Bank of America offers credit cards in several categories, each designed for different spending patterns and financial goals
Bank of America's credit card lineup includes cash back cards, travel rewards cards, cards for building credit, and cards with no annual fee. Each card comes with its own rewards structure, sign-up bonus terms, and annual fee (or lack of one). The card that makes sense for you depends on how you spend money and what benefits matter most to you.
The cards fall into a few main groups: the Cash Rewards family, the Travel Rewards family, the Customized Cash Rewards card, and the BankAmericard (their basic no-annual-fee option). Some cards are easier to get approved for if your credit history is limited or has had problems. Others require good to excellent credit and offer premium benefits in exchange for an annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America cash back cards return a percentage of what you spend, either a flat rate or higher rates in specific categories like groceries or gas.
- Travel rewards cards earn points per dollar spent that you can redeem for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses through Bank of America's travel portal.
- Sign-up bonuses typically require you to spend a certain amount within the first few months; the bonus posts after you meet that spending requirement.
- Annual fees range from zero to several hundred dollars depending on the card tier, and premium cards often waive the first year.
- You can view current offers and your own approval odds through your Bank of America online account or by visiting their website.
Cash Back Cards: How the rewards work
Bank of America's cash back cards return a percentage of your purchases as cash back that appears as a statement credit. The Cash Rewards card gives you 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a higher rate (usually 2% or 3%) in one category you choose each month — such as groceries, gas, transit, or online shopping. You pick the category yourself through your online account, and it changes the next month if you want it to.
The Customized Cash Rewards card works similarly but lets you earn higher cash back in up to three categories at once. You choose from the same list (groceries, gas, transit, online shopping, and others), and the rates are typically 2% or 3% in those categories, with 1% on everything else. There is no sign-up bonus on this card, but there is also no annual fee.
Cash back posts to your account as a statement credit, meaning it reduces what you owe on your bill. You do not receive it as a separate check or deposit. If you carry a balance, the cash back still applies to your statement, but interest charges may offset the benefit.
Travel Rewards Cards: Points, transfers, and redemption
Bank of America's travel cards earn points per dollar spent, and those points can be redeemed through Bank of America's travel portal for flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. The Travel Rewards card earns a flat rate (usually 1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases, with no category bonuses. The Premium Rewards card earns higher points in travel and dining categories and includes benefits like travel insurance and airport lounge access, but carries an annual fee.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You redeem them by logging into your Bank of America account, navigating to the rewards section, and booking through their travel portal. The portal shows you available flights and hotels with the point cost displayed alongside the cash price, so you can decide whether the redemption is worth it.
Some Bank of America travel cards also allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners at a set ratio (for example, 1 point might equal 1 mile with certain airlines). This option is useful if you have a specific airline loyalty program you want to build up, but the transfer rate is usually less generous than redeeming through the portal.
Sign-Up Bonuses: What they require and when they post
Most Bank of America credit cards come with a sign-up bonus — typically a lump sum of cash back or points awarded after you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe, usually three months. For example, a card might offer $200 cash back if you spend $500 in the first three months. The bonus is not automatic; you have to meet the spending requirement for it to post.
The bonus posts to your account as a statement credit (for cash back cards) or as points (for rewards cards) after Bank of America confirms you have met the requirement. This usually happens within one or two billing cycles after you cross the spending threshold. Check your account periodically to confirm the bonus has posted; if it has not appeared after 60 days, contact Bank of America customer service.
Sign-up bonuses are one-time offers and typically cannot be earned again on the same card. If you close the card and reopen it later, you may be able to earn the bonus again, but Bank of America's terms vary on this, so confirm before you close an account.
Annual Fees and When They explore
Some Bank of America cards have no annual fee, while others charge between $95 and $450 per year depending on the card tier and benefits included. Cards with no annual fee include the Cash Rewards card, the Customized Cash Rewards card, and the BankAmericard. Premium travel and rewards cards typically charge an annual fee but often waive it for the first year.
The annual fee posts on your statement on the card's anniversary date each year. If you close the card before that date, you will not be charged. If you are charged and then close the card within a short window (usually 30 days), Bank of America may refund the fee if you contact them, though this is not may provide.
When deciding whether an annual fee is worth it, compare the rewards you earn in a typical year against the fee. If you spend heavily in the card's bonus categories or use the premium benefits (like travel insurance or lounge access), the fee often pays for itself. If you spend lightly, a no-annual-fee card is usually the better choice.
Credit Requirements and Approval Odds
Bank of America credit cards have different credit score requirements. The BankAmericard and the basic Cash Rewards card are easier to get approved for and are sometimes marketed toward people building or rebuilding credit. Premium travel cards and the Customized Cash Rewards card typically require good to excellent credit (usually a score of 670 or higher, though Bank of America does not publish exact minimums).
Before you formally explore, Bank of America shows you your approval odds on their website. You can check this without a hard inquiry on your credit report — it uses information you already have on file with the bank. If you are a Bank of America customer, you can also log into your account and see personalized offers based on your banking history and credit profile.
If you are denied, you can ask Bank of America why and may be able to reapply after addressing the issue (such as paying down existing balances or waiting for negative marks to age off your report). There is no penalty for being denied; it straightforward means the card is not available to you at that moment.
How to View Current Offers and explore
Bank of America publishes current credit card offers on their website under the credit cards section. If you are already a Bank of America customer, log into your online account and look for the "Credit Cards" or "Offers" tab — the bank shows you which cards you are likely to be approved for based on your existing relationship with them.
To explore, you will need your Social Security number, income information, and employment details. The process takes about 10 minutes. Bank of America usually makes a decision within minutes to a few days. You will receive a decision by email or through your online account, and if approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days.
You can also call Bank of America's credit card phone line to discuss offers or explore over the phone, though the online process is usually faster. If you have questions about a specific card's rewards structure or benefits, customer service can walk you through the details before you explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn the sign-up bonus if I already have a Bank of America credit card?
Yes, you can earn sign-up bonuses on multiple Bank of America cards. Each card has its own bonus offer, and you can hold several cards at once. However, you cannot earn the same bonus twice on the same card unless you close it and reopen it after a waiting period (Bank of America's policy on this varies).
Do I have to use my Bank of America checking account to get a credit card?
No. You can explore for a Bank of America credit card whether or not you have a checking account with them. However, if you are an existing customer, you may see better offers or higher approval odds because Bank of America can see your banking history and account standing.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Your earned rewards do not disappear when you close the card. Cash back and points remain in your account and can still be redeemed. However, you cannot earn new rewards on a closed card, and some premium benefits (like travel insurance) stop working once the card is closed.
Can I change which category earns bonus cash back on the Cash Rewards card?
Yes. On the Cash Rewards card, you choose your bonus category each month through your online account or the Bank of America mobile app. The category changes on the first day of the next month. You can switch as often as you want, so you can align the bonus category with your biggest spending that month.
How do I redeem travel points if I book my own flight instead of using the Bank of America portal?
If you book outside the portal, you cannot redeem points directly toward that purchase. However, some Bank of America travel cards allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which you can then use for your own bookings. Check your card's terms to see if point transfers are available and at what ratio.