Best Bank of America Cards (2026)
Bank of America cards shine when paired with Preferred Rewards — turning modest earn rates into some of the best flat-rate rewards available. Here's every BoA card ranked.
All Bank of America Cards
Premium Rewards: The Flagship Card
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is the only BoA card with an annual fee ($95), but it earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points everywhere else. What makes it stand out:
With the airline credit, the effective annual fee is close to $0. For Preferred Rewards members with $100K+ at Merrill, this becomes one of the best everyday cards available.
Preferred Rewards: The Multiplier
Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program boosts your card rewards based on your combined Bank of America and Merrill Edge/Lynch investment balances:
| Tier | Balance | Rewards Boost | Unlimited Cash Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | $20K+ | 25% | 1.875% |
| Platinum | $50K+ | 50% | 2.25% |
| Platinum Honors | $100K+ | 75% | 2.625% |
At Platinum Honors, the Customized Cash card earns 5.25% in your chosen category and the Premium Rewards card earns 3.5% on travel and dining. These are among the highest non-promotional rates available from any issuer.
The 2/3/4 Application Rule
Bank of America limits how many cards you can open in rolling windows:
This only counts Bank of America cards — not cards from other issuers. It's more relaxed than Chase 5/24, and you can realistically get all three BoA cards within a few months by spacing applications.
Recommended Application Order
No annual fee, 3% in your chosen category (5.25% with Preferred Rewards). Easy to keep long-term. Start here to build a BoA relationship.
Highest bonus value ($600). Apply 30+ days after the first card. The airline credit and Global Entry perk offset the $95 fee.
No annual fee, 1.5% on everything (2.625% with Preferred Rewards). Becomes your default card for non-category spending.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bank of America Premium Rewards card worth it?
The Premium Rewards card offers a 60,000-point bonus (~$600 value) with a $95 annual fee. It includes a $100 airline incidental credit and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, making the effective fee close to $0. For Preferred Rewards members, the base 1.5x rate gets boosted up to 2.625x — one of the best flat rates available.
What is Bank of America's 2/3/4 rule?
Bank of America limits applications to 2 new cards in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months. This applies to BoA-issued cards only (not cards from other banks). The rule is more relaxed than Chase 5/24, but still requires spacing out applications.
What is Bank of America Preferred Rewards?
Preferred Rewards is a loyalty program that boosts your credit card rewards based on your combined BoA/Merrill Edge balances. With $100K+ (Platinum Honors tier), you get a 75% bonus on all credit card rewards — turning 1.5% cash back into 2.625% and 2% into 3.5%. It is one of the best rewards multipliers in the industry.
Should I get the Unlimited or Customized Cash Rewards?
Get both if you can. The Unlimited earns 1.5% on everything (a solid base card), while the Customized Cash earns 3% in a category you choose (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement). Together they cover everyday spending at the highest rates, especially with Preferred Rewards boosting both.