MoneyGeek’s BankAmericard® credit card review analyzes the card’s features and benefits. Its main appeal is its 0% APR for 18 billing cycles and on balance transfers that are made in the first 60 days. This gives you enough time to pay your balance without incurring any interest. Better yet, this card comes with a welcome bonus and no annual fee.
MoneyGeek’s Take
BankAmericard® Credit Card Review
The BankAmericard® credit card is a solid option for those looking to finance a large purchase or consolidate debt since it offers a generous introductory 0% APR offer for 18 billing cycles. It also has no annual fee.
Updated: October 23, 2024
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Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles
CONS- Balance transfer fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- No rewards program
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 18 billing cycles, then a variable APR between 16.24% and 26.24%.
- No penalty APR.
- Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3%, whichever is greater.
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% (5% for overseas cash advances).
- FICO Score for free.
MoneyGeek follows a well-defined and meticulous review process for credit cards. We collect credit card information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, standardize data points for easy comparison, estimate average spend profiles, determine the long-term value and carry out monthly re-ranking of the cards.
BankAmericard® credit card Overview
Quick Take
- $0 annual fee
- 0% purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 21 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 16.24% – 26.24%
- No penalty APR
- Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3%, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% (5% for overseas cash advances)
- FICO Score for free
Important Card Details
When it comes to any card, it’s critical to review and understand the fine print. Taking the time to understand all aspects of the card can help you avoid being surprised by fees or interest rates.
Regular APR
The BankAmericard® credit card comes with 0% APR for 18 billing cycles. Once that period ends, there is a variable APR of 16.24% – 26.24% based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfer Fee
The balance transfer fee is 3% of each transaction or $10, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fee
If you use this card outside the United States, you will be charged a foreign transaction fee of 3% for each transaction.
Cash Advance Fee
There is a fee of $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction for direct deposit and check cash advances. But for ATM, over-the-counter, same-day online and cash equivalent Cash Advances, expect a fee of $10 or 5% of the transaction amount.
Annual Fee
The BankAmericard® credit card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Additional Benefits
Aside from the 0% APR offer and welcome bonus, the BankAmericard® credit card has other key features worth considering.
- FICO score access: You can access your FICO credit score for free through the Bank of America’s online banking portal or mobile app.
- Contactless pay: The BankAmericard® credit card uses contactless chip technology, allowing you to make purchases quickly, easily and securely at various locations.
- Fraud protection: The Bank of America will block potential fraud by detecting abnormal patterns in your card activity. Its cards also come with a $0 Liability Guarantee, protecting you from fraudulent transactions made by others using your account.
- Customer service: You can contact BankAmericard® credit card customer service 24/7 for inquiries or assistance with your card.
- Customer satisfaction: It’s important to consider how well a card issuer can meet your needs when choosing a credit card. Luckily, Bank of America ranked fifth in customer satisfaction among national issuers, according to J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
How the BankAmericard® credit card Compares To Other Cards
Because of its 0% introductory APR and lack of annual fee, the BankAmericard® credit card is good for individuals who want to consolidate debt or make a large purchase. However, other cards might be available that fit your needs better.
How the BankAmericard® credit card Compares
BankAmericard® credit card
- Introductory 0% APR: 21 billing cycles
- Regular APR: 16.24% – 26.24% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: 3% of transfer, $10 minimum
- Best for: Those who want to finance a major purchase
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Introductory 0% APR: 12 months
- Regular APR: 18.24% – 28.99% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of transfer, $5 minimum
- Best for: Those who want to take advantage of the Citi Easy Deals program
All BankAmericard Card Comparisons
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Bank of America Travel Rewards
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Discover it Miles
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Citi Simplicity Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Discover it Cash Back Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Citi Rewards Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard Credit Card vs. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bank of America doesn’t specify the average credit score needed to get approved for BankAmericard. That said, having good to excellent credit may get you a higher chance of approval.
Yes, this card reports to all three credit bureaus.
The application for a BankAmericard can be completed online. The process takes a few minutes, and you can receive a response in as little as 60 seconds.
You will need to provide your personal and financial information to apply for this card. You’ll also need to share your contact details.
The Bank of America website provides a comprehensive FAQ page for questions you might have about its products and services. The company ranked fifth in J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction index and first in merchant services in 2022.
Yes, Bank of America offers a mobile banking app.
Bank of America conducts an account review for an automatic credit line increase. You can ask for an increase using your online account or by calling the number on the back of your card.
The Bank of America has security features, including blocking potential fraud and informing you if it suspects fraudulent activity.
The Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards, including the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Credit Card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, and Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Credit Card.
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.
sources
- Bank of America. "BankAmericard® Credit Card." Accessed September 19, 2024.
- Bank of America. "Credit Card Account Management FAQs." Accessed September 19, 2024.
- Bank of America. "Terms and Conditions." Accessed September 19, 2024.
- J.D. Power. "Small Business Satisfaction with Merchant Services Providers Surges, Led by Big Banks, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed September 19, 2024.
- J.D. Power. "While Many U.S. Credit Card Issuers Struggle to Meet Evolving Customer Expectations, Some Bright Spots Exist, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed September 19, 2024.
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