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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card simplifies earning travel points with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn a nice sign-up bonus too. Keep reading to learn more about this popular card.
This straightforward travel credit card makes it simple to earn and redeem rewards with no complicated bonus categories to track. It’s a nice fit whether you travel occasionally or frequently throughout the year. The 1.5x earning rate, generous new cardholder bonus, and mobile wallet compatibility add to its convenience and appeal.
Benefits of Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card
The list of benefits offered by this credit card can impress any traveler out there. Here are the major benefits that you can get from the card as a traveler.
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- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases;
- 25,000-point sign-up bonus worth $250 in travel;
- $0 annual fee;
- No foreign transaction fees;
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles;
- Contactless payment capability;
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection access;
- Digital wallet compatible for easy mobile payments.
Prerequisites
A good to excellent personal credit score typically 690 or higher is recommended to qualify for approval for the Bank of America Travel Rewards card. As a Visa Signature card, it maintains stricter eligibility standards than standard Visa cards. Before applying, check your credit reports and FICO scores through Experian, Equifax or Transunion to understand your current credit health. Having minimal credit card debt and a track record of on-time payments will raise your chances for approval.
Also consider your relationship status with Bank of America. Current banking clients who have eligible checking or savings accounts, CDs, IRAs or investment accounts often have higher approval rates for Bank of America credit cards. Try to avoid opening several other credit card accounts in the past 6 months when applying as this can sometimes reduce instant approval odds.
Know that you can call Bank of America after submitting your application to check status or provide additional financial details. This may help push through pending applications by allowing you to confirm income, current home status or answer any verification questions. Having an existing banking relationship also gives their team more insight to potentially reconsider declines.
TAP HERE TO APPLY BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS VISA
About Bank of America
Bank of America is a 100+ year old financial institution serving consumer and institutional clients. It has over 66 million customers globally through operations in the U.S. as well as internationally.
In addition to banking services, Bank of America offers investing and wealth management solutions via Merrill. It also issues popular co-branded credit cards like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and Bank of America® Cash Rewards cards.
The bank has over 4,300 retail financial center locations throughout the U.S. It also offers robust digital banking capabilities via both online and mobile platforms. Customers can easily manage accounts, make payments, deposit checks and more using their industry-leading mobile app.
Who is this card for?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card is a great fit for light to frequent travelers who want simple, easy-to-use travel rewards. It’s especially attractive for existing Bank of America banking clients who can maximize the 25-75% rewards boost through Preferred Rewards. However, any occasional traveler who wants flexibility can benefit from this card.
Step by Step to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card:
- Click the below link to visit the online application from Bank of America;
- Provide required personal and financial information including your name, address, income details, Social Security Number and date of birth;
- Review the terms and conditions then Submit your application;
- You’ll typically receive an instant decision but may need to wait 1-2 weeks for a response by mail.
Download the Bank of America mobile banking app for iOS or Android to manage your account anytime.
TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS VISAMOBILE APP ON IOS
TAP HERE TO DOWLOAD THE BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS VISA MOBILE APP ON IOS
Positives and Negatives
There is plenty to like about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card. Top pros include no annual fee, a generous 25,000-point sign-up bonus after meeting minimum spend requirements, and the straightforward unlimited 1.5x points per dollar spent on all purchases. There are also nice perks like 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for over a year. Customers can redeem rewards as travel statement credits toward a wide range of purchases including airfare, hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, gas stations, taxis and more. Digital wallet compatibility and lack of foreign transaction fees make this card travel friendly as well.
However, the card comes up short in a few areas compared to premium travel cards. There are no bonus spending categories to earn elevated points on frequent purchases like gas, groceries or dining. It also carries relatively high interest rates between 18.24%-28.24% after the 0% intro period ends. And while Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can boost rewards by 25%-75%, you must have sufficient assets at Bank of America or Merrill Lynch to qualify for those tiers. Non-customers won’t benefit from that perk. Overall, though, the no-fee cost and flexible 1.5x earn rate help offset a few of these cons for casual travelers.
While there are cards that offer higher rewards in certain categories, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card provides an uncomplicated way to earn travel points every day. The signup bonus, redemption flexibility and access to Preferred Rewards make this a keeper.
How to Activate Your Card
Follow these steps once you receive your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card:
- Call the number on the sticker on your card or the number listed on your welcome materials;
- You’ll be prompted to create your card PIN number which you’ll use for cash advances and certain transactions;
- The automated system will then walk you through the card activation process by verifying some personal details;
- Once activated, you can immediately begin using your card for purchases online, in apps or in-store;
- Consider setting up online or mobile banking to manage your account. You can also enroll in account alerts and other security features.
Fees & Interest Rates
- No annual fee;
- 18.24%-28.24% variable APR on purchases and balances after 0% intro period ends;
- 3% balance transfer fee;
- Up to $40 late payment fee;
- No foreign transaction fees.
Take advantage of the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles your account is open. After that period, the ongoing purchase and balance transfer APR of 18.24%-28.24% kicks in.
Customer Service
Contact Bank of America customer service at:
- Phone: 800.932.2775;
- Online Banking & Mobile App (enroll to message support)
- Website
- Mobile Banking App: iOS and Android
Bank of America provides customer service 24/7 for credit card accounts via phone and digital channels. Reach out with any questions about your account, managing your rewards, assistance with payments and more.