Bank of America issues a range of credit cards. There are cards for earning travel rewards and cash-back, as well as small business cards, airline credit cards and ones for building credit. And certain Bank of America cards are even more rewarding for loyal customers thanks to its Preferred Rewards program which can significantly boost the rewards you earn.
To help you make sense of all the issuer's options, CNBC Select details the best Bank of America credit cards for a variety of categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best Bank of America cards.)
Best Bank of America credit cards
- Best for travel rewards: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Best for cash back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- Best for introductory 0% APR: BankAmericard® credit card
- Best for airline miles: Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
- Best for bad credit: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Best for small businesses: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Best for travel rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel purchases
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
Introductory 0% APR for your first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening.
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No limit or expiration on points
- Strong welcome bonus of 25,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Intro 0% APR offer
- No foreign transaction fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- High penalty APR
- No bonus spending categories
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an ideal fit if you want hassle-free travel rewards. It earns a flat 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases and has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
Standout benefits: Cardholders get a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening. After the intro period, a variable 18.24%-28.24% APR applies and a 3% balance transfer fee applies to all balance transfers.
Best for cash back
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Rewards
3% on a category of your choice and 2% on grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category and grocery stores purchases) and 1% on all other eligible purchases. However, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase if you're a Preferred Rewards member.
Welcome bonus
$200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
Introductory 0% APR for your first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening.
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transaction make with 60 days of account opening. After that, 4% of the amount of each transaction
Foreign transaction fee
3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction made in a foreign currency
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 billing cycles
- $200 online cash rewards bonus
- Have a choice of 6 different categories you can change monthly
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Can't receive a greater cash-back rate unless you're a Preferred Rewards member
Who's this for? If you love cash back and want to customize how you earn rewards, then the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is for you. It lets you choose which spending category you want to earn elevated rewards in each month.
Standout benefits: Cardholders earn 3% back in one category of their choice, as well as 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. The 3% and 2% cash-back category bonuses apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you'll earn 1% back.
Being able to rotate your 3% cash-back category helps maximize your rewards as your spending habits shift throughout the year.
Best for introductory 0% APR
BankAmericard® credit card
Rewards
This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points.
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days.
Regular APR
16.24% to 26.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
3% of the amount of each transaction
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- One of the longest 0%-APR intro periods
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No rewards program
- Transfer timeline: Balances must be transferred within 60 days from account opening
- Estimated total fees and interest on debt repayment: $404
Who's this for? The BankAmericard® credit card is for anyone who wants to give a boost to their get-out-of-debt plan. It offers one of the longest introductory 0%-APR offers of any credit card.
Standout benefits: New cardholders can take advantage of a 0%-introductory APR on purchases and eligible balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles after opening the account, then a variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24% applies.
For a balance transfer to qualify for the 0%-APR offer, it must be completed within 60 days of opening the account, and a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer applies.
Best for airline miles
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases and one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Limited time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% of each transaction
Foreign transaction fees
None.
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- Annual companion fare
- Lounge membership discount
- Earns valuable miles
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
Who's this for? The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is one of the best ways to quickly earn Alaska Airlines miles since none of the major transferable points programs partner with the airline.
Standout benefits: Cardholders enjoy numerous money-saving perks when flying Alaska Airlines, such as a discount on inflight food, beverage and inflight Wi-Fi purchases, as well as free checked bags for yourself and up to six guests on the same reservation. Plus, you'll get another companion certificate every time you renew the card and make qualifying purchases.
Best for bad credit
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
28.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% of each transaction
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Poor/No credit history
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- You can qualify with poor credit
- Unlimited cash-back rewards
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- No introductory 0%-APR offer
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is available to applicants even if they have poor credit or limited credit history, and it has a relatively low minimum security deposit requirement of $200.
Standout benefits: Unlike many other secured credit cards, you can earn cash-back rewards as you build your credit with this card. Every purchase earns 1.5% back and there is no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.
Best for small businesses
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, you can choose from these categories: gas stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, office supply stores, travel, computer services or business consulting services, TV/telecom and wireless. Earn 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined category and dining purchases each calendar year). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
$300 statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles, then a variable 18.49% to 28.49% applies.
Regular APR
18.49% to 28.49% variable APR on all purchases after the introductory APR expires and on all balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transaction.
Foreign transaction fees
3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- You can choose your bonus category once a month
- Eligible for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program
- 0%-Intro APR offer for purchases
Cons
- You can only choose one 3% cash back category per month
- Bonus cash back is limited
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is a solid no-annual-fee business credit card that's ideal for anyone who wants to earn cash back on their business expenses.
Standout benefits: New cardholders can finance business purchases with an introductory 0%-APR for the first nine billing cycles after the account opening, then a variable 18.49% to 28.49% applies.
More on our top Bank of America credit cards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a no annual fee card that earns points that you can redeem for one cent each to offset travel and dining purchases.
Rewards
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases.
Welcome bonus
Earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card is eligible for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, which means you can earn 25% to 75% more points on all of your purchases depending on your status level. Cardholders who qualify for the Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards tier or higher will earn 2.62X points on every purchase.
The card also charges no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good choice when traveling internationally.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice for anyone who loves maximizing the rewards they earn because you can choose and change the category that's most rewarding each month.
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back in one category*:
- Gas and EV charging station
- Online shopping/cable/streaming/internet/phone plan
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug store/pharmacy
- Home improvement/furnishings purchases
Plus, all cardholders earn the following:
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The 3% and 2% cash-back category bonuses apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you'll earn 1% back.
* You can change your selection each month
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
New card members qualify for an introductory 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After the 0%-APR expires, a variable 18.24% - 28.24% APR applies, and a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount the transfer amount applies.
This card is eligible for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards loyalty program, which can boost the cash back you earn by 25% to 75%. If you qualify for the 75% rewards bonus, you'd earn 5.25% back in your chosen 3% back category (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter).
BankAmericard® credit card
The BankAmericard® credit card's introductory 0%-APR offer is longer than what's available on most other credit cards, which makes it ideal if you're looking to reduce the credit card interest you pay.
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card is designed for people who want a lengthy introductory 0%-APR period. But outside of that, it has no notable perks or benefits.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is a great option for anyone who frequently travels with Alaska Airlines or one of its many Oneworld or non-alliance partner airlines. Alaska miles can be redeemed for flights on airlines like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Fiji Airways and more.
Rewards
- 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases
- 1X mile on all other purchases
Card members who also have an eligible Bank of America® checking, savings or investment account can earn an additional 10% bonus on all miles you earn on purchases you make with the card.
Welcome bonus
Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card awards a companion fare after spending at least $6,000 on the card in a cardmember year. Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ allows you to book a second economy ticket for $99 plus the cost of taxes and fees (typically $23 depending on the fare). This benefit is available for eligible flights booked on Alaskaair.com and paid for with your eligible Alaska Airlines card. Travel must be completed within 12 months of the date your companion fare code is issued.
Cardholders can also receive 20% back on inflight food, beverage and inflight Wi-Fi purchases they make with the card and $100 off an Alaska Airlines airport lounge membership when paying with the card. When you fly with Alaska Airlines and pay with your Alaska Airlines card, you and up to six companions, will receive priority boarding and the first checked bag free.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is a no-annual-fee card that's ideal for helping improve your credit score and earning rewards at the same time.
Rewards
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits on the amount of cash back you can earn
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
Your credit limit is determined by your security deposit, which can be $200 to $5,000. Your account will be periodically reviewed and based on your credit and relationship with Bank of America, you may qualify to have your deposit returned.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is a good option for small businesses with expenses that vary from month to month.
Rewards
Cardholders earn 3% cash back in one of the following categories that you choose, including:
- Gas stations & EV charging stations
- Office supply stores
- Travel
- TV/telecom & wireless
- Computer services or business consulting services
Plus, all cardholders earn the following:
- 2% cash back on dining purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The 3% and 2% bonus cash back is earned on the first $50,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1%.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $300 statement credit after spending at least $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
You can boost the rewards you earn with this card through Bank of America's Preferred Rewards for Business program. Depending on which Preferred Rewards level you qualify for, you can earn an additional 25% to 75% cash back, which is up to 5.25% in your chosen category.
What is Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program?
Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program rewards consumers and small businesses based on their combined Bank of America and Merrill account balances. Qualifying accounts include checking accounts, savings accounts and investment accounts. The benefits you receive from this program depend on which tier you qualify for.
Preferred Rewards tiers are broken down as follows:
- Gold: Qualify with at least $20,000 and less than $50,000 in eligible deposits
- Platinum: Qualify with at least $50,000 and less than $100,000 in eligible deposits
- Platinum Honors: Qualify with at least $100,000 and less than $1,000,000 in eligible deposits
- Diamond: Qualify with at least $1,000,000 and less than $10,000,000 in eligible deposits
There are a variety of benefits available, such as rate discounts on various loans, but the main perk for cardholders is the rewards boost. Eligible Bank of America credit cards will earn 25% to 75% bonus rewards on purchases based on the cardholder's Preferred Rewards tier:
- Gold: 25% credit card rewards bonus
- Platinum: 50% credit card rewards bonus
- Platinum Honors and Diamond: 75% credit card rewards bonus
The Preferred Rewards for Business program is very similar to the consumer Preferred Rewards program. However, you qualify based on your Bank of America and Merrill business deposit and investment account balances. The Preferred Reward for Business program doesn't have a Diamond tier, but the account balance requirements for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Honors are the same. Also, the rewards boost to Bank of America Business cards is the same as it is for consumer cards: Gold is 25%, Platinum is 50% and Platinum Honor is 75%.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
FAQs
What's the best credit card from Bank of America?
The best Bank of America credit card depends on your situation and goals. It's important to consider the type of rewards you'll earn, the fees and the ongoing benefits the card offers.
Are Bank of America credit cards hard to get?
Many of the best Bank of America credit cards require good to excellent, however, that's not the case for every card. Bank of America offers secured credit cards, which are designed for anyone with weak credit or a limited credit history.
What Bank of America card is the easiest to get approved for?
Secured credit cards are typically one of the easiest types of credit cards to be approved for. Bank of America issues several different secured credit cards, including the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card and the BankAmericard® Secured card.
Bottom line
Bank of America issues a large range of credit cards for consumers and small businesses. The best Bank of America credit card for you will largely depend on your situation. You have the option to earn cash back, airline miles and to take advantage of generous introductory 0%-APR offers.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.
Our methodology
To determine which Bank of America cards are the best for specific circumstances, CNBC Select evaluated the most popular Bank of America credit cards. We compared each card on a range of features, including travel rewards (points and miles), annual fee, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, one-time perks, annual perks, redemption rates, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews or personal experience when applicable. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
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