Bank of America credit cards
Verified Oct 16, 2026USD
6 Bank of America cards ranked on a family's spending, each with Year 1 against every year after. Annual fees run from $0 to $95.
Advertiser disclosure: we may earn a commission when you apply through some links on this page. It never affects rank: cards are ordered by the value worked out from your spending. How we make money · Methodology
- #1
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1estimated value, about $1,418, based on 1.5 cents per pointYear 2+estimated value, about $668, based on 1.5 cents per point3 years estimated value, about $2,755, based on 1.5 cents per point after fees· pays for itself in month 1
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1estimated value, about $1,418, based on 1.5 cents per pointYear 2+estimated value, about $668, based on 1.5 cents per pointWelcome or anniversary bonus$750 / $0Rewards on spending$763 / $763Fees (taken off the end)−$95 / −$95 Pays for itself in month 1 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1xGrocGroceries1xDineDining and takeout2xGasGas and EV charging3xAirFlights1xHotelHotels and car rentals2xTransitTransit and rideshare2xStreamStreaming1xDrugDrugstores1xOnlineOnline shopping2xBillsPhone, internet and utilities1xOtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #1 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth about $2,755 (estimated) after fees.
- Year 1. about $1,418 (estimated) = welcome bonus $750 + rewards $763 − fee $95.
- Each year after. about $668 (estimated) = rewards $763 − fee $95.
- Against #2. Beats Bank of America Premium Rewards by $317 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (+$355).
Points valued at 1.50¢ each; move the "Value points as" slider above to see what they're worth transferred.
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #2
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$1,213Year 2+$6133 years $2,438 after fees· pays for itself in month 2
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$1,213Year 2+$613Welcome or anniversary bonus$600 / $0Rewards on spending$645 / $645Credits$63 / $63Fees (taken off the end)−$95 / −$95 Pays for itself in month 2 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1.5%GrocGroceries2%DineDining and takeout1.5%GasGas and EV charging2%AirFlights2%HotelHotels and car rentals2%TransitTransit and rideshare1.5%StreamStreaming1.5%DrugDrugstores1.5%OnlineOnline shopping1.5%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1.5%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #2 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $2,438 after fees.
- Year 1. $1,213 = welcome bonus $600 + rewards $645 + credits $63 − fee $95.
- Each year after. $613 = rewards $645 + credits $63 − fee $95.
- Against #1. Trails Bank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent by $317 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (−$355).
- Against #3. Beats Bank of America Travel Rewards by $379 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (+$350).
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #3
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$853Year 2+$6033 years $2,059 after fees· no fee to cover
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$853Year 2+$603Welcome or anniversary bonus$250 / $0Rewards on spending$603 / $603Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / -$0 No annual fee Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1.5%GrocGroceries1.5%DineDining and takeout1.5%GasGas and EV charging1.5%AirFlights1.5%HotelHotels and car rentals1.5%TransitTransit and rideshare1.5%StreamStreaming1.5%DrugDrugstores1.5%OnlineOnline shopping1.5%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1.5%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #3 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $2,059 after fees.
- Year 1. $853 = welcome bonus $250 + rewards $603.
- Each year after. $603 = rewards $603.
- Against #2. Trails Bank of America Premium Rewards by $379 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (−$350).
- Against #4. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards is worth the same over 3 years; the tie-breakers (lower fee, no foreign fee, earlier break-even) decide.
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #4
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$853Year 2+$6033 years $2,059 after fees· no fee to cover
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$853Year 2+$603Welcome or anniversary bonus$250 / $0Rewards on spending$603 / $603Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / -$0 No annual fee Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1.5%GrocGroceries1.5%DineDining and takeout1.5%GasGas and EV charging1.5%AirFlights1.5%HotelHotels and car rentals1.5%TransitTransit and rideshare1.5%StreamStreaming1.5%DrugDrugstores1.5%OnlineOnline shopping1.5%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1.5%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #4 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $2,059 after fees.
- Year 1. $853 = welcome bonus $250 + rewards $603.
- Each year after. $603 = rewards $603.
- Against #3. Bank of America Travel Rewards is worth the same over 3 years; the tie-breakers (lower fee, no foreign fee, earlier break-even) decide.
- Against #5. Beats Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards by $29 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (+$50).
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #5
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$930Year 2+$5503 years $2,030 after fees· no fee to cover
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$930Year 2+$550Welcome or anniversary bonus$200 / $0Rewards on spending$730 / $550Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / -$0 No annual fee Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
2%GrocGroceries3%DineDining and takeout3%GasGas and EV charging3%AirFlights1%HotelHotels and car rentals1%TransitTransit and rideshare1%StreamStreaming3%DrugDrugstores3%OnlineOnline shopping1%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #5 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $2,030 after fees.
- Year 1. $930 = welcome bonus $200 + rewards $730.
- Each year after. $550 = rewards $550.
- Against #4. Trails Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards by $29 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (−$50).
- Against #6. Beats Bank of America BankAmericard by $2,030 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (+$1,830).
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #6
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$0Year 2+$03 years $0 after fees· no fee to cover
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$0Year 2+$0Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / -$0 No annual fee Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
0%GrocGroceries0%DineDining and takeout0%GasGas and EV charging0%AirFlights0%HotelHotels and car rentals0%TransitTransit and rideshare0%StreamStreaming0%DrugDrugstores0%OnlineOnline shopping0%BillsPhone, internet and utilities0%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #6 of 6. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $0 after fees.
- Year 1. $0 = nothing.
- Each year after. $0 = nothing.
- Against #5. Trails Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards by $2,030 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (−$1,830).
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption
All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.
Rates, fees and offers are set by the issuer and may change. Check the issuer's terms before you apply. We don't estimate approval odds.
Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.
3-year value on each preset
points at their cash value, after fees. "~" marks estimates.
| Card | Student | Couple | Family | Frequent traveller | Big spender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent | ~$1,167 | ~$2,190 | ~$2,755 | ~$3,230 | ~$5,822 |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | $481 | $1,988 | $2,438 | $2,913 | $5,251 |
| Bank of America Travel Rewards | $782 | $1,630 | $2,059 | $2,345 | $4,548 |
| Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards | $782 | $1,630 | $2,059 | $2,345 | $4,548 |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards | $831 | $1,702 | $2,030 | $2,357 | $3,966 |
| Bank of America BankAmericard | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Frequently asked questions
Which Bank of America card is best?
On a family's spending, Bank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent is worth the most over 3 years (~$2,755).
What do Bank of America cards cost?
Annual fees from $0 to $95 across the 6 cards listed here.
What rewards do Bank of America cards earn?
Atmos Rewards (Alaska and Hawaiian), Cash back. Points are shown in dollars at the program's cash or statement-credit value unless you choose another redemption.
Sources
Estimates for information only; not financial advice. See how cards are ranked.