Unlock Bank of America Credit Card Rewards for Cash Back and More

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Unlocking the full potential of your Bank of America credit card rewards is easier than you think. With the right strategy, you can earn cash back, travel rewards, and more.

Bank of America offers a range of credit cards with rewards programs that cater to different needs and preferences. For example, the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card offers 3% cash back on gas and 2% cash back at grocery stores.

To maximize your rewards earnings, it's essential to understand how the different rewards programs work. The Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card, for instance, offers a 1% cash back on all other purchases.

By taking advantage of these rewards programs, you can earn significant cash back and other benefits. The key is to choose the right credit card for your spending habits and to use the rewards wisely.

Choosing the Right Card

Choosing the Right Card is a crucial step in maximizing your Bank of America credit card rewards. You can narrow down your search by answering a few questions, and we'll do the rest.

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To start, think about what you want to achieve with your credit card. Do you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards? The right card is out there, and we can help you find it.

Consider your spending habits and what you use your credit card for most. This will help you determine which rewards program is best for you. Bank of America offers a variety of rewards programs, so it's essential to choose one that aligns with your needs.

Earning Rewards

Earning rewards with Bank of America credit cards is a great way to get something back for your purchases. You can earn rewards points or cash back, depending on the card you have.

All Bank of America credit cards offer at least 1 point per $1 spent or 1% cash back on all purchases. This is a good starting point, but some cards offer more rewards-earning potential.

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The Bank of America Points Rewards program offers 1 to 3 points per $1 spent, depending on the card. The Bank of America Cash Back Rewards program offers 1% to 3% cash back, also depending on the card.

Some cards may place restrictions on the rewards you can earn. For example, certain Cash Back Rewards cards may limit the total dollar value of purchases eligible to earn bonus rewards each quarter.

Here's a breakdown of the earning rates for Bank of America credit card rewards programs:

  • Bank of America Points Rewards: 1 to 3 points per $1 spent, depending on the card
  • Bank of America Cash Back Rewards: 1% to 3% cash back, depending on the card

Keep in mind that some cards may have bonus points or cash back offers for specific categories or purchases.

Redeeming Rewards

Redeeming your Bank of America credit card rewards is a straightforward process. You can redeem your points for cash back in the form of a statement credit, direct deposit, or personal check.

To get the most from your card, redeem for direct deposit, which will give you larger rewards bonuses. This is especially true if you have a high balance in your combined Bank of America and Merrill accounts, and qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

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The value of points is the same for each card - 1 cent per point. This means that redeeming your points for cash back will give you a fixed value, regardless of the card you're using.

You can also redeem your points for travel with Bank of America Points Rewards, which offers the greatest value. With this option, you can book new travel or cover travel purchases made in the past 12 months.

Here's a summary of the redemption options for Bank of America credit card rewards:

  • Statement credit: Redeem points for a credit against your balance on the card.
  • Direct deposit: Redeem points for a direct deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account.
  • Personal check: Redeem points for a personal check, which may take about 14 days to reach you by mail.
  • Travel with Bank of America Points Rewards: Redeem points to book new travel or cover travel purchases made in the past 12 months.

Redeem Points Guide

Redeeming Bank of America credit card rewards points is fairly straightforward, but there's not much you can do to boost your point redemptions beyond maximizing your rewards-earning potential with the Preferred Rewards program bonuses. The value of points is the same for each card — 1 cent per point.

To redeem your points, you can get cash back in the form of a check, a statement credit, or a direct deposit to a bank account. You need to have at least 2,500 points or $25 in cash back to start redeeming.

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Bank of America Points Rewards offers the greatest value for travel redemptions. You can redeem your points to book new travel or to cover travel purchases made in the past 12 months. With this program, you can also trade your points for gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, and Home Depot.

You need at least 2,500 points for a flight with Bank of America, which will cover $25 in airfare. The points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel.

Here are the redemption options for Bank of America rewards:

Keep in mind that Bank of America Cash Back Rewards does not provide a redemption option for travel or gift cards.

Redeem Points for Cash

You can redeem your Bank of America credit card rewards points for cash, which is a straightforward process.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card and the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card allow you to redeem cash back as a statement credit against your balance on the card. You can also opt for a direct deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or credits to eligible Merrill investment accounts.

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To redeem cash back, you'll need to have at least 2,500 points or $25 in cash back, depending on the card. With Bank of America Cash Back Rewards, the only redemption option is cash back, while Bank of America Points Rewards offers more options, including travel and gift cards.

Here's a summary of the redemption options for cash back:

  • Statement credit against your balance on the card
  • Direct deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account
  • Credits to eligible Merrill investment accounts

Keep in mind that certain options may not be available on specific cards, so be sure to check your card's terms and conditions.

What’s Next?

If you're a Bank of America loyalist, you might want to consider their rewards program for credit cards. It's a good option for those who qualify for the points-boosting Preferred Rewards program.

The program offers a simple approach to earning and redeeming points for cash back or travel. You can earn points on your purchases and redeem them for rewards that fit your needs.

Bank of America's rewards program may be a good fit for people who value an uncomplicated approach to rewards. It's a straightforward way to earn and redeem points without a lot of hassle.

You can earn points on your purchases and redeem them for cash back or travel rewards.

Rewards Options

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Bank of America credit card rewards offer a range of options to help you maximize your earnings.

You can choose from two main rewards programs: Bank of America Cash Back Rewards and Bank of America Points Rewards. The Cash Back Rewards program offers 3% cash back on eligible purchases in a category of your choice, including gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, dining, and more.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card allows you to earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

To redeem your cash back rewards, you can opt for a check, statement credit, or direct deposit to a bank account. However, the Cash Back Rewards program only offers cash back redemption options, whereas the Points Rewards program offers more flexibility.

You can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, or a statement credit for travel purchases. The minimum redemption amount for both programs is $25 in cash back or 2,500 points.

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Redeem Cash Back for Education Investment

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If you're looking to invest your cash back rewards in education, you're in luck. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card and the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card both allow you to do so.

You'll need to redeem your cash back with a minimum of $25 required for the Customized Cash Rewards card. This way, you can put your rewards towards a 529 education savings account.

To get started, you can log in to your Bank of America account to see all the available options for redeeming your cash back rewards.

Customized Cash

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great option for those who want to maximize their cash back earnings. With three redemption options, you can choose how you want to receive your rewards.

You can redeem your rewards for statement credit, direct deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or a personal check.

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To get the most out of your card, redeem for direct deposit, as it offers larger rewards bonuses if you have a high balance in your combined Bank of America and Merrill accounts and qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Here are the rewards levels for the Preferred Rewards program:

  • With a combined balance of $20,000 to $49,999, you'll get 25% more rewards.
  • With $50,000 to $99,999, you'll get 50% more rewards.
  • With $100,000 or more, you'll get 75% more rewards.

If you have a high balance in your accounts, you can earn up to 5.25% cash back on gas and 3.5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

However, if you don't have a high balance, you might want to consider other cards that offer higher rewards rates, such as the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.

Travel

Traveling with rewards points can be a great way to save money on flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses. The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases, with no earning limits or points expiration.

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You can redeem your points for a statement credit towards travel purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, or vacation rentals. This can be a huge help for budget travelers who want to save on fees for purchases made abroad.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for travelers who don't want to pay extra for international purchases.

To redeem points for a flight, you'll need at least 2,500 points, which is worth $25 in airfare. This is because Bank of America requires cardholders to redeem at least 2,500 rewards points at a time.

If you're looking to redeem your points for travel, the Bank of America Points Rewards program offers the greatest value. You can trade your points for gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Target, or Walmart.

Here are some key facts about redeeming Bank of America rewards for travel:

  • Minimum redemption amount: 2,500 points or $25 in cash back
  • No transfer partners: The Bank of America Cash Back Rewards and Bank of America Points Rewards programs do not allow you to transfer your rewards to any hotel or airline loyalty programs.

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Bank of America offers two main rewards programs: Bank of America Points Rewards and Bank of America Cash Back Rewards. Each program has its own redemption options and values.

Bank of America Cash Back Rewards offers a straightforward 1:1 rewards value, meaning $1 in rewards equals $1 in cash back. This is a great option for those who want to redeem their rewards for cash.

The Bank of America Points Rewards program, on the other hand, offers a rewards value of 0.6-1 cent per point, depending on the card. This program also offers redemption options for travel and gift cards, with an average value of 1 cent per point and 0.8-1 cent per point, respectively.

Here's a comparison of the two programs' redemption options:

Ultimately, the best rewards program for you will depend on your individual spending habits and what you want to redeem your rewards for.

Premium and Elite Status

Bank of America offers a range of credit cards with premium and elite status, offering exclusive benefits and rewards to cardholders.

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The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers 2 points per $1 on travel and dining spending, with no limit to how much you can earn, and points don't expire as long as your account remains open. This card also comes with an annual $100 in airline incidental statement credits, which can be used for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and more.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite credit card takes it to the next level, offering unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, plus up to $300 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits. You'll also get access to VIP experiences, a dedicated 24/7 Concierge, and airport VIP lounges worldwide.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect from Bank of America's premium and elite credit cards:

  • Premium Rewards credit card: 2 points per $1 on travel and dining spending, $100 in airline incidental statement credits, and no expiration on points.
  • Premium Rewards Elite credit card: unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, up to $300 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits, and access to VIP experiences and airport VIP lounges.

Premium

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits to cardholders. The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card has an annual fee of $95, but frequent fliers can offset the cost with airline incidental statement credits.

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These credits can be used for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees. The card also offers a $100 annual airline incidental statement credit, and every four years, it will cover up to $100 in airport security statement credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees paid for with the card.

The signup bonus for the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card is 60,000 points, worth $600 in rewards, after making at least $4,000 in purchases within the first 90 days.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite credit card offers even more luxury travel and lifestyle benefits. One notable benefit is the unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

In addition to the points, cardholders can also get up to $300 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits for qualifying purchases. They can also receive up to $100 in statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees every four years.

Here are the key benefits of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit cards:

  • Unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually for qualifying purchases.
  • Up to $100 in Airport Security statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees every four years.
  • Sign-up bonus of 60,000 points, worth $600 in rewards, after making at least $4,000 in purchases within the first 90 days.

How to Qualify for Gold Tier

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To qualify for the Gold tier, you need an active, eligible Bank of America checking account. This is the first step towards achieving this status.

You'll also need to meet the average daily balance requirement of $20,000 or more in qualifying Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts over a three-month period. This balance should be maintained consistently to qualify.

To make sure you meet the average daily balance requirement, you should have a total of at least $20,000 in your accounts for the entire three-month period. This will ensure you meet the necessary balance threshold.

Here's a quick breakdown of the requirements:

  1. An active, eligible Bank of America checking account
  2. An average daily balance of $20,000 or more in qualifying Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts over three months

Program Details

The Bank of America credit card rewards program offers a range of benefits, but it's not the most straightforward program to navigate.

To increase your earnings, you can join the Preferred Rewards program, which can boost your rewards-earning potential by up to 75%. This requires having an eligible Bank of America checking account and a minimum of $20,000 combined in qualifying Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts.

For more insights, see: Cashback Reward Program

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The program has three tiers: Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Honors, each with a corresponding minimum balance requirement and bonus rewards rate. The requirements and bonus rewards for each tier are as follows:

The program also allows you to stay in the program for a year after enrolling, even if your balances fall below the minimum requirement.

Bank of America's credit card rewards program offers two types of rewards: cash back and points. The Bank of America Cash Back Rewards program has an overall rating of 4.4/5 and an average value per $1 spent of 1 cent. The Bank of America Points Rewards program has an overall rating of 4/5 and an average value per $1 spent of 0.85 cents.

The program's earning policies, redemption policies, and rewards value per $1 spent ratings vary between the two programs, with the Bank of America Cash Back Rewards program receiving higher ratings in these categories.

Consider reading: Citi Thankyou Points Value

Programs vs. Alternatives

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Bank of America's credit card rewards programs are highly rated, but how do they stack up against other popular options? The overall scores in the table below give us a clear picture of how Bank of America's programs compare.

If you're considering Bank of America's Cash Back Rewards, you'll earn an average of 1 cent in rewards for every dollar spent. This is a relatively standard rate compared to other programs, but it's still a great way to earn rewards on your daily purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 25000 points worth Bank of America?

The value of 25,000 Bank of America points varies, but on average, they're worth around $212.50 for Travel Rewards points and $250 for Premium Rewards points. The actual worth depends on your specific card, redemption options, and timing.

How does 3% cash back work at Bank of America?

Bank of America offers 3% cash back on purchases in one of five eligible categories, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, and home improvement, with the option to change your category once a month

How much is 1000 Bank of America points worth?

1000 Bank of America points are worth $10 in travel credits, $6 in cash, and vary in gift card redemption value

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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