What Bank of America offers new cardholders
Bank of America runs rotating welcome bonuses on several of its credit cards. The bonus structure varies by card and changes throughout the year — some cards offer cash back, others offer points that transfer to travel partners, and the dollar amount or point value shifts based on the card and the current promotion.
The bonus is not automatic. You must meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe (usually three to six months) to receive it. The requirement is typically stated as "spend $X and earn $Y bonus" — for example, spend $1,000 and earn 50,000 points. Until you hit that spending threshold, the bonus does not post to your account.
Bank of America publishes current bonuses on its website under each card's product page. The bonus you see when you click through is the one you will receive if you meet the terms — it does not change after you open the account. However, the bonus offered to new cardholders changes periodically, so the bonus available today may differ from the one available next month.
Key Takeaways
- Welcome bonuses require you to spend a minimum amount within a specific window, usually three to six months, before the bonus posts to your account.
- Different Bank of America cards offer different bonus structures: some pay cash back, others pay points that can transfer to airline or hotel partners.
- The bonus amount and spending requirement change throughout the year, so the offer you see today may not be the same offer next month.
- You must be a new cardholder (or meet other may be able to access rules specific to the card) to receive the bonus — existing cardholders cannot earn it by opening a second version of the same card.
How the spending requirement works
The spending requirement is the total amount you must charge to the card within the promotional period. Purchases count toward the requirement; balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not. Once your purchases reach the threshold, the bonus is earned, though it may take a few billing cycles to appear in your account.
The timeframe is fixed from the date you open the account. If the requirement is "spend $1,000 in three months," you have exactly three months from your account opening date. Spending that occurs after the important date does not count, even if you are only $50 short of the bonus.
Some cardholders plan their spending around the requirement — for instance, timing a large purchase or paying bills with the card during the promotional window. Others straightforward use the card for regular expenses and watch the balance accumulate. Either approach works, as long as the total reaches the threshold before the important date.
Types of bonuses Bank of America offers
Cash back bonuses are straightforward: you earn a set amount of cash back (for example, $200 or $500) once you meet the spending requirement. The cash back posts as a statement credit or can be transferred to a linked Bank of America bank account.
Points-based bonuses are common on Bank of America's travel cards. You earn a set number of points (for example, 50,000 points) that can be redeemed for travel through Bank of America's travel portal, transferred to airline or hotel partners, or sometimes converted to cash. The value of points varies depending on how you redeem them — transferring to an airline partner often yields higher value than redeeming through the portal.
Some cards combine both: a cash back bonus for new cardholders plus ongoing cash back or points on purchases. The welcome bonus is separate from the card's regular rewards structure, so you earn both if you meet the spending requirement.
Who can earn the bonus
Bank of America restricts welcome bonuses to new cardholders. The specific rule depends on the card, but generally you must not have held that card (or a similar version of it) within the past 24 months. Some cards have stricter rules — for instance, you may not be able to earn the bonus if you have opened the same card within the past 12 months.
Existing Bank of America customers can open a new card and earn the bonus, provided they meet the new cardholder requirement for that specific card. However, you cannot close a card, wait a few months, and reopen it to earn the bonus again — Bank of America tracks account history and will deny the bonus if you have recently held the card.
The bonus is tied to the card product, not to your Bank of America relationship. If you have a Bank of America checking account but have never held a particular credit card, you are still considered a new cardholder for that card's bonus.
How bonuses compare across Bank of America cards
| Card Type | Typical Bonus Structure | Spending Requirement | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash back cards | $150–$500 cash back | $500–$3,000 | 3–6 months |
| Travel rewards cards | 25,000–75,000 points | $1,000–$3,000 | 3–6 months |
| Premium travel cards | 50,000–100,000 points | $2,500–$5,000 | 3–6 months |
The bonus amount generally increases with the card's annual fee and credit requirements. Cards with no annual fee offer smaller bonuses; premium cards with annual fees offer larger bonuses. The spending requirement also scales — higher bonuses typically require higher spending thresholds.
Bank of America's cash back cards tend to have lower spending requirements and smaller bonuses, making them accessible to a wider range of cardholders. Travel cards require higher spending but offer bonuses with greater potential value if you redeem points strategically through transfer partners.
What happens after you meet the spending requirement
Once your purchases reach the threshold, the bonus is earned. It typically posts within one to two billing cycles, though Bank of America states it may take longer. You do not need to do anything — the bonus appears automatically once the requirement is met.
If you do not meet the spending requirement by the important date, you do not receive the bonus. There is no partial credit or extension. If you are close to the threshold as the important date approaches, you can make additional purchases to reach it, but any spending after the important date does not count.
After the bonus posts, you can continue using the card to earn ongoing rewards based on the card's regular rewards structure. The welcome bonus and ongoing rewards are separate — earning the bonus does not affect your ability to earn rewards on future purchases.
Factors to consider before opening a card for the bonus
The bonus is only valuable if you can meet the spending requirement without overspending. If the requirement is $2,000 and you normally spend $500 per month on credit cards, you would need to shift four months of spending to this card or make additional purchases. Manufactured spending (buying things you do not need) to reach the bonus erases the bonus's value.
Check the card's annual fee and ongoing rewards rate. A card with a $95 annual fee and a $500 bonus makes sense if you plan to use it regularly; a card with the same bonus but a $450 annual fee does not. Similarly, if the card's ongoing rewards rate is low, you may not want to keep it open after earning the bonus.
Opening multiple cards in a short time can affect your credit score and may trigger fraud alerts from Bank of America. If you are planning to open several cards, space them out by a few months and monitor your account for any holds or verification requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn the bonus if I already have a Bank of America credit card?
Yes, as long as you have not held the specific card you are opening within the past 24 months (or the timeframe specified for that card). Each Bank of America card has its own bonus and its own new cardholder requirement. You can hold multiple Bank of America cards simultaneously and earn bonuses on each one, provided you meet the may be able to access rules for each card.
What if I do not spend enough to reach the bonus before the important date?
You do not receive the bonus. Bank of America does not offer partial bonuses or extensions. If you are close to the threshold as the important date approaches, you can make additional purchases to reach it, but you must do so before the promotional period ends.
Do I have to keep the card open after I earn the bonus?
No. Once the bonus posts to your account, it is yours to keep. You can close the card when ready after, though closing it may affect your credit score slightly. If the card has an annual fee, closing it before the fee posts saves you money. If there is no annual fee, keeping it open costs nothing and preserves your credit history.
How do I know what the current bonus is?
Visit Bank of America's website and navigate to the credit card you are interested in. The current bonus offer appears on the product page. The bonus shown at the time you open the account is the one you will receive — it does not change after you explore.
Can I transfer the bonus points to an airline if the card is a travel rewards card?
It depends on the card. Some Bank of America travel cards allow you to transfer bonus points to airline or hotel partners; others restrict bonus points to redemption through Bank of America's travel portal only. Check the card's terms before opening it to confirm how you can use the bonus points.