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Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students Review: The Student Card That Has It All

Review Updated
Elizabeth Aldrich
Author: Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth Aldrich
Elizabeth is a personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, debt repayment, and small business. Her work has appeared on The Motley Fool, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, and Business Insider. She’s an avid credit card points collector and perpetual traveler currently living in Costa Rica.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is a high-value student credit card that offers flexible travel rewards and a long list of attractive features. At first glance, this card appears to have it all: sign-up bonus, unlimited flat-rate rewards, 0% Intro APR offer, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fees. However, it's not without its drawbacks. Learn more about this card in our Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students review so you can decide whether it's right for you.

Ratings Methodology

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

Great for: Students

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

1.5 points per dollar

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

25,000 points

  • With a generous sign-up bonus and a rewards program, it'll be harder to find a better card for students.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Competitive rewards rate
    • 0% intro APR offer
    • No bonus categories
    • Limited ways to use points
    • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
    • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
    • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
    • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
    • When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
    • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
    • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
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= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Full Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students review

This credit card is a good fit for: Students who are getting started building a credit history and want easy-to-use travel points.

Top perks

Unlimited 1.5 points per $1

This flat-rate rewards system is easy and lucrative, offering an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, so you don't have to worry about using different cards for different purchases to maximize your rewards. This is one of the best basic cash back rates out there across all rewards credit cards, and the fact that it's a student credit card makes it even more impressive.

25,000 points offer

You can earn 25,000 points with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. These points can be redeemed for a 25,000 statement credit toward travel purchases. This is one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses offered by a student credit card.

Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

On top of the rewards, you can also take advantage of a 0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening the account. While this isn't the longest intro APR offer, it's still pretty generous for a student credit card that also offers rewards. Just make sure to pay off your balance before the intro period ends and the standard APR is applied, and remember about the card's balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.

Flexible rewards

Rather than earning miles and points that can only be redeemed with one brand, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students earns generic points that can be used for statement credits to cover a wide range of travel purchases. These include flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, baggage fees, and rental cars. Points are worth $0.01 each, so you'd need 10,000 points to "erase" a $100 travel purchase.

Read more: Best Rewards Credit Cards

No foreign transaction fees

If you're going to travel internationally, having a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees is a must. Most credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, meaning you'd pay $30 in fees per $1,000 you spend. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students, you don't have to worry about fees eating up your vacation funds.

No annual fee

This card doesn't charge an annual fee, so you can give it a spin without worrying about accumulating fees that will cancel out any rewards you earn.

What could be improved

Transfer partners

While a point value of $0.01 each is pretty standard for rewards credit cards, you can often get more value from a card that allows you to transfer points to rewards partners. Strategic transfers can easily yield a value of $0.02 to $0.03 per point, so adding some transfer partners would up the value of this card.

Minimum redemption requirement

This card comes with a minimum redemption requirement of 2,500, meaning you have to wait until you have at least that many points saved up before you can redeem them. Ideally, there would be no set minimum.

Credit score requirement

This credit card has more stringent credit requirements than many other student credit cards, so it might be harder to qualify if you're new to credit or rebuilding credit.

Find the best credit card for your needs
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Suggested credit score

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students likely requires a good credit score of at least 670 for approval. If you have low or no income, Bank of America also allows cosigners.

For more options, take a look at our picks for the best credit cards for good credit.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is right for you if:

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students definitely packs a punch, and for the right person, it comes with just about everything you could ask for in a credit card. This card is best for you if:

  • You're a student with good credit and/or a cosigner
  • You make travel-related purchases regularly
  • You're looking to finance a purchase you can pay off within one year
  • You're looking for an easy, fee-free credit card

Because the rewards points can only be applied to travel purchases like airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and cruises, this card isn't ideal for folks who don't make those purchases at least once per year. It's also harder to get than other student credit cards, so it's not the best choice if you're just getting started on your credit-building journey.

Our credit card methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • The credit limit for this card typically ranges from $500 to $1,500, although some cardholders get higher or lower amounts. Since this is a student credit card, Bank of America tends to issue low credit limits to start.

  • Yes, this card is only for students. There's another version of the card with the same features, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, for non-students.

  • No, this card doesn't have trip cancellation insurance.