Bank of America travel points are currency you earn on purchases and redeem for flights, hotels, or cash back

Bank of America issues several credit cards that earn travel rewards. The most common is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, which gives you 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Other cards like the Premium Rewards card earn at different rates depending on the category — for example, 2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, 1 point elsewhere.

Points accumulate in your rewards account as you use the card. You can then redeem them through the Bank of America travel portal, which shows you flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises priced in points. You can also redeem points for cash back, statement credits, or transfers to airline and hotel partners. The value of each point depends on how you redeem it — a point used for a $1 flight ticket is worth $0.01, but the same point transferred to an airline partner might be worth more or less depending on the partner's pricing.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America travel cards earn between 1 and 2 points per dollar depending on the card and purchase category.
  • Points can be redeemed through the Bank of America travel portal for flights, hotels, and rental cars, or converted to cash back or airline miles.
  • Annual fees range from $0 to $95 depending on the card, and some cards offer sign-up bonuses of 20,000 to 75,000 points.
  • The real value of your points depends on how you redeem them — portal redemptions are typically worth 1 cent per point, but airline transfers may be worth more.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

How points are earned and what they cost

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card earns 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase with no category restrictions. This is a flat-rate card, meaning you do not earn more for travel or dining. The Premium Rewards card, by contrast, earns 2 points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants, and transit (including taxis and rideshare), and 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Both cards charge an annual fee. The Travel Rewards card has no annual fee. The Premium Rewards card charges $95 per year. Some Bank of America travel cards also offer sign-up bonuses — typically 20,000 to 75,000 points if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. The bonus is paid once and does not recur.

Points do not expire as long as your card account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, you typically have a window to redeem remaining points before they are forfeited — check your card agreement for the exact timeframe.

Redeeming points through the Bank of America travel portal

The Bank of America travel portal is an online marketplace where you search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises using points. You log into your Bank of America account, navigate to the rewards section, and select "Travel" to access the portal. From there you search by destination and date just as you would on a regular travel website.

Prices in the portal are shown in points rather than dollars. A flight might cost 25,000 points, a hotel night 8,000 points. The portal typically values each point at $0.01, so a 25,000-point flight costs the equivalent of $250. However, the actual cash price of that same flight on the airline's website might be $180 or $320 — the portal price is not always competitive with booking directly.

You can also use the portal to book through partners like Expedia, which may offer different pricing or availability. Once you book through the portal, the points are deducted from your account when ready and the reservation is confirmed. Cancellations and changes follow the normal rules of the airline or hotel, not special Bank of America rules.

Converting points to cash back and airline transfers

You do not have to use the travel portal. Bank of America lets you redeem points for statement credits (which reduce your credit card balance), direct deposits to a bank account, or checks. The redemption rate is typically 1 point = $0.01 in cash value, though some promotions offer higher rates temporarily.

You can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio or sometimes at a bonus rate during promotions. Partners include American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and others. The value of transferred points varies by partner — some airline programs price award flights at lower point costs than the Bank of America portal, while others are more expensive. Before transferring, check the partner's award chart to see whether the transfer makes sense for your planned trip.

Transfers to partners are usually final and cannot be reversed, so confirm the partner's current pricing before you transfer. Some partners also charge transfer fees or have minimum transfer amounts, though Bank of America does not charge you to make the transfer.

Annual fees and sign-up bonuses compared

Bank of America offers several travel cards at different price points. The Travel Rewards card has no annual fee and earns 1.5 points per dollar everywhere. This card is useful if you want rewards with no cost and do not need category bonuses. The Premium Rewards card costs $95 per year and earns higher rates in specific categories (2 points at gas, restaurants, and transit). It makes sense if you spend enough in those categories to earn back the fee in extra points.

Sign-up bonuses vary by card and change over time. A typical offer might be 20,000 bonus points if you spend $500 in the first 90 days, or 50,000 points if you spend $3,000. These bonuses are one-time offers and do not repeat when you renew the card. The bonus is usually worth $200 to $500 in travel value, which can offset the annual fee in the first year.

How points compare to airline miles and cash back cards

Bank of America points are flexible — you can use them for travel, cash, or transfers. This flexibility comes with a trade-off: the base value (1 cent per point) is lower than what you might get from a card that earns airline miles directly. For example, a card that earns 2 miles per dollar on flights might give you more value on that specific category than a 1.5-point card, depending on how you redeem.

Cash back cards typically offer 1.5% to 2% cash back, which translates to 1.5 to 2 cents per dollar spent. Bank of America points are worth 1 cent per dollar when redeemed for cash, so a cash back card is more valuable if you want cash. However, if you transfer points to an airline partner and find a good award rate, you might get more than 1 cent of value per point.

The best choice depends on your spending and travel plans. If you travel frequently and have a preferred airline, an airline-specific card might be better. If you want simplicity and flexibility, a flat-rate points card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards card works well. If you spend heavily in specific categories, a category-bonus card like the Premium Rewards card can pay for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bank of America travel points expire?

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. If you close the card, you usually have 30 to 60 days to redeem remaining points before they are forfeited. Check your card agreement or contact Bank of America for the exact window.

Can I use points if I have a balance on my card?

Yes. Points are separate from your card balance. You can redeem points even if you owe money on the card. However, if you redeem for a statement credit, that credit is applied to your balance.

What happens to my points if I downgrade or close my card?

Points remain in your Bank of America rewards account even if you close the card that earned them. You can still redeem them through your account. However, if your entire Bank of America rewards account is closed, you typically have a limited time to redeem before points are lost.

Is the Bank of America travel portal cheaper than booking directly?

Not always. The portal prices flights and hotels in points, but those prices are not always better than booking directly with the airline or hotel. Compare the portal price to the direct price before redeeming. Sometimes the portal offers better rates; sometimes booking directly and paying cash is cheaper.

Can I combine points from multiple Bank of America cards?

Yes. All your Bank of America rewards cards feed into one rewards account. Points from each card combine, so you can redeem them together. This makes it easier to reach higher redemption thresholds if you carry multiple cards.