What this card offers and who it suits

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card gives you 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases — no bonus categories, no rotating categories, just the same rate everywhere. You can redeem those points for statement credits toward travel purchases: flights, hotels, rental cars, tolls, parking, taxi and rideshare, and cruise fares. There is no annual fee.

This card works best if you spend consistently across different categories and want a straightforward rewards structure without tracking bonus categories or set up steps. It also suits people who travel regularly but don't want to lock themselves into airline or hotel loyalty programs. The flat 1.5x rate means a $5,000 annual spend gets you $75 in travel credits — not a large sum, but real value if you were not earning anything before.

The card is less useful if you spend heavily in a single category (like groceries or gas) where other cards offer 3x or 5x points, or if you rarely travel and have no use for travel-only redemptions.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase with no annual fee, and redeem points only for travel-related expenses.
  • Points are worth roughly 1 cent each when redeemed for travel, so 1,500 points covers about $15 in travel costs.
  • You need a Bank of America checking or savings account to open this card, or you can open one at the same time.
  • The card has no foreign transaction fees, which matters if you use it abroad for hotels or car rentals.
  • You can transfer points to Bank of America travel partners like Southwest, United, and Marriott, though the conversion rate varies.

How to open the account

You can open this card online at bankofamerica.com, by phone at 1-800-435-3000, or in a Bank of America branch. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and annual income. The process takes about 10 minutes online.

Bank of America requires you to have a checking or savings account with them to hold the credit card. If you do not have one, you can open both the bank account and the credit card in the same process. The bank account has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

After you submit your process, you will get a decision within minutes or a few business days. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited shipping for a fee, or ask for a temporary card number to use when ready while you wait for the physical card.

Understanding the rewards and redemption

Every dollar you spend earns 1.5 points, whether you are buying groceries, paying a utility bill, or filling up gas. Points accumulate in your Bank of America account and never expire as long as the account stays open and in good standing.

When you redeem, you convert points to a statement credit that covers travel purchases. The standard value is 1 point = 1 cent, so 1,500 points becomes a $15 credit. You can redeem in increments as small as 2,500 points ($25 credit) through your online account or by calling customer service.

Bank of America also lets you transfer points to travel partners at different rates. For example, you might transfer 1,000 points to Southwest Airlines and receive 800 Southwest points in return — a less favorable rate than the 1-cent redemption, but useful if you want to book a specific flight that costs more than your statement credit would cover. Transfer rates vary by partner and change periodically.

Annual fees and other costs

There is no annual fee for this card. You pay interest only if you carry a balance month to month — the current purchase APR varies based on your creditworthiness and market conditions, typically ranging from 16% to 27%. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you owe no interest.

The card has no foreign transaction fees, which means you can use it abroad without a 3% markup on currency conversion. This matters if you rent a car or book a hotel outside the United States.

Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $39 depending on your balance) and can raise your APR. Returned checks or declined payments also carry fees. Staying current on your statement due date avoids all of these.

How this card compares to other travel cards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is simpler than cards that offer bonus categories. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on travel and dining but requires an annual fee and has a higher earning rate only in those two categories. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred earns up to 3% on groceries and gas but also charges an annual fee.

The Bank of America card wins if you want no annual fee and no need to track which category you are in. It loses if you spend heavily in one category and want the highest possible rate there. The flat 1.5x rate is competitive for no-fee cards but lower than category-specific rates on premium cards.

Another difference: some travel cards offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance or baggage delay reimbursement. This Bank of America card does not. If those protections matter to you, a premium travel card may be worth the annual fee.

What happens after you open the account

Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Bank of America online account. You can set up automatic payments to avoid late fees — either pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or a percentage of your balance each month.

Your points show up in your account within one to three business days of each purchase. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Bank of America account online or using the mobile app. The app also lets you redeem points directly without calling.

Bank of America sends you a statement each month showing your purchases, points earned, and current balance. You can change your statement delivery to paperless if you prefer email notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my points if I close the card?

Points expire if your account is closed or becomes inactive. Bank of America considers an account inactive if there are no transactions for 12 months. If you close the card intentionally, redeem your points before you do. If the account closes due to inactivity, you have a window to contact Bank of America and ask them to restore the points, though this is not may provide.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes. The card works at merchants worldwide and has no foreign transaction fees. You will earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, including hotels and car rentals abroad. The exchange rate is set by Visa, not by Bank of America, so you get the market rate without markup.

What credit score do I need to open this card?

Bank of America does not publish a minimum credit score, but approval typically requires good credit — usually 670 or higher. If you have fair or limited credit history, you may still be approved, but at a higher APR. The best way to know is to submit an process; a soft inquiry does not affect your credit score.

Can I transfer points to my spouse's account?

No. Points are tied to the cardholder's account and cannot be transferred to another person. You can redeem points as a statement credit that pays a shared bill, but the points themselves stay in your account.

What if I want to redeem points for something other than travel?

This card only redeems for travel purchases. If you need points for groceries, merchandise, or cash back, this is not the right card. Bank of America offers other cards with more flexible redemption options, such as the Bank of America Cash Rewards card.