Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured: Build Credit with Travel Rewards

Build or rebuild your credit while earning 1.5X points on every purchase, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

The Bottom Line

3.6
BIG4CREDIT RANKING Our 5-star rating is based on Big4credit’s independent, data-driven scoring system. Each card is evaluated across multiple weighted categories – including rewards, fees, welcome offers, 0% intro APR, ongoing APR, perks, benefits, and protections. Ratings are determined solely by our research and analysis and are never influenced by card issuers or advertisers. Read about our ranking system in the Credit Card Ranking & Methodology section.
One of the few secured cards that lets you build or rebuild credit while earning 1.5X points on all purchases. With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible travel redemptions, it stands out from most secured cards. The tradeoff is a required security deposit, relatively modest rewards, and limited perks. Best for consumers building or rebuilding credit who want simple travel rewards without an annual fee.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured
Annual fee:   $0

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

27.49% Variable APR

Credit Score

300-669 (Poor/Fair)

Rewards 1.5X points on all purchases.

1.5x Points

Welcome Offer N/A

N/A


Best For

  • Building or rebuilding credit
  • International purchases (no foreign transaction fees)
  • Travelers who need a secured credit card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card is best suited for people building or rebuilding credit who also plan to travel internationally. Unlike many secured credit cards, it charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a practical option for students studying abroad, frequent travelers, or newcomers who want to avoid extra fees on purchases made outside the U.S.

However, the card’s long-term value is fairly limited. It doesn’t offer a welcome bonus or many premium benefits, and its rewards program isn’t as competitive as some other secured cards. If your spending is primarily domestic and your goal is maximizing cashback or ongoing rewards, you’ll likely find stronger alternatives. This card is best viewed as a credit-building tool with the added advantage of being international travel-friendly.


Rewards

1.5X Points on all purchases.


Redemption Options

Redeem points for a statement credit towards travel and dining, or use them to book your next trip.

  • Eligible travel redemptions include flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, and baggage fees.
  • Unlike many travel rewards cards, you aren’t restricted to a specific travel portal, and there are no blackout dates or booking limitations tied to particular websites.

Fees and APR

  • Security Deposit:
    • Minimum Requirement: Open your account with a refundable security deposit of $200 to $5,000. Your credit limit will be based on your deposit amount, income, and ability to repay.
    • Your account may be periodically reviewed for eligibility to have your security deposit returned based on your credit history, account management, and overall relationship with the issuer.
  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • Regular APR: 27.49% Variable APR.
  • Balance Transfer Fees: 5% of each transfer amount.
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.

Pay your balance in full each month. Because this card has a relatively high APR, it’s best to use it for purchases you can pay off in full each billing cycle. That way, you can build your credit history without paying costly interest.


Bank Relationship Benefits

  • BofA Rewards™ Eligibility: An eligible Bank of America® personal checking account is required to enroll in BofA Rewards™.
  • Boosted Rewards for BofA Rewards™ Members: If you’re enrolled in BofA Rewards™, you can earn 10% to 75% more points.
    • Member: 10% rewards bonus
      • 1.65X Points on all purchases.
    • Preferred Plus: 25% rewards bonus
      • 1.87X Points on all purchases.
    • Preferred Honors: 50% rewards bonus
      • 2.25X Points on all purchases.
    • Premier: 75% rewards bonus
      • 2.62X Points on all purchases.

» MORE: BofA Rewards™ program


Convenience Features

Digital wallet compatible: Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay.


Buy Now, Pay Later Options

Custom Pay Plan: Break up eligible credit card purchases into equal monthly payments. No interest, just a fixed monthly fee.


Ratings

  • Net Value & Cost Efficiency: 6.7/10
  • Rewards & Earnings Power: 8.5/10
  • Welcome Bonus Value: 0/10
  • APR & Interest Structure: 2.8/10
  • Simplicity & Transparency: 9.7/10
  • Perks, Benefits & Protections: 1.9/10
  • Issuer Credibility & Stability: 7.1/10
  • Installment & BNPL Features: 7/10
  • Eligibility & Approval Accessibility: 9.5/10

Terms and Conditions

Click Apply Now to see the terms and conditions.


» MORE: See Big4credit’s best credit cards for bad credit

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