Bankrate’s editorial team chooses and recommends the credit cards on this page. Our recommendations and card ratings are produced independently without influence by advertising partnerships with issuers.
- BankAmericard® credit card: Best for balance transfers
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for travel beginners
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for customizable bonus category
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Best for premium benefits
- Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card: Best for cash back
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Best for students
Bank of America credit cards at a glance
Bank of America offers several credit cards for rewards and cash back, and a lot of those options are fairly competitive in the cards landscape. When choosing a Bank of America card, you’ll want to start by deciding whether you want travel rewards or cash back. This decision can help you narrow your options and find the card that’s the right fit for your needs.
Travel rewards
Bank of America's travel options are ideal if you want to earn miles toward travel on everyday spending, are loyal to Alaska Airlines, or prefer to pay cash rates on your travel purchases.
Cash back
Bank of America’s cash back cards offer spending category flexibility, no-hassle earning opportunities and fairly high spending caps (if they apply). Plus, if you're a BofA Rewards member, you can earn significantly boosted cash back when you have eligible balances in your Bank of America and Merrill accounts.
Loyalty rewards
Boost your rewards rate with the BofA program when you have a qualifying Bank of America or Merrill account. People in the highest rewards tier have a chance to earn the highest flat rate offered on any credit card.
How to choose a Bank of America credit card
The best Bank of America card for you will depend on why you need a credit card in the first place. You won’t necessarily find a one-and-done credit card that fits every need in your financial portfolio, but you can find a card that matches a specific purpose. How you plan to use your Bank of America card is an important factor when deciding which of them is the best.
Here are some examples of situations you may find yourself in and the card that might be the best option.
Travel spending
If you have a trip coming up and want to earn travel rewards that you can use to help fund part or all of it, it might be a good idea to consider a Bank of America travel card. You can earn rewards on your purchases and have a chance to secure a valuable welcome offer.
Cash back
The best Bank of America cards are usually those that reward you generously for purchases you’re already regularly making. A card with high cash back or rewards rates for routine purchases will help you keep things simple without sacrificing potential value.
Reducing debt
If you need to do a balance transfer, a Bank of America card with an intro APR is a great way to lower the amount you owe interest-free. Consider a card with an intro offer and low ongoing APR.
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to have a firm understanding of your finances and needs before choosing the card that’s right for you. To help you decide, here are a few more points to consider:
- Review spending habits: Determine which card can offer you the most value based on your spending habits. Your spending should match your card’s rewards structure.
- Compare perks and benefits: Choose a card with benefits and rewards that fit your lifestyle. Frequent travelers will find value with Bank of America’s travel cards while rewards strategists might prefer a card with custom categories.
- Earn your sign-up bonus: You should always choose a card with a sign-up bonus you can easily reach without overspending so that you can benefit from the card's increased first-year value.
- Know your rates and fees: Analyze how much you’ll pay to hold the card and anticipate charges from interest or other fees. You don’t want to get caught off guard with high interest credit card debt and late fees.
Pros and cons of Bank of America credit cards
Pros
- BofA Rewards: The BofA Rewards Program can boost your rewards earning rates by up to 75% depending on your membership tier.
- No or low annual fees: Most Bank of America cards either have no annual fees or low annual fees, making them an affordable addition to your wallet.
Cons
- High credit score barrier of entry: Many Bank of America cards recommend applicants have at least good credit to apply (a minimum of a 670 on the FICO scale).
- Middle-ground welcome bonuses: Though the welcome offers on Bank of America cards are rather easy to attain, they are not often as lucrative as what you could get on more premier cards from other issuers.
Understanding the BofA Rewards program
There’s one feature that makes Bank of America credit cards stand out from competing issuers’ cards: the BofA Rewards program. This feature is exclusive to Bank of America banking customers and is a great way to make Bank of America credit cards some of the most rewarding cards available.
The BofA Rewards program
The BofA Rewards program rewards Bank of America customers for their loyalty and banking relationships. By enrolling in the BofA Rewards program, eligible Bank of America customers can receive benefits and perks based on their combined balances across Bank of America and Merrill deposit and investment accounts.
BofA Rewards benefits
- Increased rewards: You can earn additional rewards on Bank of America credit cards depending on the tier you qualify for and the card you hold.
- Interest rate boost: You have the potential to earn a higher interest rate on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).
- Discounts and benefits: You may also be eligible for discounts on certain Bank of America products and services, such as mortgage origination fees and safe deposit box rentals.
- Waived fees: Depending on your BofA Rewards tier, you may have certain fees waived, such as for insufficient funds, check orders or non-Bank of America ATM transactions.
How Bankrate experts use Bank of America cards
When on the search for a new credit card, former Bankrate writer Ryan Flanigan turned to Bank of America for its exceptional rewards program and top-notch credit cards. With a keen eye for maximizing benefits, Ryan chose Bank of America credit cards that aligned perfectly with his spending habits and financial goals.
"Bank of America gave me excellent incentives to apply for its credit cards. By moving my savings to Bank of America, I earned elevated BofA Rewards status, which raised the earning rates on my cards significantly, making them great options for most purchases. I always maximize the flexible bonus category limits on my Customized Cash, and use my Premium Rewards primarily when traveling abroad." – Ryan Flanigan, Former Writer, Credit Cards
Frequently asked questions about Bank of America credit cards
- Does Bank of America have any transfer partners?
No, Bank of America does not have any airline or hotel partners to transfer your rewards for any additional value. Travel rewards earned with Bank of America are worth one cent per point. The only way to boost value is with a discount on travel bookings with the Premium Rewards Elite card. If you want transfer partners, the Alaska Airlines co-branded card earns Alaska Airlines miles, which can be transferred to their airline partners. - What credit score do I need to get approved for a Bank of America credit card?
You’ll need good credit or higher to have the best chance of approval with Bank of America, meaning a FICO score of 670 or higher. - Which Bank of America card has the most valuable benefits or rewards?
Benefits and rewards will vary based on which credit card you get. The card with the best benefits is the one you can get the most value from and, as such, will vary based on your spending habits and financial goals.