What the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card Offers Students

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card is a no-annual-fee card that earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. Those points convert to cash back or travel statement credits at a 1-to-1 ratio, meaning 100 points equals $1 in value. There is no bonus category—the same earning rate applies whether you are buying groceries, gas, or plane tickets.

The card is designed for students with limited credit history. Bank of America does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but the card typically goes to people building credit or those with fair credit. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration or explore for a different Bank of America student card, the BankAmericard for Students, which has no rewards but lower approval barriers.

The card comes with no foreign transaction fees, which matters if you travel internationally or study abroad. You also get access to Bank of America's travel portal, where you can book hotels, rental cars, and flights using your points. The portal does not always offer the best prices, so comparing against direct booking sites is worth doing before you redeem.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees.
  • Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back or 1 cent each when used for travel through Bank of America's booking portal.
  • You need a Social Security number and a U.S. address to open an account, and Bank of America will check your credit report.
  • The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments help build your credit score over time.
  • If you already have a Bank of America checking account, you may see faster approval and can manage the card through your existing online banking.

Who This Card Works For

This card makes sense if you travel at least a few times per year and want a straightforward earning structure. Because the rate is flat across all spending, you do not have to remember which categories earn more—every purchase counts equally. That simplicity appeals to students who do not want to juggle multiple cards or track rotating categories.

The card also works well if you already bank with Bank of America. Existing customers often see faster approval, and you can manage the card alongside your checking account in one login. If you do not have a Bank of America account, opening one is free and takes a few minutes online, though it is not required to get the card.

The card is less useful if you rarely travel or if you want higher rewards on specific categories like dining or groceries. Students who eat out frequently or buy groceries weekly might earn more with a card that pays 3% or 4% back on those categories, even if the overall earning rate is lower elsewhere.

how the process works and What You Need

You can start the process online at bankofamerica.com or in a Bank of America branch. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information. Bank of America will pull your credit report, so a hard inquiry will appear on your credit report for about three months.

If you are a student with no income, you can list your parents' household income on the form. Bank of America allows this for student applicants. You do not need to be a dependent on their taxes—you just need to know the number and have permission to use it. If you have a part-time job, list your own income instead.

You will receive a decision within minutes to a few business days. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it when ready through your Bank of America online account once it arrives, or you can request expedited shipping for a fee. If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter and ask a human to review your process.

Activating Your Card and Setting Up Rewards

Once your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up online through your Bank of America account, through the mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. set up takes seconds and is when ready.

Your rewards points start posting automatically after your first purchase posts to your account, usually within one to three business days. You do not have to enroll in the rewards program or take any extra steps. You can check your points balance anytime in your online account under the card details, or through the Bank of America mobile app.

Points never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card or let it become inactive for an extended period, Bank of America may close it for inactivity, and you could lose your points. To keep the card active, use it at least once every six months.

How to Redeem Points and Track Value

You have two main ways to redeem: cash back or travel statement credits. For cash back, you log into your account, go to the rewards section, and choose "redeem for cash." The points post as a statement credit within one to two business days. There is no minimum redemption amount—you can redeem as few as 100 points ($1) at a time.

For travel redemptions, you use Bank of America's travel portal. You search for flights, hotels, or rental cars, and at checkout you pay with your points instead of cash. The portal shows you the point cost upfront. One point always equals one cent in value, so a $500 flight costs 50,000 points. This is the same value you get with cash back, so neither option is better than the other—it depends on whether you want the flexibility of cash or prefer to lock in travel purchases.

Some students make the mistake of thinking the travel portal offers special deals. It does not. The portal books the same hotels and flights as the airline and hotel websites, often at the same price. Before you redeem points for a flight through the portal, check the airline's website directly. If the price is lower there, book with cash and save your points for a better redemption later.

Building Credit and Keeping Your Account in Good Standing

The Travel Rewards card reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means on-time payments build your credit score, and missed payments hurt it. For a student building credit from scratch, this card can be a tool to establish a positive payment history.

Set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date. You can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. Paying the full balance each month keeps you out of debt and avoids interest charges. The card's APR varies by creditworthiness, but for students it typically ranges from 18% to 24%, so carrying a balance is expensive.

Your credit utilization—the percentage of your credit limit you use each month—also affects your score. If your limit is $1,000 and you charge $900, your utilization is 90%, which can lower your score. Keeping utilization below 30% helps. If your limit is too low to keep utilization down, you can request a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments.

Fees, Limits, and What to Watch For

The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no fees for balance transfers or cash advances. However, if you take a cash advance, you pay interest when ready at a higher APR than purchases, and a cash advance fee of 3% of the amount (minimum $10). Avoid cash advances.

There is no sign-up bonus on this card. Some student cards offer a small cash back bonus after your first purchase or after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. This card does not, so your only earnings come from the 1.5% rate on purchases.

Bank of America does not publish a specific credit limit for student applicants, but first-time cardholders typically receive limits between $500 and $2,500. Your limit may be lower if you have little credit history or income. You can request an increase after six months of on-time payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this card if I do not have a Bank of America checking account?

Yes. You do not need to be a Bank of America customer to open the card. However, existing Bank of America customers often see faster approval and can manage the card more easily through their existing online banking setup.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

You lose your points if you close the card. Bank of America does not let you transfer points to another card or cash them out after closing. Keep the card open if you want to keep your points, even if you stop using it for purchases.

Does this card have a sign-up bonus?

No. The card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases from day one, but there is no introductory bonus for opening the account or spending a certain amount in the first months.

Can I use my points to pay my statement balance?

No. You must redeem points for cash back or travel credits, which then post to your account. You cannot directly explore points to your bill. After you redeem for cash back, the credit appears on your next statement and reduces what you owe.

What is the difference between this card and the BankAmericard for Students?

The Travel Rewards card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and has no annual fee. The BankAmericard for Students earns no rewards but may be easier to get if you have very limited credit history. Choose the Travel Rewards card if you want rewards; choose the BankAmericard if you are focused on building credit with no rewards.