Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Benefits & Review for 2024

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is one of the relatively few travel credit cards that doesn’t charge an annual fee. In addition to earning 1.5 points on every dollar you spend, you won’t pay a foreign transaction fee and can redeem points for travel purchases up to 12 months ago.

Here is a closer look at this fee-free travel rewards card and how it might be an excellent fit for your wallet.

Who is the Bank Of America Travel Rewards Credit Card For?

Consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards if you want a credit card with no annual fee or foreign transaction fee that offers travel and dining statement credits as rewards.

This card is also a Visa Signature product that has near-universal acceptance.

All purchases earn a flat 1.5 points per $1. Even better, Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can make up to 75% more. 

As this card doesn’t have an annual fee, it can be an excellent option for casual travelers that don’t travel enough to justify having a card with more benefits but also charges an annual fee.

Frequent travelers may also like this card as you can redeem your points for travel and dining statement credits on recent purchases. Unfortunately, many travel cards require you to redeem points for future travel which can be a frustration for some travelers.

Featured Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Benefits

These are the best reasons to apply for the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card.

25,000 Points Signup Bonus

The current signup bonus of 25,000 online points after making $1,000 in purchases during the first 90 days is worth $250 in travel and dining statement credits.

This bonus is competitive with similar $0 annual fee travel credit cards.

You can qualify for this bonus even if you hold other Bank of America credit cards. Sometimes, you may not be eligible for a signup bonus if you own a similar product from the same bank.

Introductory 0% APR Purchase & Balance Transfer Offer

For the first 18 billing cycles, you qualify for an introductory 0% APR on purchases. Any remaining balance accrues interest at your ongoing APR once this initial period ends.

For balance transfers, enjoy an intro 0% APR for the first 18 billing cycles for balance transfers made within the first 60 days. A 3% fee ($10) minimum applies to all balance transfers.

Earn Unlimited 1.5 Points on Purchases

Each purchase earns 1.5 points per dollar on every domestic and foreign purchase. 

This flat rate rewards rate is competitive with similar cards. Current Bank of America members with qualifying account balances can earn up to 75% more on purchases with the Preferred Rewards program.

The earning potential for the Preferred Rewards members are:

• Gold: 1.875 points (25% more) 
• Platinum: 2.25 points (50% more)
• Platinum Honors: 2.625 points (75% more)

3x Points at Bank of America Travel Center

Travel bookings using the Bank of America Travel Center earn 3 points per $1 instead of the 1.5x standard rate.

The 25%-75% Preferred Rewards earning boost also apply to these purchases.

No Annual Fee

Not having an annual fee can make this a great option if you only make a few trips each year or don’t make frequent card purchases.

Travel credit cards with an annual fee usually offer more benefits. However, you must be in a position to use those benefits or earn enough purchase rewards to justify the annual fee.

No Foreign Transaction Fee

You also won’t pay transaction fees on foreign purchases. An increasing number of no annual fee travel credit cards waive foreign purchase fees. However, this is one fee some banks still pass on to cardholders.

As a result, this card can be excellent for travel within the United States or to international destinations that accept Visa credit cards.

Other Bank of America Travel Rewards Features

These additional benefits from B of A and Visa Signature can provide financial peace of mind.

Secondary Rental Car Insurance

Most car rentals in the US and international destinations qualify for secondary collision and theft coverage. This benefit is standard for Visa Signature cards when you decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage.

Free FICO Score

You can track your FICO Score for free courtesy of Bank of America. Most platforms only offer your VantageScore which the financial industry doesn’t use as often for credit decisions. Regular FICO Score updates can make it easier to know when you qualify for the best travel credit cards.

Overdraft Protection

Bank of America customers can set up their Travel Rewards card for account overdraft protection. If your Bank of America deposit account overdrafts, your interest charges are at the cash advance APR.

Redeeming Bank of America Travel Rewards

You have several ways to redeem your purchase rewards.

Travel and Dining Statement Credits

The most valuable redemption option is a statement credit for travel and dining purchases within the last 12 months. As a comparison, similar cards require you to redeem points within 90 days of the purchase date.

Being able to redeem your points for dining purchases is also an advantage. This redemption option can be useful if your travel frequency decreases as you can still redeem points when you stay home.

One potential downside is that the redemption minimum is 2,500 points ($25) for travel and dining purchases. Gift card redemptions start at 3,125 points.

Each point is worth 1 cent each ($0.01). That’s the average redemption value for credit card points.

Cash Rewards

You can redeem your points as a cash reward with these deposit options:

• Paper check
• Bank of America checking or savings account
• Merrill cash management account

Unfortunately, the redemption value is only $0.006 per point (0.6 cents). Travel and dining redemptions are the better options.

Gift Cards

Retail and restaurant gift cards are another redemption option but the redemption value is only $0.006 per point.

Card Fees

Here’s an overview of the current card fees you might pay.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
• Purchase Intro APR: 0% for the first 18 billing cycles, then 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR
• Balance Transfers Intro APR: 0% for the first 18 billing cycles for balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR.
• Late Payment: Up to $40

Bank of America Travel Rewards Compared to Similar Cards

Here are some of the alternative travel and cash rewards cards to this product.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card:

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee but offers several benefits that can be advantageous for frequent flyers. 

You can earn 2x points on travel and dining purchases. All non-bonus purchases earn 1.5x points.

Preferred Rewards members can also earn up to 75% additional points on purchases.

Two additional benefits of note are a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100 and up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits.

Each point is worth 1 cent each for travel, gift cards, and cash redemptions with a $25 redemption minimum.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card:

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee. Purchases earn 1.25x miles but hotel and car rental bookings purchased through Capital One Travel earn 5x miles. 

Each point is worth 1 cent each for travel statement credits and there isn’t a redemption minimum. 

The card’s signup bonus can also be easier to earn as you only need to spend $500 in the first 3 months. However, you only earn 20,000 points ($200 value) instead of 25,000. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited®:

The Chase Freedom Unlimited markets itself as a cash rewards card but each point has the same $0.01 redemption value for cash, travel, and gift card rewards.

This card also earns at least 1.5 Ultimate Rewards per $1 on purchases and has no annual fee. 

The purchase rewards categories include:

• 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back all remaining purchases

There isn’t a redemption minimum for cash rewards. However, the travel redemptions are only for upcoming travel.

The signup bonus is earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy. (up to $20,000 spent in first year)

While you won’t pay an annual fee, a 3% foreign transaction fee applies.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express:

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a no-annual fee card (see Rates & Fees) that earns up to 3% cash back on purchases.

Rewards categories include:

• 3% back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas station (on the first $6,000 then 1% back)
• 1% back on remaining purchases

The redemption minimum is $25 and the only payout option is a cash statement credit. American Express is a TheVacationer.com advertiser.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers several exciting perks that can make it worth the $95 annual fee. 

Travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 5x points and your remaining travel spend earns 2x points. Dining purchases earn 3x points and non-bonus purchases earn 1x points.

You also receive a 10% anniversary point bonus of your total purchase rewards from the last 12 months each card renewal 

Each point is worth 1.25 cents each when you book award travel through Chase and 1 cent for cash rewards and gift cards.

You can also transfer them at a 1:1 ratio to over a dozen airline and hotel travel partners.

One additional benefit of note is an annual $50 hotel statement credit. This reduces your effective annual fee to $45.

Another reason to consider this card is for its solid signup bonus. You can get 60,000 Ultimate Rewards worth $750 in travel rewards after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

The Bank of America Travel Rewards is one of the better no annual fee travel credit cards as you earn 1.5x points on purchases and won’t pay a foreign transaction fee.

The rewards can be even sweeter for Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers.

While the travel and dining statement credits make it easy to redeem your points for maximum value, the $25 redemption minimum can be frustrating. 

You might also consider investing in a travel credit card with a fee of $100 or less to get a few additional perks.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

See rates and fees for the American Express cards listed: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express