Bank of america travel credit card for students

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a high-value student credit card that offers flexible travel rewards and a long list of attractive features. At first glance, this card appears to have it all: sign-up bonus, unlimited flat-rate rewards, 0% intro APR offer, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fees. However, it's not without its drawbacks. Learn more about this card in our Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students review so you can decide whether it's right for you.

Bank of america travel credit card for students

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.

Credit Score:
New/Rebuilding Under(579) Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Intro APR Info IconCircle with letter I in it. 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR ends, 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply.

Purchases: 0%, 18 billing cycles

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 billing cycles

Regular APR

16.99% - 26.99% variable

Rewards

1.5 points per dollar

Welcome Offer Info IconCircle with letter I in it. 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening,which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases .

25,000 points

  • With a generous sign-up bonus and a rewards program, it'll be harder to find a better card for students.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Competitive rewards rate
    • 0% intro APR offer

    • No bonus categories
    • Limited ways to use points

    • Flat 1.5-point earning rate: The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students earns an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent with the card. Points never expire and can be applied toward any airline or hotel with no blackout dates.
    • Sign-up bonus: You can earn 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases .
    • No additional fees: There is a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
    • Introductory APR: The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After that, the variable APR is 16.99% - 26.99% based on your creditworthiness.
    • Free credit score: The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students offers monthly FICO credit score access for free to help students build good credit.

This credit card is a good fit for: Students who are getting started building a credit history and want easy-to-use travel points.

Top perks

Unlimited 1.5 points per $1

This flat-rate rewards system is easy and lucrative, offering an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, so you don't have to worry about using different cards for different purchases to maximize your rewards. This is one of the best basic cash back rates out there across all rewards credit cards, and the fact that it's a student credit card makes it even more impressive.

25,000 bonus points offer

You can earn 25,000 online bonus points with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. These points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. This is one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses offered by a student credit card.

Intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers

On top of the rewards, you can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening the account. While this isn't the longest 0% intro APR offer, it's still pretty generous for a student credit card that also offers rewards. Just make sure to pay off your balance before the intro period ends and the standard APR is applied.

Flexible rewards

Rather than earning miles and points that can only be redeemed with one brand, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students earns generic points that can be used for statement credits to cover a wide range of travel purchases. These include flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, baggage fees, and rental cars. Points are worth $0.01 each, so you'd need 10,000 points to "erase" a $100 travel purchase.

Read more: Best Rewards Credit Cards

No foreign transaction fees

If you're going to travel internationally, having a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees is a must. Most credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, meaning you'd pay $30 in fees per $1,000 you spend. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, you don't have to worry about fees eating up your vacation funds.

No annual fee

This card doesn't charge an annual fee, so you can give it a spin without worrying about accumulating fees that will cancel out any rewards you earn.

Alternatives to consider

  • If you want bonus cash back at restaurants and gas stations: The Discover it® Student chrome doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement, and it still comes with a cash back rewards program. You'll even earn 2% cash back on restaurant and gas station purchases ($1,000 spending cap quarterly), plus a dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match of rewards earned the first year for new cardholders.
  • If you want generous flat-rate cash back on purchases and have good credit: If you've got good credit, it's worth considering the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer You'll effectively earn 2% cash back on purchases, making the rewards on this card more generous and more flexible. While it doesn't offer a sign-up bonus, it does come with a lengthy balance transfer offer if you're paying off debt.

Read more: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

As of Oct. 04, 2022

Bank of america travel credit card for students

Bank of america travel credit card for students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Discover it® Student chrome Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.

4.50 stars

Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.

4.50 stars

Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.

5.00 stars

Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Apply Now for Discover it® Student chrome

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Apply Now for Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

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Rates & Fees

Credit Rating Requirement:

New/Rebuilding Under(579) Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Credit Rating Requirement:

Fair/New to Credit Under(669) Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Credit Rating Requirement:

Good/Excellent (670-850) Info IconCircle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Welcome Offer: Welcome Offer info 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening,which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases .

25,000 points

Welcome Offer: Welcome Offer info Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Cashback Match

Welcome Offer: Welcome Offer info Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash back

Rewards Program:

1.5 points per dollar

Rewards Program: Info IconCircle with letter I in it. 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically

1% - 2% Cashback

Rewards Program: Info IconCircle with letter I in it. 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay

Up to 2% cash back

Intro APR: Intro APR Tooltip 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR ends, 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply.

Purchases: 0%, 18 billing cycles

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 billing cycles

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 6 months

Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months

Intro APR: Intro APR Tooltip N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Regular APR:

16.99% - 26.99% variable

Regular APR:

15.99% - 24.99% Variable APR

Regular APR:

16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee:

$0

Highlights:

  • Flat 1.5-point earning rate: The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students earns an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent with the card. Points never expire and can be applied toward any airline or hotel with no blackout dates.
  • Sign-up bonus: You can earn 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases .
  • No additional fees: There is a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
  • Introductory APR: The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After that, the variable APR is 16.99% - 26.99% based on your creditworthiness.
  • Free credit score: The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students offers monthly FICO credit score access for free to help students build good credit.

Highlights:

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • NEW! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 15.99% - 24.99% applies.
  • Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.

Highlights:

  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Apply Now for Discover it® Student chrome

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Apply Now for Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

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What could be improved

Transfer partners

While a point value of $0.01 each is pretty standard for rewards credit cards, you can often get more value from a card that allows you to transfer points to rewards partners. Strategic transfers can easily yield a value of $0.02 to $0.03 per point, so adding some transfer partners would up the value of this card.

Minimum redemption requirement

This card comes with a minimum redemption requirement of 2,500, meaning you have to wait until you have at least that many points saved up before you can redeem them. Ideally, there would be no set minimum.

Credit score requirement

This credit card has more stringent credit requirements than many other student credit cards, so it might be harder to qualify if you're new to credit or rebuilding credit.

Travel insurance

The best travel credit cards don't just offer travel rewards, they also come with a long list of protections like trip cancellation or delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage insurance, and rental car insurance.

Find the best credit card for your needs

Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.

Bank of america travel credit card for students

Suggested credit score

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students likely requires a good credit score of at least 670 for approval. If you have low or no income, Bank of America also allows cosigners.

For more options, take a look at our picks for the best credit cards for good credit.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is right for you if:

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students definitely packs a punch, and for the right person, it comes with just about everything you could ask for in a credit card. This card is best for you if:

  • You're a student with good credit and/or a cosigner
  • You make travel-related purchases regularly
  • You're looking to finance a purchase you can pay off within one year
  • You're looking for an easy, fee-free credit card

Because the rewards points can only be applied to travel purchases like airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and cruises, this card isn't ideal for folks who don't make those purchases at least once per year. It's also harder to get than other student credit cards, so it's not the best choice if you're just getting started on your credit-building journey.

FAQs

  • The credit limit for this card typically ranges from $500 to $1,500, although some cardholders get higher or lower amounts. Since this is a student credit card, Bank of America tends to issue low credit limits to start.

  • Yes, this card is only for students. There's another version of the card with the same features, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, for non-students.

  • No, this card doesn't have trip cancellation insurance.

Is Bank of America travel Rewards card good for students?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for students is a strong choice for students who want to earn unlimited points toward travel on every purchase. The introductory bonus is fairly solid, with a higher spending requirement than what other student travel cards offer but also a richer reward.

What credit score do you need for Bank of America travel rewards credit card for students?

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students likely requires a good credit score of at least 670 for approval. If you have low or no income, Bank of America also allows cosigners. For more options, take a look at our picks for the best credit cards for good credit.

What qualifies as travel for Bank of America credit card?

Use your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card to book travel however you want, and then redeem points for credit on your statement against those travel purchases. You can use points to cover expenses like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, baggage fees and more.

Do you have to be a student to get the journey credit card?

This card offers simple flat-rate rewards, with a bonus for paying on time. You don't even have to be a student to apply, so consider it if you have average credit.