Bank of America® Travel Rewards
vs. BankAmericard® Credit Card

Updated: April 22, 2024

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If you're looking for a Bank of America credit card with no annual fee and an introductory APR offer, you may be considering the Travel Rewards card and the BankAmericard. The BankAmericard is ideal for people prioritizing a longer 0% intro APR period, offering 18 billing cycles compared with Travel Rewards's 15. But if earning rewards on every purchase is important to you, the Travel Rewards card is the clear choice, with its unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent and a 25,000-point bonus offer.

Credit Card logo for Bank of America® Travel Rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.3/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.3/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    19.24%–29.24% variable
    16.24% – 26.24% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases
    0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers
    0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1.5 points
    -
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. BankAmericard: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the BankAmericard® Credit Card if: you're looking for a card with a generous introductory APR period. With a 0% intro APR for the first 18 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers, this card can help you manage large expenses or existing debt without accruing interest for a year and a half. It's particularly well-suited for people who may not travel frequently and are seeking a straightforward credit card with no annual fee and a recommended credit score range of 670 to 850.

You might prefer the Bank of America® Travel Rewards if: you're a frequent traveler interested in earning points on every purchase. This card allows you to accumulate unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent, which can be redeemed for travel expenses. Additionally, the card offers an introductory bonus of 25,000 points and a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. With no annual fee and the same recommended credit score range as the BankAmericard, it's a compelling option for those looking to earn travel rewards on their everyday spending.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Bank of America Travel Rewards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for people who want to earn travel points without worrying about an annual fee. With a MoneyGeek balance transfer card rating of 3.0 out of 5, it's a respectable option for those looking to manage existing debt while earning rewards. No annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles can help cardholders save on costs while accumulating points.

Cardholders earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, making it straightforward to rack up rewards. Additionally, the card offers an enticing introductory bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after meeting the spending requirements, which can be a significant boost to your travel points balance.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards
Credit Card logo for Bank of America® Travel Rewards
MoneyGeek Rating
3.3/ of 5

Regular APR
19.24%–29.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1.5 points
Recommended Credit
670–850 (Good to Excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the BankAmericard® Credit Card

The BankAmericard® Credit Card, with a MoneyGeek Balance Transfer Score of 4.3, stands out for those seeking a financial tool to manage existing debt. This card is particularly beneficial for its $0 annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles — it's tailored for individuals looking to minimize interest on their current balances. The card is best suited for consumers with a good to excellent credit score, ranging from 670 to 850, who are looking for a straightforward credit option without the complexity of rewards programs.

BankAmericard® Credit Card
Credit Card logo for BankAmericard® Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5

Regular APR
16.24% – 26.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
Balance Transfer Offer
0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles
Rewards Summary
N/A
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. BankAmericard

Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features. This section is designed to guide you through each card's specifics, such as the BankAmericard's longer intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers versus the Travel Rewards card's points system.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    For those prioritizing a lower regular APR, the BankAmericard with its APR range of 16.24% to 26.24% variable is the better choice over the Travel Rewards card, which has an APR range of 18.24% to 28.24% variable.

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    Annual Fee

    Both cards have a $0 annual fee. This makes them equally attractive for users looking to avoid yearly charges.

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    Introductory 0% APRs

    The BankAmericard offers a longer introductory 0% APR period for both purchases and balance transfers, making it the better choice for those looking to maximize their interest-free period.

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    Rewards

    The Bank of America Travel Rewards is better for rewards, offering unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. By contrast, the BankAmericard does not have a rewards program.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    The Bank of America Travel Rewards is better for welcome offers due to its 25,000 online bonus points offer, compared with the BankAmericard, which does not offer a welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score

    The Bank of America Travel Rewards and the BankAmericard require a recommended credit score of 670 to 850, making them accessible only to those with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees

    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.

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    Issuer Satisfaction

    Both the Travel Rewards card and the BankAmericard are issued by Bank of America so the customer experience should be similar.

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    Other Features & Perks

    The Bank of America Travel Rewards offers additional perks such as travel insurance and shopping protections, whereas the BankAmericard does not offer additional perks beyond the standard features from the issuer, which are shared with the Travel Rewards card.

FAQ: Bank of America Travel Rewards vs. BankAmericard

What are the main differences in rewards between the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the BankAmericard® Credit Card?
How do the APRs compare between the two cards after the introductory period?
Are there any differences in balance transfer fees between the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the BankAmericard® Credit Card?
Which card should I choose if I'm looking for travel perks?
Can I use either of these cards for international purchases without incurring fees?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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