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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.
Review: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards the best credit card for you?
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.
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.
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.
New cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening, after which a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR applies. This could save you money if you plan to make a large purchase but 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.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn points from the Bank of America Travel Rewards 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.
How to use points from the Bank of America Travel Rewards
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:
- Airlines
- Hotels
- Motels
- Timeshares
- Trailer parks
- Motor home
- 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
- Buses
- Taxis
- Limousines
- Ferries
- 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.
Bank of America Travel Rewards card 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 on purchases and on 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.
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card fees and costs
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.
Comparison: Bank of America Travel Rewards vs other Bank of America credit cards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 1.5x points on all purchases | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | 3% cash back* in one category you choose each calendar month*** 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs* 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening | $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening |
Card benefits | 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) No foreign transaction fees Free FICO score | 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) Free FICO score | 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) Free FICO score |
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*On the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, earn 3% and 2% cash back on up to the first $2,500 spent in these categories combined each quarter, then 1% cash back
***Eligible Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card 3% categories are gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings
Bank of America Travel Rewards vs other no-annual-fee credit cards
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.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Discover it® Miles | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 1.5x points on all purchases | 2% cash rewards on purchases | 1.5x miles on all purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening | None, but Discover will automatically match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year |
Card benefits | 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) No foreign transaction fees Free FICO score | 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR) Cell phone protection Visa Signature Concierge Roadside dispatch Travel and emergency assistance services Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement Access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR Free FICO score No late payment fee on your first late payment (then up to $41) No foreign transaction fees |
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Bank of America Travel Rewards frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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.
However, if you're interested in really maximizing your credit card spending for travel, check out our guide to the best travel rewards credit cards. Here you'll find card options with lucrative bonus categories and more redemption options, especially transfers to airline and hotel partners that can get you outsized value.
Unfortunately, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card doesn't offer travel insurance like many other top travel rewards cards. This is a big drawback for those who book flights, hotels, or rental cars and want an additional layer of protection.
If receiving perks like car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, or trip delay insurance is important to you, you'll want to choose a card from our list of top credit cards with travel insurance instead.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a Visa Signature card.
Methodology: How we reviewed the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
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 Insider.
Editorial Note: 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. 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.
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