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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review: Simplicity for points beginners
Madison Blancaflor is the managing editor for TPG's content operations team. She focuses on helping TPG's broader editorial team bring news, features and advice to readers. She has nearly six years of experience covering the credit cards and travel industries.
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
also contributed to this story
July 6, 2025 • 9 min read
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Quick summary
A flat-rate travel card with no annual fee offers straightforward rewards and simple redemptions, appealing to beginners.
The card lacks airline or hotel transfer partners and premium perks, making it less attractive for experienced travelers.
Rewards become more valuable for those enrolled in the issuer's loyalty program with qualifying account balances.
Points can be redeemed for travel or dining statement credits at a fixed value, with lower value for cash redemptions.
What to consider
Eligibility is restricted if you currently have or have had the card within the past 24 months.
Points do not expire as long as the account remains open, and there are no earning caps.
Redemptions for cash yield a lower value per point compared to travel or dining statement credits.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing cards and guidance on which type of rewards structure may best fit your travel and spending habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.
1.5X
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Intro offer
25,000 points
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card overview
The no-annual-fee has the potential to be a solid flat-rate card if you are a member of the BofA Rewards™ program. However, without the BofA 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 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
Unlimited flat earning rate
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other cards do
No travel and purchase protections
Bank of America Travel Rewards welcome offer
New 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.
THE POINTS GUY
It's not a flashy bonus, but it is easy to earn since the minimum spending requirement is easily attainable. And since the card has no annual fee, you're essentially earning rewards on purchases you'd normally make without any up-front cost. This is the standard welcome bonus on the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
When it comes to eligibility, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does have a 24-month restriction, though the details vary from card to card. The wording for the Travel Rewards card states:
“This card may not be available to you if you currently have or have had the card in the preceding 24 month period.”
This means that you can get a second Travel Rewards card if you previously held one; you just have to be certain that at least 24 months have passed since you closed your previous Travel Rewards card account.
The real benefit of the is its simplicity. There are no bonus categories, earning caps or transfer partners. For beginners, that can be a great way to start a points and miles journey.
As a cardholder, you'll enjoyno foreign transaction fees when you swipe the card outside the U.S. Many no-annual-fee cards have foreign transaction fees, so this is a great benefit.
KATIE GENTER/ THE POINTS GUY
As expected with a no-annual-fee card, you won't get any luxury perks. However, since it is a Visa Signature card, you will still have access to certain travel protections and benefits, including zero fraud liability and roadside assistance.
Again, this isn't an extensive list of benefits, but the ones you do get are decent for a no-annual-fee card. Check your Travel Rewards Guide to Benefits for a comprehensive list of every perk you'll receive through this card's Visa Signature branding.
Earning points on the Bank of America Travel Rewards
The has a simple earning structure, but there's more than meets the eye.
For starters, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel. You'll also earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on everyday purchases. There's no yearly cap on rewards earned, and your points won't expire for as long as your account is open.
FILADENDRON/GETTY IMAGES
This is a fairly standard earning rate for a no-annual-fee card, though you can find cards with more competitive reward structures. However, the rewards structure becomes much more valuable if you qualify for the BofA Rewards program.
To enroll, you'll need an eligible Bank of America personal checking account and, for elevated tiers, a three-month combined average daily balance of $30,000 or more in a Bank of America or Merrill investment account.
You can fall into one of four tiers, three of which require a minimum three-month average account balance, and you'll earn a bonus of 10%-75%, depending on your tier.
BofA Rewards tier
Required combined balances across accounts
Earning bonus
Minimum earning rate
Regular cardholder
N/A
N/A
1.5 points per dollar spent
Base member
No minimum balance required
10%
1.65 points per dollar spent
Preferred Plus
$30,000
25%
1.875 points per dollar spent
Preferred Honors
$100,000
50%
2.25 points per dollar spent
Premier
$1,000,000+
75%
2.625 points per dollar spent
As you can see, those with Premier can earn at least 2.625 points per dollar spent on every purchase, which is an impressive return for everyday purchases.
Plus, you'll receive a savings account interest bonus, discounted banking and investing fees and discounted rates on auto loans and mortgages.
That said, the earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar is lackluster if you aren't a BofA Rewards member. Even Gold tier members can likely do better with another rewards card.
Redeeming points on the Bank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America points act more like cash-back rewards since each point is worth 1 cent. You can redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases (starting at a minimum of 2,500 points).
When you make a purchase, simply log in to your account and select any qualifying transaction from the previous 12 months.
MILAN2099/GETTY IMAGES
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.
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 offers.
If you want more perks: The 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 even more cash back: The (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.
If you're looking for simplicity in earning and redeeming points, the no-annual-fee could be a good option, especially if you're a BofA 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.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
