So, you're ready to turn those hard-earned Bank of America points into an exciting adventure? Fantastic! Booking flights with your Bank of America rewards can be a really smart way to save money on travel, and it's often simpler than you might think. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you maximize the value of your points and embark on your dream trip.
Let's dive in!
Understanding Your Bank of America Points
Before we hit the "book" button, it's crucial to understand how your Bank of America points work. Not all Bank of America cards offer the same redemption options or value. Generally, Bank of America Travel Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for travel.
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| How To Book Flights With Bank Of America Points |
Types of Bank of America Reward Cards for Travel
Bank of America offers several cards that are great for earning travel rewards:
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: This card is designed specifically for travel. You typically earn 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, and can earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. Points are best redeemed for a statement credit against travel and dining purchases.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card offers accelerated earnings on travel and dining (2 points per $1) and 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases. It also comes with additional travel benefits like statement credits for airline incidentals and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: The highest tier, offering even more enhanced benefits, including a 20% savings on airfare when booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and a higher annual airline incidental credit.
Key takeaway: Your point value can vary. For most travel-focused Bank of America cards, points are generally worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel or dining statement credits. Some premium cards might offer slightly better value or discounts when booking through their travel portal.
Step 1: Confirm Your Points Balance and Eligibility
Are you excited to see how many points you've accumulated? The first and most critical step is to verify your current points balance and understand the redemption options available to you.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
Sub-heading: Logging In to Your Bank of America Account
- Access Online Banking: Open your preferred web browser and go to the official Bank of America website (bankofamerica.com).
- Log In: Enter your User ID and Passcode to log in to your online banking account. If you haven't enrolled in online banking yet, you'll need to do so first.
- Navigate to Rewards: Once logged in, look for a tab or section labeled "Rewards & Deals" or simply "My Rewards." This is your gateway to managing your points.
- Select Your Card: If you have multiple Bank of America credit cards, select the specific credit card linked to the points you wish to redeem for your flight. Click on "View details/redeem" next to that card.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Available Points
On the rewards summary page, you'll see your total available points. Make a note of this number. You'll also want to review the redemption options specifically for your card. For travel rewards cards, you'll typically see options to redeem for statement credits against travel purchases.
Important Note: Bank of America points generally do not expire as long as your account remains open. However, always double-check the specific terms and conditions for your particular card.
Step 2: Choose Your Redemption Method for Flights
Bank of America offers a few ways to use your points for flights. Understanding these methods is key to choosing the one that best suits your travel plans and maximizes your points' value.
Sub-heading: Option A: Booking Through the Bank of America Travel Center
This is often the most straightforward and sometimes most rewarding way, especially for certain premium cardholders.
- Access the Travel Center: From your "My Rewards" section in online banking, look for a link to the "Bank of America Travel Center." This portal is powered by a third-party travel agency (often similar to Expedia or Priceline but customized for Bank of America).
- Search for Flights: Just like any other online travel agency, you'll enter your travel details:
- Departure City: Where you're flying from.
- Destination City: Where you want to go.
- Departure Date(s): Your desired travel dates.
- Number of Passengers: How many people are traveling.
- Class: Economy, Business, First, etc.
- Browse Results: The portal will display various flight options from different airlines. You'll see the cash price and, crucially, the equivalent points required for each flight.
- Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that fits your schedule and budget (in points).
- Proceed to Booking: Follow the prompts to enter passenger details.
- Redeem Points at Checkout: During the payment process, you'll have the option to apply your Bank of America points. Ensure you select this option to use your points for the booking. The system will usually show you how many points are needed to cover the cost, and you can choose to cover the full amount or a portion, paying the rest with your card.
Pro-Tip: Some premium Bank of America cards (like the Premium Rewards Elite) offer a 20% savings on airfare when you pay with points through the Bank of America Travel Center. This can significantly increase the value of your points!
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Sub-heading: Option B: Redeeming for a Statement Credit Against Travel Purchases
This is the most common and flexible redemption method for Bank of America Travel Rewards cardholders.
- Book Your Flight Independently: First, you'll purchase your flight directly with any airline or travel website (e.g., airline's direct website, Skyscanner, Google Flights, etc.) using your eligible Bank of America credit card. This is important – you need the travel purchase to appear on your statement.
- Wait for the Purchase to Post: Allow a few days for the flight purchase to show up on your Bank of America credit card statement as a posted transaction.
- Access Your Rewards: Log back into your Bank of America online banking account and navigate to the "Rewards & Deals" or "My Rewards" section for your travel rewards card.
- Select "Redeem for Statement Credit": Look for an option to "Redeem for Statement Credit" or "Apply to Travel Purchases."
- Choose the Travel Purchase: You'll typically see a list of eligible travel and dining purchases that you can apply your points to. Select the specific flight purchase you want to cover.
- Confirm Redemption: Confirm the amount of points you wish to use. You can often cover the entire purchase or a portion of it. The points will then be converted into a statement credit that offsets the cost of your flight on your billing statement.
Benefit of this method: Flexibility! You're not restricted to the Bank of America Travel Center's inventory. You can shop around for the best flight deals and then use your points to "erase" the purchase.
Sub-heading: Option C: Cash Back Redemption (Less Ideal for Flights)
While you can redeem Bank of America points for cash back (often as a deposit into your Bank of America checking/savings account or as a statement credit to your credit card), this is generally not the best value for travel-focused cards. Travel Rewards points usually provide 1 cent per point value when redeemed for travel/dining, but this value can drop to as low as 0.6 cents per point for cash back redemptions, depending on your specific card.
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Only consider this option if you absolutely cannot use your points for travel or dining.
Step 3: Finalizing Your Flight Booking
Once you've chosen your redemption method, the final steps are about confirmation and preparation.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
Sub-heading: Reviewing and Confirming
- Bank of America Travel Center: Before confirming your booking, carefully review all flight details (dates, times, passenger names, baggage allowances, layovers). Double-check the total points required and any remaining balance you might need to pay with your card.
- Statement Credit Redemption: After initiating the statement credit, you'll receive a confirmation. Monitor your credit card statement to ensure the credit is applied within the stated timeframe (usually a few business days).
Sub-heading: What Happens After Booking?
- Confirmation Email: For bookings made through the Bank of America Travel Center, you'll receive a confirmation email with your flight details and confirmation number.
- Airline Confirmation: It's always a good idea to take the airline's confirmation number (found in your Bank of America Travel Center booking details) and enter it directly on the airline's website to ensure the booking is there and to select seats, check baggage policies, or make any pre-travel arrangements.
- Payment Details: If you paid partially with points and partially with your card, ensure your card has been charged for the correct remaining amount.
- Enjoy Your Trip! You've successfully booked your flight using your Bank of America points. Now, all that's left is to pack your bags and enjoy your journey!
Maximizing Your Bank of America Travel Rewards
To get the most out of your Bank of America points, consider these tips:
- Preferred Rewards Program: If you have significant assets with Bank of America and Merrill, you might qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. This program offers significant bonuses on your credit card rewards, ranging from 25% to 75% more points on every purchase, depending on your tier (Gold, Platinum, Platinum Honors, Diamond). This can dramatically increase your point earning power!
- Strategic Spending: Use your Bank of America travel cards for categories that earn bonus points, such as travel and dining, if your card offers them.
- Monitor for Deals: Keep an eye out for any special promotions or limited-time offers that Bank of America might run for travel redemptions.
- No Blackout Dates: A great perk of Bank of America Travel Rewards is typically no blackout dates or restrictions when redeeming for statement credits against travel purchases. This gives you immense flexibility.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Bank of America points balance?
You can check your Bank of America points balance by logging into your online banking account, navigating to the "Rewards & Deals" or "My Rewards" tab, and selecting your eligible credit card.
How to know the value of my Bank of America points?
Bank of America Travel Rewards points are generally worth 1 cent per point when redeemed for travel or dining statement credits. For example, 10,000 points equal $100. Other redemption options, like cash back, may offer lower value.
How to find the Bank of America Travel Center?
The Bank of America Travel Center can be accessed by logging into your online banking account and looking for a link within your "Rewards & Deals" or "My Rewards" section, usually prominently displayed for travel-focused cards.
How to redeem points for a flight I already paid for?
If you've paid for a flight with your eligible Bank of America travel card, simply log into your online banking, go to your rewards, and select the option to redeem for a statement credit. Choose the specific flight purchase from your recent transactions.
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How to use Bank of America points for international flights?
You can use Bank of America points for international flights in the same way you would for domestic flights: either by booking through the Bank of America Travel Center or by purchasing the international flight with your card and then redeeming points for a statement credit to cover the cost.
How to get the best value from Bank of America points for travel?
The best value typically comes from redeeming points for a statement credit against eligible travel purchases (like flights, hotels, car rentals) as points are generally worth 1 cent each. If you have the Premium Rewards Elite card, booking through the Bank of America Travel Center for a 20% savings can also be excellent.
How to transfer Bank of America points to airline partners?
Unlike some other bank rewards programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards), Bank of America Travel Rewards points generally cannot be directly transferred to airline frequent flyer programs. Your primary redemption method for flights will be through their travel portal or as a statement credit.
How to combine points from multiple Bank of America cards?
While you can view all your rewards in one place within your "My Rewards" section, Bank of America points are typically tied to the specific card they were earned on. You usually redeem points from each card separately, though the redemption process is integrated within your overall online banking.
How to contact Bank of America customer service about rewards?
You can contact Bank of America customer service regarding your credit card rewards by calling the number on the back of your card, or by finding the general credit card customer service number on the Bank of America website (often 1-800-434-8313 for rewards inquiries).
How to know if my Bank of America card is eligible for travel rewards?
Check the benefits and features section of your specific Bank of America credit card on their official website or within your online banking portal. Cards like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, and Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card are designed for travel rewards.
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