The Premium Rewards Elite earns 2.0X on travel, 1.5X on all_purchases with a $550 annual fee.
Our Verdict
The Premium Rewards Elite is a points rewards card from Bank of America that carries a $550/yr on the visa network. At its core it earns 1.0X BankAmericard Rewards on everyday purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders who want predictable, consistent returns.
Points enthusiasts will find the most flexibility with the Premium Rewards Elite. BankAmericard Rewards can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to loyalty partners. Cardholders who maximize transfer partners often extract 1.5–2+ cents per point, well above face value.
The $550/yr fee is the key variable — run the numbers against your actual spending. If the rewards and benefits offset the fee, this card earns its place in your wallet. If not, consider a comparable no-fee alternative.
Apply for the Premium Rewards Elite →Rewards Structure
Fee Analysis
The Premium Rewards Elite charges $550 per year. To justify this fee, you need to earn at least $550 in rewards and benefits annually.
Statement credits: $300 Airline Incidental Fee Credit ($300/yr), $150 Lifestyle Credit ($150/yr), $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit ($100/yr). These credits total $550/yr, bringing the effective annual fee down to $0.
Premium cards like this typically pay for themselves through travel credits, lounge access, hotel status, and insurance protections. The fee is worth it if you actively use at least 2-3 of these benefits.
Where This Card Earns Bonus Rewards
| Category | MCC Code | Bonus Rate | Example Merchants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | 4112 Passenger Railways | 2x | Amtrak, Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Loco2 |
| Travel | 4121 Taxicabs and Limousines | 2x | Alto, Arro, Bolt, Cabify |
| Travel | 4131 Bus Lines, Including Charters, Tour Buses | 2x | Barriere Bus Lines, BoltBus, Coach USA, FlixBus |
| Travel | 4511 Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere) | 2x | Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Air Arabia |
| Travel | 4722 Travel Agencies and Tour Operations | 2x | AAA, AAA Travel, Agoda, Airbnb |
| Travel | 7011 Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified) | 2x | 21c Museum Hotels, 25hours Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Alila |
Click any MCC code or merchant name to see all cards that earn bonus rewards there.
Benefits
Effective Annual Fee
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $550 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
How to Apply
You can apply for the Premium Rewards Elite directly through Bank of America's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and requires your Social Security number, annual income, and housing payment information. Most applicants receive an instant decision. Note that the $550 annual fee is typically not charged until your first statement closes.
Before applying, check if you are pre-approved on Bank of America's website — a pre-approval uses a soft pull and does not affect your credit score.