Key Points

• Both cards earn 1.5x rewards per dollar with no annual fee, but Discover it Miles offers unlimited first-year matching that can double your total rewards.
• Bank of America Travel Rewards provides a faster $250 bonus after just $1,000 spend in 90 days, while Discover requires higher spending to match that value.
• Discover it Miles gives true cash back flexibility at full value, while Bank of America charges a nearly 50% penalty for non-travel redemptions.

Introduction

If you're looking for your first travel credit card without committing to an annual fee, you've probably stumbled across the Discover it Miles and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card. On the surface, these cards seem nearly identical. Both earn 1.5x rewards per dollar, charge no annual fee, skip foreign transaction fees, and come with introductory 0% APR offers.

But the similarities hide some important differences that'll directly impact how much value you get from each card. After breaking down both offers, I'll help you figure out which one makes more sense for your spending patterns and travel goals.

Quick Summary

Best For Discover it Miles: High spenders in year one, people who want cash back flexibility, anyone who values Discover's customer service reputation

Best For Bank of America Travel Rewards: Light spenders, existing Bank of America customers who qualify for Preferred Rewards, anyone wanting a quick upfront bonus

The Honest Take: If you'll spend more than $16,667 in your first year, Discover's match offer wins. If you're spending less or already bank with BofA, their card makes more sense.

The Cards at a Glance

Discover it Miles

The Discover it Miles positions itself as a travel card but functions more like a flexible rewards card with travel redemption options. You earn 1.5 miles per dollar on everything, and here's the kicker: Discover matches all miles earned in your first year, effectively giving you 3x miles per dollar for 12 months.

Current Offer: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match at the end of your first year as a new cardmember

Annual Fee: $0

Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months

Bank of America Travel Rewards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card takes a more traditional approach with an upfront bonus. You'll earn the same flat 1.5 points per dollar, but the real story here is how the card works within Bank of America's broader ecosystem.

Current Offer: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 spend in first 90 days (worth $250 toward travel)

Annual Fee: $0

Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers made in first 60 days for 15 billing cycles

Breaking Down the Welcome Offers

This is where these cards diverge the most, and it'll likely drive your decision.

Discover's Match: The Math That Matters

Discover's unlimited matching sounds appealing, and it can be valuable if you're a bigger spender. Let me show you the math.

If you spend $25,000 in your first year, you'll earn 37,500 miles (at 1.5x per dollar). At the end of year one, Discover matches this amount, giving you 75,000 total miles worth $750. That's a 3% return for the first year.

But here's the catch: you need to spend $16,667 in the first year just to match Bank of America's upfront $250 bonus value. Anything above that threshold makes Discover's offer more valuable.

Bank of America's Upfront Bonus: Quick and Simple

Bank of America keeps things straightforward. Spend $1,000 in 90 days, get 25,000 points worth $250 toward travel purchases. For someone spending $15,000 in year one, you'd earn 22,500 base points plus the 25,000 bonus for 47,500 total points worth $475.

That same $15,000 spend on Discover would give you 22,500 miles, matched to 45,000 total, worth $450. Bank of America edges ahead slightly for lighter spenders.

Earning Rates: Identical but Different

Both cards earn 1.5x rewards per dollar on all purchases. No category bonuses, no rotating calendars, no mental math required. This simplicity works well for anyone who doesn't want to track spending categories or maximize quarterly activations.

The major difference? Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase. If you qualify for the Gold tier (requiring $20,000 in combined balances), you'd earn 1.875 points per dollar instead of 1.5. At the Platinum Honors tier ($100,000 in balances), you'd earn 2.625 points per dollar.

That's a significant advantage if you already maintain substantial relationships with Bank of America or Merrill. For everyone else, the base earning rate is identical between these two cards.

Redemption Flexibility: A Critical Difference

Here's where Discover pulls ahead for most people.

Discover: True Cash Back Flexibility

Discover miles are worth exactly 1 cent each whether you redeem them for travel purchases, transfer them to your bank account as cash, or use them for Amazon or PayPal purchases. There's no penalty for choosing cash over travel.

You can redeem any amount with no minimum balance requirement. Got 500 miles? Redeem them for $5. This instant gratification approach means your rewards are always accessible.

Bank of America: Travel-Focused with a Penalty

Bank of America points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel or dining statement credits from the past 12 months. But redeeming for cash comes with a nearly 50% reduction in value. That's a steep penalty if you decide travel isn't for you.

Additionally, Bank of America requires a 2,500-point minimum ($25) for redemptions. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does mean you'll wait longer to access your first rewards.

Introductory APR Offers

Both cards offer 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, but the terms differ slightly.

Discover it Miles: 0% APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After that, 17.99% to 26.99% variable APR applies.

Bank of America Travel Rewards: 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After that, 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR applies. Balance transfer fee is 3% for the first 60 days, then 4%.

The practical difference is minimal. Both give you more than a year to pay off purchases or transferred balances interest-free. Discover gives you slightly longer to complete balance transfers without time pressure.

One note: if you're primarily interested in either card for balance transfers, you might want to consider dedicated balance transfer cards that offer longer 0% periods without prioritizing rewards.

Additional Card Benefits

Discover it Miles Perks

Discover has built a reputation for excellent customer service, consistently ranking highly in satisfaction surveys. The card comes with:

• Free FICO credit score access
• Social Security number alerts
• Freeze it feature for lost/stolen cards
• $0 fraud liability
• Roadside dispatch service

The biggest limitation? Discover isn't accepted everywhere internationally, though they claim acceptance at 99% of U.S. locations that take credit cards.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Perks

Bank of America includes Visa Signature benefits with this card:

• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Travel accident insurance
• Trip cancellation protection
• Concierge services

If you're an existing Bank of America customer, you'll also have access to their Museums on Us program (free museum admission on the first weekend of each month) and BankAmeriDeals cashback offers.

The acceptance network is broader internationally thanks to Visa's global footprint.

Who Should Get Each Card

Choose Discover it Miles If You:

• Plan to spend at least $16,667 in your first year to beat Bank of America's bonus
• Want true flexibility between travel rewards and cash back without penalties
• Value customer service and Discover's reputation
• Don't mind slightly more limited international acceptance
• Prefer no minimum redemption requirements

A specific example: if you spend $30,000 in year one, you'd earn 45,000 miles, matched to 90,000 total, worth $900. That's $650 more than Bank of America's $250 bonus plus base earnings.

Choose Bank of America Travel Rewards If You:

• Spend less than $15,000 annually and want a quick $250 bonus
• Already bank with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status
• Travel internationally frequently and need broader acceptance
• Prefer Visa Signature travel protections over basic perks
• Want access to 3x earning at the Bank of America Travel Center

A specific example: as a Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors member spending $20,000 per year, you'd earn 52,500 points (at 2.625x), plus the 25,000 bonus, for 77,500 total points worth $775. That beats Discover's matched 60,000 miles worth $600.

How These Cards Compare to Other Options

If neither card feels quite right, consider these alternatives:

Capital One VentureOne Rewards: Earns 1.25 miles per dollar (slightly less) but offers valuable transfer partners for potentially higher redemption values. No annual fee and broader acceptance than Discover.

Wells Fargo Active Cash: Earns 2% cash back on everything with a $200 bonus after $500 spend. Better for pure cash back but less travel-focused.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: Earns 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points) with no annual fee. Ultimate Rewards points can transfer to travel partners if you later add a Chase Sapphire card to your wallet.

If you're ready to pay an annual fee for more value, check out our guide to the best overall travel credit cards.

Real-World Spending Scenarios

Let me walk through three different spending profiles to show you which card comes out ahead.

Scenario 1: Light Spender ($10,000 First Year)

Discover it Miles: 15,000 miles earned, matched to 30,000 total = $300 value

Bank of America Travel Rewards: 15,000 points earned + 25,000 bonus = 40,000 total = $400 value

Winner: Bank of America by $100

Scenario 2: Moderate Spender ($20,000 First Year)

Discover it Miles: 30,000 miles earned, matched to 60,000 total = $600 value

Bank of America Travel Rewards: 30,000 points earned + 25,000 bonus = 55,000 total = $550 value

Winner: Discover it Miles by $50

Scenario 3: Heavy Spender ($40,000 First Year)

Discover it Miles: 60,000 miles earned, matched to 120,000 total = $1,200 value

Bank of America Travel Rewards: 60,000 points earned + 25,000 bonus = 85,000 total = $850 value

Winner: Discover it Miles by $350

The breakeven point sits right around $16,667 in first-year spending, which is where both cards deliver roughly equal value.

Acceptance and Network Considerations

This might not seem important until you're standing at a foreign merchant trying to pay and your card gets declined.

Discover's acceptance has improved significantly in recent years, particularly in the U.S. where they claim 99% acceptance. Internationally, it's a different story. Many European, Asian, and South American merchants don't accept Discover.

Visa (used by Bank of America) has the broadest global acceptance of any payment network. If international travel is a priority, this matters.

My recommendation? If you travel internationally more than once or twice per year, the acceptance difference becomes significant enough to favor Bank of America, even if Discover offers slightly better rewards for your spending level.

FAQ

Can I have both cards at the same time?

Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously. Some rewards enthusiasts do exactly this to maximize different spending periods or take advantage of both welcome offers over time. Just remember to space out applications by at least three to six months to avoid potential issues with your credit score from multiple inquiries.

Do these cards charge foreign transaction fees?

No, both the Discover it Miles and Bank of America Travel Rewards cards charge zero foreign transaction fees. This makes them both solid choices for international spending, though Discover's acceptance limitations overseas may still be a factor.

What credit score do I need to qualify?

Both cards typically require good to excellent credit, which generally means a FICO score of 670 or higher. Bank of America may be slightly more strict, with reports suggesting they prefer scores of 750+. If you're building credit, consider checking out our guide to the best credit cards for building credit.

Can I product change to these cards from other cards?

Discover doesn't typically allow product changes between their it series and other Discover cards to get the welcome bonus again. Bank of America may allow product changes from other BofA cards, but you won't receive the welcome bonus if you do. Contact the issuer directly if this matters to your strategy.

What happens to my Discover match if I close the account before year one ends?

You'll forfeit the match. Discover awards the matched miles at the end of your first year as a cardmember, so closing the account early means you'll miss out on this benefit entirely. Keep the card open at least until the match posts to your account.

Final Verdict

The Discover it Miles wins for anyone spending more than $16,667 in their first year who values cash back flexibility. The unlimited matching effectively gives you 3% back for 12 months, and the ability to redeem for cash at full value without penalties makes this card remarkably flexible for a "travel" card.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card makes more sense for lighter spenders who want a straightforward $250 bonus or existing Bank of America customers who can leverage Preferred Rewards for boosted earning rates. The broader Visa acceptance network also matters for frequent international travelers.

Neither card is wrong. Your spending patterns and existing banking relationships should drive this decision. If you're still unsure, start with whichever card matches your first-year spending expectations better. Both cards have no annual fee, so there's no cost to holding either long-term while you figure out your points strategy.

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