What the Bank of America Travel Rewards bonus offers

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers a sign-up bonus of 25,000 bonus points when you spend $500 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening the account. Those 25,000 points are worth $250 in travel redemptions (one point equals one cent toward travel purchases). You do not have to book through a specific portal — the points work on any airline, hotel, rental car, or cruise line purchase you make with the card, whether you book directly or through a third party.

The bonus posts to your account after you meet the spending requirement. Bank of America typically confirms the bonus within a few days of hitting $500 in purchases, though the points themselves may take up to two billing cycles to appear in your rewards account. You can begin redeeming them as soon as they show up.

This bonus is available to new cardholders only. If you have held a Bank of America Travel Rewards card in the past 12 months, you are not may be able to access for the bonus on a new account. Existing cardholders cannot earn the bonus by upgrading to a different Bank of America card.

Key Takeaways

  • The sign-up bonus is 25,000 points ($250 value) when you spend $500 in the first 90 days.
  • Points redeem at a flat rate of one point per cent toward any travel purchase — no category restrictions or transfer partners required.
  • You must be a new cardholder with no Bank of America Travel Rewards card opened in the past 12 months to earn the bonus.
  • The bonus posts after you meet the spending requirement, and points typically appear within two billing cycles.
  • After the bonus, the card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with no annual fee.

How to earn the $500 spending requirement

The $500 threshold counts purchases you make with the card, not balance transfers or cash advances. Everyday spending like groceries, gas, dining, and online shopping all count. The clock starts the day your account opens, and you have 90 days to reach $500.

If you are close to the threshold but uncertain whether a specific transaction counts, contact Bank of America customer service before making the purchase. They can confirm what types of transactions post to your spending total. Some cardholders meet the requirement in a single large purchase (a flight, hotel stay, or car rental), while others accumulate it over several weeks of normal spending.

Once you hit $500 in purchases, you do not need to do anything else. The bonus is automatic — Bank of America tracks your spending and posts the points without requiring you to submit a claim or enter a code.

When the bonus points appear in your account

Bank of America confirms the bonus within a few business days of your purchases crossing $500. You will see a notification in your online account or mobile app showing that you have earned the bonus points. The actual points may take up to two billing cycles to post to your rewards balance, though many cardholders see them sooner.

Do not worry if the points do not appear when ready. The delay between confirmation and posting is normal and does not mean the bonus was denied. If more than two billing cycles pass and the points have not shown up, contact Bank of America to verify that your spending was recorded correctly.

How to redeem the 25,000 bonus points

Once the points appear in your rewards account, you can redeem them through your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Log in, navigate to the rewards section, and select "Redeem Travel." You will see a list of travel merchants and booking options.

The simplest redemption method is the statement credit option: you can redeem points directly toward travel purchases you have already made with the card. For example, if you charged a $200 flight to the card, you can redeem 20,000 points ($200 value) as a statement credit that offsets that charge. This method requires no planning — you book travel however you want, then redeem points afterward.

You can also redeem points before you book. Bank of America's travel portal shows available flights, hotels, and rental cars. You search for what you want, then pay with points instead of cash. The portal includes major airlines and hotel chains, though not every property or flight option appears there. Many cardholders find the statement credit method simpler because it works with any booking method.

Combining the bonus with ongoing rewards

After you earn the sign-up bonus, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card continues to earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with no category restrictions. This means every dollar you spend — whether on travel, groceries, utilities, or anything else — earns the same rate. There is no annual fee, so the card costs nothing to keep open after the first year.

Some cardholders use the bonus points for a large trip, then rely on ongoing rewards to fund smaller travel purchases over time. Others combine the bonus with a spending pattern that naturally accumulates points faster. For instance, if you charge a $3,000 annual insurance premium to the card, that alone generates 4,500 points per year (1.5 points × $3,000).

Bank of America also offers a premium rewards rate for cardholders who maintain a Bank of America checking or savings account with certain balances. If you have $20,000 or more in combined Bank of America deposits, your rewards rate increases to 1.875 points per dollar. This benefit stacks with the sign-up bonus and applies to all future purchases.

may be able to access and account opening

To open a Bank of America Travel Rewards card, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Bank of America will check your credit during the process process. There is no minimum credit score requirement published, but the card typically goes to applicants with good to excellent credit (usually 670 or higher).

You can explore online through Bank of America's website, at a Bank of America branch, or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for basic personal information, income, and employment details. Bank of America usually makes a decision within minutes to a few business days.

If you are denied, you can reapply after addressing the reason for denial — often a recent hard inquiry, too many recent applications, or insufficient credit history. Bank of America customer service can explain why your process was not approved and what you might do differently on a future process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the bonus if I already have a Bank of America credit card?

You can hold multiple Bank of America cards at once, but the Travel Rewards bonus is only for new cardholders who have not held that specific card in the past 12 months. If you have a different Bank of America card (like the Cash Rewards card), you are still may be able to access for the Travel Rewards bonus as long as you have not held the Travel Rewards card before.

What happens if I do not spend $500 in 90 days?

If you do not meet the $500 spending requirement within 90 days, you do not earn the bonus. The card remains open and active, and you can continue using it to earn the regular 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. You cannot earn the sign-up bonus later — it is only available during the first 90 days after opening the account.

Do I have to use the points for travel, or can I redeem them for cash?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is designed for travel redemptions only. Points do not convert to cash or statement credits for non-travel purchases. However, the definition of travel is broad and includes airlines, hotels, rental cars, cruises, taxi services, parking, tolls, and travel agencies. If you do not plan to travel, this card may not be the best fit.

Can I transfer the bonus points to an airline or hotel loyalty program?

Bank of America Travel Rewards points do not transfer to airline or hotel programs. They stay in your Bank of America rewards account and redeem only through Bank of America's travel portal or as statement credits toward travel purchases. If you want to move points to a specific airline, you would need a different card that offers transfer partners.

Does the bonus count toward my credit limit?

No. The bonus points are a separate reward and do not affect your credit limit or credit utilization. Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge to the card, while bonus points are a promotional reward that posts after you meet the spending requirement.