Best Bank of America credit cards of September 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:28 a.m. UTC Sep. 2, 2024
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Bank of America is the second largest bank in the United States by asset volume and it offers an extensive suite of credit cards for varying financial needs. Credit cards from this issuer cover a range of categories, including travel rewards, cash back and student cards. Here’s a closer look at the best Bank of America credit cards of 2024 to help you pick the best card for your unique financial needs.
Best Bank of America credit cards
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card *: Best Bank of America credit card.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students *: Best for students.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card *: Best for travel.
- Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card *: Best for flat-rate cash back.
- BankAmericard® credit card *: Best for no-frills intro APR.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20+ cards analyzed.
- 7+ data points analyzed.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best Bank of America credit card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
*The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for students
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
*The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for travel
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
*The information for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for flat-rate cash back
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
*The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for no-frills intro APR
BankAmericard® credit card
*The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best Bank of America cards
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
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The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a standout credit card offering generous cash back on an eligible category of your choice, with multiple everyday options that include gas stations, online shopping, dining and travel. This structure allows you to tailor rewards to your lifestyle as your spending needs change. Plus, eligible Bank of America Preferred Rewards members get a boost of 25% to 75% more cash back.
Pros:
- Broad range of options for your highest bonus category.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Spending cap on bonus categories each quarter.
- Highest cash back limited to eligible Preferred Rewards customers.
- Limited cardholder benefits outside of the rates and fees.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students * The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , features the same elevated cash back on a range of spending categories as the non-student version, from phone plans and streaming services to dining, travel and home furnishings. You’ll also get an intro APR to help you pay off larger purchases over time, which can be handy for setting up your college dorm room or planning a spring break trip.
Elevated cash back, no annual fee, a welcome offer with a low spending requirement and access to your FICO Score, make this card the best Bank of America credit card for college students.
Pros:
- Customizable bonus rewards.
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Cons:
- Spending cap on bonus categories and enrollment required.
- Requires good to excellent credit, which may be challenging if you’re a student new to credit cards.
- Few additional cardholder perks.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in the 3% and 2% cash back categories combined each quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The information for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns an elevated flat-rate of travel rewards points on every purchase with no foreign transaction fees. You can also give your travel budget a kickstart by meeting the modest spend requirement for the card’s welcome offer in the first few months, and enjoy an intro APR on purchases that gives you over a year to pay off that vacation. This card makes the most sense for existing Bank of America Preferred Rewards members who can earn up to 75% more points. You can redeem rewards for travel, cash back, statement credits and more.
Pros:
- Elevated flat rewards on every purchase.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- Redeem rewards for cash back or travel.
Cons:
- No travel loyalty transfer partners in the rewards program.
- No travel protections.
- Top rewards rate limited to Preferred Rewards members.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a straightforward value proposition: simple, unlimited cash back on all purchases. With no rotating or bonus categories to worry about, this is a low maintenance card with the potential for even higher rewards if you’re a Preferred Rewards member.
Pros:
- Unlimited cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Cons:
- No bonus categories for elevated earning.
- Few extra perks.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 1.5% cash back on purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The BankAmericard® credit card * The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a lengthy introductory APR on purchases and eligible balance transfers, meaning you can get extra breathing room as you pay off larger expenses or existing credit card debt. Since it doesn’t earn rewards and is light on other cardholder benefits, the card is best for those looking to get a break from interest.
Pros:
- Lengthy intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers can help you knock out debt.
- No penalty APR.
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Doesn’t earn rewards.
- Limited balance transfer window for intro APR.
- No notable benefits once the intro offer expires.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction made in a foreign currency.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered included:
- Intro APR on balance transfers: 24%.
- Intro APR on purchases: 23%.
- Annual earnings: 23%.
- Welcome offer: 13%.
- Annual fee: 10%.
- Annual credits: 5%.
- Foreign transaction fees: 2%.
Guide to Bank of America credit cards
Bank of America offers many credit cards, each uniquely suited for different financial goals. Whether you’re looking for travel or cash-back rewards, a long 0% APR introductory period or even a secured credit card to build or rebuild your credit, Bank of America has a credit card that could be right for you.
“From building credit to maximizing rewards, credit cards are tools that, when used responsibly, can bring substantial value into your personal financial planning. Bank of America offers a wide range of credit cards with flexible earning structures — including cash back, travel and points credit cards — that reward cardholders for their everyday spending while providing best-in-class digital tools and security features. Beyond earning rewards, Bank of America has many credit card offerings — like student and secured cards — that are also ideal for people who are just starting out on their financial journey, looking to build credit or are prioritizing low annual interest rates,” says Jason Gaughan, head of consumer credit card products at Bank of America.
Earning and redeeming rewards
For the most part, earning and redeeming rewards with a Bank of America credit card is straightforward. You’ll earn predictable cash-back rewards that are easy to redeem online or over the phone. Travel rewards come in the form of points and are redeemable through Bank of America’s travel rewards portal or convertible to other redemptions, including cash back.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards
The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members. If you have $20,000 or more saved and invested across eligible Bank of America and Merrill accounts, you can earn these elevated rewards on several Bank of America credit cards:
| TIER | REQUIRED BALANCE | ADDITIONAL REWARDS |
|---|---|---|
Gold Tier
| $20,000 to $50,000
| 25%
|
Platinum Tier
| $50,000 to $100,000
| 50%
|
Platinum Honors Tier
| $100,000 to $1 million
| 75%
|
Diamond Tier
| $1 million to $10 million
| 75%
|
For example, if you are a Gold Tier member and earn $100 in cash-back rewards in one month based on the credit card’s standard rewards rate, you would receive 25% more, or $125.
Types of Bank of America credit cards
Bank of America offers credit cards in several categories:
- Cash-back rewards: With cash-back rewards cards, you’ll earn a percentage of every purchase back in the form of cash rewards.
- Travel rewards: Bank of America travel rewards cards reward you with points redeemable for flights, hotels and more.
- Balance transfers: Balance transfer cards offer introductory 0% APR periods on balance transfers, allowing you to consolidate other credit card balances and pay them off without added interest during the promotional period.
- Secured: Secured credit cards allow borrowers with no credit or bad credit to make a cash deposit equal to their credit line. When the card is used responsibly, the cardholder can build credit and may eventually qualify for a card without a security deposit requirement.
- Cobranded: Cobranded cards are issued in partnership with airlines, hotels and other brands and you can earn rewards with that partner’s rewards program.
Our first-hand experience
“I love my Bank of America card because it offers a unique perk — free museum access. With Bank of America’s Museums on Us program, cardholders can visit over 225 museums on the first full weekend of the month. In addition to traditional museums, I’ve used my card to visit amazing places like a botanical garden and an aquarium. I even made my husband an authorized user on my card so he can get free museum access too.”
–Megan Horner, ˽ýӳ Blueprint editorial director
How to get a Bank of America credit card
Here are five concise steps to get a Bank of America credit card:
- Research and Choose a Card: Visit the Bank of America website or review the cards above to compare credit card options and select the one that best suits your needs.
- Check Eligibility: Review the eligibility criteria for the chosen credit card, including credit score requirements.
- Gather Documentation: Prepare necessary documents such as proof of income, identification and other required information.
- Apply Online or In-Branch: Complete the application form through the Bank of America website or visit a local branch to apply in person.
- Await Approval: Submit your application and wait for approval. You’ll receive your credit card by mail and the terms and conditions if approved.
Learn more about how to get a credit card in our detailed guide.
Pros and cons of Bank of America credit cards
Pros
- Wide range of options: Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards tailored to different needs, including cash back, travel rewards and low-interest options.
- Boosted rewards potential: Cardholders with an eligible amount on deposit with the Bank of a qualifying Merrill account can benefit from the Preferred Rewards program, which offers additional perks such as higher rewards rates and discounts on banking services.
- Well-regarded mobile app: Bank of America’s mobile app received the highest rating of any financial institution’s mobile app in a . The app provides robust features for managing your credit card, including real-time alerts, credit score monitoring and easy payment options.
Cons
- High APRs: Some Bank of America credit cards come with higher than average annual percentage rates (APRs), which can be costly if you carry a balance.
- Strict approval criteria: Many Bank of America credit cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval, which may limit access for individuals with lower credit scores.
- Limited introductory offers: Bank of America may offer fewer introductory bonuses or lower promotional rates on new cards compared to some competitors.
Is a Bank of America credit card right for you?
Deciding if a Bank of America credit card is right for you depends on your financial goals and credit profile. It could be a great fit if you have a good credit score and want cash back or travel rewards programs, diverse card options and the opportunity to earn more if you’re a loyal customer with high balances.
However, you may want to explore other options if you are concerned about high APRs or approval criteria.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The best Bank of America credit card for your needs depends on the type of rewards you want and your credit history. For the typical household, we picked the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. as the best Bank of America credit card, but everyone’s needs are different.
Your credit limit varies depending on your credit history. It’s best to pick a card that meets your needs and apply to determine your credit limit for that specific credit card.
A secured credit card is the easiest to get if you have bad credit or no credit. Bank of America offers several secured card options.
The lowest Bank of America credit limit is $200 with the BankAmericard® Secured credit card * The information for the BankAmericard® Secured credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
The average credit limit varies based on the applicant’s credit score and factors in their credit report. To achieve a higher credit limit, focus on the most important credit score factors, including making on-time payments and keeping your credit card balances low.
Bank of America may automatically increase your credit limit, or you can ask the bank to review your card usage and latest credit details if you want an increase sooner.
*The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, BankAmericard® Secured credit card and BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
