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Bank of America ranks as the fifth-largest issuer of general purpose credit cards in the U.S. in terms of purchase volume as of 2021. One of the biggest issuers of cards in the Visa network, Bank of America has about 4,200 branches across the U.S. and offers cards for those seeking travel and cash back rewards, as well as student, balance transfer, and business credit cards.
We researched and scored Bank of America credit cards to find the best ones for consumers and businesses with a variety of needs. From travel credit cards to cash back cards and even cards for those with bad credit, Bank of America has a credit card to suit your individual needs. Keep reading for our top picks of the best Bank of America credit cards.
Best Bank of America Credit Cards for March 2023
- Best Overall, Best Travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
- Best Student: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
- Best No Annual Fee Travel: Bank of America Travel Rewards
- Best Cash Back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best Business: Business Advantage Travel Rewards
- Best for Bad Credit: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
Best Overall, Best Travel : Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
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Earn 50,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Regular APR (%) | 19.49% - 26.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $95 |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
Balance Transfer Fee | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
Foreign transaction fee (%) | 0% |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
Bank of America Premium Rewards card is our choice for the best overall and best travel card from Bank of America due to its flexible redemption options, generous bonus points offer, and no foreign transaction fees. This card does charge a $95 annual fee, though that is in line with other popular travel rewards cards from competing issuers and should be easily justified with earnings from consistent use.
Rewards rates range between solid and standout
Generous travel-fee credits
Large bonus
No points-transfer partners
No choice in travel vendors
Read the full Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card review
Best Student : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
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$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Regular APR (%) | 17.49% - 27.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn 3% cash back in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined categories each quarter, then 1%. |
INTRO PURCHASE APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
INTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
Balance Transfer Fee | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. |
Foreign transaction fee (%) | 3% |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
Our winner for the best Bank of America student credit card is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students because of its flexible cash back rewards program. This is a good card for students who want to build their credit while earning cash back on everyday items like gas, online shopping, and groceries. With no annual fee and a 18-month offer of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, it’s worth checking out.
3% cash back on the category of your choice and 2% on groceries up to a quarterly combined spending cap
18-month 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers from the time of account opening
Overdraft protection and rewards bonuses for banking customers
Foreign transaction fee is less than ideal for students traveling or studying abroad
Highest rewards earnings are capped
Relatively high spending required for the one-time $200 introductory bonus
Read the full Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students credit card review
Best No Annual Fee Travel : Bank of America Travel Rewards
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25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening - which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases.
Regular APR (%) | 17.49% - 27.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere. |
INTRO PURCHASE APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
INTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
Balance Transfer Fee | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
Foreign transaction fee (%) | 0% |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
We rate the Bank of America Travel Rewards card as the best no annual fee travel card because of its generous rewards on all purchases and excellent bonus opportunity. Its travel redemption options and its lack of annual fee or foreign transaction fees also helped it to earn this top spot.
Earn points on every purchase with no spending caps
No annual or foreign transaction fees
High-net-worth Bank of America and Merrill customers receive points bonuses
Rewards rates are relatively modest
Reward points can't be transferred
Premium travel benefits aren't included
Read the full Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review
Best Cash Back : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Regular APR (%) | 17.49% - 27.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. |
INTRO PURCHASE APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
INTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR | 0% for 18 Statement Closing Dates |
Balance Transfer Fee | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
Foreign transaction fee (%) | 3% |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
We selected the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card as the best cash back rewards option from Bank of America because of its lucrative cash back rate on purchases and simple statement credit, check, or gift card redemption options. The card offers bonus earnings on a category of choice as well as enhanced earnings on grocery purchases, with a base rate on all other purchases.
Generous cash back rewards
New cardholders earn a bonus offer easily
No annual fee
Fairly generous introductory 0% APR offer
Spending caps on premium rewards earnings
Limited redemption options
Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review
Best Business : Business Advantage Travel Rewards
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30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days.
Regular APR (%) | 16.49% - 26.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Earn 3 points per $1 spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center. |
INTRO PURCHASE APR | 0% for 9 Billing Cycles |
Balance Transfer Fee | Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. |
Cash Advance APR (%) | 28.49% |
Cash Advance Fee | Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
We chose the Business Advantage Travel Rewards as our top pick for Bank of America business cards because of its competitive earnings on all spending and the ability to earn 3 points per every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America Travel Center. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Regular redemption is as simple as requesting points be applied to travel and dining purchases. The one-time bonus is valued at $300, which is excellent for a no annual fee business card.
Earn unlimited points with no spending caps
Easily earned, if modest, bonus
Rewards boost with a high-balance bank or investment account
Limited options for getting the best return on rewards
No premium travel benefits
Read the full Business Advantage Travel Rewards credit card review
Best for Bad Credit : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
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Regular APR (%) | 27.49% variable |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Minimum Deposit to Activate | $300 |
Pay deposit in installments | No |
Allows upgrade to unsecured card | Yes |
Rewards Earning Rate | Earn 3% cash back in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined categories each quarter, then 1%. |
- Why We Chose This Card:
- Pros & Cons:
We chose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card as the best Bank of America card for bad credit because of its competitive rewards rates. With no annual fee and the ability to upgrade to an unsecured card, this is a great option for those looking to build or repair their credit.
Competitive rewards rates for a secured card
May be upgraded to an unsecured card with responsible use
No annual fee
Minimum security deposit required
Security deposit does not earn interest
Balance transfer fee
Read the full Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured credit card review
Final Verdict
Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards with different rewards and benefits programs to meet the specific wants and needs of consumers. Whether you are looking for a personal credit that offers travel rewards, a student credit card to help you begin building credit, or a business credit card, Bank of America has a credit card that can fit your needs. No matter your budget, Bank of America has a card for you with many cards that don’t require an annual fee.
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card is our top pick for the best overall credit card and the best travel credit card due to its flexible redemption options, generous bonus offer, and no foreign transaction fees. While it does come with a $95 annual fee, the rewards and benefits you get from this card can more than make up for the cost.
Compare the Best Bank of America Credit Cards
Credit Card | Intro Offer | Rewards | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Min. Credit Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
Best Overall, Best Travel |
50,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in first 90 days of account opening | Unlimited points for every $1 spent on travel/dining Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on grocery store purchases through to 12/31/21 Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases | $95 | 19.49 to 26.49% | 670 |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
Best Student |
$200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in first 90 days of your account opening | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases | $0 | 27.49% | 670 |
Bank of America Travel Rewards
Best No Annual Fee Travel |
25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening–which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time, and no expiration on points | $0 | 18.24% to 28.24% | 670 |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best Cash Back |
Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days after your account opening | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/ grocery store/ wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases | $0 | 18.24 to 28.24% | 670 |
Business Advantage Travel Rewards
Best Business |
Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases with 90 days of account opening Can be redeemed for $300 statement credit toward travel or dining | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Earn 3 points per $1 spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center. | $0 | 16.49% to 26.49% | 670 |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
Best for Bad Credit |
None | 3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases | $0 | 27.49% | 350 |
Editorial Picks of the Best Bank of American Credit Cards
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Best Overall, Best for Travel
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere. Use the 12-month 0% APR promotion on purchases.
Read the full Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card Review.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students
Best Student
Students can enjoy a $200 cash rewards bonus offer after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of opening an account.
Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students Review.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Best No Annual Fee Travel
Take advantage of the generous bonus offer of 25,000 points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. This can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases.
Read the full Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Review.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best Cash Back
Offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings) as well as 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Review.
Business Advantage Travel Rewards Credit Card
Best Business
Business owners can earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases as well as 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel center.
Read the full Business Advantage Travel Rewards Credit Card Review.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured
Best for Bad Credit
Start rebuilding or repairing your credit while you earn cash back. Earn competitive rewards with a secured card and work toward being upgraded to an unsecured card with responsible use.
Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Review.
Types of Bank of America Cards
Bank of America issues Mastercard and Visa cards but does not issue cards on the American Express or Discover networks. Its cards include points and cash back rewards options for consumers and small businesses, along with cards for college students and those who want to transfer balances or build credit. The different types of credit cards offered by Bank of America include:
- Cash rewards credit cards
- Cards for building credit
- Credit cards for students
- Lower interest rate credit cards
- Points rewards credit cards
- Travel rewards credit cards
- Airline rewards credit cards
How Bank of America's Rewards Program Works
Bank of America's rewards points are earned at various levels based on the card product. They can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or for travel through Bank of America's travel center. As with many issuers' rewards platforms, earned points generally have the greatest value when they're redeemed for travel through the travel portal.
Is a Bank of America Credit Card Worth Getting?
Whether you are looking for a personal credit card or a business credit card, Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards to meet an array of wants and needs.
Credit Card Benefits
Those interested in earning cash back rewards, travel rewards, or points rewards can benefit from a Bank of America credit card. Students looking to build their credit while also earning cash back or travel rewards can benefit from a Bank of America Student credit card.
Credit Card Interest Rate
If you want a credit card that will help you to save on interest, Bank of America offers credit cards with 0% APR intro offers for purchases and balance transfers for a certain number of months.
Credit Card Fees
Bank of America offers many credit cards with no annual fee. Some credit cards, including the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, do have a $95 annual fee but are worth it for those who take advantage of the generous bonus offer and solid reward points program.
What Credit Score Is Needed for a Bank of America Credit Card?
Bank of America generally requires good or excellent credit for the majority of its consumer and business cards. A good to excellent FICO credit score ranges from 670 to 850. Bank of America does consider those with no credit history for its student card options and those with lower scores for its non-rewards and secured card options.
To apply for a Bank of America credit card, you can complete an online application and get a response in as little as 60 seconds. You will be asked to fill in some demographic information (name, address), information about your citizenship (including Social Security number), as well as employment information including your total annual income and primary source of income.
Once you have submitted all of your information, you will receive one of four decision messages. One is that your application has been approved. In this case, you can expect to receive your credit card within 10 days. You might also receive a message saying your application has been approved, but for a different card. It’s also possible to receive a message saying more time is needed to review your information. Finally, you may receive a notice saying you have been declined.
Before applying for a Bank of America credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit score so you have a good understanding of your current creditworthiness. Bank of America uses all three of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
How Good Is Bank of America Customer Service?
Bank of America received a score of 805 out of 1,000 points in the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study and ranked fifth out of 11 major national credit card issuers. The average score among major issuers was 809. Its mobile app scored first in a 2021 J.D. Power survey for customer satisfaction. As another of its services, Bank of America offers customers access to their FICO credit score.
What Is the History of Bank of America?
Bank of America Corporation was formed through the merger of San Francisco, CA-based BankAmerica and Charlotte, NC-based NationsBank in 1998, creating one of the country's largest banking organizations. Bank of America can trace its roots to the Bank of Italy, started by an Italian immigrant to serve his community in 1904. Bank of America launched the BankAmericard in 1958, which was the second universal credit card ever offered, with Diners Club being the first. The card network behind the BankAmericard eventually evolved into Visa after being spun off from the bank in the 1970s. Bank of America dramatically grew its credit card portfolio when it acquired MBNA in 2005.
Methodology
To choose the best Bank of America credit cards, we filtered our list of nearly 300 credit cards. We looked at credit card features including rewards, bonus offers, interest rates, fees, and benefits. We also considered the security of the card and the level of customer service provided. A weighted algorithm was used to determine which cards would be included in our final list.
MEET OUR CREDIT CARDS EXPERT
Ben Woolsey is Investopedia's Associate Editorial Director of Financial Products and Services, including credit cards. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including marketing for banking and financial institutions such as Associates First Capital and Bank One. Prior to Investopedia, he managed credit card content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com.
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