American Express Gold Card vs Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
VS
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$250
vs
No annual fee
Base Rewards
1x
vs
1.5x
Sign-Up Bonus
$600
vs
$250
Editor Score
9/10
vs
7/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 4/6 | 2/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $250✗ Highest | No annual fee★ Lowest |
| Purchase APR | 29.49% | 19.24% – 29.24% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | None | 3% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Points | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x✗ Lowest | 1.5x★ Highest |
| Bonus Categories | 4x Restaurants · 4x Groceries · 3x Flights | |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $600 value★ Highest | $250 value✗ Lowest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | No Credit History |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Foodies and grocery shoppers | Students who travel internationally |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.6 / 5★ Highest | 4.1 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 9 / 10★ Highest | 7 / 10✗ Lowest |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
Our verdict: Too close to call
The American Express Gold Card ($250/year) and the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students (no annual fee) compete on different axes. The American Express Gold Card's strongest category is 4x on Restaurants, while the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students runs on a flat 1.5x base rate. The American Express Gold Card costs $250 more per year, so you need at least $250 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $7,500 and $15,000 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our model scores these cards effectively even (2-3). Pick the American Express Gold Card if you spend heavily on restaurants; pick the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students if you prefer its earning structure.
Too close to call — pick based on your primary spending category
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | American Express Gold Card | Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $250/year | no annual fee |
| Base Reward Rate | 1x on everything | 1.5x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 4x on Restaurants | None |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months | 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months |
| Credit Score Required | excellent | no credit |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
Unlock Full Comparison Report
Share to unlock
Related Comparisons
Common Questions
Which is better: American Express Gold Card or Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students?
It depends on your spending habits. The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students has no annual fee and earns 1.5x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between American Express Gold Card and Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students?
The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee while the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students has no annual fee. The American Express Gold Card costs $250 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.