Bank of America Travel Rewards review: Earn unlimited points for travel, no matter where you shop

The BankAmericard® credit card is not currently in market.

  Most credit cards are known for offering either travel rewards, a 0% interest period or a large welcome bonus, but the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers cardholders all three perks.

  With no annual fee, you can maximize the number of points you earn to use on travel purchases without worrying about whether you spend enough to justify the high cost that come with some travel rewards cards. You can earn unlimited 1.5X points for every $1 you spend on all your purchases. You can use your points toward eligible travel expenses and, just like with many comparable travel credit cards, your points never expire.

  Below, Select breaks down the rewards, benefits and fees associated with the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card to help you decide if it’s the right card for you.

  Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review

  Rewards

  Additional benefits

  Fees

  Bottom line

  Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card rewards

  No matter whether you use your credit card at the supermarket, the pump or to book a flight, you’ll earn 1.5X points for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases.

  Right now, new cardholders can also take advantage of a generous welcome offer: Earn 25,000 bonus points after making $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. This can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

  You can start redeeming your rewards once you’ve earned 2,500 (for travel) or 3,125 for gift cards. The value of your points vary depending on how you use them. You get the best rate (1 point = $0.001) if you use your Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card to book your travel and then apply your rewards as a statement credit to essentially reimburse yourself for your travel costs.

  This method of travel rewards reimbursement is similar to redeem points for future travel, available on cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

  You can also redeem your points for a cash reward either in the form of a check or electronic deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account or for credit to an eligible cash management account with Merrill. Each point redeemed for cash is worth $0.006 (2,500 points = $15). The redemption value for gift cards varies, so you’ll want to do your research before you cash in your points that way.

  Additional benefits

  Bank of America Travel Rewards cardholders can benefit from the Museums on Us® program. During the first full weekend every month, you can gain one free general admission to participating museums when you present your qualifying Bank of America credit card and photo ID. (This perk excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events.)

  Fees

  The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a no annual fee travel rewards card. There are also no foreign transaction fees, giving you freedom to take this card with you on your next overseas vacation.

  The card also offers new customers a 0% interest period on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles (after, 13.99% to 23.99% variable APR). Note that this promotional financing period applies to new purchases only. Balance transfers will accrue interest at the standard rate, plus incur a 3% balance transfer fee.

  If you are looking for a balance transfer card to pay down high interest debt on other accounts, you could consider the BankAmericard® credit card, which offers 0% interest for the first 18 billing cycles (after, 12.99% to 22.99% variable APR). You could also look for a balance transfer credit card with no balance transfer fee to help you get on the road to being debt-free.

  Bottom line

  Many great travel rewards cards come at the price of $95 or more, whereas the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee, plus 0% APR on new purchases for the first 12 billing cycles (after, 13.99% to 23.99% variable APR). Cardholders earn unlimited 1.5X points per every $1 spent on eligible purchases, with no blackout dates, limits or expiration. These points can be redeemed in the form of flexible travel credits that allow you to cover a wide range of travel purchases.

  Of course, you may be able to get more value from a travel card such as the newly relaunched American Express® Green Card — which rewards travel with 3X points on transit, along with 3X points on restaurants, but with a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees). There’s also the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card that delivers 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022, 2X points on travel and dining worldwide and 1X points on all other purchases, and has a $95 annual fee.

  Information about the American Express® Green Card, BankAmericard® credit card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication

  Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card

  Is the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card a Smart Option?

  The Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card offers $200 in cash rewards after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days after opening a new account.

  Coupled with 3% cash back in your choice category, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back everywhere else, this card offers a great option to put cash back in your pocket with no annual fee. 2% and 3% bonus categories are limited to the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases every quarter.

  New cardholders also enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. To qualify for 0% APR, balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of opening your new account.

  Bank of America® banking customers get an even sweeter deal. Bank of America® Preferred Rewards members can earn a bonus of 25%-75% on cash back redemptions.

  Smart Features

  $200 Bonus Cash Back – After spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days after opening a new account, earn $200 bonus cash back.

  Up to 3% Cash Back – On your everyday purchases, enjoy up to 3% cash back. Earn 2% and 3% bonus categories are limited to the first $2,500 in purchases per quarter.

  Smart Tip: If you plan to spend at least $2,500 per quarter at gas stations, skip using this card at grocery stores and wholesale clubs to maximize your 3% cash back. However, if you will spend less than $2,500 on gas don’t miss out on the 2% grocery store and wholesale club bonus.

  No Annual Fee – This card does not charge an annual fee. Annual fees are common with rewards credit cards.

  0% APR Intro Period – Pay no interest on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles after opening a new account. Automatically get 0% APR on purchases. Complete balance transfers within 60 days to qualify for 0% APR. A 3% ($10 minimum) fee applies to balance transfers.

  Fraud Protection – This card automatically looks for unusual payment activity and blocks potential fraud when suspected. Pay $0 for fraudulent purchases.

  ShopSafe® Online Security – Each time you use your Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card for online shopping, you can generate a temporary credit card number so your real number never goes online.

  EMV Security Chip – Enjoy enhanced protection at participating merchants at chip enabled terminals around the world. Over 130 countries participate in the EMV security chip standard.

  Digital Wallet Enabled – Use your Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card with Apple Pay, Android Pay, or Samsung pay for even more secure and convenient purchasing. Just hold your phone above the terminal and the rest happens automatically!

  FICO® Score – Enrolled cardholders can view their FICO® credit score for free. Your score is updated monthly and available through online banking or the Bank of America® mobile app.

  Smart Tip: Some companies charge you a fee to get your FICO® credit score. Take advantage of the chance to monitor your FICO® score for free with this card and track your progress towards an excellent score.

  Overdraft Protection – Link this card to your Bank of America® checking account to avoid expensive and embarrassing overdrafts. Transfer fees apply.

  Text Banking – Don’t worry about mobile apps and websites. Get your most important banking information in seconds with a quick text message to Bank of America®.

  How it Works

  Earn 3% cash back in your choice category. Choose from gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement, furnishings or travel. Keep the category the same or change it up once each month using your mobile banking app or online banking. You will also receive 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. There is a limit up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases. Once you reach your limit for the quarter, you will receive 1% cash back. All other purchases outside these categories will automatically receive 1% cashback.

  0% APR applies to all purchases for the first 12 billing cycles. To qualify for 0% APR, balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of opening your new account. Pay 3% (min.$10) for balance transfers. After the 0% APR period ends, you will be charged 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. Your interest rate is based on your credit history.

  What’s the Catch

  2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 3% in your choice category are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases from these categories per quarter. If you quickly spend that amount in the 2% cash back rewards categories, you miss out on the 3% bonus cash back for your choice category. The 1% difference is worth up to $25 per quarter or $150 per year. The total you can earn at just with the 3% category is $300 per year. After reaching the 2% and 3% quarterly limits, you continue to earn 1% cash back on all purchases in those categories.

  Balance transfers charge 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles if you complete them within 60 days of opening a new account. If you were to transfer a $5,000 balance that is currently charging 20%, for example, you must pay a $150 transfer fee. However, at 20% APR, you would pay $1,000 on that balance over the course of 12 billing cycles. Even with the transfer fee, you could still end up saving money.

  Just the Math Please

  The amount you earn is based on how much you spend on the card. Earn up to $300 per year in bonus cash back if you spend the whole $2,500 per quarter just at gas stations. Most users will see less cash back if a portion of your bonus cash back is earned at grocery stores or wholesale clubs.

  The 0% APR introductory period offers a big opportunity to save money on expensive credit card interest charged by other cards. Even after the 3% or $10 (whichever is greater) balance transfer fee, you are still likely saving money compared to paying interest on another card.

  The minimum interest charge is $1.50 on billing cycles when you are charged interest.

  Interest Rates

  Annual percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases

  0% Intro APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases. After, a 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers variable APR will apply. This APR will vary with the Prime Rate.

  APR for Balance Transfers

  0% Intro APR for 12 billing cycles for balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After, a 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers variable APR will apply. This APR will vary with the Prime Rate.

  APR for Cash Advances

  See Terms

  Penalty APR and When it Applies

  Up to 29.99% variable

  How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?

  If your APRs are increased due to a late payment, the new rate applies indefinitely.

  How to Avoid Paying Interest on Purchases

  Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing period. You will not be charged any interest on purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month.

  Minimum Interest Charge

  No less than $1.50

  Fees

  Annual Fee:

  $0

  Transaction Fees

  Balance Transfer: 3% of the amount of each transaction or $10, whichever is greater.

  Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances: See Terms

  ATM, Over-the-Counter, Same-Day Online and Cash Equivalent Cash Advances: See Terms

  Foreign Purchase Transaction: 3% of the U.S. Dollar amount charged after currency conversion

  Penalty Fees

  Late Payment: Up to $40

  Returned Payment: Up to $29

  The Bottom Line

  With a huge $200 cash back signup bonus and 0% APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, this card is an incredible deal. Considering that the card has no annual fee, there is no harm in keeping it in your wallet for many years to come.

  Because the card’s 3% cash back rate in one choice category and 2% cash back rate at supermarkets are limited to the first $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases, this card may not be the right option for huge spenders. The foreign transaction fee also makes this card less of a draw for frequent international travelers.

  Overall, this card is a great option and one of the best cash back cards with no annual fee on the market today. It is popular with good reason and is a great choice for your everyday purchases.

  Next Steps

  Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

  Saving money is easier said than done, but having a high-yield savings account is a great start. To see what's available today, take a look at our overview of the top savings accounts.

  Bank of America foreign transaction fee — here's what you need to know

  Bank of America is one of the biggest retail banks in the United States. As well as its US operations, the bank operates in more than 40 countries around the world. The bank’s wide range of products includes accounts for everyday use, savings accounts, and a range of debit and credit cards. These cover many needs, but some are designed to be used by people who travel a lot or are based outside the US. They offer bonus points, no annual fees, and easy access to ATMs all over the world.

  In this article, we’ll tell you about using a Bank of America card in other countries. Topics we’ll cover include:

  Foreign transaction fees for Bank of America debit cards

  How exchange rates work with Bank of America

  What you’ll pay to use a Bank of America card at international ATMs

  Tips and tricks to use your card overseas without paying high fees

  We’ll help you decide what will work best for you, including a brief look at a new alternative that works in a different way from a conventional bank account: the Wise borderless account. Without any sign-up and maintenance fees you get access to your own local bank details in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the US — so you can get paid and pay like a local. Avoid international transfer fees and keep more of your hard-earned money.

  Bank of America debit card foreign transaction fees

  Bank of America offers debit cards to customers with Advantage Banking accounts. There are several accounts available, and the fees and charges you’ll pay vary depending on the one you choose. Foreign transaction fees generally apply when you buy goods or services in a currency other than US dollars. This means you’re likely to be affected while traveling, and you may also have to pay when you buy something from an overseas seller.

  Debit cards with no foreign transaction fees

  We couldn’t find any debit cards on the Bank of America’s website, that don’t charge transaction fees; all the cards shown above charge the same fee of 3%.

  Currency conversion with your bank — what about the rates?

  When you’re paying for stuff abroad, two things will affect the value you get. One is the fees charged by the bank upfront, and the other is the exchange rate you’re offered. It’s all too easy to sit back and relax about this, but that can lead to an unpleasant experience once your credit card statement or account summary hit your mat or inbox. Being aware of which exchange rate you’re using while traveling can make things a lot less stressful in the long run.

  Bank of America uses the MasterCard or Visa exchange rate for international transactions, depending on which network the card is issued for. Both providers offer simple online tools to help you check which rate applies to your purchase. Here’s the MasterCard tool, and here’s the one for Visa cards.

  Something that’s crucial to know about is the mid-market rate. If you search for exchange rates on sites like Google or XE, this is the figure you’ll see. When banks are trading currency themselves, the value they’re using is the mid-market rate. When it comes to your own purchases or ATM usage, though, things aren’t so simple. The company handling the rate conversion, for example your card issuer, may well add an extra slice on top. That markup isn’t called a fee, but that’s the effect it’ll have on you.

  If that sounds annoying, you may want to check out an alternative option. Wise charges a single, low fee and makes it clear what that is. You can use the same exchange rate you’ll see on Google to send money across the globe. With a Wise borderless account, you can work in over 40 currencies without needing separate accounts, and convert between balances quickly and easily. There’s more about the borderless account a little later, but you can also get the Wise multi-currency debit card. With that, you’ll be able to pay in and take out funds from your account, while receiving the benefit of both receiving the mid-market rate for conversions and avoiding foreign exchange fees.

  Which Bank of America credit cards have foreign transaction fees?

  Some of Bank of America’s credit cards will charge you a fee for foreign transactions. Not all of them, though, so here’s a run-down of the ones that do. We’ll get to the cards without this fee in a minute.

  Bank of America international ATM fees, a closer look

  If you’re planning on using a Bank of America card while traveling abroad, there are a few fees it’ll really help to know about.

  ATM usage fees

  Bank of America has one of the largest networks of ATMs, with around 16,000 locations at more than 4,000 branches in the US. You can also get fee-free withdrawals abroad if you use an ATM run by one of their partner banks around the world.

  Most of the time, you’ll have to pay $5 every time you use an ATM outside the US. On top of that, there may be a fee from the ATM operator — so costs can quickly add up. One way of saving money is to use one of Bank of America’s international partner banks. If you do this, these fees are waived, though you may still be hit by international transfer fees unless you have certain account relationships.

  Foreign transaction fees

  With some cards, you’ll have to pay an extra fee if you use an ATM outside the US. You can check this by looking at the sections above.

  Using foreign ATMs with your credit card

  It usually costs you more to withdraw cash from an ATM using a credit card, instead of a linked debit card. Bank of America credit card terms vary, so check the terms and conditions carefully.

  Non-Bank of America charges

  In some cases, ATMs operated by banks other than Bank of America will charge you an extra fee of their own. This is as well as the fees we’ve already mentioned, so it can end up costing you a significant amount. These fees aren’t charged if you use one of Bank of America’s international partners to withdraw your money.

  Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

  When you’re traveling with your credit or debit card, you’ll naturally want to get the best bang for your buck while you’re away. In particular, you’ll be looking for the best exchange rate you can get.

  Something you should know about is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). It sounds dry, but it’s actually quite a big deal for travelers. When you’re making a purchase with a seller, or withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad, you’ll often be asked whether you want to use your own currency instead of using the local one.

  On the face of it, this sounds great, as being able to use dollars can make things simple and convenient for travelers, and DCC is often marketed that way — but there’s a catch. It’s a pretty big catch, too: paying using DCC is likely to mean you pay more than just sticking with paying using the local currency. Uh-oh.

  Let’s have a look at why. It’s because, when you pick the DCC option, the exchange rate that’s used is chosen by the ATM operator or seller. They may also pile fees on top of that, which means that the total you’ll pay for your purchase can be quite a bit higher. The deal can cost you significantly more than if you’d used the standard MasterCard or Visa exchange rate.

  The takeaway from all this is pretty simple: when you’re looking at an ATM screen and you see this choice, always choose to use the local currency.

  Tips and tricks for using ATMs and paying by card abroad

  Using your card abroad can be an easy and quick way to pay. You can get a good deal when you do this, as long as you know how to avoid fees like the ones DCC brings. For a few more ways to make the most of your foreign travel, try these tips:

  Make sure your bank knows where you’re going before you go. That way, you’re much less likely to get your transactions flagged. They’ll also be able to give you a four-digit PIN, as many ATMs in Europe won’t accept other formats.

  Learn how your bank charges for foreign ATM use. If they charge you a set amount for each transaction, then withdrawing $800 in four chunks of $200 may be much cheaper than doing it in ten chunks of $80. Read ATM displays carefully, since machines in some locations may charge an extra fee of their own.

  Try to use Visa or MasterCard branded cards, as these are most likely to be accepted abroad. Other networks, such as American Express, tend to have spottier acceptance. You can use online checkers to see whether venues and ATMs you go to will take your card.

  Check that your bank has your right cell phone number. If there’s a problem and your account is restricted, you’ll want them to be able to contact you quickly to smooth things out.

  Look at the exchange rate your card uses, as it probably won’t be the mid-market rate. You may find it’s better to pick up a Wise borderless account with no foreign transaction fees.

  Bank of America offers a wide range of credit and debit cards you can use to make your traveling easier. Picking the right one for your personal circumstances and needs is likely to get you a better deal, so think about and compare terms for the cards you’re considering. The last thing you want when abroad is a nasty surprise, but if you follow our tips you can make the choice that gives you the best deal.

 

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