Best Bank of America credit cards of September 2022

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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. BofA offers a surprising number of cash-back, flexible points, and travel rewards credit cards worth considering, including personal and small-business options. 

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Best for flat-rate cash back: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for customizing your own bonus category: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for travel: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Best for premium travel benefits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Best airline card: Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card

Best small business card with flat-rate cash back: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best small-business card with customizable rewards: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best small-business card for travel: Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

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.

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). 

Compare Bank of America credit cards

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 Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is great for folks looking for straightforward rewards. It has a Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card 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 Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit 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 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

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 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card 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 Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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 Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card (then a Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 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 Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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 Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card 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). 

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card 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 Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Cardannual fee. 

Welcome bonus offer: Earn Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card gets cardholders a huge 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 Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

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® 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 Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card 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 Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

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 Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card (then a Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card 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 3x points 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 Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

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
• Zoos
• 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 Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card (then a Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card 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) 

What credit score do you need to apply for a Bank of America credit card? 

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. 

How do you request a credit line increase with Bank of America?

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. 

How can you avoid paying interest on your Bank of America card? 

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.