Rewards & next steps

How to Apply for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card

★Here's how to get the most from this card. Follow the steps below, then apply on the issuer's official site.

Applying for the Bank of America Premium Rewards card is done directly through Bank of America — either on their website or, if you're already a customer, through your online banking or mobile app. The application asks for standard information: your identity, income, housing costs, and Social Security number, and Bank of America will run a credit check as part of the decision.

Before you start the application, it's worth double-checking the current welcome bonus, annual fee, and rewards terms on Bank of America's own Premium Rewards page, since issuers update offers periodically and the numbers verified in this guide reflect the terms available as of mid-2026.

Step by step

1. Check where your credit stands: Since Bank of America generally looks for good to excellent credit on this card, pull your credit score and report beforehand so you know roughly where you stand before a hard inquiry is run.
2. Gather your application information: Have your Social Security number, income, housing/rent payment, and contact details ready. If you're an existing Bank of America or Merrill customer, log into your account first since it can streamline the application.
3. Apply through Bank of America's official site: Complete the application directly on Bank of America's website or app. Applying through the issuer's own site (rather than a random link) ensures you see the actual current offer terms rather than an outdated one.
4. Plan your spending to hit the bonus threshold: If approved, you'll generally need to hit the minimum spend (verified at $4,000 in the first 90 days as of mid-2026) to earn the welcome bonus, so map out planned purchases — rent, bills, travel — that you can safely route through the new card.
5. Enroll in Preferred Rewards if you qualify: If you bank or invest with Bank of America or Merrill, check whether your combined balances qualify you for Preferred Rewards, since that status can boost your points earning by up to 75% on every purchase.

Tips & mistakes to avoid

• Pay your statement in full each month. Since this card isn't built around a promotional low-rate period, carrying a balance will cost you the full variable APR.
• Use the airline incidental credit deliberately. It only applies to airline-coded incidental charges like checked bags or seat upgrades, so know what qualifies before assuming a purchase will trigger the credit.
• Time your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck renewal to the card's four-year credit cycle so you're not paying that application fee out of pocket.
• Check your Preferred Rewards eligibility before applying if you already hold Bank of America or Merrill accounts, since the point multiplier can meaningfully change the value of this card for you.

FAQ

Will applying for this card hurt my credit score?

Applying triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause a small, typically temporary dip in your score. The impact is generally minor compared with factors like payment history and credit utilization, but it's a reason to avoid applying for several cards in a short window.

How long does the application decision take?

Some applicants receive an instant decision online, while others may be asked for additional verification, which can extend the timeline. Exact processing times vary by applicant and aren't published as a fixed number by the issuer, so check your application status directly through Bank of America if you don't get an immediate answer.

Can I apply if I already have another Bank of America credit card?

You can apply, but issuers including Bank of America apply their own internal rules about how many cards, how much total credit, and how recently you've opened accounts before approving another one. Your existing relationship and credit profile with the bank will factor into the decision.

Advertiser disclosure: general information only, not financial advice. We are an independent publisher, not a card issuer or lender. Confirm current terms on the issuer's official site.