Editorial take: Bank of America Travel Rewards
The no-fee version of Premium Rewards. Only shines with BoA's Preferred Rewards boost, otherwise the Capital One VentureOne or Wells Fargo Autograph beat it.
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Side-by-side
Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Discover it Cash Back
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Travel Rewards comes from Bank of America at $0/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Bank of America Travel Rewards | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 25,000 points | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) |
| Bonus value (est.) | $250 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Bank of America | Discover |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Bank of America Travel Rewards
$0/yr · 25,000 points
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Travel Rewards or Discover it Cash Back?
- The Bank of America Travel Rewards has the bigger bonus, 25,000 points, worth roughly $250, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
- Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
- The Bank of America Travel Rewards has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Discover it Cash Back's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Discover it Cash Back's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
- Can I have both the Bank of America Travel Rewards and Discover it Cash Back?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Bank of America Travel Rewards or the Discover it Cash Back first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Travel Rewards: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.