

0% Intro APR and Unlimited Travel Points? Bank of America's Travel Rewards Card Delivers Both


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Bank of America’s Travel Rewards Card: 0% Intro APR, Unlimited Points, and a Whole Set of Travel Perks
If you’ve been on the hunt for a travel‑friendly credit card that offers a clean, no‑annual‑fee structure and a flexible points system, the Bank of America (BofA) Travel Rewards Card has recently caught the attention of many financial‑news outlets. A recent post on Motley Fool Money—titled “0% Intro APR and Unlimited Travel Points: Bank of America’s Travel Rewards Card Delivers Both”—details how the card blends a zero‑interest introductory period with a straightforward, redeem‑at‑$0.01‑per‑point scheme that could be a game‑changer for casual and frequent travelers alike.
The Core Features at a Glance
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Intro APR | 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (then variable APR, typically 17.49%–23.49% APR, depending on creditworthiness). |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Rewards Structure | 1.5x points on all travel purchases (airfare, hotels, car rentals, etc.) and 1x points on every other spend. |
Point Redemption | Points can be redeemed through the BofA Travel Portal for flights, hotels, car rentals, or gift cards. Each point is worth 1 cent when redeemed for travel; no minimum redemption threshold. |
Sign‑Up Bonus | 25,000 points (equivalent to $250 travel credit) after spending $1,000 within the first three months. |
Travel Insurance | • Rental car collision/ theft insurance • Trip cancellation/interruption coverage • Travel accident insurance |
Additional Perks | • 24/7 concierge service • No foreign transaction fees • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit (after spending $500 on travel in a 12‑month period) |
The card is positioned as a “pay‑what‑you‑get” product: you get an introductory period that keeps your credit‑card balance interest‑free, a generous travel‑points multiplier, and a robust set of travel‑specific protections—all without charging you a yearly fee.
The 0% Intro APR: A Key Selling Point
Motley Fool Money stresses that the 0% introductory APR is a rarity for many modern travel cards. While the industry has moved toward rewarding points or miles, the BofA Travel Rewards Card’s promotional APR provides a financial cushion for those who may need to carry a balance or wish to fund large trips via financing.
The card’s variable APR after the introductory period (usually 17.49%–23.49%) is typical for no‑annual‑fee cards. However, for cardholders with a strong credit profile, the APR can dip into the low‑teens. This feature, coupled with the zero‑annual‑fee structure, makes the card appealing to budget‑conscious travelers who want a low‑cost entry point into a travel‑focused rewards program.
Unlimited Travel Points: How It Works
Unlike many travel cards that offer tiered rewards (e.g., 5x points on the first $10,000 of travel per year), the BofA card’s 1.5x multiplier is “unlimited.” Whether you spend $50 or $5,000 on travel, you’ll receive the same 1.5x points. This simplicity translates to easier tracking and a more predictable return on travel spending.
Points are earned across all categories of travel: airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, and even travel insurance premiums. For non‑travel purchases—groceries, gas, utilities—the card continues to award 1x points. That means you can use the card for everyday expenses and still be building toward a substantial travel balance.
Points are redeemable at a 1 cent per point rate for travel bookings. No minimum redemption is required, allowing cardholders to book a single economy flight or a full suite of accommodations with a single points transaction.
A Robust Bundle of Travel Benefits
The article emphasizes that the BofA card’s insurance suite is one of its standout features:
Rental Car Coverage: The card offers collision and theft insurance on most rental cars. The coverage automatically applies to the first $25,000 of damage per rental. Some rental car companies may require you to decline their collision waiver to activate the card’s insurance.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption: If you must cancel a prepaid trip or are forced to cut a trip short, the card provides reimbursement for non‑refundable expenses. The coverage is capped at $1,000 per trip (up to a $10,000 aggregate limit).
Travel Accident Insurance: In case of an accidental death or injury during a trip, the card offers up to $250,000 in coverage, depending on the trip duration.
These protections are bundled into the card’s benefits without any additional fee, a common trend among “low‑cost” travel cards.
How the Sign‑Up Bonus Plays Out
When you apply and are approved, you’ll need to spend $1,000 within the first three months to qualify for the 25,000‑point bonus. That threshold is reasonable—most travelers spend at least that amount on airfare, hotels, or car rentals in a three‑month window. The bonus equates to a $250 travel credit in the BofA Travel Portal, a valuable addition that can offset future bookings.
Motley Fool Money also notes that the bonus points can be transferred to other airline partners if you have a travel aggregator account, but the card’s native portal remains the most straightforward redemption method.
Pros and Cons Summarized
Pros
- Zero Annual Fee – Keeps the cost of ownership low.
- Intro APR – Provides a financial breathing room for balances or large purchases.
- Unlimited 1.5x Travel Points – Simple, predictable rewards.
- Travel Insurance Suite – Valuable protections at no extra cost.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees – Ideal for international travelers.
- Flexible Redemption – Points can be used at $0.01 each for travel or gift cards.
Cons
- Lower Rewards on Non‑Travel Purchases – Only 1x, which may undercut premium cards that offer higher multipliers on dining or gas.
- Higher Variable APR After Intro Period – Potentially costly if you carry a balance post‑intro.
- Limited Elite Status Perks – No lounge access or elite status with airlines or hotels.
- Sign‑Up Bonus Requires Spend – Some cardholders may find the $1,000 spend requirement a hurdle if they don’t have travel planned.
Where It Stands in the Card Landscape
In the crowded field of travel‑centric cards, the BofA Travel Rewards Card sits comfortably between the “budget” travel cards (e.g., Chase Freedom Unlimited) and the “premium” travel cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold). While it lacks the high tier rewards of the premium tier, its combination of a 0% intro APR, unlimited travel points, and a full suite of insurance protections makes it an attractive alternative for travelers who want to keep costs low but still reap the benefits of a travel‑reward program.
Final Thoughts
Motley Fool Money’s review paints the BofA Travel Rewards Card as a pragmatic choice for travelers who prioritize flexibility and cost‑effectiveness over elite status perks. The zero‑annual‑fee structure and unlimited 1.5x travel points create a straightforward rewards program that rewards consistent travel spending. Coupled with a generous 0% intro APR and robust insurance benefits, the card offers a compelling package for anyone who wants to build a travel rewards balance without paying a high price for it.
If you’re on the lookout for a travel card that doesn’t tie you down with annual fees or complex bonus structures, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card deserves a closer look—especially if you have the capacity to take advantage of the 0% introductory APR and the $1,000 spending requirement for the sign‑up bonus.
Read the Full The Motley Fool Article at:
[ https://www.fool.com/money/credit-cards/articles/0-intro-apr-and-unlimited-travel-points-bank-of-americas-travel-rewards-card-delivers-both/ ]