In premium travel rewards, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card stays attractive because the earn structure is simple and the annual fee remains modest.
Expect 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1.5 points on everything else, and 60,000 online bonus points after meeting the initial spend requirement, according to current issuer materials checked on November 19, 2025.
Application and benefit details should always be verified on the official pages, since rates, fees, and offers can change without notice. Current issuer pages also confirm no foreign transaction fees, making this card practical for international trips.
Eligibility and What to Prepare
Strong applications present consistent identity, residency, and income information across the form and any follow-up verification. Bank of America’s application FAQs note that online decisions can appear quickly, and that card delivery typically follows within about 7 to 10 business days after approval.
The issuer explicitly asks for a Social Security number and total gross annual income in the online credit card application flow. Applicants who need to check a pending decision can use the bank’s online Application Status page or call the listed number.
International readers often ask about identification numbers. IRS guidance explains that an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is for federal tax purposes and does not convey immigration or work authorization; some U.S. banks accept ITINs for in-person applications.
Rewards and Credits Explained
Issuer copy highlights the welcome offer, the ongoing earn rates, and two travel-related statement credits. Materials show 60,000 online bonus points after at least 4,000 dollars in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Ongoing earn remains unlimited at 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Program language also underscores that points do not expire while the account remains open and that multiple redemption options exist, including cash back to eligible Bank of America and Merrill accounts or travel bookings via the Bank of America Travel Center.
Travel Credits Deserve Precise Framing
Bank of America’s benefit pages indicate up to 100 dollars in airline incidental statement credit each year for qualifying charges like seat upgrades or checked bags, plus up to 100 dollars in airport security fee credits every four years for a TSA PreCheck credit benefit or a Global Entry fee credit.
Marketing copy sometimes presents those two as “up to 200 dollars in combined statement credits,” although only the airline incidental portion refreshes annually.
How to Apply Online
A few clean steps help avoid stalled decisions and follow-up document requests. Plan five to ten minutes for the form, then keep your phone handy in case of immediate verification.
Step-By-Step Application:
- Start at the official Premium Rewards page and choose Apply; pre-screened or customized offer links can also be used if available.
- Complete identity, contact, housing, and employment fields, then enter Social Security number and total gross annual income exactly as they appear on file and pay documents.
- Review rates and fees disclosures, confirm consent, and submit the application.
- Capture the reference number from the decision screen; pending cases can be checked through the Application Status tool.
- After approval, activate the card on arrival and set up mobile banking for alerts and virtual card controls.
In-Branch Applications and Timeline
Complex profiles or recent U.S. arrivals sometimes prefer a financial center visit for documentation review. Expect a similar form completed with a banker, plus potential identity checks on additional documents where warranted.
In-Branch
Bring government-issued identification, a tax identification number, and proof of U.S. address if available.
Bank of America’s public guidance for international clients references the need for two forms of ID and both U.S. and foreign addresses when opening accounts in person; similar Know-Your-Customer standards apply to credit products.
Delivery typically occurs within 7 to 10 business days following approval, matching the online fulfillment timeline.
Preferred Rewards Multiplier and Who Benefits
Relationship bonuses can materially improve point earnings for depositors and investors at Bank of America and Merrill.
Official pages confirm Bank of America Preferred Rewards members receive a 25 percent, 50 percent, or 75 percent bonus on eligible card purchases, based on tier. Those tiers depend on combined average daily balances and are reviewed monthly for upgrades after enrollment.
Frequent travelers who consistently charge airfare, hotels, rides, and dining can see the effective earn rate rise from 2 points to as high as 3.5 points on travel and dining once bonuses apply.
Fees, APR, and Key Terms
Issuer disclosures list the annual fee, ongoing APR range, balance transfer fee, and foreign transaction policy for this product. Details below were checked for accuracy on November 19, 2025, and can change without notice; always recheck the live pages immediately before applying.
| Item | Current disclosure |
| Annual fee | 95 dollars |
| Purchase APR | variable APR 19.74% to 27.74% |
| Intro APR | None |
| Balance transfer fee | 4 percent of each transaction |
| Foreign transaction fee | no foreign transaction fees |
Using and Redeeming Points Effectively
Official copy emphasizes flexible choices, including cash back as a deposit to Bank of America checking or savings, a credit to eligible Merrill accounts, statement credits, and travel bookings through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Third-party analyses frequently value these points at about one cent each for travel and cash-equivalent uses, although actual value depends on the redemption chosen and any promotions.
Preferred Rewards members should evaluate where spending falls across dining, airfare, hotels, and everyday categories. Households concentrating travel and dining spend on this card while maintaining higher relationship tiers can increase effective earn rates meaningfully, especially during peak travel periods.
Quick Document Checklist for Smooth Approvals
Short preparation prevents avoidable delays and follow-up calls.
- Government-issued ID that matches application details; keep digital copies secure.
- Social Security number or ITIN, where applicable; ensure numbers match tax records.
- Recent income information, such as pay stubs or award letters, is needed for accurate totals.
- Current U.S. address and contact information for delivery and verification.
- Bank of America Online Banking credentials if applying while signed in.
After Submitting: Status, Activation, and Security
Pending decisions can be checked online through the status center or by phone. Approved accounts receive cards within the typical 7 to 10 business-day window; activation can be done in the mobile app, on the web, or by phone.
The issuer’s security guidance recommends monitoring account alerts, locking the card if it’s misplaced, and contacting support if suspicious messages appear.
Practical Pitfalls to Avoid
Mismatched names and addresses across identification, application, and banking profiles frequently trigger manual reviews. Claims about airline incidental statement credit usage should match eligible charge types, since gift cards and airfare purchases usually do not qualify.
Airport security fee credits refresh on a four-year cycle, so applications for TSA PreCheck credit benefit or Global Entry fee credit should be timed accordingly.
Points generally cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners under this program, so travelers who prioritize partner transfers might prefer a different ecosystem.
Last Thoughts
For a straightforward travel setup, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card delivers predictable value and manageable costs.
Confirm current rates, fees, and the 60,000 online bonus on the issuer’s page before submitting. Gather identification, income details, and a consistent address history, then apply online or in a branch and track status.
Once approved, activate the card, enroll in Preferred Rewards, set alerts, and prioritize travel and dining, supported by no foreign transaction fees.
