Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Bank of America Travel Rewards: 2024 Review
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Bank of America Travel Rewards: 2024 Review

Should you consider Bank of America Travel Rewards? Use our unbiased review to learn all thel details, benefits,drawbacks , alternatives and more.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® travel rewards

Rewards Plan

1.5X 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points

Sign up Bonus

25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Our Rating

3.6
3.6/5

0% Intro

15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® travel rewards

Rewards Plan

1.5X


1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points

Sign up Bonus

25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Our Rating

3.6
3.6/5

PROS

CONS

APR

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply.

Annual Fee

$0

0% Intro

15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Requirements

Good – Excellent

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a straightforward rewards card that doesn’t shift spending categories for higher bonuses. It offers flexibility with its travel rewards and simplicity for those who don’t want to jump through hoops in order to earn or spend their rewards.

The card doesn't charge annual fee or foreign transaction fee. You can earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points, as well as 0% intro APR on 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply. APR.

In addition, you can earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. 

The redemption options include statement credits for travel or dining, cash back, or gift cards. While the card offers flexibility in redemption, it falls short in comparison to other travel cards when it comes to point transferability and travel perks.

How do I redeem points?

You are able to redeem these points as a statement credit to pay for the likes of travel and dining purchases or you can redeem them as cash or in the form of gift cards.

Does it offer pre-approval?

Yes, pre-approval is an option when you are applying to get a Bank of America Travel Rewards Card. This allows you to avoid a hard credit check.

How hard is it to get a Bank of America Travel Rewards Card?

The card isn't considered as one of the best premium travel cards, so it is not very hard for you to get the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card. You just need to look at the pre-qualification process and see where you might fall short.

What are the top reasons NOT to get it?

If you do not travel a lot then the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card is not really going to be a good fit for you, as there are more suitable options.

In this Review..

Pros & Cons

Now, let's explore the pros and cons of the BofA Travel Rewards card and determine if it's a good fit for your wallet.

Pros
Cons
Preferred Rewards Boost
Balance Transfer Fee
Sign-Up Bonus
Low Points Rewards Ratio
No Foreign Transaction Fee
Limited Travel Benefits
Flexible Redemption Options
No Point Transferability
No Annual Fee
0% Intro APR

You can get 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card has no transaction fees while traveling in another country. 

Bank of America has a program for all of its credit cards in which cardholders can earn between 25%-75% more rewards with their cards. To qualify for this reward you need at least $20,000 combined with Bank of America or Merrill Lynch accounts

Cardholders can redeem points for a statement credit to cover various travel and dining purchases, enhancing flexibility in utilizing earned rewards.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, so you won’t have to meet spending thresholds to pay off it off. You can start earning rewards as soon as you get the card.

A 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers (made within the first 60 days) provides a temporary interest-free period, beneficial for those planning significant purchases or balance transfers.

There is a balance transfer fee of 3% or $10 (the greater).

The 1.5X ratio is lower compared to other travel cards. Also, the card lacks bonus categories to boost reward earnings, potentially limiting the appeal for users who prefer cards with specialized rewards in specific spending areas.

The card falls short in terms of travel perks, lacking the premium features offered by some competitors, making it less attractive for frequent or luxury travelers.

Unlike some other travel cards, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not allow users to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, limiting options for maximizing point value.

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Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Calculate Miles: How Much You Can Earn?

If you're a frequent traveler, there is no doubt you can leverage your card to get a bunch of miles rewards, in addition to another benefits it offers. But how much exactly can you earn?

In order to understand that, we need to calculate the miles based on the card terms and spend per each category. However, everyone has its own habits, so it's important to adjust the according to your specific category breakdown.

Bank of America® travel rewards

Spend Per Category
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
22,500 points
$3,000 – Restaurants
4,500 points
$1,500 – Airline
2,250 points
$1,500 – Hotels
2,250 points
$4,000 – Gas
6,000 points
Annual Points
37,500 points
Estimated Points Redemption Value
1 point ~ 0.6 – 1 cent
Estimated Annual Value
$225 – $375

How to Redeem Your Miles Rewards?

With the Bofa travel rewards, cardholders earn 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points.

Bank of America offers you to use your rewards to:

BoFa travel rewards card transactions to redeem
BoFa travel rewards card transactions to redeem (Screenshot from Bank Of America)

Best Ways to Maximize Miles Rewards

Here are some pointers to help you make the most of your Travel Rewards Card:

Join Preferred Rewards: If you meet the membership requirements, joining Preferred Rewards will increase your rewards. You would earn an additional 25% as a Gold Preferred Rewards member. In the above scenario, this would increase your monthly rewards from $30.90 to $38.62, a $92 increase per year.

Link Accounts: Overdraft protection is available by linking your Bank of America checking account. If you want to avoid the embarrassment of declined purchases, you can link your checking account to your credit card, which will trigger an automatic transfer if you are nearing the limit on your card.

How To Apply For BofA Travel Rewards Card?

Visit the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card homepage and click “Apply Now.”

This takes you to the next page, where you can fill in your “Personal Information” such as your Names, date of birth, etc.

Bank of America Travel Rewards_Application link
(Screenshot from Bank Of America website)

The next step is your financial details – you’ll need to share some details about your income and more relevant info such as employment status and annual income.

Bank of America Travel Rewards_Application link
(Screenshot from Bank Of America website)

Then click on “Continue” to complete the process.

How It Compared To Other Bank of America Cards?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card stands out in comparison to other Bank of America cards, each catering to different preferences and financial needs.

One of the main competitor is the the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card that targets more avid travelers, offering enhanced travel benefits, statement credits for travel-related purchases, and a generous sign-up bonus. It comes with a higher annual fee but compensates with premium perks like airport lounge access and travel insurance.

Among its notable counterparts is the Bank of America Customize Cash Rewards credit card, which focuses on cash back rewards, allowing users to earn cash back in categories of their choice, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, and more.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards elite credit card is the most premium travel card of BofA, offering premium rewards such as lounge access, statement credits and higher points rewrads ratio. However, its annual fee is very high – $550.

Overall, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card appeal lies in its simplicity, no annual fee, and the potential for boosted rewards through the Preferred Rewards program. For those seeking a basic travel rewards card without the complexity of bonus categories, it may be the right chocie amonf BofA credit cards.

Is the BoFa Travel Rewards Card Right For You?

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is a great card for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on their spending but do not want to pay an annual fee. 

This card is also great for those who qualify for Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards Program. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit cardholders can make the rewards go much further if they qualify for the Preferred Program. This card is straightforward and simple in its rewards and redemption structure. 

Many customers can appreciate the flexibility of redeeming rewards without having to use special carriers. Also there are fewer restrictions and blackout dates. This card comes with a nice 0% introductory rate that cardholders can use to save some money on interest. 

There are better rewards cards available, but many of them come with annual fees and different programs that require cardholders to jump through hoops in order to maximize their rewards.

Compare The Alternatives

There are other credit cards that do offer comparable cash back rewards – we’ve summarized the most popular cards which can use as an alternative to the BoFa Travel Rewards:

Bank of America® travel rewards

capital-one-venture

chase_sapphire_preffered

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$95
Rewards
1.5X 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points
2X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
75,000 miles
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
$0
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
21.24%–28.24% variable APR

FAQ

To maximize the rewards from the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card, you should use the points for travel-related or dining purchases, maximize the signup offer, and use in conjunction with another card.

Perhaps you did not meet all of the requirements. You can ask the customer service team what you need to do to get accepted or you can look at other card options. You can also take a look on the best Bank of America credit cards to find an alternative.

If you travel frequently and will use the rewards on travel-related purchases then the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card could be the ideal fit for your situation.

Compare Bank of America Travel Rewards

Both cards have no annual fee, but when it comes top redemption value – the Customized Cash Rewards gives you more. Here's our analysis.

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Customized Cash Rewards Card

The BofA Premium Rewards is the winner when it comes to travel benefits, but there are cases when you'll prefer the BofA Travel Rewards.

Bank of America Premium Rewards vs. Travel Rewards: Comparison

If you're looking for an basic travel card, the Discover it Miles is better on our opinion. Here are our thoughts – and a full comparison.

Discover It Miles vs BoFa Travel Rewards: Which Card Wins?

The Capital One Venture offers a better points rewards ratio and travel benefits than the BofA Travel rewards. Is it worth the annual fee?

BofA Travel Rewards vs. Capital One Venture Card: How They Compare?

Review Travel Credit Cards

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
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Rewards Plan:
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Welcome Bonus:
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Welcome Bonus:
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Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

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Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

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Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
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155,000 points 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.