Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card Review – Is It the Right Travel Card for You?
February 6, 2025
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a popular choice for travelers who want simplicity. With no annual fee and a straightforward rewards scheme, it promises easy earnings: 1.5 points per $1 on every purchase. There’s even a sign-up bonus.
But is this card the best fit for your wallet, and how can you make the most of it? In this review, we’ll break down the card’s features, pros and cons, compare it to a key competitor, and answer the big question: Is it worth it? Plus, we’ll show how using Kudos can help you squeeze extra value from the Travel Rewards card.
Key Features and Benefits
- No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees: This card costs $0 to carry, which is a huge plus for budget-conscious users. You also won’t pay any fees on purchases abroad, saving ~3% per transaction compared to cards that do charge foreign fees – great for international travel.
- Flat Rewards on Everything: You earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases – whether it’s flights, groceries, or your Netflix subscription. There are no rotating categories or spending caps to worry about.
- Sign-up Bonus: New cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points by spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. That’s equivalent to $250 toward travel expenses – a nice head start for a no-fee card.
- Flexible Redemption: Points are very flexible. You can redeem points for a statement credit to cover travel or dining purchases – essentially erasing those costs with your rewards. You’re not tied into any specific airline or hotel program. In fact, Bank of America’s definition of “travel” is broad, covering not just airfare and hotels but also things like campgrounds, amusement parks, and even art galleries.
- 0% Intro APR: There’s a 0% intro APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, which can be helpful if you have a big travel purchase to pay off over time. Just plan to pay it off before the regular APR kicks in.
- Travel Protections: Being a Visa Signature card, it typically comes with some basic travel insurance benefits, $0 fraud liability, and rental car insurance. It’s not as packed with perks as premium travel cards, but it covers the essentials for peace of mind on trips.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "190", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Occasional Travelers", "headerHint": "Decent Choice"} ]]
Rewards Program: Earning and Redeeming Points
With a flat 1.5X earning rate, this card keeps things simple. For example, a $500 flight or a $500 laptop both earn the same 750 points. There’s no need to strategize categories – a relief if you dislike complexity. However, 1.5% back is a modest return for a travel card; many cash-back cards offer similar or higher rates.
If you also bank or invest with Bank of America/Merrill, you can qualify for bonus rewards on this card. Customers with significant assets at BoA can get a 25% to 75% rewards bonus on every purchase.
At the highest tier, you’d be earning 2.625% back in points on everything – which is outstanding for a no-annual-fee card. The caveat is not everyone can have $100k parked in Bank of America accounts. If you’re not in Preferred Rewards, you’re back to 1.5X points, which is good but not game-changing.
Points redeem at a value of $0.01 each for a statement credit toward travel and dining purchases. For instance, that 25k bonus = $250 off a hotel stay. There are no blackout dates or portals required – you can book travel however you like, then apply points to wipe out the charge.
This flexibility rivals the best cash-back cards. You can also redeem for cash back or gift cards, but at the same 1 cent per point rate, so travel/dining credits are the core value. There’s no way to transfer these points to airline or hotel programs – remember, this is essentially a fixed-value rewards card.
Not sure which card suits you? This is where Kudos can help. The Kudos extension can analyze your spending patterns and show which card would earn you more rewards for your habits.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros:
- No annual fee – all rewards are net gain.
- Easy-to-use rewards – 1.5X on everything, no hassle. Great for light travelers or as a “one card” setup.
- Flexible redemption – use points for a wide array of travel or dining purchases, with no loyalty program restrictions.
- Introductory perks – 0% intro APR period and a nice welcome bonus for a no-fee card.
- No foreign fees – good for international use.
Cons:
- No bonus categories – 1.5X is relatively low for travel spending; many travel cards or even flat cash-back cards can out-earn it unless you have Preferred Rewards status.
- Few premium benefits – no travel insurance beyond basic, no lounge access, no point transfer partners. This is a simple card, so you don’t get the bells and whistles that come with higher-tier travel cards.
- Preferred Rewards dependence – The card’s full potential is unlocked only if you’re a Bank of America loyalist with large balances. Without that, it’s a solid but unremarkable 1.5% card.
- Redemption limitations – Can only redeem points against past 12 months’ travel/dining purchases. And if you prefer luxury redemption options like business class flights via points transfers, this card won’t provide that.
Comparing Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card with Other Credit Cards
When considering the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X on other purchases
- Standout feature: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card]:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners
American Express® Gold Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $325
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card excels in offering simplicity to occasional travelers
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers versatile travel rewards
- Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning
- American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards
[[ CARD_LIST * {"ids": ["509","438", "118"]} ]]
Who Is This Card Best For?
- Beginners and Casual Travelers: If you’re new to travel rewards or only travel a few times a year, this card is an excellent starter. You won’t be overwhelmed by complex programs.
- Bank of America Customers: Already have a BoA checking or savings? Planning to invest with Merrill? If so, and you can reach Preferred Rewards status, this card’s value skyrockets.
- Students (College Edition): There’s a student version of this card – Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students – designed for thin credit histories. It has the same rewards and is a great first travel card for students building credit.
- One-Card Strategy Folks: If you dislike keeping track of multiple credit cards, the flat-rate simplicity of Travel Rewards lets you use one card for everything and still get rewarded. It’s a very low-maintenance addition to your wallet.
On the other hand, this card is not ideal for avid travelers seeking luxury perks, nor for big spenders who could justify a premium card’s fee for higher rewards. If you travel frequently and spend a lot on travel and dining, you might outgrow the flat 1.5% quickly.
Maximizing Your Rewards with Kudos
Using the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is straightforward – and with Kudos, it gets even better. Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that acts as your personal shopping and rewards assistant.
Here’s how Kudos can amplify the value of this card:
- Automatic Reward Tracking: Kudos tracks your credit card rewards earnings in real time, so you can see those 1.5x points adding up with every purchase, without logging into your BoA account each time.
- Bonus Opportunities: The extension will identify opportunities to earn bonus points.
- Stack Rewards: Kudos helps you stack rewards with other programs. The BoA Travel Rewards card doesn’t have its own transfer partners, but you can still use portals like Rakuten or airline dining programs.
- Optimize Redemptions: When it’s time to redeem, Kudos can show you the best redemption options or even if using points vs. paying with another card is the smarter move.
Kudos essentially turns the Travel Rewards card from a good card into a great part of your rewards strategy. If you have multiple cards, Kudos will ensure the BoA Travel Rewards is used when it should be and suggest another card when that would earn you more.
It’s like having a personal rewards coach every time you shop online – and it’s free. In fact, as of this writing, Kudos is offering new users a bonus $20 back after your first purchase at a qualifying merchant – just use code GET20 when signing up!.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Worth It?
Finally, the big question: Is it worth getting this card? The answer: Yes, for many people, it absolutely is – but it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a no-fuss, no-cost travel credit card that lets you earn decent rewards on everything and redeem flexibly, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is worth it. It’s especially valuable for those who refuse to pay annual fees or are just starting out in the travel rewards game. You can earn and redeem without jumping through hoops. As a travel card for the “rest of us”, it covers the bases: no fees, some travel protections, and easy rewards. However, if you’re seeking top-tier travel perks or big earning categories, it may not be worth it as your primary travel card.
The BoA Travel Rewards card is worth it for the easygoing traveler or as a solid “starter” travel card. It won’t cost you anything to hold, and it offers a little taste of everything – points, a bonus, flexibility. For many, that’s a perfect combo. And remember, using Kudos can make it even more worthwhile by ensuring you always maximize those 1.5X rewards and by complementing the card with other deals.
Essentially, Kudos helps you capture the full value of the Travel Rewards card. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to earn travel points on everyday spending, Bank of America Travel Rewards is a strong pick. And if you want to double down on getting value, give Kudos a try alongside it – you’ll travel farther for free and never leave rewards on the table.
FAQ: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Does the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card have an annual fee?
No, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Can you transfer points from the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card to airlines or hotels
No, you cannot transfer points to airline or hotel partners. Points redeem at a fixed rate (1 cent each) as statement credits for travel or dining purchases.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, saving you money on international purchases.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card good for beginners?
Yes, it's excellent for beginners. The straightforward rewards structure (1.5 points per $1 spent) and lack of annual fees make it easy to manage and use effectively.
Can you redeem points for cash back or gift cards?
Yes, you can redeem points for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. However, redeeming points for travel or dining statement credits typically provides the best value.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card worth it without Preferred Rewards status?
Yes, for casual travelers who want simplicity and no annual fee. But, its value significantly increases with Preferred Rewards status, providing up to 75% bonus points.
How can Kudos help maximize rewards with this card?
Kudos identifies bonus reward opportunities, tracks rewards earnings automatically, and suggests when other cards in your wallet might earn you more, helping you maximize every purchase.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
