Amex Platinum vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a breakdown of what makes the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card a solid choice for travelers.

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• Its rewards program is incredibly straightforward, letting you earn a consistent rate on all your spending without worrying about bonus categories.
• You have the flexibility to redeem points as a statement credit against a wide variety of travel and even dining purchases.
• As a Visa Signature card, it comes with built-in travel protections that offer peace of mind when you're on the road.

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Pros

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• There’s no annual fee to carry the card, and you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.
• The rewards structure is simple: you earn a flat rate on every purchase, with no need to track or activate rotating categories.
• If you’re an eligible Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn a significant bonus on all the points you collect.

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Cons

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• The rewards program is straightforward but lacks bonus categories, meaning you won't earn extra points on specific spending like travel or dining.
• Redemption options are somewhat limited, as points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, and the card doesn't offer premium travel perks like airport lounge access.
• The card's highest earning potential is reserved for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, a status which may not be accessible to every cardholder.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs American Express Platinum Card®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Platinum or Bank of America Travel Rewards, comes down to your travel frequency and spending habits. Each card is designed for a different type of traveler, offering distinct benefits that cater to specific needs.

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• The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel card built for frequent travelers. It offers luxury perks and extensive benefits designed to elevate the travel experience for those who are constantly on the go.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is best suited for occasional travelers or those new to travel rewards. It provides a straightforward, low-maintenance way to earn points on all purchases, making it a great entry-level option.

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Redemption

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American Express Platinum Card®: Cardholders can maximize value by transferring points to various airline and hotel partners. Points can also be redeemed for travel bookings directly through the American Express portal.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards: Redemption is straightforward, allowing you to apply your points as a statement credit against any eligible travel or dining purchases. This flexibility lets you book travel your way and simply erase the purchase from your statement.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers extensive airport lounge access via its Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion® Lounges and Priority Pass memberships. Terms apply. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card does not include complimentary lounge access.
• Elite Status: The Amex Platinum provides complimentary elite status with partner hotel and car rental programs, such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. Terms apply. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card does not offer this benefit.
• Travel Portals: While both cards offer booking portals, the American Express Travel portal provides access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts® program, which comes with exclusive perks like room upgrades and property credits. Terms apply. The Bank of America® card's strength lies in its flexibility, allowing you to book travel anywhere and redeem points as a statement credit, rather than focusing on portal-specific benefits.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international spending, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual transaction history—no application or hard credit pull required.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover the best cards for you with data-driven matching based on your spending patterns.
• Financial management tools: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your cards in one place.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can maximize a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder regularly takes advantage of extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and a variety of annual statement credits for things like digital entertainment and Uber. Ultimately, the ideal user is someone whose lifestyle and spending habits already align with these perks, allowing them to easily extract more value than the card's substantial 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 and casual travelers who want a straightforward entry into earning travel rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's also particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers who can leverage the Preferred Rewards program for a higher earning rate, as well as for users who prefer the simplicity of a single card for all their spending. With its simple flat-rate rewards on all purchases and a dedicated student version, the card serves as a low-maintenance option for budget-conscious individuals and those just starting to build their credit history.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Amex Platinum vs Bank of America Travel Rewards comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet any welcome offer spending requirements.
• Review issuer rules - Look into application restrictions and loyalty programs to maximize value.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage banking relationships - Some issuers, like Bank of America, offer enhanced rewards for existing customers.
• Prepare to manage perks - Many premium card benefits, like those on some American Express cards, require manual enrollment.
• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements.

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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Which card is better for beginners in travel rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is generally better for beginners due to its straightforward rewards structure and no annual fee. In contrast, The Platinum Card® from American Express is more complex and designed for frequent travelers who can maximize its extensive benefits to offset the high annual fee.

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Can I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?

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You can transfer Membership Rewards points from The Platinum Card® from American Express to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering flexible redemption options (Terms apply). The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card does not offer point transfers to external partners; its points are redeemed for statement credits against travel purchases.

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Is the annual fee on the Amex Platinum justifiable?

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Whether the Amex Platinum's substantial annual fee is justifiable depends entirely on your travel and spending habits. If you can take full advantage of its many statement credits, lounge access, and elite status benefits, the value you receive can easily exceed the fee (Terms apply).

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