Step-by-step: How to redeem points using the Bank of America Premium Rewards card
If you hold the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card , you have a few choices when it comes time to redeem your points: You can use them to book travel, get cash back or buy gift cards. But how exactly do you go about redeeming them? Here's a step-by-step guide for using your Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card points.
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Getting started
First, you'll need to sign in to your Bank of America account, select your Premium Rewards credit card from the list of accounts and click on the "Rewards" tab. That tab will show your total available points and provide an option to redeem them.
Clicking on "Redeem Points" brings you to a screen with three redemption options — you can use your points for travel, cash or gift cards. There's a 2,500-point minimum on all redemptions.
Bank of America doesn't have any airline or hotel transfer partners , but the first redemption option — "Travel" — will allow you to use your points to directly book a flight, hotel or car rental. The redemption rate is one cent per point, just as it is with the other two choices.
Shopping portals and gift card redemptions
However, you'll probably be better off booking your travel another way. For instance, if you use an online travel agency (OTA) such as Orbitz or Expedia, you can earn additional rewards from the OTA itself . Also, many OTAs appear on cash-back shopping portals , so you can double-dip on a booking and get even more cash back. Then if you still want to use your Premium Rewards points for the travel booking, just redeem them for a statement credit for the same amount and you'll get the identical one-cent redemption rate.
The same advice applies to gift card redemptions — you'll get one cent per point. You're not losing any value by going this route, but there are generally better ways to buy gift cards with a discount or cash back , or you can just pay for purchases with a credit card and earn additional rewards that way.
Cash redemptions
That brings us to the most valuable option — cash. We love points and miles, but nothing is more flexible than cash and the Premium Rewards card is one of the most powerful cash-earning cards out there, especially when you combine it with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program . With this program, you can earn up to a 75% bonus on your credit card rewards, but to reach this tier you'll need to have $100,000 in assets with Bank of America or its Merrill Lynch sibling.
So when you click on the "Cash" option, you'll come to a screen that allows you to use points for a direct deposit into a Bank of America or Merrill account, a 529 College Savings Plan or a statement credit to your Premium Rewards card. Click the "Redemption Options" pull-down menu and you'll find your various Bank of America accounts listed, including the Premium Rewards card itself.
Once you've selected an account, you can enter the number of points you want to redeem. Bank of America will show the cash amount you'll receive for those points and ask you to confirm your entry.
The final screen will show a confirmation that your redemption request has been submitted, along with all the details and a transaction ID number (which you should note in case there are any issues). It can take up to five business days for the redemption to appear, so don't panic if you don't see it immediately.
Automatic redemptions
You might have noticed that, along with the above process of making a single redemption (which Bank of America refers to as a "One-Time Redemption"), there's a tab to the right that offers the opportunity to set up an Auto Redemption.
Turning on Auto Redemption will cause all the points you earn to be automatically redeemed as a statement credit or deposited into the account you've set at the end of each month, as long as you have at least 2,500 points to redeem. If you'd like to set your redemptions on autopilot, you'll never have to think about it. Just watch the cash build up each month .
As you can see, redemptions with this card are pretty straightforward and the Premium Rewards card has a reasonable annual fee .
Alternative cards
The Premium Rewards card is an excellent cash-back credit card , but if you're interested mainly in travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has the same $95 annual fee and equal bonus — you'll earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of having the card. The Premium Rewards card has a bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Chase points you earn with the Sapphire Preferred are worth one cent each as cash back or 1.25 cents each toward travel booked through Chase Travel℠ . It earns a higher 3 points per dollar on dining and 5 points on travel booked through Chase Travel (or the same 2 points per dollar on travel booked elsewhere).
For spending that falls outside of these bonus categories, the Premium Rewards card's 1.5 points per dollar beats out the Sapphire Preferred's 1 point per dollar. But with the Sapphire Preferred you have the ability to transfer Chase points to the issuer's airline and hotel partners.
This option makes the best travel credit cards a much better option for booking business- and first-class flights than even the best cash-back cards . For some examples of what you can do with transferrable Chase points, check out our article on the best ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points .
Or, if you prefer the simplicity of earning cash back and don't qualify for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) is an excellent choice. It has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you make the purchase and an additional 1% as you pay your balance off.
Bottom line
Redeeming points with the Bank of America Premium Rewards card is quick and easy. This card is one of the top cash-back cards to use for your everyday spending, especially if you qualify for the highest status with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
If you do, you'll get a 75% bonus on your credit card rewards, making every purchase with the Premium Rewards card worth at least 2.62% cash back — a very good rate of return.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards card .
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and J ason Stauffer.
Updated 12/06/2023.
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Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards
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Preferred Rewards makes your credit card even better
When you enroll in the Preferred Rewards program, you can get a 25% — 75% rewards bonus on all eligible Bank of America ® credit cards.
Plus, as a Preferred Rewards member, you enjoy real benefits and rewards on your everyday Bank of America ® banking and Merrill investment accounts. And as your qualifying balances grow, so do your benefits.
Learn more about Preferred Rewards
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Key takeaways
- The Bank of America travel rewards program allows cardholders to redeem points for statement credits to cover travel-related purchases making for a simple, flexible travel rewards option.
- Bank of America travel rewards cards have various benefits and perks, but may not be the best option for frequent travelers compared to other programs since there isn't an option to transfer points to travel loyalty programs.
- Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program can increase the value of rewards by 25 to 75 percent for members with qualifying accounts.
Bank of America’s travel rewards program isn’t as lucrative or extensive as what rivals like American Express or Chase offer, but some cardholders may find value in its simplicity, particularly if you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client.
If you’ve got one or more Bank of America credit cards that allow you to earn and redeem rewards for travel, or are interested in applying for one, this guide can help explain the basics of the bank’s travel program, including how to earn and redeem travel rewards and more.
Bank of America travel rewards basics
Compared to other issuers, Bank of America has a smaller portfolio of travel credit cards , but there are some similarities in how you earn and redeem travel rewards with the cards.
Essentially, you can redeem the rewards you earn for statement credits to cover travel-related purchases. Some Bank of America travel cards also allow you to cover purchases like dining with your award statement credits.
With each card, and in fact with any Bank of America credit card, you also gain access to the Bank of America Travel Center , where you can search for travel deals and pay with cash or rewards. The site operates much like a travel search engine, similar to Expedia or Orbitz.
Bank of America credit card and debit card holders have access to a variety of partner offers and deals, but the travel rewards program still lacks travel transfer partners, which is where many travel rewards aficionados look for the best value.
However, as we’ll explain below, being a member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program could increase the value of the rewards you earn by 25 to 75 percent, making Bank of America’s somewhat limited travel rewards program more valuable.
How to earn Bank of America travel rewards points
The only thing you need to do to earn rewards is use your Bank of America card for eligible purchases; you don’t need to keep track of rotating bonus categories or activate offers in your Bank of America account to earn rewards. For some of the travel cards, you’ll earn more rewards in travel and dining categories, but there’s no need to track or apply for your rewards.
Additionally, Bank of America’s travel and dining categories are more extensive than those of many travel rewards cards, so you’ll be able to redeem your points for statement credit for everything from flights to zoo tickets.
How to redeem Bank of America travel rewards points
You can redeem rewards for a statement credit to cover eligible travel purchases (or dining purchases with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card) at a value of 1 cent per point, so 2,500 points equals $25 in statement credit. Other redemption options include cash back as a check or direct deposit into an eligible Bank of America checking or savings account or a Merrill Cash Management Account , but at a significantly reduced value of .006 cents per point (therefore 2,500 points equals $15). You can also redeem points for gift cards, but that value will vary.
Travel credits and cash rewards redemptions require a minimum of 2,500 points and gift cards require at least 3,125 points to redeem.
How much are Bank of America travel rewards points worth?
Bank of America travel rewards are worth 1 cent per point when redeemed for statement credit to cover eligible purchases or to purchase travel through the travel portal, but the value goes down when redeemed for cash back (.006 cents each) and varies for gift card redemptions.
Since there isn’t an opportunity to boost value with transfer partners, the best value you can aim for is 1 cent per point. While it isn’t a top redemption value, the tradeoff is the flexibility and simplicity it offers.
How do Bank of America travel rewards compare to other points’ values?
In most cases, your Bank of America travel rewards points are worth 1 cent per point. Premium Rewards Elite cardholders can get a 20 percent boost for airfare bookings through the Travel Center when you pay with points, which means a flight that costs 20,000 points will require about 16,700 points thanks to the 20 percent bonus.
Keep in mind that the Premium Rewards Elite card charges a $550 annual fee, so that’s a hefty price for a 20 percent rewards bonus (although there are other benefits of the card, of course).
Issuers such as Chase and American Express offer similar boosts for some cardholders redeeming points through their travel portals — and on cards with lower annual fees. Additionally, those issuers also have transfer partners that can allow you to get more value for travel with partner airlines and hotels.
Bank of America doesn’t have transfer partners, so there isn’t an option for that extra redemption value. That said, if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, that may make up for the lack of travel partners, but it’s something you’d have to analyze on a case-by-case basis.
Who are Bank of America travel cards best for?
As noted, this travel rewards program is best if you want simplicity and flexibility in earning and redeeming travel rewards. The Bank of America travel cards allow you to use your rewards to cover eligible travel purchases or make purchases directly through the portal, but the redemption value isn’t stellar.
If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards program member, you’ll get much more value than other cardholders. This invitation-only program gives you access to banking services discounts and rewards-earning boosts and membership is based on the combined balance of qualifying Bank of America or Merrill Investment accounts. Here’s a look at the five tiers offered:
In this scenario, you get the rewards boost on your earnings, but the redemption options remain a fixed value.
Bank of America travel credit cards
Bank of America has a handful of cards that offer ongoing rewards and travel-focused perks. Here are the cards you can choose from:
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Bankrate's view.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an entry-level travel credit card that allows you to earn basic travel rewards without paying an annual fee. Its rewards rate is simple; just swipe and earn 1.5X points on all of your spending without any limit. There’s no need to track spending categories or activate any special offer on your account to receive your rewards. Further, you can also earn 3X points on travel bookings and other purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center (except for insurance).
If you’re in the market to pay off existing credit card debt or fund an upcoming purchase, this card can be a good option thanks to its 0 percent intro APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers made within the first 60 days and on purchases (followed by a variable APR between 18.24 percent and 28.24 percent).
For more information on card perks, read our Bank of America Travel Rewards card benefits guide .
- Rewards rate : Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases
- Welcome bonus : 25,000 online bonus points when you make $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening the account (worth $250 toward travel purchases)
- Annual fee : $0
- Additional perks : No foreign transaction fees ; long intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers; Visa Signature benefits
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card offers another level of travel rewards: 2X back on all travel and dining purchases and a flat 1.5X rate on everything else. Plus, its welcome bonus is relatively easy to earn for an annual-fee-carrying travel card — spend just $4,000 in the first 90 days to earn 60,000 online bonus points.
The card also offers statement credits toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years and an annual airline incidental credit. And with Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection perks, you can enjoy automatic room upgrades, late checkout, complimentary breakfast and more.
Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards card benefits guide for more information on all the card has to offer.
- Rewards rate : Unlimited 2X points on travel and dining purchases; 1.5X points on other purchases
- Welcome bonus : 60,000 online bonus points when you make $4,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening
- Annual fee : $95
- Additional perks : $100 incidental airline credit; up to $100 in credits toward your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee; Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection perks; no foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card*
While the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite credit card has the same rewards structure as the Premium Rewards card, it’s packed with a few more benefits to help offset its $550 annual fee.
Enjoy $200 more in airline incidental statement credits compared to the Premium Rewards card, the same Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit opportunity and Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection perk access. Plus, you’ll get $150 in lifestyle statement credits each year toward things like food delivery and streaming service costs, discounts on airfare redemptions through the Travel Center as well as Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to 1,300-plus airport lounges worldwide.
- Rewards rate : Unlimited 2X points on travel and dining purchases; 1.5X points on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus : 75,000 online bonus points when you make $5,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening
- Annual fee : $550
- Additional perks : $300 in annual airline incidental statement credits; $150 in annual lifestyle statement credits; up to $100 in credits toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ; complimentary Priority Pass Select membership; 20 percent off airfare redemptions through the Bank of America Travel Center; Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection perks; no foreign transaction fees
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Although its features and benefits are minimal, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students can be a good entry-level card for students with little-to-no credit history. You’ll get 1.5X points on all purchases, plus the ability to redeem rewards for a statement credit on qualifying travel purchases.
There’s also a 0 percent intro APR on balances made in the first 60 days and on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles (followed by a variable APR between 18.24 percent and 28.24 percent), which can help students who have a large purchase on the horizon (or some existing debt) that they’d like to pay off over time (think textbooks or dorm supplies).
- Rewards rate : 1.5X points on all purchases
- Welcome bonus : 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within your first 90 days
- Additional perks : No foreign transaction fees; zero-interest offer on purchases
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured credit card*
Travel rewards cards for people who are working to build their credit are rare. This one allows you to work on building your credit with responsible use while also earning some travel rewards.
This is a secured card , so you’ll need to provide a security deposit of at least $200 to establish your line of credit. While the card does offer rewards, any secured card should be viewed primarily as a means to improving your credit with consistently responsible use. In fact, Bank of America will periodically review your account and relationship with the bank overall to decide whether to return your security deposit.
- Earn 1.5X points on all your purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Minimum $200 security deposit (up to $5,000) to establish you line of credit
Bank of America travel rewards frequently asked questions
Do bank of america travel rewards expire, can i share points with friends and family members, can you buy bank of america travel rewards points, the bottom line.
Bank of America’s travel rewards program isn’t as extensive as those of some other major issuers. But if your primary goal with travel rewards is simplicity and flexibility as compared to getting the best possible redemption value, Bank of America’s travel rewards program can deliver.
That said, if you’re at least a semi-frequent traveler, you’ll likely find better value from rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards .
*All information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card and the Bank of America® Travel rewards Secured credit card has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
The Bank of America content in this post was updated on April 19, 2024.
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Bank of America Travel Rewards Transfer Partners: A Guide to Maximizing Your Rewards
Are you a frequent traveler looking to make the most out of your Bank of America Travel Rewards? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various transfer partners offered by Bank of America, allowing you to stretch your rewards further and experience the world like never before.
What are Bank of America Travel Rewards?
Bank of America Travel Rewards is a credit card program that allows you to earn points on your everyday purchases. These points can then be redeemed for travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. With no annual fee and flexible redemption options, it’s a great choice for those who love to travel.
Understanding Transfer Partners
One of the best features of the Bank of America Travel Rewards program is the ability to transfer your points to various travel partners. This opens up a world of possibilities, giving you access to a wide range of airlines and hotel chains.
Maximizing Your Rewards with Airline Partners
If you’re a frequent flyer, transferring your Bank of America Travel Rewards points to airline partners can be a game-changer. With partners like Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and Emirates, you can use your points to book flights to your dream destinations.
For example, transferring your points to British Airways allows you to explore Europe with ease. Imagine strolling through the streets of Paris or enjoying a gondola ride in Venice, all while using your hard-earned rewards.
Additionally, with Alaska Airlines as a partner, you can unlock the beauty of Alaska’s wilderness or explore the stunning beaches of Hawaii.
Unlocking Luxury Stays with Hotel Partners
Not only can you use your Bank of America Travel Rewards points for flights, but you can also transfer them to hotel partners, allowing you to enjoy luxurious stays at top-rated hotels worldwide.
Partners such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy open up a world of possibilities, whether you’re looking for a beachfront resort, a cozy mountain lodge, or a vibrant city hotel.
Imagine using your rewards to book a suite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, where you can wake up to breathtaking ocean views and spend your days lounging by the pool or exploring the nearby attractions.
Additional Transfer Partners
Aside from airlines and hotels, Bank of America Travel Rewards also offers transfer partnerships with car rental companies, allowing you to save on transportation during your travels.
With partners like Avis and Budget, you can use your points to rent a car and explore your destination at your own pace. Whether you’re planning a road trip through California’s scenic coastline or exploring the historic cities of Europe, these transfer partners can help you make the most out of your adventure.
Bank of America Travel Rewards offers an incredible opportunity to earn and redeem points for your travel needs. By taking advantage of their transfer partners, you can unlock a world of possibilities and stretch your rewards even further.
Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious hotel stay, an exciting flight to a far-flung destination, or the freedom to explore your destination with a rental car, Bank of America Travel Rewards has you covered.
So, start planning your next adventure and make the most out of your rewards today!
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5 Best Credit Card Points Programs and Who They Partner With
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Table of Contents
Credit card transfer partners chart
1. amex transfer partners, 2. capital one transfer partners, 3. chase transfer partners, 4. citi transfer partners, 5. marriott partners, credit card transfer partners, recapped.
Earning credit card points and miles can be a way to protect yourself against devaluations from hotel or airline rewards programs. If you have credit card points, also known as transferable points, then you have more flexibility in where you can use your travel rewards.
For example, if you want to book an award ticket on United Airlines and you have American Express Membership Rewards points, you could transfer those points to Air Canada, ANA, Avianca or Singapore Airlines because all these airlines are part of Star Alliance alongside United.
If you’re confused, we’ve compiled a list of all the major transferable points programs and their currencies, plus the airlines and hotels they each partner with. Which program you want to use will depend on a variety of factors, including how much of each currency you have available.
Here are the credit card points and transfer partners you need to know.
» Learn more: AmEx points vs. Chase points
The five best transferable points currencies can be earned by spending on credit cards issued by American Express, Capital One, Chase or Citi. Marriott Bonvoy points are also unique in that though they are hotel points, they still transfer to several dozen partner airlines.
Here's a quick overview of credit card travel partners.
American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners include 18 airlines and three hotels.
AmEx Membership Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to 16 of the airlines, generally with a 1,000-point minimum:
AerLingus AerClub.
Air Canada Aeroplan .
Air France/KLM Flying Blue.
Alitalia MilleMiglia.
ANA Mileage Club .
Avianca LifeMiles.
British Airways Executive Club .
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
Delta SkyMiles.
Emirates Skywards.
Etihad Guest.
Hawaiian Airlines .
Iberia Plus .
Qantas (500-point transfer minimum).
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer .
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club .
The other two airlines have different transfer ratios:
Aeromexico Club Premier: 1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,600 Club Premier points.
JetBlue TrueBlue : 250 Membership Rewards = 200 TrueBlue points.
American Express also has three hotel transfer partners. The transfer ratio varies by program:
Choice Privileges : 1:1.
Hilton Honors : 1:2.
Marriott Bonvoy : 1:1.
» Learn more: The best AmEx transfer partners — and those to avoid
Capital One Miles transfer partners include more than a dozen hotel and airlines.
Points transfer to most airlines at a 1:1 ratios unless stated otherwise:
Aeromexico Club Premier.
Air Canada Aeroplan.
Avianca Lifemiles.
British Airways Avios.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 2:1.5.
Finnair Plus.
Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go .
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles .
Capital One has the following transfer ratios to its hotel partners:
Accor Live Limitless : 2:1.
Choice Hotels Choice Privileges : 1:1.
Wyndham Rewards : 1:1.
» Learn more: The best and worst Capital One transfer partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards® has 14 transfer partners. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards® points to 11 airlines and three hotels at a 1:1 ratio.
Air Canada.
British Airways Executive Club.
Iberia Plus.
JetBlue TrueBlue.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards.
United Airlines MileagePlus.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
And here are the three hotel partners that Chase Ultimate Rewards® points transfer to:
World of Hyatt.
IHG Rewards Club.
Marriott Bonvoy.
» Learn more: The best Chase transfer partners
Citi ThankYou Rewards has nearly 20 hotel, airline and retail transfer partners. ThankYou points transfer to most airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, with a 1,000-point transfer minimum, and at variable rates for retail and hotel partners.
Cathay Pacific.
Emirates Skywards .
EVA Air Mileage Rewards.
Qatar Privilege Club .
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
Choice Hotels.
Wyndham Rewards.
Sears transfer partner: Citi ThankYou points can also be transferred to Sears Shop Your Way loyalty program at a 1:10 ratio.
Only holders of the Citi Chairman American Express Card, Citi Prestige® Card and Citi Premier® Card can transfer ThankYou points to all the airline partners listed above. Cardholders of the Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi Rewards+® Card or Citi Double Cash® Card can only transfer ThankYou points to JetBlue.
Citi's partnership with Choice Hotels is notable as it gives Citi Premier® Card holders a 1:2 ratio and Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi Rewards+® Card and Citi Double Cash® Card holders a 1:1.5 ratio.
Additionally, Citi Premier® Card holders can transfer to Wyndham Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, while Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi Rewards+® Card and Citi Double Cash® Card holders can transfer at a 1:0.8 ratio.
» Learn more: The best Citi ThankYou partners
Marriott Bonvoy is a hotel loyalty program, but it also offers the ability to transfer Bonvoy points to nearly 40 airline partners. Points transfer 3:1 to almost all of the airline partners, with a 5,000 point bonus if you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points.
In other words, transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points gets you 25,000 airline miles. Note that this transfer bonus does not apply to American, Delta, Avianca or Korean Air.
Aegean Miles+Bonus.
Aer Lingus AerClub Avios.
Aeroflot Bonus.
Aeromexico ClubPremier.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan .
American Airlines AAdvantage.
ANA Mileage Club.
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club.
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles.
Frontier Airlines Miles.
Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles.
Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank.
Jet Airways Intermiles.
Korean Air Skypass.
LATAM Airlines LATAM Pass .
Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Saudia Arabian Airlines Alfursan.
Southwest Rapid Rewards.
TAP Air Portugal Miles & Go.
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles.
United MileagePlus.
Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer.
Vueling Club.
There is one Marriott Bonvoy airline partners that don’t transfer at the 3:1 ratio:
Air New Zealand Airpoints (200:1).
» Learn more: The best and worst Marriott transfer partners
These five transferrable point programs offer excellent opportunities to earn points in currency that offers ultimate flexibility. Deciding which program to earn points with depends on which airlines award space you want access to. With so many credit card transfer partner options, you can’t go wrong.
The information related to Citi Prestige® Card and Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
on Chase's website
1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards
Bankamericard® credit card.
While both cards offer attractive features with no annual fee, the BankAmericard is better for debt management, whereas the Bank of America card is superior for earning travel rewards.
Updated: April 9, 2024
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?
Key takeaways.
- The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is worth it to cardholders who seek simplicity and easy rewards.
- The card is not worth it for people who like to maximize rewards or prefer to transfer points to their preferred airline or hotel chain.
There are dozens of travel credit cards to choose from, but the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card stands out for a few reasons. At first glance, several features deserve a callout, including the lack of an annual fee, intro APR offer on purchases and no foreign transaction fees. The 25,000-point welcome bonus, earned after spending $1,000 within 90 days of account opening, is also worth mentioning.
As you dig a little deeper, the rewards structure might seem rather uninspired, especially compared to other travel credit cards : You earn an unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase. However, depending on the spender, the card’s simple rewards structure could be considered a disadvantage of a perk. Keep reading to find out if the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is worth it for you.
When is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers plenty of benefits for consumers, even if it doesn’t look exactly like other travel credit cards or programs.
If you prefer a simple rewards structure
The card rewards you with unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase. That means you earn points no matter where you make your purchase or which category your purchase falls under. Travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center also earn 3X points. As an added bonus, your points never expire.
The welcome bonus is also easy to earn — spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening to receive 25,000 points. For most cardholders, $1,000 is an attainable number that won’t require you to spend far above your budget. The best part is that there’s no annual fee , so you do not have to strategize your spending or work hard to maximize the card to make up for a high annual fee. You can simply swipe the card on every purchase and wait for the rewards to pile up.
If you have a Bank of America or Merrill bank account
Existing Bank of America or Merrill customers or those interested in banking with them may find the Bank of America Travel Rewards card highly lucrative because of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. By joining, you can earn an additional 25 percent to 75 percent in rewards for each dollar you spend.
Although there is no fee to join the program, you have to meet minimum balance requirements for at least three months to qualify. To receive a 75 percent boost on your 1.5X points rate, making your rewards rate 2.625X points, you would need to become at least a Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors. This tier requires a minimum $100,000 balance across your accounts. If you’re able to take advantage of this program, it could add a substantial boost to your rewards.
If you’d like to redeem rewards for travel or dining
The Bank of America points you receive can be used for the standard redemptions such as statement credit, gift cards, check or direct deposit into a Bank of America or Merrill account. However, one special feature this rewards program offers is that you can redeem your rewards for statement credits retroactively, on eligible travel and dining purchases, for up to 12 months of your purchase date.
This essentially means that you can spend your rewards on travel booked through third-party websites or directly with the airline or hotel, instead of restricting redemptions to only travel reservations made through the issuer’s online portal. Plus, the travel and dining categories actually have a broad definition.
Here are a few examples of the wide range of redemption options for travel:
- Flights, including baggage fees
- Hotel stays
- Vacation rentals
- Travel agencies
- Car, boat and truck rentals
- Cruise lines
- Tourist attractions
- Campgrounds
Restaurant redemption also covers more than you might expect, including:
- Restaurants
- Bars and taverns
Each point is worth 1 cent each when you redeem it for a qualifying travel or restaurant category. However, for gift card redemptions the value goes down to 0.6 cents, giving you far less bang for your rewards buck.
0% introductory APR offer
Anyone seeking to buy an expensive item — a laptop, treadmill or a sectional for the living room — or planning to pay off balances racked up from other credit cards would appreciate the Bank of America Travel Rewards card’s introductory offer. The card carries a lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Note, balance transfers must be made in the first 60 days to receive the introductory rate, and a 3 percent balance transfer fee applies to all transferred balances.
If you want useful travel perks
Naturally, you would expect a travel rewards card to limit the fees for those traveling overseas. This is true of the Bank of America Travel rewards card, as it doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees . In other words, you can swipe your card outside of the United States without generating fees for doing so.
The card is also a Visa Signature card , which entitles you to a host of benefits, which include a variety for travel such as:
- Visa Signature concierge services
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Roadside dispatch
- Travel and emergency assistance
When is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card not worth it?
Before signing up for the card, be sure to consider your own financial priorities. There are potential downsides to the card, too, which make it unsuitable for certain types of cardholders. If the following scenarios apply for you, you’d be better off applying for a different card.
If you want to join a robust travel program
Despite the name, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not offer much in terms of actual travel features. There is a travel portal where you can book flights, hotels and car rentals, but the issuer has no airline or hotel partners to which you can transfer rewards.
That means there is no way to maximize rewards potential by transferring points to travel partners. And your points are not worth more, per point, when redeemed on the travel portal as opposed to using them for statement credits toward eligible travel and dining purchases. For both redemption options, one point is worth 1 cent.
With inflation affecting travel prices , rewards from a more robust travel program, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards , may bring you more value.
Should you get the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?
If you’d like to earn simple, reliable rewards while paying off debts from other credit cards or a large purchase, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a good card to keep in your back pocket. The introductory APR allows you to focus your payments on your balances, without charging you high interest. Any purchases you make here and there would earn 1.5X points on all purchases in any category.
However, as the only card in your wallet or the only travel credit card you have, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card may not be worth it. If you put all your expenses on it, you’ll amass a decent amount of rewards. But it may be difficult to maximize their value without being able to transfer to any hotel or airline partners (or receive a boost in rewards value when making travel bookings via the Bank of America Travel Center).
The bottom line
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card works best for someone who craves flexibility and a rewards structure that is easy to keep track of.
What this card lacks in a travel portal and boosted earnings, it makes up for in low (or no) fees and intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers.
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BANK OF AMERICA. Bank of America doesn't have any airline or hotel transfer partners, but the first redemption option — "Travel" — will allow you to use your points to directly book a flight, hotel or car rental. The redemption rate is one cent per point, just as it is with the other two choices.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 online bonus points (a value of $600) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Rewards rate: Unlimited 2X points per dollar on travel and dining; 1.5X points ...
Book the rental with your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, and you'll be able to redeem your points to cover the cost, or a portion of the cost. 3. If you're going to Disneyland ...
You have selected to redeem your points for travel. If you want to redeem your points, select Continue. If you wish to purchase travel, select Purchase Travel and you will be directed to the Bank of America Travel Center where you can purchase travel without using your points. cerrar layer ...
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points. ... a Variable APR that's currently 18.24% to 28.24% will apply. 3% † Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ...
Bank of America®Premium Rewards®Elite credit card. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and points don't expire as long as the account remains open. Calculate Rewards.
Get the loyalty bonus. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, everyone gets 1.5 points for every $1 spent. Enroll in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, and the ...
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card. Rewards rate: Unlimited 2X points on travel and dining purchases; 1.5X points on all other purchases. Welcome bonus: 50,000 bonus points when you make ...
A NerdWallet favorite, the no-annual-fee Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card gives 1.5 points per $1 spent; redeem points for any travel purchase.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great option if you're looking to earn rewards towards travel at a flat rate of 1.5 points for every $1 spent. Preferred Rewards clients can earn a 25% to 75% point bonus which comes out to earning up to 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite ...
Not only can you use your Bank of America Travel Rewards points for flights, but you can also transfer them to hotel partners, allowing you to enjoy luxurious stays at top-rated hotels worldwide. Partners such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy open up a world of possibilities, whether you're looking for a beachfront resort, a cozy mountain ...
1,500 Base Points, 150 Customer Points Bonus, and 1,500 Travel Center Bonus, totaling 3,150 Points. • To access the Travel Center, sign in to your Online Banking account at . bankofamerica.com, select your Travel Rewards account, select "Rewards," and then click "Redeem Points," or call 800.497.1159. If I'm a Bank of America
Enter the world of credit card transfer partners. That's the beauty of points from banks like Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One, Wells Fargo - or even earning points on rent from Bilt Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy hotel points, too. With seven transferrable programs that allow you to send points to 50-plus partner airlines, even we ...
Bank of America points are worth 1 cent apiece on average. This means that 10,000 points are worth $100 in value. Here's our breakdown on Bank of America points value based on redemption: Redemption option. Bank of America points value (in cents) Redeeming points for airfare. 1 - 1.2.
Bank of America has its own points program which allows you to redeem your rewards for cash back or statement credits. ... American Express offers over a dozen travel partners with a 1:1 transfer ...
Points transfer 3:1 to almost all of the airline partners, with a 5,000 point bonus if you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points. In other words, transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points gets you 25,000 airline ...
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. 1.5X - 2X points. Earn 25% - 75% more points on every purchase as a Preferred Rewards member. Receive up to $100 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits. $95 annual fee. Bank of America Points Calculator.
Both cards charge a late fee of up to $40. However, the Bank of America Travel Rewards does not impose foreign transaction fees, unlike the BankAmericard, which charges 3%. Additionally, the latter does not have a penalty APR, while the former could apply a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable. Issuer Satisfaction.
The welcome bonus is also easy to earn — spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening to receive 25,000 points. For most cardholders, $1,000 is an attainable number that won't ...
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card * earns points that you can redeem for merchandise, gift cards, cash back or travel, all at a value of 1 cent per point. It offers reasonable earn ...
American Airlines - Airline tickets and low fares at aa.com
The transfer ratio: While most Citi transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio, you might end up getting more or less partner points for the Citi points you transfer. Check the ratio for your specific card ...