Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students Review: Flexible Travel Rewards with No Annual Fee
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students offers impressive flexible travel rewards, a generous bonus, and no annual or foreign transaction fees. Discover why this card is a standout choice for financially savvy students looking to earn on every purchase.
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 25,000 bonus points |
| Rewards Rate | 1.5 points per $1 spent |
| Intro APR | 0% Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account. |
| Regular APR | Standard APR 17.49% - 27.49% variable |
| Other Fees | Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 5%. |
Overview
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students packs a surprising punch for a card with a $0 annual fee. It leads with a generous sign-up bonus: earn 25,000 online bonus points (worth a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining) after meeting a modest spending requirement. The rewards are simple and straightforward, offering an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases. Paired with no foreign transaction fees, this card is an excellent, low-cost tool for students looking to earn rewards on everyday spending, whether on campus or studying abroad.
Beyond its strong rewards structure, the card offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for your first 15 billing cycles, giving students a valuable window to finance larger expenses like textbooks or a new laptop without interest. After the intro period, however, a high variable APR kicks in, so it's best for those who plan to pay their balance in full each month. Overall, this is a standout choice for financially responsible students who want a simple way to earn flexible travel rewards without paying an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate
- Cashback on all purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fee
Benefits
Valuable Welcome Offer for New Cardholders
For a student card, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students starts strong with a generous and attainable sign-up bonus. You can earn 25,000 online bonus points after spending just $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening your account. Those points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit to offset travel and dining purchases, giving you significant upfront value. On top of the bonus, the card offers a 0% Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days, providing a lengthy interest-free window to manage larger expenses.
Straightforward Rewards on Every Purchase
The card's rewards structure is built for simplicity, making it ideal for students who don't want to track complicated spending categories. You'll earn a flat, unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar you spend on all purchases, everywhere. When it's time to redeem, your points offer excellent flexibility. You can simply book travel however you want—on any airline or website with no blackout dates—and then use your points as a statement credit to pay for the purchase. This freedom is a major advantage over cards that lock you into a specific travel portal or loyalty program.
Best of all, this card packs a one-two punch for student travelers by charging a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. The lack of an annual fee means all the rewards you earn are pure profit, while the absence of foreign transaction fees can save you around 3% on every purchase you make abroad—a crucial perk for anyone planning to study or travel internationally.
Drawbacks
The card's biggest potential pitfall is its high ongoing APR, which ranges from 17.49% - 27.49% variable. While the introductory 0% APR offer is a great perk for managing initial expenses, carrying a balance after that period ends could be costly. The high interest charges can quickly erase the value of any rewards you earn, making this card best suited for students who are confident they can pay their balance in full each month.
While the flat-rate rewards structure is simple and convenient, it's not the most lucrative option available. Earning 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases is a solid rate for a no-annual-fee student card, but you could potentially earn more with a card that offers bonus rewards on specific categories like dining, gas, or groceries. Furthermore, redemptions are limited to statement credits against travel and dining purchases, which is less flexible than receiving straight cash back that can be used for anything.
Decision Guidance
This card is an excellent choice for students seeking their first travel card, especially those planning to study abroad, thanks to its simple rewards structure and no foreign transaction fees. The introductory 0% APR is a valuable tool for financing large, planned purchases like a new laptop, but the high ongoing APR makes this card best for those who are confident they can pay their balance in full each month after the promotional period ends.
Summary
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a top-tier choice for students seeking a simple, no-annual-fee travel card. Its flat 1.5x points rate and lack of foreign transaction fees make it a valuable tool for everyday spending or studying abroad, while the introductory 0% APR provides a helpful runway for financing large college expenses. This card is best for students who can pay their balance in full each month to avoid the high ongoing interest rate.