BoA's Preferred Rewards multiplier (25-75% boost for Platinum Honors at $100k+ deposits) is underrated. We surface it as a niche option for readers already deep in the BoA/Merrill ecosystem.
Bank of America and Merrill business customers enrolled in Preferred Rewards for Business — the flat 1.5% base rate scales up with combined balances: 25% higher (1.87%) at the Gold tier ($20,000+), 50% higher (2.25%) at Platinum ($50,000+), and 75% higher (2.62%) at Platinum Honors ($100,000+). No annual fee, no category tracking, uncapped earning.
Bank of America and Merrill customers with Preferred Rewards status — the 1.5% base rate scales 25–75% higher at the deposit tiers, reaching an effective 2.625% flat at Platinum Honors ($100K+ in qualifying balances). A 15-month 0% intro APR rounds it out.
Students who plan to travel after college and want to start accumulating flexible travel points — 1.5 points per dollar on everyday purchases (3 points per dollar on travel booked through BofA Travel), redeemable as a statement credit against travel and dining, with a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers — especially on the West Coast — who want an annual $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23), a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 3x points on Alaska/Hawaiian purchases, with no foreign transaction fee. Bank of America renamed the card the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature after Alaska and Hawaiian merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards.
Balance consolidators who want a clean, no-frills 0% intro window from Bank of America — up to 21 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers, with a 5% transfer fee if you move balances within the first 60 days.
Scored against our published methodology. See methodology and disclosure.
