What the Bank of America Travel Rewards bonus actually is

Bank of America offers a sign-up bonus on its Travel Rewards credit card: you earn a set number of points if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe after opening the account. The bonus is not money — it is points that you redeem for travel purchases like flights, hotels, or car rentals through Bank of America's travel portal, or transfer to airline and hotel partners.

The specific bonus amount changes. Bank of America has offered bonuses ranging from 25,000 to 75,000 points depending on the card version and the promotion running at the time you explore. You will see the exact bonus posted on the card's offer page before you submit your process, so you know what you are getting.

The bonus is not automatic. You must meet a spending requirement — typically $500 to $3,000 in purchases within the first 60 to 90 days — to earn it. If you do not hit that threshold, you do not receive the bonus points.

Key Takeaways

  • The Travel Rewards bonus is points you earn by spending a set amount in a set timeframe, not a cash reward or statement credit.
  • You redeem bonus points through Bank of America's travel portal or transfer them to airline and hotel partners at a fixed rate.
  • The bonus only posts to your account after you meet the spending requirement and the bank processes your account — typically two to three statement cycles.
  • The card carries an annual fee that varies by version; some versions have no annual fee, while others charge $95 or more.
  • The points you earn on everyday purchases after the bonus period expire at different rates depending on what you buy and where.

How many points you get and what they are worth

The number of bonus points depends on which Travel Rewards card version you hold and which promotion is active when you open the account. Bank of America has offered 25,000 points for lower spending requirements and 75,000 points for higher ones. Check the specific offer page for the card you are considering to see the current bonus.

The value of those points depends on how you redeem them. Through the Bank of America travel portal, points are typically worth 1 cent each — so 50,000 points equals $500 in travel purchases. If you transfer points to an airline or hotel partner, the value can be higher or lower depending on the partner and the redemption rate. Some transfers are worth 1.5 cents per point; others are worth less.

After you earn the bonus, the card also earns points on ongoing purchases. Most versions earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, though some earn higher rates on specific categories like dining or gas. Those ongoing points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

The spending requirement and timeline

To earn the bonus, you must spend a minimum amount within a specific window. Common requirements are $500 in 60 days, $1,000 in 90 days, or $3,000 in 90 days. Only purchases count — balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not. The spending window starts the day your account opens, not the day your card arrives in the mail.

Once you meet the requirement, the bonus does not post when ready. Bank of America typically credits bonus points within one to three statement cycles after you hit the spending threshold. You can check your account online to see if the bonus has posted, or contact Bank of America customer service to confirm the status.

If you do not meet the spending requirement by the important date, you do not earn the bonus. There is no partial credit — you either hit the target or you do not. Plan your spending carefully if you are counting on the bonus to cover a specific trip.

Annual fees and ongoing costs

Bank of America offers multiple versions of the Travel Rewards card with different fee structures. Some versions carry no annual fee. Others charge $95 per year. A few premium versions charge $450 or more annually and come with additional benefits like travel credits or lounge access.

The bonus points alone do not cover the annual fee on higher-tier cards. If you open a card with a $95 annual fee to earn 50,000 bonus points worth $500, you are spending $95 to get $500 in value — a net gain of $405. But if you do not use the card after the first year, that annual fee renews and you lose money.

Check the card's terms before you open it to see which version you are getting and what the annual fee is. Some cards waive the first-year fee; others charge it when ready.

How to use your bonus points

After the bonus posts, you can redeem points through Bank of America's travel portal. Log into your account, go to the rewards section, and browse flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. You pay the posted price in points instead of cash. The portal shows you the point value before you book, so you know exactly what you are spending.

You can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Bank of America partners with carriers like American Airlines, United, and Delta, as well as hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt. Transfer rates vary — some partners accept points at a 1:1 ratio, others at 1:1.25 or lower. Transferred points usually arrive within 24 hours.

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and active. If you close the account, any remaining points are forfeited. If your account goes inactive for an extended period, Bank of America may close it and you lose the points, so use the card occasionally to keep it active.

Comparing this bonus to other travel cards

Other banks offer travel card bonuses with different structures. Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending, plus points are worth more when transferred to airline partners. American Express Gold offers 60,000 points after $6,000 in spending but earns higher rates on dining and airfare purchases. Citi Prestige offers 50,000 points after $3,000 in spending.

The best bonus for you depends on your spending habits, how much you travel, and whether you value simplicity or flexibility. Bank of America's Travel Rewards card is straightforward — one earning rate on all purchases, no bonus categories to track — but other cards may offer higher point values or better redemption options if you are willing to manage multiple earning rates.

Before you open any travel card, calculate the real value: bonus points minus annual fee, plus the value of points you will earn on purchases you were already planning to make. A higher bonus number does not always mean a better deal if the annual fee is high or the redemption value is low.

What happens if you do not meet the spending requirement

If you open the card but do not spend enough to hit the bonus threshold, you straightforward do not receive the bonus points. The card still works normally — you can use it to make purchases and earn the regular earning rate on those purchases. You are not penalized or charged extra.

Some people open a travel card planning to meet the spending requirement through normal expenses, then realize they will not hit the target. If that happens, you can close the card without penalty. However, closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards.

If you are close to the spending requirement but not quite there, you could make a planned purchase — a flight, hotel stay, or other expense you were going to make anyway — to push yourself over the threshold. Just make sure the purchase posts to your account before the important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the bonus points on travel, or can I redeem them for cash?

Bank of America Travel Rewards points are designed for travel redemption through the travel portal or transfers to airline and hotel partners. You cannot redeem them directly for cash back. However, some people transfer points to partners and then use those partner points flexibly, which can feel similar to cash value depending on the partner's policies.

What if I close the card before the bonus posts?

If you close the card before you meet the spending requirement, you will not earn the bonus. If you close it after you meet the requirement but before the bonus posts, Bank of America may still credit the bonus, but there is no may provide. Contact the bank to ask before you close the account.

Can I get the bonus more than once?

Bank of America typically allows you to earn a sign-up bonus once per card product every 24 months. If you earned the bonus on this card two years ago, you may be able to earn it again by opening a new account. Check the current offer terms to see if you are may be able to access.

How does the bonus affect my credit score?

Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The new account also lowers your average account age. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, your score typically recovers within a few months and improves over time as you build positive payment history.

Are the bonus points taxable income?

Bank of America does not report bonus points as taxable income, and the IRS generally does not treat credit card rewards as taxable. However, tax law can vary by situation. If you have questions about your specific tax situation, consult a tax professional.