Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card overview
The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has the potential to be a solid flat-rate card if you are a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. However, without the Preferred Rewards earning bonus, the card falls short compared to other flat-rate cards on the market. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
For beginners, points and miles can seem daunting. For some people new to earning credit card rewards, the idea of transferring points and trying to find the absolute best redemptions can be exciting but also nerve-wracking — if this is you, you’re not alone.
Many beginners give up on using credit card rewards to pay for travel because it seems too complicated.
That’s where an option like the Bank of America Travel Rewards card comes into play. It has no annual fee, and we recommend applicants have a credit score of 670 or higher to increase their chances of approval.
Points and miles pros will likely not be moved by the perks and redemption options featured on this card, but the simplicity of its earning rate and redemption process provides a nice starting point for beginners.
Let’s dig into the card details so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Bank of America Travel Rewards pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Bank of America Travel Rewards welcome offer
New Bank of America Travel Rewards cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
These points are redeemable at a flat rate of 1 cent per point toward travel or dining purchases, so this bonus is worth $250 — a solid offer but significantly less valuable than what you’ll find on other top travel cards.
Although travel enthusiasts may see this as a disadvantage, beginners might rejoice at this no-stress process.
You don’t have to think about maximizing reward redemptions or figuring out the best transfer partner for booking your travel, which can be a headache for someone looking for a simple, no-frills way to earn and use their points.
You can also use your points for a cash reward — a check or a deposit into a qualifying Bank of America account. However, you’ll get a value of just 0.6 cents per point this way (2,500 points = $15), so you’re much better off using them for travel or dining purchases.
Finally, you can redeem your points for gift cards, though the exact value varies by merchant.
: The best Bank of America credit cards
Which cards compete with the Bank of America Travel Rewards?
One of these may be a better fit if you want more perks or a different earning structure than what the Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers.
- If you want more perks: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a mid-tier travel card with a $95 annual fee. It earns the same 1.5 points per dollar base rate as the Travel Rewards card, but you’ll also earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and get more travel perks. To learn more, see our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
- If you want more flexible rewards: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. However, the card shines by giving you access to the issuer’s 15-plus transfer partners, including British Airways, Turkish Airlines and Wyndham. To learn more, see our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards.
- If you want even more cash back: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) is another great no-annual-fee card option. It offers 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores, 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027 and 1.5% back on all other purchases. To learn more, see our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best cash-back credit cards.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards worth it?
If you’re looking for simplicity in earning and redeeming points, the no-annual-fee Bank of America Travel Rewards card could be a good option, especially if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer. However, more seasoned points and miles travelers will likely want a card with higher earning rates and more redemption options.
Bottom line
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers a simple earning rate and redemption options many beginners will appreciate. However, frequent travelers who want better earning rates and the flexibility of transfer partners should consider other options.
Apply here: Bank of America Travel Rewards card
: 5 reasons I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited as a credit card beginner