Amex Business Gold vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2026?

Bank of America Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a quick look at why we recommend the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card.

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• The card is straightforward to use, offering a simple rewards structure that applies to all your purchases.
• It provides flexible redemption options, allowing you to cover a wide range of travel and dining expenses without being locked into a specific loyalty program.
• As a card with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, it's a cost-effective choice, especially for international travel.

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Pros

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• Earning rewards is simple, with a flat rate on all purchases and no need to track complicated bonus categories.
• You have the freedom to book travel your way—directly with airlines, hotels, or through third-party sites—and redeem points as a statement credit for those purchases.
• The card offers wide global acceptance, making it a reliable choice for your wallet whether you're at home or abroad.

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Cons

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• The card's rewards structure is a flat rate on all purchases, which can be less lucrative than cards offering bonus rewards in specific spending categories.
• It lacks many premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access or the option to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• The card's full earning potential is primarily reserved for existing Bank of America customers with high account balances.

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Bank of America Travel Rewards, depends entirely on your specific spending habits and travel frequency.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for business owners, serving as a versatile tool for growing companies that need flexibility in their spending categories.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an excellent starter card for occasional travelers or those new to travel rewards who prefer simplicity.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to use points for travel, gift cards, or merchandise. You can also transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, which often provides the greatest value.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: With this card, you redeem points for a statement credit to offset the cost of eligible travel and dining purchases. This straightforward process is ideal for those who value simplicity and ease of use.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Using a tool like Kudos allows you to compare thousands of top-rated cards to find the one that truly maximizes your rewards.

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• “Test drive” credit cards by simulating potential earnings based on your actual spending history.
• Get personalized card recommendations that match your spending patterns.
• See your approval odds for different cards based on an analysis of your credit report.
• Unlock special bonuses, including a $20 sign-up offer and a $100 Kickstart+ reward.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is designed for growing companies with variable expenses and annual spending of $50,000 or more. It's particularly valuable for businesses that can maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points on their top two spending categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually, then 1X points. (Terms apply.) Ultimately, this card is a strong fit for entrepreneurs who value flexible rewards and can leverage high spending in bonus categories like U.S. advertising or U.S. shipping to offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners in the points and miles world or casual travelers who prefer a straightforward, no-annual-fee option. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers who can leverage Preferred Rewards for a higher earning rate, as well as students looking to build credit with their first travel card. Those who favor a simple, one-card strategy for all their spending will appreciate its flat-rate rewards structure that doesn't require tracking complicated bonus categories.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Business Gold vs Bank of America Travel Rewards comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent business travel cards on the market to explore.

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_{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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
• Understand the rewards - Know if the card offers flexible transfer partners or fixed-value statement credits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the card type - Some cards are designed for business owners, like the American Express® Business Gold Card, while others are for personal use.
• Leverage existing relationships - You can unlock higher reward rates with certain cards, like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, by being an existing customer.
• Time your application - Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet the minimum spend requirement for a welcome offer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I choose the right business credit card?

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To choose the right business credit card, evaluate your company's spending habits, the types of rewards that would be most valuable, and consider factors like annual fees and introductory offers. Aligning the card's benefits with your primary business expenses is key to maximizing its value.

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Can I use a business credit card for personal expenses?

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It is strongly recommended to keep business and personal expenses separate to simplify accounting and maintain liability protections. Consistently using a business card for personal purchases can create bookkeeping headaches and potential legal issues.

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How does a business credit card affect my personal credit score?

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Most business credit card issuers report activity to commercial credit bureaus, but some also report to personal credit bureaus, which can impact your personal score. It's important to check an issuer's reporting policy before applying, as your payment history can affect your credit.

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