Best Bank of America Credit Cards of November 2022
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Best Bank of America credit cards of November 2022
Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Bank of America credit cards might not be as flashy as those from big issuers like Chase and American Express, but that doesn't make them any less worthwhile. Bank of America offers a surprising number of cash-back, flexible points, and travel rewards credit cards worth considering, including personal and small-business options.
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Discover it® Cash Back
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Citi® Double Cash Card
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Chase Freedom Flex℠
Compare the best Bank of America credit cards
Best for flat-rate cash back
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for flat-rate cash back
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best for customizing your own bonus category
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for customizing your own bonus category
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best for travel
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Best for travel
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Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best for premium travel benefits
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Best for premium travel benefits
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best airline card
Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
Best airline card
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best small business card with flat-rate cash back
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best small business card with flat-rate cash back
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best small-business card with customizable rewards
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best small-business card with customizable rewards
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Additional Reading
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Best small-business card for travel
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
Best small-business card for travel
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Earn more with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
Bank of America cards are much more valuable if you're a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards. The Bank of America Preferred Rewards program earns cardholders up to 75% more rewards and exclusive benefits on eligible Bank of America cards (not including co-branded cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card ). You need at least $20,000 total in your Bank of America or Merrill (BofA's wealth management division) accounts to become a Preferred Rewards member.
Your reward rates and benefits are determined by your tier level.
Preferred Rewards tiers:
- Gold: Earns 25% more rewards on purchases (a minimum of $20,000 on deposit in eligible BofA/Merrill accounts)
- Platinum: Earns 50% more rewards on purchases (a minimum of $50,000 on deposit)
- Platinum Honors: Earns 75% more rewards on purchases (a minimum of $100,000 on deposit)
Depending on your tier level, being a Preferred Rewards member can significantly increase the value of certain Bank of America credit cards. For example, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card earns up to 2.625% cash back on all purchases (1.5% normally).
The best Bank of America credit card reviews
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Card
Why the BofA Unlimited Cash Rewards card is worth it: The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for straightforward flat-rate rewards on all purchases. Cardholders get a generous welcome bonus and flexible redemption options for no annual fee. One of the greatest aspects of this card is the long 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening
The no-annual-fee Unlimited Cash Rewards Card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is great for folks looking for straightforward rewards. It has a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 16.99% - 26.99% Variable APR).
You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, deposits into an eligible Bank of America account, and credits to a qualifying Merrill account. Your rewards won't expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
As with most BofA cards, new and existing cardholders can now activate a free year of Grubhub+ membership, which includes free delivery on orders over $12. However, the Unlimited Cash Rewards Card doesn't offer many other perks (which is common for no-annual-fee cards). So if you're looking for significant travel or purchase benefits, you should consider a different rewards card. There are also foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good card for international purchases.
Pros: Strong flat-rate rewards, great welcome bonus, long 0% introductory APR, no annual fee
Cons: Foreign transaction fee, some other no-annual-fee cards have better benefits
Review: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards review
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
Why the BofA Customized Cash Rewards card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great cash-back card for customizable rewards (from a list) and earns a strong welcome bonus. Plus, it has flexible redemption options and a long intro APR on balance transfers and purchases.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back in the category of your choosing (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishing). You'll also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases). However, the 3% and 2% rates only apply to the first $2,500 spent in combined purchases each quarter (then 1% cash back).
The card has a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 16.99% - 26.99% variable APR).
Apart from a free year of GrubHub+ membership, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't offer many additional perks. Also, you'll be charged a foreign transaction fee, so it's not a good card to travel with.
Pros: 3% cash back on an eligible category of your choosing, long intro APR for purchases, decent welcome bonus, no annual fee
Cons: Charges a foreign transaction fee, cap on 3% and 2% cash-back categories
Review: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards review
Bank of America Travel Rewards Card
Why the BofA Travel Rewards Card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers simple flat-rate rewards on all purchases, a good welcome bonus, and a long 0% intro APR deal.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn 25,000 points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you'll earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no caps. Cardholders can redeem rewards points at a rate of 1 cent each for statement credits toward travel (such as hotels, airlines, motels, and timeshares) and dining purchases. You can also use points for non-travel redemptions like gift cards, direct deposit, check, or credit to an eligible Merrill account, but at a reduced rate.
The card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases, and on any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 16.99% - 26.99% (variable) APR). The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card also doesn't have a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a decent option for international travel.
But if you're looking for travel insurance or perks, you're better off with a different travel rewards card.
Pros: Points redeemable on travel and dining purchases, straightforward rewards, long intro APR, no foreign transaction fee
Cons: Most other travel cards have more benefits, no bonus earning on travel purchases
Review: Bank of America Travel Rewards review
Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
Why the BofA Premium Rewards Card is worth it: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns great rewards on all purchases (no cap) and offers a huge welcome bonus. It also comes with terrific travel benefits like baggage delay insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
With the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, you can earn an excellent welcome bonus and up to $200 in travel statement credits, for a modest $95 annual fee. It also has flexible redemption options and built-in travel benefits. Cardholders earn an unlimited 2x points on travel and dining purchases (1.5x points on all other purchases).
$95 cardholders receive up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually, up to $100 toward the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee (every four years), and travel insurance protection. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees which makes it a good card to travel overseas with.
Pros: Great welcome bonus, airline fee and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, flexible redemption options, travel benefits, no foreign transaction fees
Cons: Annual fee, some other travel cards have higher earning rates, no 0% intro APR deal
Review: Bank of America Premium Rewards review
Alaska Airlines Credit Card
Why the Alaska Airlines Visa is worth it: The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card earns super-valuable Alaska Airlines miles with a simple earning structure. It comes with excellent perks for Alaska flyers and a huge welcome bonus, making the card well worth the $75annual fee.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) after you make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card gets cardholders a large bonus, exclusive savings on travel, and unlimited 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases (1x miles on all other purchases). Cardholders receive money-saving perks like an annual companion fare (from $121), 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases, and a free checked bag on Alaska flights (worth $30).
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which means it's a good option for international purchases.
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card only earns bonus miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases (1x miles on other purchases), so it's not a good card for everyday spending. Also, perks can really only be used on Alaska Airlines flights. However, cardholders are eligible to receive a free year of Grubhub+ membership.
Pros: Huge welcome bonus, annual companion fare, earns valuable Alaska miles, no foreign transaction fees
Cons: Annual fee, no bonus categories outside of Alaska purchases
Review: Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card review
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Card
Why the BofA Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card is worth it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card earns straightforward cash back on all purchases, with no category restrictions. Plus, it has a solid welcome bonus and decent perks for a no-annual-fee credit card. Cardholders also get $100,000 in travel accident insurance.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great card for small businesses with expenses in a bunch of different categories. You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a decent welcome bonus. Cash back is redeemable at any time as a statement credit, a check, direct deposit to a Bank of America checking or savings account, or as a credit to an eligible Merill investment account.
One notable perk is that you'll receive $100,000 in travel accident insurance. In addition, the Bank of America® Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card gets you auto rental insurance, emergency ticket replacement, lost-luggage assistance, overdraft protection, and legal/medical referrals while traveling.
But it has a shorter intro APR deal than the personal version of the card. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 months from account opening (then a 14.49% to 24.49% variable APR). Also, it charges foreign transaction fees (3%), so it's not an ideal card for traveling overseas.
Pros: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, travel insurance, no annual fee
Cons: Foreign transaction fees, other cards have longer 0% intro APR offers
Review: Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards review
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Card
Why the BofA Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns customizable rewards in your highest eligible earning category (with a cap). Cardholders also receive a decent welcome bonus offer and perks.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn $300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Your business earns 3% cash back in the category of your choosing (from a list), 2% cash back on dining, and 1% cash back on all other purchases when you use the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The 3% and 2% earning rates are capped after you the first $50,000 spent in combined totals per calendar year (1% back then after).
You can choose which bonus category to earn 3% cash back in (gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom/wireless, computer services, or business consulting services), and you can switch your earning category up to once a month. There are several options for redeeming rewards, including statement credits, checks, or direct deposit to an eligible BofA or Merill account.
New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles (then a 14.49% - 24.49% Variable APR).
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card gets you auto rental insurance, emergency ticket replacement, lost-luggage assistance, overdraft protection, $0 liability protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. There is a foreign transaction fee, so it's not a good card for international purchases.
Pros: 3% cash back in an eligible bonus category of your choice, flexible redemption options, travel and purchase benefits, no annual fee
Cons: Foreign transaction fees, other cards have longer 0% intro APR offers
Review: Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards review
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card
Why the BofA Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card is worth it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on travel booked through the Travel Site (1.5x flat-rate rewards on all other purchases), a large welcome bonus, and decent travel perks for no annual fee.
Welcome bonus offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card earns 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, as well as 3x points on travel (such as car rentals, airlines, and hotel bookings) through the Bank of America Travel Center, and a large welcome bonus.
Points are redeemable as cash, check, direct deposit, gift card, or credit to an eligible BofA/Merill account. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card also lets you redeem rewards on eligible travel and dining-related purchases (rate of 1 cent per point). Redemption categories include:
- Airlines
- Hotels
- Trailer parks
- Cruise lines
- Restaurants
- Carnivals
- Art galleries
- Travel agencies
Although it gives cardholders access to a lot of different ways to redeem, determining what is eligible or not could potentially become tricky. So, if you're looking for straightforward point redemptions, you might consider a different travel rewards card.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card has a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 months from account opening (then a 14.49% - 24.49% variable APR).
You'll also get accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage, overdraft protection, and fraud protection. There are no foreign transaction fees, which means it's a good card to travel internationally with.
Pros: Good welcome bonus offer, unique redemption options, no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Cons: Other cards have longer 0% intro APR offers, redemption options can be confusing
Review: Business Advantage Travel Rewards review
Bank of America credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You need good to excellent credit to qualify for the best Bank of America credit cards (most of the cards on this list) — meaning a FICO score of at least 670 (VantageScore of at least 700). Certain cards (such as the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card) require you to have excellent credit (FICO score of at least 800).
That said, Bank of America does offer secured and student versions of certain cards to folks with limited or no credit history.
You can request a credit line increase on eligible Bank of America credit cards when you sign into your Online Banking account, select your credit card, go to Account Summary, and click the "Request a credit line increase" link under Card Details.
The best way to avoid paying interest on your Bank of America card (as with all credit cards) is by paying your credit on time and consistently. Just paying the monthly minimum won't prevent you from incurring interest on the remaining balance (interest is charged on your next statement). So if you want to completely avoid interest charges, you'll need to pay your balance in full each month.
If you struggle to remember to pay your balance every month, you can set up automatic payments through the Online Banking app or site.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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