Our opinion: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card stands out for its simplicity—it’s a $0 annual fee card that earns simple, flat-fee rewards that you can redeem as statement credits for travel or dining.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Introductory bonus
Earn 25,000 bonus points online after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening (which can be a $250 statement credit for travel purchases) and 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening.
| 0% balance transfer term | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Annual quota | $0 |
| Regular APR | 18.24%–28.24% variable |
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 attractive option for budget travelers or anyone who wants simplicity in their travel credit card. Although the rewards earned with this card lack the versatility you can find in cards that offer the ability to transfer rewards to loyalty programs or book travel through the card issuer’s portal, this card allows you to redeem your points for credits on the statement for travel and meals. , as cash back or to purchase gift cards.
Who is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card valid for?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize simplicity over extravagant benefits. Plus, with the card’s 0% introductory 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 purchases. or consolidate your debt.
Who shouldn’t get the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card?
Those who prioritize rewards 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 lack of transfer partners for airline or hotel loyalty programs could be drawbacks for those looking for broader rewards and benefits.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: How to Earn Rewards
The rewards structure is easy to understand: there are no rotating categories to track or activate or different reward rates. Cardholders earn a flat 1.5 points on all purchases.
You’re also eligible to earn a modest welcome offer worth 25,000 points, or $250, if you spend $1,000 on purchases within 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, earn cash back as a statement credit, and purchase gift cards.
However, when you redeem for cash or gift cards, you may not get the best value. One point is worth 0.6 cents, so 2,500 points will only get you $15. There is also a minimum redemption requirement of 2,500 points. Gift card redemption value will vary. Travel and dining credits are often the best value for your rewards, where one point is worth a penny.
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 (such as airlines, hotels, car rentals) and restaurant purchases made in the last 12 months. There is a minimum redemption requirement of 2,500 points.
When you redeem your points this way, one point is worth one cent.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card Rates and Fees
- Annual quota: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made within the first 60 days of account opening, then standard variable APR will apply.
- Purchase APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable
- Balance Transfer 0% APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfer made in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, the APR is variable between 18.24% and 28.24%.
- 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 the online and mobile banking app, you can access your TransUnion FICO Score, which is updated monthly for free.
Credit Cards Similar to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
If you’re looking for a travel card with no annual fee and more 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 has a versatile rewards program, although the rewards rate is slightly lower. Bank of America’s Travel Rewards card earns 1.5 points per dollar, VentureOne offers a slightly lower 1.25 miles per dollar, but earns 5 miles per dollar on prepaid hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
VentureOne also has a decent welcome offer for a 20,000 mile no annual fee card after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening.
But the biggest benefit the VentureOne card has over the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is redemption flexibility. With this card, you can transfer your miles to over 15 Capital One travel loyalty programs, so you can potentially get even more value from your rewards. You can also book travel through Capital One Travel, receive a refund for travel purchases made within the previous 9 days, or opt for a statement credit, although like the Bank of America card, the latter option is also worth less than a cent per point.
Discover it® Miles vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Like the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card, the Discover it® Miles Card offers 1.5 miles on general purchases, with no annual or foreign transaction fees. But a key distinction between these two cards lies in the redemption options. You can’t 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 with no travel required. Either way, a mile is worth a penny per point. Allowing you to receive cash back of the same value as a travel refund is a much better option than the less than a cent 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 offering you an initial offer after you meet a minimum spending requirement, the issuer doubles the rewards you earn for the first year. For example, if you earned a total of 50,000 miles during the first year, you will 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 simple travel card that can take advantage of the card’s 0% APR offer. It’s also best for someone who wants to use earnings from a travel rewards card solely for travel and doesn’t mind not accepting cash back.
However, potential users should be aware of its limitations, including redemption limitations. Most people will do better with a card that offers 2% cash back, which is more rewarding and allows you to use your money on anything you want, whether it’s travel or otherwise.
Frequent questions
Is it difficult 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 that there is no single score that guarantees you will 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 looking for simple rewards and who may only want to redeem their rewards for a one-way trip.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the date of publication but are subject to change at any time at the issuer’s discretion. Contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees and benefits before applying.
