What you need to do to open a Bank of America credit card
Bank of America offers credit cards directly through its website, by phone, or in a branch. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, annual income, and employment status. The bank will pull your credit report during the process — this is called a hard inquiry and will show on your credit history. Most decisions happen within minutes if you start online; approval by phone or in person can take longer.
You do not have to be an existing Bank of America customer to open a credit card with them. However, if you already have a checking or savings account with the bank, the process may move faster because they already have some of your information on file.
The card you receive depends on which product you choose. Bank of America offers cards with different rewards structures, annual fees, and benefits. Some cards are designed for people building credit, while others require a strong credit history and offer premium perks.
Key Takeaways
- You can start the credit card process online at bankofamerica.com, by calling 1-800-435-7000, or by visiting a branch in person.
- Bank of America will check your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
- You need your Social Security number, income information, and employment details to complete the request.
- Decisions usually come within minutes online, but you may be asked to verify your identity by phone or mail before the card ships.
- Different Bank of America cards have different credit score requirements — some work for people with fair credit, while others require good or excellent credit.
Where to start: online, phone, or in person
The fastest route is Bank of America's website. Go to bankofamerica.com, find the credit cards section, and choose the card that fits your needs. You will answer questions about your income, employment, and the reason for the card. The system will tell you within minutes whether you are approved, denied, or pending further review.
If you prefer to talk to someone, call 1-800-435-7000. A representative can walk you through the options and answer questions about rewards, fees, and benefits before you commit. This route takes longer — expect 15 to 30 minutes on the phone — but some people find it clearer.
You can also walk into any Bank of America branch and ask to open a credit card. A banker can review your options in person and submit your request on the spot. This is useful if you want to ask detailed questions or if you have an unusual financial situation that might not fit the online form.
What information you will need to provide
Bank of America will ask for your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. They will also ask for your annual income (this includes salary, self-employment income, investment income, or other regular money coming in) and your employment status. If you are retired, on disability, or a student, you can still provide that information — the bank does not reject people based on employment type alone.
You will also need to list any existing debts: credit cards you already have, car loans, student loans, mortgages, or other money you owe. The bank uses this to calculate your debt-to-income ratio, which affects whether they approve you and what credit limit they offer.
Have your driver's license or passport handy. If you are applying online, you may need to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions about your past addresses or accounts.
How credit score requirements work for different cards
Bank of America offers cards at different credit tiers. Some cards are designed for people with fair credit (usually a score of 600 to 669), some for good credit (670 to 739), and some for excellent credit (740 and above). The bank does not publish exact score cutoffs, but your score is the main factor in whether you are approved.
If your credit score is lower, you have two options: apply for a card designed for fair credit, or wait a few months while you pay down existing balances and make all payments on time. Each on-time payment raises your score slightly. If you are denied, the bank will tell you why — usually because your score is too low or your debt is too high relative to your income.
You can check your own credit score for free through annualcreditreport.com, which is the only site the federal government officially maintains. This score may differ slightly from the score Bank of America sees, but it gives you a realistic picture of where you stand.
What happens after you submit your request
If you apply online, you will see a decision on screen within minutes. The decision will be one of three: approved, denied, or pending. If you are approved, the card will ship to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you are pending, Bank of America will contact you by phone or mail to verify your identity or ask follow-up questions — this usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons are a credit score that is too low, too much existing debt, or a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure. You can call the reconsideration line at 1-888-205-5050 within 30 days to ask if the bank will reconsider, though this works only if your situation has changed (for example, you paid off a large balance).
Once your card arrives, you will need to activate it before you can use it. Bank of America will include instructions in the envelope. You can activate by calling the number on the back of the card or through your online account.
Annual fees and when they apply
Some Bank of America credit cards have no annual fee. Others charge $95, $150, or more per year. The fee is usually charged on your first statement and then every year on the anniversary of when you opened the card. Premium cards with higher fees typically offer rewards, travel benefits, or other perks that offset the cost for people who use them heavily.
If you open a card with an annual fee and later decide it is not worth it, you can close the card or call to ask if the bank will waive the fee. Banks sometimes waive the first year's fee if you ask, especially if you are a new customer or if you have other accounts with them.
How to compare Bank of America cards before you choose
Bank of America's main cards are the Cash Rewards card (no annual fee, cash back on purchases), the Preferred Rewards card (no annual fee, bonus rewards if you have a checking account), the Premium Rewards card ($95 annual fee, higher rewards and travel benefits), and the World Elite Mastercard ($450 annual fee, premium travel and concierge benefits). There are also cards designed for people rebuilding credit.
Before you choose, think about how you will use the card. If you spend most of your money on groceries and gas, a card with bonus categories in those areas makes sense. If you travel frequently, a card with travel rewards and trip insurance may be worth the annual fee. If you just want a simple card to build credit, a no-fee card is the right choice.
You can read the full terms for each card on bankofamerica.com. Look for the rewards rate (how much cash back or points you earn per dollar spent), the annual percentage rate or APR (the interest rate if you carry a balance), and any introductory offers (like 0% APR for a set number of months).
What to do if you are denied
A denial does not mean you can never get a Bank of America card. It usually means your credit score or debt level is not in the range the bank wants right now. You have a few options: wait 3 to 6 months while you improve your credit, apply for a different Bank of America card designed for lower credit scores, or apply with a co-signer (someone with good credit who agrees to pay if you do not).
If you were denied and want to understand why, request your credit report from annualcreditreport.com and look for errors. Mistakes on your report — like a payment marked late when you paid on time, or an account that is not yours — can be disputed and removed. Removing errors can raise your score enough to get approved on a second try.
You can also call Bank of America's reconsideration team at 1-888-205-5050 within 30 days of your denial. Have your recent credit report handy and be ready to explain any negative marks (late payments, high balances, collections accounts). The bank sometimes approves on reconsideration if you can show the situation has improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Bank of America customer to open a credit card?
No. You can open a Bank of America credit card even if you have never done business with the bank before. However, if you already have a checking or savings account with them, the process may be faster because the bank already has some of your information.
How long does it take to get approved?
Online decisions usually come within minutes. If you apply by phone or in person, it may take 15 to 30 minutes. After approval, the card ships in 7 to 10 business days. If your application is pending, the bank will contact you within 3 to 5 business days to verify your identity.
What credit score do I need?
Bank of America does not publish exact score requirements, but most of their cards require a score of at least 670 (good credit). Some cards are designed for fair credit (600 to 669). You can check your score for free at annualcreditreport.com to see where you stand before you apply.
Can I apply if I have been denied before?
Yes. If you were denied in the past, wait at least 3 to 6 months and apply again. Use that time to pay down balances and make all payments on time — both will raise your credit score. You can also call the reconsideration line at 1-888-205-5050 within 30 days of a denial to ask if the bank will reconsider.
What happens if I do not use the card after I open it?
Bank of America may close the card if it sits unused for a long time (usually 12 months or more). To keep the card open, use it at least once every few months and pay the balance in full or make a payment. An open card with a zero balance helps your credit score, so it is worth keeping active even if you do not use it often.