Bank of America issues both Visa and Mastercard, depending on which card you choose
Bank of America does not make one choice for all its credit cards. Some of their cards run on the Visa network, and some run on the Mastercard network. The network your card uses affects which merchants accept it and, sometimes, what rewards or protections come with it. When you open a Bank of America credit card account, you pick a specific card product — and that product comes with a specific network built in.
The network is not something you change later. It is set when the card is issued. So if you want a Visa, you need to choose a card that Bank of America offers as a Visa. If you want a Mastercard, you choose one of their Mastercard products instead.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America offers credit cards on both the Visa and Mastercard networks, so you choose which network when you pick your card product.
- Popular Bank of America Visa cards include the Bank of America Cash Rewards card and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
- Bank of America Mastercard options include the Bank of America Premium Rewards Mastercard and the Bank of America Unlimited Mastercard.
- The network your card uses determines which merchants will accept it, though both Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in the United States.
- You cannot switch a card from one network to another — the network is fixed when the card is issued.
Common Bank of America Visa cards
The Bank of America Cash Rewards card is a Visa. It offers cash back on purchases in categories like gas, groceries, and online shopping, and a flat rate on everything else. This card is available to people with a range of credit histories.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is also a Visa. It earns points on all purchases that you can redeem for travel or transfer to airline and hotel partners. This card typically requires a stronger credit history than the Cash Rewards card.
Bank of America also offers the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card as a Visa product. This one lets you choose which category gets the highest cash back rate, within limits.
Common Bank of America Mastercard options
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Mastercard is one of their main Mastercard products. It earns points on all purchases and includes benefits like travel insurance and purchase protection. This card generally requires good to excellent credit.
The Bank of America Unlimited Mastercard is another Mastercard option. It offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases with no categories to track. This card is sometimes available to people with fair credit, though requirements vary.
Bank of America occasionally updates its card lineup, adds new products, or retires older ones. The cards available to you also depend on your credit history and whether you already have a Bank of America account.
Why the network matters
The network — Visa or Mastercard — is the system that processes your payment when you swipe or tap your card. It is separate from the bank that issued the card. Bank of America is the bank; Visa or Mastercard is the payment network.
In practice, both Visa and Mastercard are accepted at nearly all merchants in the United States. The network choice rarely affects where you can use your card. However, some smaller merchants or international locations may accept one network but not the other. A few merchants also offer slightly different rewards or discounts depending on which network you use, though this is uncommon.
The network can also affect some of the card's built-in protections — like fraud liability limits or purchase protection — because each network sets its own rules. Visa and Mastercard protections are usually similar, but the details can differ.
How to find out which network your card uses
If you already have a Bank of America credit card, the easiest way to check is to look at the card itself. Visa cards have the Visa logo on the front. Mastercard cards have the Mastercard logo — two overlapping circles, one red and one orange.
You can also log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and view your card details. The card information page will show the network. Or call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask.
If you are thinking about opening a new Bank of America card, you can check the network on the Bank of America website before you start the process. Each card product page lists whether it is a Visa or Mastercard.
What happens if you want to switch networks
You cannot convert an existing card from Visa to Mastercard or the other way around. The network is permanent for that card. If you want to switch, you would need to close the old card and open a new one on the network you prefer.
Before you close a card, think about how long you have had it. Closing a credit card can affect your credit score, especially if it is one of your oldest accounts. If the only reason you want to switch is the network, and both are accepted where you shop, it may not be worth the impact. But if you have a specific reason — like a merchant you use frequently that only takes Mastercard — then opening a new card might make sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Bank of America Visa at any store that takes Visa?
Yes. Any merchant that displays the Visa logo accepts Visa cards. The same applies to Mastercard — any store showing the Mastercard logo will take a Mastercard. Both networks are accepted almost everywhere in the United States, so the choice between them rarely limits where you can shop.
Do Visa and Mastercard have different rewards or benefits?
The rewards and benefits come from Bank of America, not from the network. Two Bank of America cards on different networks can have identical rewards, or very different ones. The network itself does not determine your rewards — the specific card product does.
If I have a Bank of America checking account, does that affect which card network I get?
No. Having a Bank of America checking account does not lock you into a specific network. You still choose which card product you want, and that choice determines whether you get Visa or Mastercard. However, Bank of America customers sometimes see different card offers or lower requirements than non-customers.
What if a store only takes Mastercard and I have a Visa?
This is very rare in the United States. Almost all merchants accept both networks. If you do find a place that only takes one network, you could use a different payment method, or open a second card on the other network for those situations. But this is unlikely to be a practical problem.
Can I request a specific network when I open a Bank of America card?
No. When you choose a card product, the network comes with it. You cannot pick the card and then choose the network separately. If Bank of America offers a card you want only as a Visa, that is what you will get.