Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card Review: a Simple Travel Card with No Annual Fee
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees. It’s a low-maintenance, flexible travel card - ideal for beginners or loyal BofA customers.
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If you’re looking for a simple travel credit card with no annual fee, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card stands out as one of the best options on the market. This card offers unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, with no expiration on points and no need to track bonus categories. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a Bank of America loyalist, this card delivers consistent value and flexibility with minimal effort.
Welcome Bonus
New cardholders can earn a 25,000-point welcome bonus, which can be redeemed for $250 in travel statement credits, after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. This is a competitive bonus for a no-annual-fee travel rewards credit card, especially one without complicated spending categories or redemption restrictions.
Unlimited 1.5X Rewards on All Purchases
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card earns 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, no categories to track, no limits. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to earn travel rewards for everyday spending, from groceries and gas to dining and streaming services.
In addition, you can earn 3 points per $1 (1.5 base + 1.5 bonus) when you book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, adding extra value for those willing to book through the bank’s portal. There is no limit to the number of base or bonus points you can earn each billing cycle.
Boosted Rewards for Preferred Rewards® Members
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® client, you can unlock even more value. Depending on your relationship with Bank of America and Merrill, you can receive a 25% to 75% rewards bonus, increasing your effective earning rate to up to 2.62 points per dollar. This makes the card one of the best travel credit cards for Bank of America customers.
Flexible Travel Redemptions
Points earned with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card can be redeemed as statement credits toward a wide range of travel and dining-related purchases, including flights, hotels, vacation or car rentals, baggage fees, restaurants, takeout, fast food, and more. You’re not required to book through Bank of America or a designated travel portal, giving you the flexibility to book directly with airlines, hotels, or car rental agencies. There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions, making redemptions incredibly flexible.
However, keep in mind that a minimum of 2,500 points is required to redeem for a travel credit (valued at $25). You can use your points for multiple eligible transactions as long as the combined redemptions meet the 2,500-point threshold in a single redemption event. If you don’t have enough points to cover a full purchase, you can still apply a partial statement credit to reduce the cost of your travel or dining expense.
While travel redemptions offer the best value, other redemption options are available:
- Travel credit: 1 point = $0.01 (2,500 points = $25)
- Cash redemption: 1 point = $0.006 (2,500 points = $15); available as a check, Bank of America deposit, or Merrill account credit
- Gift cards: Start at 3,125 points; redemption value varies
No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card charges no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel, study abroad, or frequent overseas purchases. You can use the card worldwide without incurring the typical 3% foreign transaction surcharge that many other credit cards apply.
Introductory 0% APR Offer for 15 months
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card includes a 0% introductory APR for your first 15 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening. This makes it a great option if you’re planning a large purchase or need time to pay down existing debt without interest. After the intro period ends, a variable APR between 18.24% and 28.24% will apply, depending on your creditworthiness.
For balance transfers, there’s a 3% intro fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After that, the balance transfer fee increases to 4% of each transaction. While this card is primarily a travel rewards card, the intro APR offer adds flexibility for managing your short-term expenses or consolidating higher-interest balances.
Drawbacks
- No bonus categories: While flat-rate rewards are simple, those who spend heavily in specific areas (like dining or airfare) might earn more with a different travel card.
- Limited redemption options: Points are best used for travel statement credits. Other redemption options (like gift cards or cashback) may offer lower value.
- No premium benefits: If you’re seeking perks like airport lounge access, hotel elite status, or comprehensive travel insurance, you’ll need to look at higher-tier travel cards.
Ideal for:
- People who want a no-annual-fee travel credit card
- Bank of America or Merrill customers looking to maximize Preferred Rewards bonuses
- Travelers who want flexible, easy-to-use travel points
- Students and young professionals looking for entry-level travel rewards cards
Bottom Line
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a top pick for travelers seeking simplicity, flexibility, and value. With unlimited 1.5x points on every purchase, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees, it works just as well for daily spending as it does for international travel. For Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, the potential to boost earnings by up to 75% makes it an even more powerful rewards tool. Whether you’re new to travel credit cards or want a low-maintenance way to earn travel rewards, this card delivers strong value with minimal hassle.
Other Credit Cards to Consider
Capital One Quicksilver®: best for simple, unlimited rewards. Earn 1.5% cashback on every purchase, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, a sign-up bonus, and a 0% intro APR offer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: great for everyday spending and cashback. Offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases, plus a welcome bonus and 0% intro APR. However, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards: a no-annual-fee travel card offering 1.25x miles on all purchases, no foreign transaction fees, a welcome bonus, and 0% intro APR. A good option if you want the ability to transfer miles to airline partners.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: a powerful bonus category card offering 3x points on travel, dining, gas, streaming services, and transit; 1x on other purchases. Includes a sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases.
Bilt Mastercard: a unique card that lets you earn points on rent (with no fees if rent is paid through Bilt), plus 3x on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on everything else. Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, and the card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Great for renters who also travel.
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The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by big4credit.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.