Bank of America Travel Rewards vs American Express Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Bank of America Travel Rewards wins 3-2. No-fee travel — 1.5x flat with no FX markup, plus Preferred Rewards bumps American Express Platinum is still the right call if heavy travelers wanting centurion lounge access + status credits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Bank of America Travel Rewards | American Express Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.5% (general) | 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel) | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
Bank of America Travel Rewards
- 1.5x points on every purchase
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards clients (1.5x → 2.625x)
- Points redeem against any travel purchase, no blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
American Express Platinum
- 5x points on flights booked direct or via amextravel
- Centurion Lounge + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 annual airline fee credit + $200 Uber Cash
- $200 hotel credit + $189 CLEAR credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold + Hilton Honors Gold status
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Bank of America Travel Rewards vs American Express Platinum: which is better?
Bank of America Travel Rewards wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Bank of America Travel Rewards for its best categories, American Express Platinum for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel). American Express Platinum: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months.