Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Citi Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Bank of America
Bank of America Travel Rewards
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
US
Citi
Citi Premier
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Bank of America Travel Rewards | Citi Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.5% (general) | 3% (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) | = 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
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
Citi Premier
- 3x ThankYou points on travel (incl. gas)
- 3x on dining
- 3x on supermarkets
- Transferable to 16 airline partners
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Citi Premier: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Bank of America Travel Rewards wins on 2 criteria, Citi Premier on 2.
›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, Citi Premier 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). Citi Premier: 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months.