Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.

Bank of America ranks as the fifth-largest issuer of general purpose credit cards in the U.S. in terms of purchase volume as of 2021. One of the biggest issuers of cards in the Visa network, Bank of America has about 4,200 branches across the U.S. and offers cards for those seeking travel and cash back rewards, as well as student, balance transfer, and business credit cards.

We researched and scored Bank of America credit cards to find the best ones for consumers and businesses with a variety of needs. From travel credit cards to cash back cards and even cards for those with bad credit, Bank of America has a credit card to suit your individual needs. Keep reading for our top picks of the best Bank of America credit cards.

Best Bank of America Credit Cards for January 2023

  • Best Overall, Best Travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
  • Best Student: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
  • Best No Annual Fee Travel: Bank of America Travel Rewards
  • Best Cash Back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best Business: Business Advantage Travel Rewards
  • Best for Bad Credit: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

Best Bank of America Credit Cards

Expand

Best Bank of America Credit Cards

  • Our Top Picks
  • Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
  • Bank of America Travel Rewards
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Business Advantage Travel Rewards
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
  • See More (3)
  • Final Verdict

  • Compare Bank of America Credit Cards

  • Editorial Picks

  • Types of Bank of America Cards

  • How Bank of America's Rewards Program Works

  • Is a Bank of America Credit Card Worth Getting?

  • What Credit Score Is Needed for a Bank of America Credit Card?

  • How Good Is Bank of America Customer Service?

  • What Is the History of Bank of America?

  • Methodology

Best Overall, Best Travel : Bank of America® Premium Rewards®


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.8

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Current Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)20.24% - 27.24% variableAnnual Fee$95Rewards Earning RateEarn unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.Balance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.Foreign transaction fee (%)0%

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

Bank of America Premium Rewards card is our choice for the best overall and best travel card from Bank of America due to its flexible redemption options, generous bonus points offer, and no foreign transaction fees. This card does charge a $95 annual fee, though that is in line with other popular travel rewards cards from competing issuers and should be easily justified with earnings from consistent use.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Rewards rates range between solid and standout

  • Generous travel-fee credits

  • Large bonus

Cons

  • No points-transfer partners

  • No choice in travel vendors

Read the full Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card review

Best Student : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.9

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Current Offer

$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)18.24% - 28.24% variableAnnual Fee$0Rewards Earning RateEarn 3% cash back in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined categories each quarter, then 1%.INTRO PURCHASE APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesINTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesBalance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.Foreign transaction fee (%)3%

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

Our winner for the best Bank of America student credit card is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students because of its flexible cash back rewards program. This is a good card for students who want to build their credit while earning cash back on everyday items like gas, online shopping, and groceries. With no annual fee and a 18-month offer of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, it’s worth checking out.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • 3% cash back on the category of your choice and 2% on groceries up to a quarterly combined spending cap

  • 18-month 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers from the time of account opening

  • Overdraft protection and rewards bonuses for banking customers

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee is less than ideal for students traveling or studying abroad

  • Highest rewards earnings are capped

  • Relatively high spending required for the one-time $200 introductory bonus

Read the full Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students credit card review

Best No Annual Fee Travel : Bank of America Travel Rewards


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.8

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Current Offer

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.

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)18.24% - 28.24% variableAnnual Fee$0Rewards Earning RateEarn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere.INTRO PURCHASE APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesINTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesBalance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.Foreign transaction fee (%)0%

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

We rate the Bank of America Travel Rewards card as the best no annual fee travel card because of its generous rewards on all purchases and excellent bonus opportunity. Its travel redemption options and its lack of annual fee or foreign transaction fees also helped it to earn this top spot.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Earn points on every purchase with no spending caps

  • No annual or foreign transaction fees

  • High-net-worth Bank of America and Merrill customers receive points bonuses

Cons

  • Rewards rates are relatively modest

  • Reward points can't be transferred

  • Premium travel benefits aren't included

Read the full Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review

Best Cash Back : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.7

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Current Offer

Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)18.24% - 28.24% variableAnnual Fee$0Rewards Earning RateEarn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.INTRO PURCHASE APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesINTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR0% for 18 Statement Closing DatesBalance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.Foreign transaction fee (%)3%

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

We selected the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card as the best cash back rewards option from Bank of America because of its lucrative cash back rate on purchases and simple statement credit, check, or gift card redemption options. The card offers bonus earnings on a category of choice as well as enhanced earnings on grocery purchases, with a base rate on all other purchases.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Generous cash back rewards

  • New cardholders earn a bonus offer easily

  • No annual fee

  • Fairly generous introductory 0% APR offer

Cons

  • Spending caps on premium rewards earnings

  • Limited redemption options

Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review

Best Business : Business Advantage Travel Rewards


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.5

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Current Offer

30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days.

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)15.24% - 25.24% variableAnnual Fee$0Rewards Earning RateEarn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Earn 3 points per $1 spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.INTRO PURCHASE APR0% for 9 Billing CyclesBalance Transfer FeeEither $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.Cash Advance APR (%)27.24%Cash Advance FeeEither $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

We chose the Business Advantage Travel Rewards as our top pick for Bank of America business cards because of its competitive earnings on all spending and the ability to earn 3 points per every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America Travel Center. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Regular redemption is as simple as requesting points be applied to travel and dining purchases. The one-time bonus is valued at $300, which is excellent for a no annual fee business card.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Earn unlimited points with no spending caps

  • Easily earned, if modest, bonus

  • Rewards boost with a high-balance bank or investment account

Cons

  • Limited options for getting the best return on rewards

  • No premium travel benefits

Read the full Business Advantage Travel Rewards credit card review

Best for Bad Credit : Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured


Rating as a Bank of America Card

4.1

Bank of america pre qualify for credit card
Bank of america pre qualify for credit card

Next Steps

Recommended Credit

Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.

350 579

580 669

670 739

740 799

800 850

Good - Excellent

Regular APR (%)28.24% variableAnnual Fee$0Minimum Deposit to Activate$300Pay deposit in installmentsNoAllows upgrade to unsecured cardYesRewards Earning RateEarn 3% cash back in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined categories each quarter, then 1%.

  • Why We Chose This Card:
  • Pros & Cons:

Why We Chose This Card:

We chose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card as the best Bank of America card for bad credit because of its competitive rewards rates. With no annual fee and the ability to upgrade to an unsecured card, this is a great option for those looking to build or repair their credit.

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Competitive rewards rates for a secured card

  • May be upgraded to an unsecured card with responsible use

  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Minimum security deposit required

  • Security deposit does not earn interest

  • Balance transfer fee

Read the full Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured credit card review

Final Verdict

Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards with different rewards and benefits programs to meet the specific wants and needs of consumers. Whether you are looking for a personal credit that offers travel rewards, a student credit card to help you begin building credit, or a business credit card, Bank of America has a credit card that can fit your needs. No matter your budget, Bank of America has a card for you with many cards that don’t require an annual fee.

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card is our top pick for the best overall credit card and the best travel credit card due to its flexible redemption options, generous bonus offer, and no foreign transaction fees. While it does come with a $95 annual fee, the rewards and benefits you get from this card can more than make up for the cost.

Compare the Best Bank of America Credit Cards

Credit CardIntro OfferRewardsAnnual FeeRegular APRMin. Credit ScoreBank of America® Premium Rewards®
Best Overall, Best Travel50,000 bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in first 90 days of account openingUnlimited points for every $1 spent on travel/dining Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on grocery store purchases through to 12/31/21 Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases$9520.24% to 27.24%670Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
Best Student$200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in first 90 days of your account openingEarn 3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases$018.24% to 28.24%670Bank of America Travel Rewards
Best No Annual Fee Travel25,000 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 purchasesEarn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time, and no expiration on points$018.24% to 28.24%670Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best Cash BackOnline $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days after your account openingEarn 3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/ grocery store/ wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases$018.24 to 28.24%670Business Advantage Travel Rewards
Best BusinessEarn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases with 90 days of account opening Can be redeemed for $300 statement credit toward travel or diningEarn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Earn 3 points per $1 spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.$012.99% to 22.99%670Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured
Best for Bad CreditNone3% cash back in the category of your choice 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) Unlimited 1% on all other purchases$028.24%350

Editorial Picks of the Best Bank of American Credit Cards

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

Best Overall, Best for Travel

Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere. Use the 12-month 0% APR promotion on purchases.

Read the full Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card Review.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students 

Best Student

Students can enjoy a $200 cash rewards bonus offer after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of opening an account.

Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students Review.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

Best No Annual Fee Travel

Take advantage of the generous bonus offer of 25,000 points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. This can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases.

Read the full Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Review.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best Cash Back

Offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings) as well as 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Review.

Business Advantage Travel Rewards Credit Card

Best Business

Business owners can earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases as well as 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel center.

Read the full Business Advantage Travel Rewards Credit Card Review.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured 

Best for Bad Credit

Start rebuilding or repairing your credit while you earn cash back. Earn competitive rewards with a secured card and work toward being upgraded to an unsecured card with responsible use.

Read the full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Review.

Types of Bank of America Cards

Bank of America issues Mastercard and Visa cards but does not issue cards on the American Express or Discover networks. Its cards include points and cash back rewards options for consumers and small businesses, along with cards for college students and those who want to transfer balances or build credit. The different types of credit cards offered by Bank of America include:

  • Cash rewards credit cards
  • Cards for building credit
  • Credit cards for students
  • Lower interest rate credit cards
  • Points rewards credit cards
  • Travel rewards credit cards
  • Airline rewards credit cards

How Bank of America's Rewards Program Works

Bank of America's rewards points are earned at various levels based on the card product. They can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or for travel through Bank of America's travel center. As with many issuers' rewards platforms, earned points generally have the greatest value when they're redeemed for travel through the travel portal.

Is a Bank of America Credit Card Worth Getting?

Whether you are looking for a personal credit card or a business credit card, Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards to meet an array of wants and needs.

Credit Card Benefits

Those interested in earning cash back rewards, travel rewards, or points rewards can benefit from a Bank of America credit card. Students looking to build their credit while also earning cash back or travel rewards can benefit from a Bank of America Student credit card.

Credit Card Interest Rate

If you want a credit card that will help you to save on interest, Bank of America offers credit cards with 0% APR intro offers for purchases and balance transfers for a certain number of months.

Credit Card Fees

Bank of America offers many credit cards with no annual fee. Some credit cards, including the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, do have a $95 annual fee but are worth it for those who take advantage of the generous bonus offer and solid reward points program.

What Credit Score Is Needed for a Bank of America Credit Card?

Bank of America generally requires good or excellent credit for the majority of its consumer and business cards. A good to excellent FICO credit score ranges from 670 to 850. Bank of America does consider those with no credit history for its student card options and those with lower scores for its non-rewards and secured card options.

To apply for a Bank of America credit card, you can complete an online application and get a response in as little as 60 seconds. You will be asked to fill in some demographic information (name, address), information about your citizenship (including Social Security number), as well as employment information including your total annual income and primary source of income.

Once you have submitted all of your information, you will receive one of four decision messages. One is that your application has been approved. In this case, you can expect to receive your credit card within 10 days. You might also receive a message saying your application has been approved, but for a different card. It’s also possible to receive a message saying more time is needed to review your information. Finally, you may receive a notice saying you have been declined.

Before applying for a Bank of America credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit score so you have a good understanding of your current creditworthiness. Bank of America uses all three of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

How Good Is Bank of America Customer Service?

Bank of America received a score of 805 out of 1,000 points in the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study and ranked fifth out of 11 major national credit card issuers. The average score among major issuers was 809. Its mobile app scored first in a 2021 J.D. Power survey for customer satisfaction. As another of its services, Bank of America offers customers access to their FICO credit score.

What Is the History of Bank of America?

Bank of America Corporation was formed through the merger of San Francisco, CA-based BankAmerica and Charlotte, NC-based NationsBank in 1998, creating one of the country's largest banking organizations. Bank of America can trace its roots to the Bank of Italy, started by an Italian immigrant to serve his community in 1904. Bank of America launched the BankAmericard in 1958, which was the second universal credit card ever offered, with Diners Club being the first. The card network behind the BankAmericard eventually evolved into Visa after being spun off from the bank in the 1970s. Bank of America dramatically grew its credit card portfolio when it acquired MBNA in 2005.

Methodology

To choose the best Bank of America credit cards, we filtered our list of nearly 300 credit cards. We looked at credit card features including rewards, bonus offers, interest rates, fees, and benefits. We also considered the security of the card and the level of customer service provided. A weighted algorithm was used to determine which cards would be included in our final list.

MEET OUR CREDIT CARDS EXPERT

Ben Woolsey is Investopedia's Associate Editorial Director of Financial Products and Services, including credit cards. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including marketing for banking and financial institutions such as Associates First Capital and Bank One. Prior to Investopedia, he managed credit card content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com.

Can I get a Bank of America credit card with a 650 credit score?

The BankAmericard® credit card credit score requirement is at least 750. That means people with excellent credit have a shot at getting approved for the BankAmericard credit card.

Is Bank of America hard to get a credit card with?

As long as you meet the credit score requirement and a few other requirements, it's not hard to get a Bank of America credit card. As with all credit cards, you'll need to have a steady income and be at least 18 years old. You'll also need to have an SSN or ITIN.

Can I get a Bank of America credit card with a 600 credit score?

Yes, you can get a Bank of America credit card with fair credit. One of the best choices is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, which offers 1 - 3% cash back, depending on the type of purchase. This card has a $0 annual fee and accepts people even with bad credit.

How accurate is Bank of America credit card pre

Understand that if you are pre-approved, you will still need to apply for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Pre-approvals don't guarantee you'll qualify for the card, but the odds of getting approved are very much in your favor (90%).