Bank of America® Travel Rewards
vs. Citi Rewards+® Card

Updated: April 2, 2024

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If you're seeking a rewards card with no annual fee and solid introductory offers, you may be considering the Bank of America Travel Rewards and the Citi Rewards+ Card. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a better fit for those who prefer a straightforward rewards program on all purchases, offering unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent. In contrast, the Citi Rewards+ Card caters to those who make frequent purchases at supermarkets and gas stations, with its unique round-up feature and 2X points in these categories. Both cards offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, but the Bank of America card has a slightly lower regular APR range, potentially making it a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

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

  • Regular APR
    19.24%–29.24% variable
    18.74% - 28.74% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1.5 points
    Earn 1X – 5X ThankYou® Points
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Citi Rewards+® Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Bank of America® Travel Rewards if: you value a higher introductory bonus and a card with a strong customer satisfaction rating. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card, you'll earn 25,000 bonus points after meeting the initial spending requirements, which is slightly more than the Citi Rewards+® Card's 20,000 points offer. Additionally, the issuer satisfaction rating of 4.48 out of 5 suggests that you might enjoy better customer service and a more satisfying overall experience with this card. The card also provides an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, making it a straightforward option for earning travel rewards on everyday spending.

You might prefer the Citi Rewards+® Card if: you frequently book travel through Citi and can take advantage of the higher rewards rate on travel purchases. The Citi Rewards+® Card offers a special earning rate of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on travel purchases through Citi, which could lead to faster accumulation of rewards for some travelers. The card also rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, ensuring you get rewarded even for smaller transactions. While the introductory bonus is slightly lower than that of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card, if your spending aligns with the Citi Rewards+® Card's bonus categories, you might find it to be the more rewarding option in the long run.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Bank of America® Travel Rewards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for those looking to earn travel points without the burden of an annual fee. With a MoneyGeek Balance Transfer Card Rating of 3.2, this card offers a straightforward rewards program where cardholders can earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The card is particularly appealing for its introductory offer, where new cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening, which can help their travel points balance. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is well-suited for individuals with good to excellent credit who want a simple yet effective way to accumulate points for travel.

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 Citi Rewards+® Card

The Citi Rewards+® Card, with a MoneyGeek Balance Transfer Score of 3.2, is a solid choice for travelers looking to earn points on their adventures. Citibank offers this card with no annual fee, appealing to budget-conscious consumers. It's particularly beneficial for those who frequently book travel through Citi, as cardholders can earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on these purchases. The card's introductory offer is also attractive with the opportunity to earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months. For new purchases and balance transfers, the card provides a 0% APR for 15 months, which can be a helpful feature for managing larger expenses or existing debt. With a recommended credit score range of 670 to 850, the Citi Rewards+® Card is accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit. This card is well-suited for those prioritizing travel rewards and looking for a cost-effective way to earn points on every purchase.

Citi Rewards+® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Rewards+® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5

Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1X – 5X ThankYou® Points
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Citi Rewards+® Card

Our breakdown will help you compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features. For instance, if you're a frequent traveler, you might prioritize a card offering higher points on travel purchases. Alternatively, if you're planning a large purchase, a card with a longer introductory APR offer could be more beneficial. Use this section to match your financial habits with the card that offers the most value.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card offers a slightly lower starting APR, with a range of 18.24% to 28.24% variable, compared to the Citi Rewards+® Card's APR range of 18.74% to 28.74% 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

    Both cards offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for approximately the same duration, making them equally attractive for someone looking to make a large purchase or transfer a balance.

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    Rewards

    For consistent rewards across all purchases, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is better with its unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent. The Citi Rewards+® Card, however, offers a special dining reward for the first year and a unique 10% points back on redeemed points, making it potentially more valuable for frequent diners and those who redeem points often.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards offers a more attractive welcome bonus, providing 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, compared to the Citi Rewards+® Card, which offers 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score

    Both the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and the Citi Rewards+® Card require a credit score range of 670-850 (Good to Excellent). This indicates that both cards are aimed at individuals with good to excellent credit, making neither card better in terms of credit score requirements.

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards is better for penalties and fees due to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Both cards charge up to $40 or $41 for late payments and have a penalty APR of up to 29.99%. Cash advance fees are identical for both, at either $10 or 5% of the transaction amount. However, the Citi Rewards+® Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, which the Bank of America® Travel Rewards does not.

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    Issuer Satisfaction

    When it comes to issuer satisfaction, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card has a higher rating at 4.5, compared to the Citi Rewards+® Card, which is rated at 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card offers travel-centric perks, including no foreign transaction fees and flexible redemption options. The Citi Rewards+® Card is good for everyday spending, rounding up points on purchases and offering 10% points back on redemptions. The choice between these cards depends on whether you value travel benefits or maximizing everyday spending.

FAQ: Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. Citi Rewards+® Card

What are the APRs for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and Citi Rewards+® Card?
How do the fees for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards compare to the Citi Rewards+® Card?
What credit score is required for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and Citi Rewards+® Card?
How do the rewards for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards and Citi Rewards+® Card differ?
What are the introductory offers for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs. the Citi Rewards+® Card?

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.


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