A BAT credit card is a rewards card issued by Bank of America for customers who want to earn cash back on everyday purchases

BAT stands for Bank of America Travel or Bank of America Cash, depending on which card you hold. These are co-branded rewards cards that let you earn points or cash back when you use them. The card itself works like any standard credit card — you charge purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay what you owe. The difference is that every time you swipe or tap the card, you accumulate rewards that you can redeem later.

Bank of America issues several cards under the BAT umbrella, each with different reward structures and annual fees. Some focus on travel rewards, others on flat-rate cash back, and some offer bonus categories for specific types of spending. Which card makes sense for you depends on how you spend money and whether the annual fee (if there is one) pays for itself through the rewards you earn.

Key Takeaways

  • BAT cards are Bank of America rewards cards that earn cash back or travel points on purchases, with different structures depending on which specific card you choose.
  • Each BAT card has its own reward rate, bonus categories, and annual fee, so comparing the specific card's terms matters more than the BAT label itself.
  • You can redeem rewards as cash back, statement credits, travel bookings, or merchandise depending on the card's redemption options.
  • BAT cards require you to may have access to for credit approval just like any other credit card, and your credit score and income affect whether you are approved.

How BAT Rewards Work

When you use a BAT card, you earn rewards on a per-dollar basis. A card might offer 1.5% cash back on all purchases, meaning you earn $1.50 in rewards for every $100 you spend. Some BAT cards have bonus categories — for example, 3% back on dining and gas, 1% on everything else — so your earning rate changes depending on where you shop.

Rewards accumulate in your Bank of America account and stay there until you decide to redeem them. You do not have to redeem when ready. Most BAT cards let you cash out your rewards as a statement credit (which reduces your bill), a direct deposit to your bank account, or a check. Travel-focused BAT cards may also let you book flights and hotels through a Bank of America portal and pay with your points.

Bank of America also offers a feature called Preferred Rewards, which boosts your earning rate if you maintain a certain balance in a Bank of America checking or savings account. For example, if you have $20,000 in a Bank of America account, your cash back rate might increase from 1.5% to 1.875%. This stacks on top of the card's base rewards.

Types of BAT Cards and Their Differences

Bank of America does not use the BAT name uniformly across all its rewards cards, so the term can be confusing. When people refer to a "BAT card," they usually mean one of Bank of America's co-branded or in-house rewards cards. The most common ones include the Bank of America Cash Rewards card (flat cash back on all purchases), the Bank of America Travel Rewards card (points on travel and dining), and co-branded cards with airlines or hotels.

Each card has its own annual fee structure. Some have no annual fee at all, while others charge $95 or more per year. A card with a high annual fee is only worth it if you spend enough to earn rewards that exceed the fee. For example, if a card costs $95 per year but you earn $150 in cash back, you come out $55 ahead.

The best way to find the right BAT card is to look at your own spending patterns. If you travel frequently, a travel-focused card makes sense. If you spend most of your money on groceries and gas, a card with bonus categories in those areas is better. Bank of America's website lets you compare their cards side by side.

How to Get a BAT Card

You start by going to Bank of America's website or visiting a branch in person. You will find the card you want and click the button to begin the process. Bank of America will ask for your personal information — name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details. They use this to check your credit and decide whether to approve you.

The approval decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online. Bank of America will tell you right away whether you are approved, denied, or pending review. If you are approved, they will ask you to set up a PIN and choose how you want to receive your card — standard mail or expedited delivery.

Your credit score matters significantly. Bank of America typically approves applicants with good to excellent credit (670 and above, though this varies). If your score is lower, you may still be approved but with a lower credit limit. If you are denied, you can ask Bank of America why and reapply after addressing the issue — for example, by paying down existing debt or waiting for negative marks to age off your credit report.

Annual Fees and When They Make Sense

Not all BAT cards charge an annual fee. The Bank of America Cash Rewards card, for instance, has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back on all purchases. Other cards charge $95 or more annually but offer higher earning rates or bonus categories that make up for the cost.

To decide if an annual fee is worth it, calculate your expected annual rewards. If you spend $10,000 per year and earn 1.5% cash back, you earn $150. If the annual fee is $95, your net benefit is $55. But if you only spend $3,000 per year, you earn $45 — less than the fee — so a no-annual-fee card is smarter.

Bank of America sometimes waives the first-year annual fee for new cardholders, so check the current offer before you explore. Some cards also offer a sign-up bonus — for example, $200 cash back if you spend $500 in the first three months — which can offset the annual fee in year one.

Redeeming Your BAT Rewards

Once you have accumulated rewards, you can redeem them through your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Log in, find the rewards section, and choose your redemption method. The most common options are cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your next bill), a direct deposit to your linked bank account, or a check mailed to you.

Travel cards may offer additional redemption options, such as booking flights and hotels through Bank of America's travel portal at a fixed point value. For example, your points might be worth 1 cent each when you book travel, but only 0.5 cents if you redeem as cash back. This means travel redemption is sometimes more valuable — but only if you actually travel and use the portal.

There is no important date to redeem rewards on most BAT cards. Your points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, if you close the card, you typically have a limited window (often 30 to 90 days) to redeem remaining rewards before they are forfeited.

Comparing BAT Cards to Other Rewards Cards

Bank of America is not the only bank offering rewards cards. Chase, Capital One, American Express, and Discover all have competing products. The choice between a BAT card and another bank's card depends on the specific rewards structure, annual fee, and whether you already bank with Bank of America.

If you have a Bank of America checking account and maintain a high balance, the Preferred Rewards boost can make a BAT card more valuable than a competitor's card with the same base rewards rate. If you do not bank with Bank of America, you may find a better deal elsewhere. Compare the cards you are considering by calculating the rewards you would earn on your typical monthly spending, then subtract any annual fees.

Some people hold multiple rewards cards to maximize earnings across different spending categories. For example, you might use a BAT card for everyday purchases and a different card for restaurants. This strategy works only if you can manage multiple bills and remember which card to use where.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do BAT credit cards have an annual fee?

Some do and some do not. The Bank of America Cash Rewards card has no annual fee, while other BAT cards charge $95 or more per year. Check the specific card's terms before you explore. If the card charges a fee, calculate whether the rewards you earn will exceed it based on your spending.

What is the difference between a BAT card and a regular credit card?

A BAT card earns rewards (cash back or points) on purchases, while a regular credit card does not. Both work the same way — you charge purchases and pay a monthly bill — but a rewards card gives you something back for using it. The tradeoff is that rewards cards often have higher interest rates or annual fees.

Can I use my BAT rewards to pay my credit card bill?

Yes. The most common redemption option is a statement credit, which reduces your next monthly bill. You can also redeem as cash deposited to your bank account or as a check. Some travel cards let you book flights and hotels with your points instead.

What credit score do I need to get a BAT card?

Bank of America typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though the exact requirement varies by card and changes over time. If your score is lower, you may still be approved with a lower credit limit. If you are denied, you can reapply after improving your credit.

Do my BAT rewards expire?

No, rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you close the card, you usually have 30 to 90 days to redeem any remaining rewards before they are lost. Check your card's terms for the exact policy.