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The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card is a decent option for small-business owners looking for a no-annual-fee card with strong travel rewards and a generous welcome bonus offer. It also comes with a modest range of travel protections, but if you’re looking for luxurious perks, this likely isn’t the card for you.
Review: Is the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards the best credit card for you?
If your small business is looking for a no-annual-fee travel rewards card with strong earning rates and a good welcome bonus offer, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card is worth considering. It has a straightforward earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases (no cap). It also earns a generous 3 points per dollar on travel (such as car rentals, airlines, and hotels) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
You can earn Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card, which is worth $300 in statement credits toward travel or dining-related purchases. That’s a decent offer for a no-annual-fee card.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card also has a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card APR). This can be helpful if you have big expenses you want to pay off over a longer period of time without incurring big interest charges.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card is even better suited for folks who are already members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program. Members earn up to 75% more points on purchases when their business checking account qualifies for the highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier (Platinum Honors).
You don’t need a full-time venture or even a formal business structure to qualify for a small-business credit card — even side gigs or freelance work, like driving for Uber or renting your home on Airbnb, can make you eligible.
If you’re trying to decide on the best no-annual-fee travel rewards card for your business, be sure to also consider cards with similar earning rates. For example, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases (up to $50,000 a year, then 1x), and 1 point on all other purchases. Cardholders can transfer points to Amex’s airline and hotel partners or book flights, hotels, and more through Amex Travel.
There’s also the no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card which earns 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all purchases with no cap, and offers a whopping Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.
It’s also worth mentioning that travel rewards cards with annual fees often have higher earning rates, larger welcome bonus offers, and better benefits than no-annual-fee cards. The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, for example, has a high welcome bonus (Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card) and comes with cell phone protection, primary car rental insurance, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance for a modest Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card annual fee.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn rewards with the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card earns 3x points on travel purchases, like car rental, hotel, or airline bookings through the Bank of America Travel Center. So if you’re someone who spends a lot on travel, this card is worth considering.
However, you’ll only receive 3x points on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. If you don’t use the Bank of America Travel Center site for your bookings or prefer to keep your options open, you should consider a different travel rewards card.
Otherwise, you’ll earn 1.5x points on all purchases with no cap.
Keep in mind Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn up to 75% more points on their purchases (depending on Business tier level). This means you can earn up to 2.625x points on all purchases, and up to 5.25x points on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
That said, not everyone can be a Preferred Rewards for Business member. You need at least $20,000 combined total in eligible Bank of America accounts in order to qualify for the lowest tier. So if you’re not currently a member, and don’t qualify, you’ll miss out on maximizing rewards from this card.
How to use rewards from Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard
You can redeem points from the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card toward eligible travel and dining-related purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point. However, Bank of America has a somewhat eclectic definition of travel and dining-related categories. In fact, a fair number of eligible categories could otherwise be classified as entertainment.
Eligible redemption categories include:
AirlinesHotelsTrailer parksCruise linesZoosEating places and restaurantsBarsFast food restaurantsCarnivalsArt galleriesTolls and bridge feesTravel agencies
Although the wide scope of categories can be beneficial, the line between eligible and non-eligible can be confusing (unless you’re able to memorize the whole list). So if you’re looking for straightforward point redemptions, you might want to consider a different travel rewards card.
You can also redeem points toward cash as a check or direct deposit to your Bank of America or Merrill (Bank of America’s wealth management division) account, but at a reduced rate. For cash rewards, you’ll get a value of 0.6 cents per point, with a minimum redemption is 2,500 points (worth $15). There’s also an option to use points for gift cards starting at 3,500 points, but redemption values vary.
Your points won’t expire as long as your account is open and active, but note that points redeemed as statement credits to offset qualifying travel and dining purchases are limited to the most recent 2,500 qualifying purchases.
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card benefits and features
Cash flow management tools
You can manage online business expenses and transactions through a suite of online payment services. These services include automatic payments and access to Quickbooks for transaction transfers and downloads.
Travel and emergency services
You’re eligible $1 million in travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage, and trip delay reimbursement when you use your Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card to pay for your trip.
$0 liability guarantee
If your card is lost or stolen, and you notify Bank of America, you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions. But keep in mind that you have to promptly report the lost or stolen card in order to be eligible for protection.
Overdraft protection
You can prevent declined purchases or returned checks by linking your Bank of America checking account to your eligible credit card. You won’t be charged an overdraft fee but other fees may still apply.
Fraud protection
You’ll be notified if Bank of America blocks potential fraudulent activity or abnormal patterns.
Fees and costs
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. You’ll also receive a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card APR).
The card does charge a balance transfer fee (up to 4%), a cash advance fee (up to 4%), and a late payment fee of up to $49.
Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard vs other Bank of America credit cards
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardAlaska Airlines Business Credit CardAnnual fee
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardAlaska Airlines Business Credit CardRewards rate
3x points on travel bookings through Bank of America Travel Center
1.5x points on all other purchases
1.5x points in all purchases
3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
1 mile on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardAlaska Airlines Business Credit CardBenefits
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card APR).
Cash flow management tools
Travel and emergency services
No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card (then a Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card APR)
No foreign transaction fee
Free first checked bag on Alaska flights
Alaska companion fare from $121 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $22) on your card anniversary
20% back on Alaska inflight purchases
50% off Alaska lounge day passes (San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York-JFK)
No foreign transaction fees
Review
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review
Alaska Airlines Business Credit card review
Business Advantage Travel Rewards World vs other business travel rewards cards
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressInk Business Unlimited® Credit CardAnnual fee
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressInk Business Unlimited® Credit CardRewards rate
3x points on travel bookings through Bank of America Travel Center
1.5x points on all other purchases
2x points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year (then 1x)1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all eligible purchases with no capWelcome bonus
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressInk Business Unlimited® Credit CardBenefits
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card (then a Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card APR).
Cash flow management tools
Travel and emergency services
No foreign transaction fees
Extended warranty
Purchase protection
Secondary car rental insurance
Global Assist Hotline
Discounts and bonuses through Amex Offers*
Primary car rental insurance
Extended warranty
Purchase protection
Travel and emergency assistance services
Roadside dispatch
Review
Amex Blue Business Plus Card review
Ink Business Unlimited card review
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the BofA Business Advantage Travel Rewards World card worth it?
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card is a decent no-annual-fee travel rewards credit card that can be a good fit for many small businesses. It’s particularly valuable if you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business member, because you can earn up to 75% more rewards (varies based on tier).
But if you’re not a Preferred Rewards for Business member, don’t often book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, or are looking for higher reward earnings, then the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card isn’t the best card for you.
Who qualifies for the Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard?
Folks with good to excellent credit are eligible for the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card. That means a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 700.
If your credit score isn’t in that range yet, there are other no-annual-fee small-business cards you may be eligible for.
Also, if you’ve opened another Bank of America business card in the last 24-month period, you may not be approved.
What are the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business tiers?
If your eligible Bank of America business account(s) reach a minimum combined total of $20,000, you could be eligible to reach the lowest tier (Gold tier). Members get access to additional rewards benefits and saving opportunities. Rates vary based on tier level.
Minimum required to reach Preferred Rewards for Business tiers:
Gold: Earns 25% more rewards on purchases (minimum of $20,000 combined total in eligible Bank of America account(s).Platinum: Earns 50% more rewards on purchases (minimum of $50,000)Platinum honors: Earns 75% more rewards on purchases (minimum of $100,000)