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Bank of America Travel Rewards Review: A Simple Travel Card With No Fees, but Few Perks

Review Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Author: Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger

Brooklyn leads the content team behind product reviews and ratings at Motley Fool Money, ensuring readers get well-researched, expert-backed insights to make smarter financial decisions. With nearly seven years working full-time in financial content -- four of them at The Motley Fool -- she has developed a deep passion for personal finance, from investing strategies to everyday money management. Her financial goals include buying a house and planning as many trips as her budget allows. In her free time, you’ll likely find her listening to a pop culture podcast or telling anyone who will listen to get a high-yield savings account.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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If you're like me, a travel card is often the key to making the most of your adventures, especially when it comes with no annual fee. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers exactly that: a straightforward, affordable option with no foreign transaction fees, a solid welcome bonus, and easy-to-redeem points. While it might not have the flashy perks of high-end travel cards, it gets the job done for those who want the basics.

I've been using a travel card for years, and I'll walk you through where this one shines and where it falls a bit short so you can decide if it's the right fit for your wallet and your wanderlust.

Ratings Methodology

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
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
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
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

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, 18.24% - 28.24% 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. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

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

18.24% - 28.24% (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. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

1.5-3 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

  • This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases, 3X points on travel booked through Bank of America, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier).

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Competitive rewards rate on purchases
    • Great intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
    • Limited ways to use points
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
    • 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 18.24% - 28.24% 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
    • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
    • 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.

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

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

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

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

What I like about Bank of America Travel Rewards

Easy to earn points

Some cards make you jump through hoops to earn rewards, with rotating categories, earning caps, or restrictions on where you can redeem them. Not this one. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card keeps it simple: earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases and 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

No categories you have to activate, no changing rates depending on if you're at the grocery store or gas pump. Just straightforward, unlimited point opportunities.

Flexible redemption options

Bank of America takes a pretty loose approach to what counts as "travel," which works in your favor. You can redeem points for statement credits on flights, hotels, rental cars, baggage fees, and even restaurants. Unlike some travel cards that lock you into a specific airline or hotel program, this one gives you the freedom to use your points wherever you want.

Solid welcome bonus

This card offers 25,000 points (worth $250) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. That's an above average welcome bonus for a no annual fee card, where the typical bonus is around $200. That said, it's worth comparing to the Discover it® Miles, which takes a different approach.

Instead of a one-time bonus, Discover will match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. If you put a lot of spending on your card, that could mean a bigger payoff. Plus, Discover Miles can be redeemed for either travel or cash back, making them even more flexible.

Extra rewards for Bank of America Rewards members

If you're already a Bank of America or Merrill customer, this card gets even better. The Preferred Rewards program offers a points bonus based on your combined balances, ranging from 25% to 75% more points:

Bank of America Preferred Rewards® status Rewards Bonus Points per Dollar Spent Points Earned if You Spent $15,000 in a Year
None (no accounts, or combined balances below $20,000) None 1.5 22,500 points ($225 value)
Gold (at least a $20,000 combined balance) 25% 1.875 28,125 points ($281.25 value)
Platinum (at least a $50,000 combined balance) 50% 2.25 33,750 points ($337.50 value)
Platinum Honors (at least a $100,000 combined balance) 75% 2.625 39,375 points ($393.75 value)
Data source: Bank of America. Calculations by author.

If you qualify for these bonus tiers, this card's rewards rate beats most no annual fee competitors. Without them, it's still solid, but not as much of a standout.

Long 0% APR intro period

This card offers 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers and purchases, which can be a big perk if you need time to pay off a large purchase or tackle existing credit card debt. (After the intro period, the go-to 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR applies.) This 0% intro APR period is on the longer end for no annual fee cards, making it a great tool if you need to book a big trip now and pay it off over time.

A balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% applies to balance transfers completed with the card.

If used strategically, it's a great way to avoid interest while managing your finances. But just be sure to pay off the balance before the intro period ends to avoid high interest charges later.

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, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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 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: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

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
= Fair
= 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 1.5-3 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. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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, 18.24% - 28.24% 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. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

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: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Downsides you should consider

Unlike many travel cards, this one doesn't offer benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits, or airport lounge access. Some of that is to be expected, since most cards that offer perks like lounge access typically come with an annual fee. But travel insurance is fairly basic for a travel card.

Low rewards rate if you're not a Preferred Rewards member

This is a big one. If you don't qualify for the Preferred Rewards program, the rewards rate is just okay. Earning unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases is solid, but plenty of other cards offer higher rates without requiring a bank relationship.

For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2X miles on every purchase (but comes with a $95 annual fee, see rates and fees), or the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers 3X on key categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans ($0 annual fee, see rates and fees). This card's value really hinges on whether you can unlock those Preferred Rewards bonuses.

No transfer partners

One of the best ways to stretch travel points is by transferring them to airlines or hotel partners, but Bank of America doesn't offer that option. With my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, I can transfer points to several airlines and hotels at a 1:1 ratio, which often gets me the highest redemption value. That's not the case here. While the redemption options are straightforward and easy to use, they don't offer the same level of flexibility or potential value that transfer partners provide.

High credit score requirement

This credit card isn't the easiest to qualify for -- it requires good to excellent credit (670 or higher). If your score isn't quite there yet, qualifying will be tough. A secured credit card could be a better starting point to build your credit, and once your score improves, you can revisit this card for its travel rewards.

Consider the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card as a stepping stone. Once your score improves, you may qualify for this travel card. And by then, you'll be able to qualify for the higher rewards bonuses reserved for BofA members.

Who should consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

This card is a hidden gem for Bank of America customers, but just average for everyone else. With Preferred Rewards bonuses, you can unlock significantly higher earning potential, making it a strong choice. But if you don't bank with BofA, it's more of a middle-of-the-pack option.

If the Bank of America Travel Rewards card checks all the boxes for you, the perks are waiting. Apply and start earning today.

FAQs

  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card offers solid value with higher rewards rates. If not, it's still a decent no annual fee travel card, but there are other options with stronger earning potential.

  • No, this card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.

  • Not directly. Points can only be redeemed as statement credits for travel and dining purchases. If you want pure cash back, a general cash rewards card might be a better fit.