What the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card Offers

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card earns a flat 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no bonus categories and no rotating categories to track. You pay no annual fee. Points redeem for travel at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point when you book through the Bank of America travel portal, or you can transfer points to partner airlines and hotels at variable rates that sometimes exceed that value.

This card is built for simplicity over maximum rewards. If you spend $10,000 per year, you earn 15,000 points, which equals $150 in travel value at the standard redemption rate. The lack of an annual fee means there is no minimum spending threshold to break even, and the flat-rate structure means you do not have to think about which purchases earn more.

The card comes with a Bank of America checking or savings account requirement for the best terms. Without an account, the earning rate drops to 1 point per dollar. With a Bank of America Preferred Rewards membership (which requires a minimum balance), you can boost the earning rate to 1.625 or 1.75 points per dollar depending on your tier.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with no annual fee, making it low-cost for casual travelers who do not want to optimize bonus categories.
  • Points redeem for exactly 1 cent each through the Bank of America travel portal, or transfer to airline and hotel partners at rates that vary by partner and availability.
  • You need a Bank of America checking or savings account to earn the full 1.5 points per dollar; without one, you earn only 1 point per dollar.
  • Preferred Rewards membership can increase your earning rate to 1.625 or 1.75 points per dollar if you maintain the required account balance.
  • The card has no sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and no rotating categories to track.

How Points Redeem and What They Are Worth

The fixed redemption rate through the Bank of America travel portal is 1 point = 1 cent, meaning 15,000 points equals $150 in travel bookings. This rate is may provide and does not fluctuate. You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises through the portal and pay with points at this rate.

Partner transfers offer a different path. Bank of America partners with airlines including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, as well as hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt. The transfer rate varies by partner—some accept transfers at a 1:1 ratio, others at 1.25:1 or 1.5:1. A 1.5:1 transfer means 15,000 points becomes 10,000 airline miles, which may be worth more than $150 depending on how you use those miles, but it may also be worth less if you book expensive premium cabin flights.

The decision between portal redemption and partner transfers depends on your travel plans. If you book economy flights and standard hotel rooms, the fixed 1-cent redemption is often simpler and competitive. If you chase premium cabin awards or have specific airline loyalty goals, partner transfers can yield higher value—but only if you know how to value airline miles, which requires research into award availability and pricing on your preferred routes.

Earning Rate Variations Based on Your Bank of America Relationship

The base earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar applies only if you hold a Bank of America checking or savings account. If you do not have an account with the bank, your earning rate is 1 point per dollar on all purchases. This is a material difference: on $10,000 in annual spending, you earn either 15,000 points or 10,000 points.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards membership increases the earning rate further. The program has three tiers based on your combined Bank of America account balances. Gold tier (minimum $20,000) boosts earning to 1.625 points per dollar. Platinum tier (minimum $50,000) raises it to 1.75 points per dollar. Platinum Honors tier (minimum $100,000) reaches 1.875 points per dollar. These boosts explore to all card purchases, so they compound over time.

Preferred Rewards also adds a 10 to 75 percent bonus to points earned on Bank of America credit cards, depending on tier. This bonus stacks with the earning rate boost, so a Platinum member earning 1.75 points per dollar also receives a 50 percent bonus on those points, resulting in an effective rate of 2.625 points per dollar. However, maintaining these balances requires capital that could be invested elsewhere, so the math only works if you already hold substantial assets at Bank of America.

Annual Fee, Foreign Transaction Fees, and Other Costs

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card has no annual fee. This removes the most common barrier to keeping a card open long-term and means you can hold it indefinitely without paying to maintain the account, even if you use it infrequently.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without a percentage charge on purchases made outside the United States. This is standard on most travel cards but worth confirming before you travel.

The card offers no sign-up bonus, which is a trade-off for the simplicity and lack of annual fee. Cards with annual fees often include welcome bonuses worth $200 to $500 in travel value to offset the cost. This card does not, so your rewards come entirely from ongoing spending.

Comparing This Card to Other No-Annual-Fee Travel Options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold both charge annual fees ($95 and $250 respectively) but offer sign-up bonuses and higher earning rates in specific categories. The Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, while the Gold earns 4 points per dollar on restaurants and 3 points on flights. If you spend heavily in those categories, the higher earning rate can offset the annual fee within the first year.

The Capital One Venture X also charges an annual fee ($395) but includes travel credits and lounge access that reduce the net cost. For travelers who use those benefits, the Venture X may deliver more value despite the higher fee.

Among no-annual-fee cards, the Bank of America Travel Rewards competes with the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5 points per dollar, no annual fee) and the Citi Double Cash (2 points per dollar, no annual fee). The Citi Double Cash earns at a higher flat rate but does not offer the same travel portal or partner transfer options. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has similar earning and redemption flexibility but is not tied to a checking account requirement.

Who This Card Fits Best

This card works well for people who already bank with Bank of America and want a straightforward travel rewards card without an annual fee. If you have a checking account there and maintain a Preferred Rewards balance, the earning rate boost makes the card competitive with premium options that charge annual fees.

It also suits travelers who book most trips through the Bank of America travel portal and do not want to research airline award charts or partner transfer values. The fixed 1-cent redemption rate removes guesswork and guarantees a minimum value for every point you earn.

The card is less ideal if you do not have a Bank of America account, because the 1-point-per-dollar earning rate is lower than competing no-annual-fee cards. It is also not the best choice if you frequently book premium cabin flights or have strong loyalty to a single airline, because partner transfers may not maximize your points value in those scenarios.

How to Decide If This Card Fits Your Spending

Start by calculating your annual travel spending. If you spend less than $5,000 per year on travel and other purchases, the difference between 1.5 points and 2 points per dollar is small in absolute terms—perhaps $25 to $50 per year. In that case, the simplicity of a flat rate and no annual fee may outweigh the slightly lower earning rate.

Next, consider whether you already have a Bank of America account. If you do not, the 1-point-per-dollar rate makes this card less competitive. If you do, check whether you may have access to for Preferred Rewards and what tier you would reach. A Platinum tier membership (1.75 points per dollar before bonuses) changes the math significantly compared to the base 1.5 rate.

Finally, think about how you book travel. If you use the Bank of America portal for most bookings and do not chase premium cabin awards, the fixed redemption rate is predictable and sufficient. If you spend time researching award availability and partner transfer rates, a card with higher earning rates or sign-up bonuses may deliver more value despite higher complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Bank of America checking account to get this card?

No, you can open the card without an account. However, you will earn only 1 point per dollar instead of 1.5 points per dollar. If you already bank with Bank of America or plan to, opening a checking account unlocks the higher earning rate and potential Preferred Rewards boosts.

Can I transfer points to airlines and hotels?

Yes. Bank of America partners with major airlines including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, as well as hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt. Transfer rates vary by partner, ranging from 1:1 to 1.5:1. You can also redeem points through the Bank of America travel portal at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point.

What happens if I close my Bank of America checking account?

Your earning rate will drop from 1.5 points per dollar to 1 point per dollar. You can keep the card open, but you will earn less on future purchases. Any points you have already earned remain in your account and do not expire.

Does this card have a sign-up bonus?

No. The card offers no introductory bonus. Your rewards come entirely from ongoing spending at the 1.5 points per dollar rate (or 1 point per dollar if you do not have a Bank of America account).

How long do points stay in my account?

Bank of America Travel Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If your account is closed, you have a limited time to redeem remaining points before they are forfeited.