Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
3% back in 1 of 6 categories you choose — 6% your first year
Earn 3% cash back in a category you pick each month (6% in your first year), plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, with no annual fee. The $200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend and 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles make this one of the strongest student cards available — and Preferred Rewards members can boost earnings up to 5.25%.
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
Network
Visa Signature
Rewards Currency
Cash
Credit Required
Fair
Bonus: $200 cash back
Spend: $1,000
Period: 3 months
| Category | Rate | Type | Booking Method | Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Drugstores | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Gas Stations | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Home Improvement | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Online Shopping | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Streaming | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Telecom | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Cable Tv | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Travel | 3X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly | |
| Wholesale Clubs | 2X | Core | any | $2,500/quarterly |
Spend $200/month on gas → earn $144/year in your first year (6%), then $72/year ongoing (3%)
Spend $300/month on groceries → earn $72/year in cash back automatically
Spend $500/month on other purchases → earn $60/year in unlimited cash back
Benefits & Perks
Combined Protection Value
$6,350
Get reimbursed up to $2,000 per person when a trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons like illness or severe weather.
Details & Terms
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% |
Reviews & Analysis
3X
Top Rate
Get coverage for collision damage, theft, and loss-of-use when renting a car. Coverage type (primary vs secondary) varies by issuer.
Get an additional year of warranty protection on eligible electronics and appliances with original warranties of 3 years or less.
Access 24/7 multilingual travel assistance including medical referrals, legal help, emergency cash, and lost luggage support.
You're never responsible for unauthorized charges on your card, with proactive fraud monitoring.
Get reimbursed up to $3,000 per person per trip for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage when traveling with your card.
Get reimbursement up to $500 per claim for items stolen or damaged by accident within 90 days of purchase.
Get reimbursed up to $300 for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries when checked baggage is delayed 4+ hours.
Reimbursement up to $300 for meals and lodging after 12+ hour delay. Signature requires 12 hours vs Infinite's 6 hours.
Get reimbursement up to $250 per item when a merchant won't accept returns within 90 days of purchase (Signature tier).
24/7 roadside assistance including jump-start, lockout, towing, and fuel delivery. Services charged as flat fee per call.
You can access your FICO® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. Opt-in to receive your score, the ke...
Link your BofA checking account to avoid declined purchases — no transfer fees.
With $0 annual fee, this student card delivers 3% in a category you choose each month (6% first year), 2% on groceries, and 1% on everything else — capped at $2,500/quarter combined. The $200 welcome bonus and 15-cycle 0% intro APR are among the strongest for student cards.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
NerdWallet's review covering the card's bonus cash-back categories, credit requirements, and suitability for students.
Official issuer product page with current rates, rewards structure, security features, and application link.
Bank of America's student credit card overview page comparing their student card offerings.
Comprehensive review covering the 6% first-year bonus, intro APR, welcome offer, and comparison to other student cards. Bankrate score: 3.7/5.
Credit Karma review with cardholder data and user reviews showing real-world approval and usage experiences.
U.S. News review with detailed card features, rewards structure, and comparison to competing student cards.
WalletHub review with user ratings and detailed breakdown of the rewards structure, including the Preferred Rewards bonus.
Yahoo Finance review noting the impressive rewards structure but highlighting that many students may struggle to qualify.
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Bank of America | Bank of America | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Earn rates |
Merchants this card gives you a statement credit or membership at. Unlike the brands above, this isn't about earn rate — it's money the card hands back when you spend there.
Brands where this card's earn-rate structure makes it a strong choice. Open a brand for the full ranked list.
