Holly D. Johnson is a personal finance expert and award-winning writer who covers a variety of insurance topics as well as general personal finance. In addition to her articles in Forbes, Holly is a featured author for CNN Underscored, Bankrate, Consumer Affairs and other notable publications. Johnson is also the founder of finance website Club Thrifty and the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love."

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card review: A simple travel rewards card with basic features

Our take: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card stands out for its simplicity: It’s a $0-annual fee card that earns simple, flat-rate rewards that you can redeem as statement credits for travel or dining.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Intro bonus, reward rates.

• 1.5x 1.5 points on all purchases
• Easy to redeem rewards for dining and travel
• Offers welcome bonus
• Extra rewards for Preferred Rewards members
• No notable travel benefits
• No travel transfer partners
• Free FICO score, Balance Connect® for overdraft protection
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: Overview

Card type: Travel

With no annual fees or foreign transaction fees, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is an appealing choice for budget travelers or anyone who wants simplicity in their travel credit card. Although the rewards earned on this card lack the versatility you might find in cards that offer the ability to transfer rewards to loyalty programs or book travel through the card issuer’s portal, this card does allow you to redeem their points for statement credits for travel and dining, as cash back, or to purchase gift cards.

Who is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card good for?

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is well-suited for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize simplicity over extravagant perks. Plus, with the card’s 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening, the card can be a valuable tool for those looking to finance big-ticket purchases or consolidate their debt.

Who shouldn’t get the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card?

Those who prioritize reward flexibility, lavish travel benefits, and a substantial welcome bonus may find the Travel Rewards Credit Card less appealing. The card’s modest welcome offer, and absence of transfer partners for airline or hotel loyalty programs could be drawbacks for those seeking more extensive rewards and perks. 

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: How to earn rewards

The rewards structure is easy to understand—there are no rotating categories to keep track of or activate or different rewards rates. Cardholders earn a flat 1.5 points on all purchases. 

You’re also eligible to earn a modest welcome offer that’s worth 25,000 points, or $250, if you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. 

How to redeem Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card points

There are only a few ways to redeem your points with the Travel Rewards Card You can use your rewards to book travel, cover travel and dining purchases, get cash-back as a statement credit, and buy gift cards.

However, when you redeem for cash or gift cards, you may not get the best value. One point is valued at 0.6 cents, so 2,500 points will only give you $15. There’s a 2,500 point minimum redemption requirement, too. The redemption value for gift cards will vary.. Travel and dining credits are typically the best value for your rewards, where a point is worth one cent.

Get a statement credit for travel or dining

To redeem points with the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card, you can get a statement credit to offset eligible travel—like airlines, hotels, car rentals—and dining purchases made within the past 12 months. There’s a 2,500 point minimum redemption requirement. 

When you redeem your points this way, one point is worth one cent. 

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card rates and fees

• Annual fee: $0
• Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made in the first 60 days of account opening, then the standard variable APR will apply.
• Purchase APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable
• 0% APR balance transfer:  0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, the APR is 18.24%–28.24% variable
• Balance transfer fee: 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply
• Penalty fee: up to $40 for late payments

Additional benefits

• Free FICO Score. Through online and the mobile banking app, you can access your FICO Score from TransUnion, which is updated monthly, for free.

Credit cards similar to Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee travel card with greater flexibility than  the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card, there are other options to consider. Here’s a look at how some of the competition stacks up. 

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card boasts a versatile rewards program, although the rewards rate is slightly lower.. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card earns  1.5 points per dollar, the VentureOne offers a slightly lower 1.25 miles per dollar, but it does earn with 5 miles per dollar on prepaid hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

The VentureOne also has a decent welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. 

But the biggest benefit the VentureOne Card has over the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is the redemption flexibility. With this card, you can transfer your miles to over 15 of Capital One’s travel loyalty programs, so you can potentially wring even more value from your rewards. You can also book a trip through Capital One Travel, get reimbursed for travel purchases made within the previous 9- days, or opt for a statement credit, although like the Bank of America card, this last option is also worth less than a penny per point. 

Discover it® Miles vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Just like the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card, the Discover it® Miles card dishes out 1.5 miles on general purchases, without any annual or foreign transaction fees. But a key distinction between these two cards lies in the redemption options. You cannot use your miles to make a purchase, but you can redeem them for a statement credit against a travel purchase made within the last 180 days. Or, you can simply apply your earnings as a cash-back statement credit without any travel involved. Either way, a mile is worth a penny a point. Allowing you to take cash back at the same value as a travel reimbursement is a much better option than the less than a penny per point cash-back option on the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.  

The Discover it Miles card also goes the extra mile when it comes to a welcome offer. Instead of an upfront offer after meeting a minimum spending requirement, the issuer doubles the rewards you earn in the first year. For example, if you earned a total of 50,000 miles in the first year, you would earn an additional 50,000 miles at the end of the year.

Is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card right for you?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card is best for those looking for a no-frills travel card who can take advantage of the card’s 0% APR offer. It’s also best for someone who wants to use the earnings on a travel rewards card solely for travel, and doesn’t mind not taking cash-back. 

However, potential users should be aware of its limitations, including the limitations on redemption. Most people will fare better with a card that offers 2% cash back, which is both more rewarding and allows you to use your money on anything you’d like, travel or otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to get a bank of america® travel rewards credit card.

Since the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card is a rewards card, you’ll likely need a good or better FICO Score, which starts at 670 or higher.However, keep in mind there is no one set score which will guarantee you’ll be approved for a card as issuers take several factors into consideration when determining approval.

Is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card worth it?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card may be worth it for some—it’s a solid option for budget-conscious travelers seeking simple rewards who may only want to redeem their rewards for travel one way.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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Get the card that makes your travel more rewarding. Apply now »

For complete program details, view the Program Rules  Bank of America ® Travel Rewards ® Program Rules (PDF) .

© 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

You have selected to redeem your points for travel.

If you want to redeem your points, select Continue . If you wish to purchase travel, select Purchase Travel and you will be directed to the Bank of America Travel Center where you can purchase travel without using your points.

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.

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.

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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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Hidden benefits of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card

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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 . 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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Let’s be honest. There are plenty of outstanding travel credit cards out there, from premium cards with points-boosting travel portals to cards with a variety of valuable statement credits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card doesn’t really seem to fit into any of these categories—and quite honestly, is mostly regarded as a mediocre card.

However, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card actually has a few features that make it ideal for the right person—someone who wants simplicity, no annual fee, a decent flat-rate rewards structure and flexibility when it comes to redeeming.

Fortunately, this card offers all of that, plus a little more. Here’s a look into some of the “hidden” benefits the Bank of America Travel Rewards card has to offer.

What does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card offer?

Quick card details:.

• Welcome offer : 25,000 bonus points when you make $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening (worth $250 toward travel)
• Rewards rate : Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases
• Annual fee : $0
• Intro APR : 0 percent intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• Regular APR : 16.99 percent to 26.99 percent variable APR

For starters, this card offers 1.5X points on all your spending. Although this rate is nothing to write home about, the draw here is simplicity. Unlike many travel credit cards, there are no rotating bonus categories to keep track of or activate each quarter. You only need to swipe your card for all of your purchases and watch rewards accrue in your account.

As a starter travel card with no annual fee, you should also take note of the welcome bonus and introductory interest rate for purchases.

First, if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account, you’ll earn 25,000 bonus points—worth $250 when redeemed toward travel or dining. You can also enjoy an introductory 0 percent APR on new purchases for 18 billing cycles, allowing you to pay off large purchases. After 18 billing cycles, your APR will be between 16.99 percent and 26.99 percent variable.

These features are pretty much par for the course for similar no-annual-fee travel credit cards . Now, let’s explore a few unique features that might make you take a second look at this Bank of America card.

Earning and redeeming rewards

As mentioned, you’ll earn a flat 1.5X points on all purchases. Unlike some rewards cards, there are no rotating bonus categories to track or activate, making it a good choice for simplicity.

The clincher here is that you can boost your earnings as a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program . As part of this invite-only rewards program, you’ll earn up to 75 percent more in rewards for each dollar you spend on your Bank of America Travel Rewards card. However, to qualify, you’ve got to maintain a minimum balance in your eligible Bank of America or Merrill investing accounts. The minimum balance for each tier is as follows:

As a member, you’ll find it can really boost your earnings beyond the 1.5X back you’d normally earn with the card. At the highest tier, you could earn up to 2.62X points for every dollar spent with your Travel Rewards card. Even making the first tier can get you 25 percent more rewards, which can be a substantial increase with a flat-rate card like this one.

Now, let’s talk about redeeming your rewards. This is where the simplicity is extended and flexibility becomes more apparent. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card allows you to redeem your rewards for a statement credit or cash as a deposit in an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account.  Further, you can redeem your rewards for travel and dining purchases up to 12 months after the transaction appears on your statement.

Unlike some rewards credit cards , your cash redemptions don’t lose value, so your points will be worth 1 cent apiece upon redemption. In other words, 5,000 points would be worth $50—whether it’s for cash or a credit statement to cover your travel or dining purchases.

If you decide to redeem your points for gift cards, the redemption value is substantially less at 0.6 cents apiece. Then, there’s a 3,125-point minimum for redemption.

Why the Bank of America Travel Rewards card should be recognized for its hidden benefits

If you keep your focus on the seemingly-meager 1.5X earnings, you could actually overlook the convenience of this card, along with the flexibility of the redemption options for dining and travel. The travel rewards statement credit for past purchases means you won’t have to deal with blackout dates or travel restrictions when redeeming.

Redeeming your rewards for travel in the form of a statement credit has another advantage: You’ll have the freedom to book through third-party sites for potentially better travel deals. If you aren’t keen on logging in to issuers’ travel portals and wading through all the information and an unfamiliar interface, then the simplicity of booking with your travel site of choice might be appealing.

Then, you should know your points cover a wide range of travel purchases that aren’t offered as redemption options from other issuers. For example, you can get statement credits for admission tickets to art galleries and aquariums, purchases at bars and nightclubs or even eligible purchases with real estate agents.

Here’s a list of travel and dining-related categories your points cover:

These travel categories are much broader than what many issuers offer as travel redemptions, and knowing how many categories your points could cover offers the potential to save a ton of money. Don’t forget, if you aren’t traveling or dining out as much, you can always redeem your points for cash back.

Why else should you get the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

In addition to solid redemption values for travel and dining purchases, you might want this card for the extra perks, like access to the BankAmeriDeals program. With BankAmeriDeals, you can enjoy exclusive discounts by using your card at eligible retailers for a specific period of time. You can save anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent on certain purchases by activating your offer and using your card according to the offer details.

If you’re a scholarly traveler, for example, there’s a high likelihood you also like cultural venues such as museums. If that’s the case, you can enjoy the Bank of America Museums On Us program. Simply present your Bank of America debit or credit card and a valid photo ID to get free admission to 225-plus “cultural institutions” during the first weekend of each month.

Lastly, since the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a Visa Signature card , you’ll get access to additional benefits, including purchase protection, concierge services, extended warranty coverage, access to roadside dispatch services and select travel and emergency assistance services.

The bottom line

At first glance, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card may not seem very appealing. As a basic travel credit card, the features are pretty minimal. However, a closer look at this card’s convenience and flexibility make it a worthwhile option to consider.

And as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card is poised to provide even more value.

Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card was last updated on October 3, 2022. 

Why I love the Bank of America Travel Rewards card

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Find the best credit card for you

Best sole proprietorship business credit cards, these cards can help sole proprietors simplify expense tracking while earning rewards..

As a sole proprietor, there is no legal separation between you and your business. Still, it's beneficial to separate your business and personal expenses to simplify your bookkeeping and taxes .

Sole proprietors can use personal credit cards for business purposes, but it's generally easier to separate expenses with a business credit card . With the right business card, you can earn rewards, finance larger purchases, build your business credit history and take advantage of other business-related benefits.

You have many options if you're a sole proprietor seeking a small business credit card. To help you out, CNBC Select has narrowed down the best business credit cards for sole proprietors in a handful of practical categories. (See  our methodology  for information on how we chose the best sole proprietorship business credit cards.)

• Best for cash back: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Best for travel rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Best for premium perks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for 0% intro APR: U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
• Best for bad credit: Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card

Best for cash back

Ink business unlimited® credit card.

Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Welcome bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

0% for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases; N/A for balance transfers

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% variable

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Good/Excellent

Terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Free employee cards
• Simple cash-back program
• Special financing offer for purchases
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Who's this for? The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is ideal for sole proprietors who value simplicity because it offers a generous flat cash-back rate on all purchases and has no annual fee.

Standout benefits: All purchases earn at least 1.5% cashback. This allows sole proprietors to focus on what matters to their business instead of spending time navigating a complicated rewards program.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for travel rewards

Ink business preferred® credit card.

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

21.24% - 26.24% variable

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review.

• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase TravelSM
• 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,000
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers

Who's this for? The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is ideal for sole proprietors who want to earn transferable travel rewards, with one of the most valuable welcome bonus offers and useful bonus business spending categories.

Standout benefits: This card has various built-in travel protections and earns  Chase Ultimate Rewards® points , which can be transferred to over a dozen airline and hotel travel loyalty programs. Points can also be redeemed for 1.25 cents apiece toward travel through the  Chase Travel SM  portal .

Best for premium benefits

The business platinum card® from american express.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Also, earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchases at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.

 Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

19.49% - 28.49% variable

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®
• Get 35% points back when you use points to purchase all or part of an airline fare, up to 500,000 bonus points back per calendar year
• American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus where available and get up to $189 back per year on your membership when you use your card. (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your card
• $695 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers

Who's this for? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best options for sole proprietors who value luxury travel benefits such as airport lounge access and automatic hotel elite status.

Standout benefits: This card offers a long list of travel benefits, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges and a $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 the Card. Cardholders can enroll to receive Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status and premium rental car privileges with National, Avis and Hertz. Terms apply.

Best for 0% intro APR

U.s. bank triple cash rewards visa® business card.

Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center, 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases

Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the account owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.

0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers

19.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• $500 welcome bonus offer
• No limit on cash back earned
• Interest-free period for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• Annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription services
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Who's this for? The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card is a good option for sole proprietors looking for a strong intro APR offer and still want to earn cash back . Typically, cards with longer intro-APR periods like this one offer fewer rewards and other benefits.

Standout benefits: The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card offers new cardmembers a 0% intro APR on both purchases and eligible balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, after that, a variable 19.24% to 28.24% APR applies. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum).

Best for bad credit

Bank of america business advantage unlimited cash rewards secured credit card.

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

28.49% variable

4% of each transaction (minimum $0)

Poor/No credit history

• Bad credit may qualify
• Opportunity to transition to an unsecured card for qualified cardholders
• Flexible redemption options
• $1,000 minimum security deposit
• No welcome bonus

Who's this for? If your credit needs work , the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card can help you build your score while still earning rewards.

Standout benefits: Secured credit cards are designed for people with no credit history or weak credit scores. They typically don't offer many benefits or rewards, but this card is an exception, earning a competitive 1.5% cash back on every purchase. This return matches some of the top unsecured cash-back credit cards.

More on our business credit cards for sole proprietors

Chase ink business unlimited® credit card.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a rewarding cash-back business card with an unusually generous welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card.

• 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Earn a $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account.

Notable perks

New Ink Business Unlimited cardholders receive an intro 0% APR on purchases for 12 months (after that, a variable 18.49% to 24.49% APR applies). This is an excellent offer that makes financing important business purchases more affordable.

You can add employee cards for no additional fee and take advantage of benefits such as purchase protection , extended warranty protection , roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance services.

If you have an eligible Ultimate-Rewards-earning card, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , the cashback earned with this card can be converted into transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a popular business rewards card with a reasonable annual fee, excellent rewards rates and useful insurance benefits.

• 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
• 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these categories each account anniversary year: Shipping , advertising (with select social media sites and search engines), travel, internet, cable and phone services
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

This card has no foreign transaction fees and does not charge extra to add employee cards. It also offers many built-in insurance benefits that apply to certain purchases, including:

• Cell phone protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Roadside dispatch
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance (primary)
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage coverage
• Travel accident insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Travel and emergency assistance services

This is a longer list of travel and purchase protections than many other sub-$100 annual fee cards. 

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card with an array of benefits that can easily offset its high annual fee (see rates and fees ).

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points on up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year of eligible purchases in the following categories: U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud systems providers, shipping providers and on purchases of $5,000 or more
• 1X points for all other purchases
• Terms apply

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. 

$695 (see rates and fees )

The Amex Business Platinum card offers a long list of valuable statement credit offers, including:

• Up to $150 back for select Adobe auto-renewing annual business subscriptions through Dec. 31, 2024
• Up to $120 back per year for U.S. wireless telephone service provider purchases
• $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 the Card.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• Up to $100 back for application fees every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck ($85)

Cardholders enjoy automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and have access to more airport lounges than any other card, including Amex Centurion Lounges , Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs and Lufthansa lounges.

The card also boasts no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ) and many insurance coverages including, *return protection, trip delay insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance, extended warranty coverage, rental car insurance, cell phone protection and purchase protection.

The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card packs a lot into a no-annual-fee business card . Not only does it offer a competitive intro APR offer, but it also has a strong welcome bonus and great cash-back rates.

• 5% back on prepaid hotels and rental cars booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Rewards Center
• 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 150 days of account opening.

Cardholders can earn a $100 annual statement credit for recurring software subscriptions. To qualify, you need to make 11 consecutive monthly payments for an eligible software service, such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks .

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is a solid cash-back card in and of itself but shines in comparison to other secured cards.

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases

The required minimum deposit to open this card is $1,000 and your credit line is equal to the amount you deposit. It also has a handful of travel insurance perks including, up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, lost luggage assistance and emergency ticket replacement.

Can a sole proprietor get a business credit card?

A small business owner who is a sole proprietor is eligible for business credit cards. Many business card applications allow you to use your social security number as your business tax ID and don't require you to have an LLC or other complicated business structure.

Can I use my EIN to get a business credit card?

You can use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor. However, most business cards for sole proprietors require a personal guarantee, so reviews of your personal credit history and income are part of the application process.

Do business credit card applications verify personal income?

Most small business card applications require you to provide your personal income and social security number. The card issuer can use this information to determine your credit limit and whether you can afford the card's monthly payments.

Bottom line

Sole proprietors are eligible for most types of small business credit cards, including cards that earn cash-back, travel rewards and offer no-interest intro periods. You'll usually need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for the most rewarding cards, but if you have a lower credit score, some of the easiest business credit cards to get only require an average or fair credit score.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every business credit card   article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best business credit cards for sole proprietors.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Our methodology

To determine which business cards offer the best value for sole proprietors, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of major small business credit cards. We compared each card on a range of features, including the annual fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem points.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum® Card from American Express, click here .

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

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Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Review: Choose Your Own Bonus Category

The option to choose your 3%-back category is appealing, if a bit complicated. If you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, the card can be even more valuable. But its spending caps mean it's not a strong choice for big spenders.

• No annual fee
• New cardholder bonus offer
• Rotating bonus categories
• Relationship rewards for customers
• Intro APR period
• Requires good/excellent credit
• Complicated rewards
• Spending caps on bonus rewards
• Best rewards limited to certain customers

18.24%-28.24% Variable APR

0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

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 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• 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%.
• 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® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card stands out among other cash-back cards as a great option, despite its complicated terms .

Unlike other cards, the $0 -annual-fee card lets you choose your own 3% bonus category from a list of options and change that selection up to once a month. It's an especially good deal for those who can boost their rewards rates by keeping large balances with Bank of America® or Merrill.

The main downside: The card comes with bonus category spending caps, so it's not a good pick for big spenders.

Bank of America® also issues a different version of this card that's marketed toward students. To learn more about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students , read our review .

Key features of the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Card type: Cash back .

Annual fee: $0 .

Sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Ongoing rewards:

While the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers potentially valuable rewards for those who spend modestly, its rewards structure is fairly involved.

3% back on a category of your choice (options listed below) and 2% back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 of combined bonus category/ grocery store/wholesale club spending per quarter; after hitting that threshold, you’ll earn 1% back on these purchases.

1% back on all other purchases.

When selecting a 3% back bonus category, you can choose one of the following six options:

Gas/EV charging.

Online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet and phone plans).

Drugstores.

Home improvement and furnishings.

You can change this category up to once a month. If you don't make a selection, the default 3% cash-back category will be set to gas, according to the issuer. Your selected category will remain the same from month to month, unless you change it.

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 .

Other benefits:

Cardholders who are eligible for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® program can earn higher rewards rates.

With this card, there’s no minimum redemption requirement when doing a one-time redemption of cash rewards into your Bank of America® account or statement credit, but there’s still a $25 minimum redemption requirement for other redemption options. Cash back can be redeemed for statement credit, a check, a direct deposit into a Bank of America® checking or savings account, an eligible 529 account or a contribution to an eligible Merrill account. You can also opt to register for automatic redemption.

Before pouncing on this offer, pay close attention to the spending caps on the bonus categories. If you spend far more than $2,500 per quarter on this card's 3% and 2% categories, you might earn more rewards with a different card that doesn't impose such caps.

» MORE: Credit cards that can help you save for — and pay for — college

Benefits and perks

Ability to choose your own 3% category.

There aren’t many rewards credit cards that allow you to choose your own bonus categories. And of those that exist, none of them lets you change your selection up to once a month, as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card does. That makes the card valuable for cardholders who want choice — especially because the card defines its rewards categories quite generously.

Consider the online shopping category, for example. This category includes purchases made with the following retailers, among others:

Amazon.com.

Bestbuy.com.

Groupon.com.

Target.com.

Walmart.com.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for online shopping

The dining category is similarly wide-ranging. This bonus category isn't just limited to sit-down restaurants; it also includes other eating places, fast-food restaurants, bars, cocktail lounges, nightclubs, taverns and drinking places. That would include, for example, Starbucks, GrubHub and McDonald's, among many other merchants, the issuer confirms. Consider, too, the breadth of the card's home improvement category, which covers retailers from Ace Hardware to Williams-Sonoma, but also things like air conditioning repair, plumbers, landscapers, antique shops, florists and much more. It's one of NerdWallet's top credit cards for new homeowners .

Remember, though, you'll only earn bonus rewards on the first combined $2,500 in purchases on the card's 3% and 2% categories each quarter. After that, you'll earn only 1% on those purchases.

Loyalty bonuses

While the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card promises plenty of choices, its rewards rates are unremarkable compared with other no-annual-fee cards — that is, unless you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program.

Under this program, you can earn 25% to 75% more on your eligible Bank of America® credit card rewards, among other benefits. You can qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program when your combined balances in Bank of America® or Merrill accounts surpass certain thresholds. For example, say you kept more than a combined $100,000 in Bank of America® and Merrill accounts, and qualified for the 75% rewards boost. Instead of the usual 3% cash back on the category of your choice, you'd effectively be earning 5.25% back on purchases in that category. That's more than you'd generally earn on other no-annual-fee cards.

Introductory 0% APR period and no annual fee

With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card , you can come out ahead on rewards no matter how little you spend. That's because the annual fee is $0 . The card also comes with an introductory 0% APR offer.

Drawbacks and considerations

Spending caps can limit earning power.

The quarterly spending caps on the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card make it a less valuable choice for those who spend thousands of dollars each month. If this is you, a flat-rate rewards card that doesn't impose such restrictions could be a smarter choice.

Try the $0 -annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card instead. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no spending caps.

Without loyalty bonuses, rewards rates are modest

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers plenty of good bonus category choices, but if you don't qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, its rewards just go up to 3%, with spending caps.

For a card with customizable rewards that go a little higher, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card could fit the bill. This card offers 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases on two categories of your choice from a list (see it below), and 2% cash back on your choice of either gas stations/EV charging stations, dining or grocery stores. While the 5% categories on this card are relatively narrow — including, for instance, fast food, cell phone providers, and TV, internet and streaming services, among others — and you can't change your choices as often, this card might prove more valuable if you happen to spend an outsize amount in one of these categories.

Home utilities.

TV, internet and streaming.

Department stores.

Cell phone providers.

Electronics stores.

Sporting goods stores.

Movie theaters.

Gyms/fitness centers.

Furniture stores.

Ground transportation.

Select clothing stores.

For more information on how these cards stack up with each other, see our roundup of best credit cards .

This card pays 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Terms Apply. There's a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Even with this cost, the high reward rates make the card worth it for many families.

How to decide if it's right for you

The bonus-category spending caps on the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card can make it a less-valuable deal for those who spend thousands each month. But if you’re a frugal shopper and want to choose your own 3% cash-back bonus category — especially if you keep a lot of money with Bank of America® or Merrill — this card is an excellent pick.

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page .

• 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.

Frequently asked questions

For the right person, it can be outstanding. Unlike most other cash back cards, the $0-annual-fee Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you customize your rewards by choosing a bonus category from a list of options.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns 3% back on a category of your choice and 2% back on grocery store and wholesale club spending, on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined spending in those categories. All other purchases earn 1% back.

You can change your 3% bonus category once a month. The options are: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores and home improvement and furnishings. If you don't choose a category, the default is gas.

There’s no limit to how much you can earn with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card . The card’s bonus rewards are capped at $2,500 in combined spending per quarter. But after that, you’ll still earn 1% cash back in those bonus categories. If you typically spend more than this on the card’s 3% and 2% categories per quarter, you might earn more with a different rewards card that doesn't have a spending cap.

If you have a good credit score of at least 690, you may be approved for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card . Card issuers will also typically consider an applicant’s income, existing debts and other information.

The easiest way to redeem your cash rewards is for a statement credit, meaning the amount you redeem is subtracted from your account balance. You can also redeem as a check or as a direct deposit into an eligible Bank of America® account. All redemption options require you to have a minimum of $25 in cash rewards. Rewards do not expire.

Yes, new cardholders get the following welcome offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. .

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is eligible for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program , which can increase your cash-back rates on this card by 25% to 75%, depending on how much money you have in eligible Bank of America® or Merrill accounts.

About the author

Claire Tsosie

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

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60,000 online bonus points offer — a $600 value

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

Card Details

60,000 bonus point offer.

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

Unlock premium value for your everyday spend

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

No limit to the points you can earn and points don't expire as long as the account remains open.

Flexibility to choose how you redeem your points – redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America ® checking or savings accounts, for credit to eligible Merrill ® accounts including 529 accounts, as a statement credit to your credit card, or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.

Get up to $200 in travel statement credits

Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees - automatically applied to your card statement

Get up to $100 in Airport Security Statement Credits for TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry application fees, every four years

No foreign transaction fees †

No matter where you're traveling, feel free to use your Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card without incurring foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside of the United States

Get even more rewards

Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase.

That means you could earn 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.

Learn more about Preferred Rewards Premium Rewards

Interest Rates & Fees Summary †

Introductory apr, standard apr.

20.24% - 27.24%

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.

60,000 online bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

2 points per $1 spent on travel purchases

2 points per $1 spent on dining purchases

1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

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

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

Take control of your rewards with the flexibility to redeem them towards what matters most to you.

Enjoy the flexibility to choose how you redeem your points – redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America ® checking or savings accounts, for credit to an eligible account with Merrill, including 529 accounts, as a statement credit to your credit card, or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.

See how many points you can earn

Tell us how much you spend every, earn 2 points.

for every $1 spent on Travel & Dining purchases

Earn 1.5 points

for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Your 1 year of spending

Flexibility to choose how you redeem your points

Enjoy the flexibility to choose how you redeem your points – redeem for cash back as a deposit into your Bank of America ® checking or savings accounts, as a statement credit to your credit card, or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.

Customer bonus

Gold Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

Platinum Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

Platinum Honors Tier and Higher Preferred Rewards Bonus

Learn more about Preferred Rewards

Preferred Rewards makes your credit card even better

Note: This calculator is for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be printed or distributed. Your actual rewards earned will depend upon your individual purchases.

10% Customer bonus

25% Gold Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

50% Platinum Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

75% Platinum Honors Tier and Higher Preferred Rewards Bonus

Premium Benefits

Travel protections.

Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays, lost luggage and emergency evacuation and transportation. Learn more

Purchase protections

Shop with confidence, with excellent purchase protections like Warranty Manager Service, Return Protection and Purchase Security. These can help with repair, replacement or reimbursement on purchases, or extend the manufacturers' warranty. Learn more

Automotive protections

Feel safer on the road with our 24/7 Roadside Dispatch Program, plus added protection with Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. Learn more

Visa Signature ® Luxury Hotel Collection

Enjoy a premium set of benefits when you use your Premium Rewards ® card to book through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. Learn more

Concierge Service

The Visa Signature ® concierge service gives you access to concierges who can help with travel planning, restaurant recommendations and event reservations.

Security & Features

Stay protected, contactless chip technology, balance connect ® for overdraft protection, paperless statement option, digital wallet technology, online & mobile banking, account alerts, fico ® score.

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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