The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is our top pick for the overall best Bank of America credit card. It charges a $0 annual fee, offers a generous sign-up bonus and comes with a flexible cash back program that lets you choose your 3% earning category from six different options.
Bank of America issues a wide range of credit cards, including cash back credit cards, cards for college students, cards for business owners and more. The best one for you will depend on what type of annual fee, rewards rate, APR and sign-up bonus you’re looking for.
Bank of America also offers the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. With Preferred Rewards, members get special benefits based on qualifying combined balances in Bank of America deposit accounts and Merrill investment accounts. If you qualify and have an eligible credit card, that adds a 25%, 50% or 75% bonus to your card’s rewards rate.
Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Winner
|
1% - 6% cash back
| $200 cash rewards
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
| Good / Excellent |
on Bank Of America's secure site |
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Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Flat-rate cash back
|
1.5% - 2% cash back
| $200 cash rewards
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
| Good / Excellent |
on Bank Of America's secure site |
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BankAmericard® credit card*
|
Intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
|
N/A | N/A | Good / Excellent | |
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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Travel
|
1.5X - 2X points
| 60,000 points
60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
| Good / Excellent |
on Bank Of America's secure site |
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Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*
|
2.4
Beginners
|
N/A | N/A | Limited / Poor | |
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students*
|
College students
|
1% - 3% cash back
| $200 cash rewards
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
| Good / Excellent | |
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Travel with no annual fee
|
1.5X - 3X points
| 25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
| Good / Excellent |
on Bank Of America's secure site |
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*
|
Building credit
|
1% - 3% cash back
| N/A | Limited / Poor | |
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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card*
|
Airline miles & benefits
|
1X - 3X miles
| 50,000 miles
50,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare for just the taxes and fees when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
| Good / Excellent | |
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Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card*
|
Small business owners
|
1% - 3% cash back
| $300 statement credit
Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
| Excellent |
We evaluated the credit cards offered by Bank of America and considered several factors. For example, many of the cards on this list earn rewards — cash back, points or miles. Similarly, sign-up bonuses were also considered in the selection process.
In addition, many of the cards here also offer 0% intro APR periods on purchases and/or balance transfers. If you need to make a big purchase or transfer debt you’re carrying on another card, an intro APR period is useful.
Other factors weighed included helpful benefits, like travel credits and companion fares.
Finally, most of the cards on this list charge no annual fee, and those that do charge an annual fee offer enough value to make the card worth the fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $200 cash rewards
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a cash rewards credit card that offers you a flexible and valuable rewards rate. It lets you choose your top earning categories on a monthly basis. This is a great $0-annual-fee card for people whose expenses may vary throughout the year.
It comes with a generous sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus it offers a solid intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and lets you switch your 3% cash back earnings between the following categories:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $200 cash rewards
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers an elevated flat rewards rate, which is great for people who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories. This $0-annual-fee card also lets you earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, there’s a long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days followed by a 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on balance transfers.
If you need to make a big purchase and want to enjoy a long interest-free period, or if you’re looking to transfer high-interest credit card debt, the BankAmericard® credit card is an excellent choice.
It offers one of the longest intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers available. You’ll get a year-and-a-half to pay down your debt.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points
Earn 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
If you frequently travel by air, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card might just be the credit card you want in your wallet — especially if you’re a Preferred Rewards member.
You can get a generous sign-up bonus that can be used toward future travel: Earn 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, you’ll get generous travel credits that can easily recoup the annual fee, including up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually, and a statement credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck and bonus rewards on travel and dining.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Secure a high credit limit with no annual fee
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is an excellent choice for people who are getting a credit card for the first time. With its $0 annual fee, you can get a solid start to your credit journey if you use the card responsibly. Plus, you’ll earn a high rate of cash back on every purchase that you make.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $200 cash rewards
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is a unique student credit card with a customizable rewards rate. Most other student cards either have a flat rate or a tiered rate with permanent categories.
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, you have an opportunity to build credit and earn cash back at the same time. You can also $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can choose from the following categories for your 3% cash back category each month with this student credit card:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 25,000 points
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an easy-to-use travel rewards credit card with a $0 annual fee. You’ll earn a simple rewards rate, and an even higher rate if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member.
With the sign-up bonus, you can 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Customize your cash back to match your spending.
If you have less-than-stellar credit and need a secured card to help rebuild your credit score, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card can help you do that. Plus, it comes with an excellent cash back program, while some secured cards don’t offer rewards at all.
The categories you can choose from to earn 3% on each month include:
Like most secured credit cards, it charges a $0 annual fee and requires a $200 minimum security deposit. However, Bank of America periodically reviews your account and your overall credit history to see if you qualify to get your security deposit refunded. Though there’s no timeline for reviews, you can always get your deposit back once you close the card, minus any fees or balance owed.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles
Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare for just the taxes and fees when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card can be worth the $95 annual fee for frequent Alaska Airlines flyers. Its perks and sign-up bonus alone can cover the cost of the annual fee. The sign-up bonus lets you get 50,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare for just the taxes and fees when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
You’ll get an annual companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more within the prior year. Plus, it has solid travel protections and no foreign transaction fees.
Alaska Airlines might not be as big a name in the travel world as, say, Delta, but it can still get you to numerous destinations throughout the United States, as well as Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. However, because of its $95 annual fee, this card isn’t for the occasional traveler.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $300 statement credit
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers customizable categories for business owners whose expenses change frequently. For a $0 annual fee card, it also offers a decent sign-up bonus: Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Going through a period where you have to drive a lot for business trips? Select the gas station category to earn 3% on. No longer driving as much? Perhaps earning 3% back at office supply stores instead would be a better fit.
Here’s the full list of categories you can select from for 3% cash back:
If you choose a Bank of America credit card, there are some benefits that come along with it that you may not find at other banks.
1. Earn more rewards as a Preferred Rewards member
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% to 75% more rewards with some credit cards — including the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students and Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students.
2. Customize your rewards categories
Bank of America offers credit cards, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, that let you choose which spending categories you earn the most on. Some issuers offer similar cards, but Bank of America is unique since it offers this feature on several different types of cards. This includes student cards (Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students) and credit-building cards (Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card).
3. Check your credit score
You can check your FICO® Score on your Bank of America app or online.
4. $0 liability guarantee
All Bank of America credit cards have a $0 liability guarantee. This means you’re not responsible for any fraudulent transactions, as long as you report them promptly.
5. Overdraft protections
You can enroll in Bank of America’s Balance Connect®, which lets you connect up to five other Bank of America accounts to help you automatically cover any exceeding transactions.
You can apply for a Bank of America credit card online or in-branch. To apply online:
Just be aware that Bank of America has a 2/3/4 rule that limits the number of cards you can open in a certain time period. This only applies to Bank of America consumer cards:
Bank of America offers a rewards program for existing Bank of America and Merrill clients known as Preferred Rewards. Once enrolled, you can get special benefits with Bank of America, depending on your qualifying balance in a Bank of America or Merrill investing account:
Tier level | Required balance to qualify (Three-month combined average daily balance) | Credit card point bonus |
---|---|---|
Gold | $20,000 to $49,999 | 25% |
Platinum | $50,000 to less than $99,999 | 50% |
Platinum Honors | $100,000 to less than $999,999 | 75% |
Diamond | $1,000,000 or more | 75% |
If you’re an existing Preferred Rewards member, that can make some Bank of America cards more attractive options. For example, you might be looking at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, which has a rewards rate of 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. That could increase the rewards rate to 2.625x points on all purchases with the Platinum Honors or Diamond tier.
Similarly, the sign-up bonus (which lets you earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases) can essentially increase to 26,250 points if you’re in the highest tiers.
→ Learn more about the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® Program
When deciding what the best Bank of America credit card is for you, compare the following:
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card is the highest Visa tier Bank of America offers — Visa Infinite — which offers a minimum credit limit of $10,000.
No. Instead, you can add your Bank of America credit card to your digital wallet of choice.
If you have limited credit history or no credit history, applying for a secured credit card might be your best option. With a secured card, you submit a security deposit to the issuer, and this protects them in case you default on what you owe. For that reason, secured cards are typically easier to get than unsecured cards.
That depends on the specific Bank of America credit card you’re applying for. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, for instance, requires good / excellent credit. But if you’re applying for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, the requirements might not be as stringent. Secured cards are often available to people with bad credit or no credit history.
Depending on which Bank of America credit card you have, you may be able to redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards, cash back or travel.
The only metal credit card Bank of America offers is the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card, which has a $550 annual fee.
The information related to the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, BankAmericard® credit card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.