Bank of America issues both Visa and Mastercard, depending on which card you choose
Bank of America does not issue one card type across its entire portfolio. Some of their credit cards run on the Visa network, and others run on Mastercard. The card network is printed on the front of your card and determines which merchants accept it and which payment systems process your transaction — but both Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the vast majority of places in the United States.
The network your card uses does not affect your interest rate, rewards rate, or annual fee. Those terms depend on which specific Bank of America card product you hold, not whether it is Visa or Mastercard. If you already have a Bank of America card, the network is visible on the card itself. If you are considering opening one, the network is listed in the product details before you apply.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's Visa cards include the BankAmericard, the Cash Rewards card, and the Premium Rewards card, among others.
- Bank of America's Mastercard products include the World Mastercard and the World Elite Mastercard, which offer travel benefits.
- The card network does not determine your rewards, interest rate, or fees — only which merchants and payment systems can process your transaction.
- Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted at nearly all retailers, gas stations, and online merchants in the United States.
Bank of America Visa cards and their features
The BankAmericard is Bank of America's entry-level Visa card, with no annual fee and no rewards rate — you earn cash back only on promotional categories that rotate quarterly. The Cash Rewards Visa earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category rotation. The Premium Rewards Visa earns points on every dollar spent and includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
Bank of America also issues the Alaska Airlines Visa, which earns miles toward Alaska Airlines flights, and the MLB Visa, which is co-branded with Major League Baseball. Each of these cards carries its own annual fee structure and rewards terms, but all of them operate on the Visa network.
Bank of America Mastercard cards and their features
The World Mastercard is Bank of America's mid-tier Mastercard, designed for customers who travel or spend internationally. It includes benefits like no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, and emergency card replacement if your card is lost abroad. There is an annual fee for this card.
The World Elite Mastercard is the premium tier and includes additional perks such as concierge services, higher travel insurance limits, and priority customer service. This card also carries an annual fee, which is higher than the World Mastercard. Both Mastercards are accepted worldwide and offer the same fraud protection and dispute resolution as Bank of America's Visa products.
How the card network affects where you can use your card
The Visa or Mastercard logo on your card tells merchants and payment processors which network to route your transaction through. In the United States, this distinction rarely matters — both networks are accepted at virtually every retailer, gas station, restaurant, and online merchant. The difference becomes more relevant when you travel internationally or use smaller merchants in rural areas, where one network may have better coverage than the other.
If you lose your card or it is declined, the network does not affect how quickly Bank of America replaces it or how they handle the dispute. Both Visa and Mastercard offer zero-liability protection for unauthorized charges, and Bank of America's dispute process is the same regardless of which network your card uses.
Switching between Visa and Mastercard at Bank of America
If you currently hold a Bank of America Visa and want to switch to a Mastercard (or vice versa), you will need to open a new card account. Bank of America does not convert an existing card from one network to another. Opening a new card will generate a hard inquiry on your credit report and result in a new account on your credit history, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
Your old card will remain active until you request to close it. Bank of America typically allows you to keep both cards open at the same time, though having multiple accounts may affect your credit utilization ratio if any of them carry a balance. If you are switching primarily for rewards or benefits, review the terms of both cards before applying — the network itself is less important than the rewards rate and annual fee.
Visa and Mastercard fraud protection and dispute resolution
Both Visa and Mastercard offer zero-liability protection, which means you are not responsible for unauthorized charges if your card number is stolen or compromised. Bank of America's fraud monitoring system works the same way regardless of which network your card uses. If you notice a fraudulent charge, you report it to Bank of America, not to Visa or Mastercard — Bank of America handles the investigation and reversal.
The dispute process also does not depend on your card network. Bank of America will investigate a disputed charge, request documentation from you if needed, and either reverse the charge or explain why they cannot. This timeline typically takes 10 business days for Bank of America to acknowledge your dispute and up to 60 days to resolve it, though many disputes close faster. The network logo on your card does not change these timelines or protections.
International use and currency conversion
If you travel outside the United States, both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, though coverage varies by country and region. Mastercard historically has had stronger presence in Europe and parts of Asia, while Visa has broader coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean — but both networks now operate globally and the difference is minimal for most travelers.
Bank of America charges a foreign transaction fee on most of their cards, regardless of network. The World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard are exceptions — they waive foreign transaction fees entirely. If you travel frequently, the card's foreign transaction fee policy matters far more than whether it is Visa or Mastercard. Check the specific card's terms before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Bank of America Visa at any merchant that accepts Mastercard?
No. A merchant that accepts only Mastercard will decline a Visa card, and vice versa. In practice, nearly all merchants in the United States accept both networks, so this is rarely a problem. If you encounter a merchant that accepts only one network, you can ask if they have another payment method available or use a different card.
Does Bank of America charge different fees for Visa versus Mastercard?
No. Annual fees, late fees, and cash advance fees are determined by the specific card product, not by the network. Two Bank of America cards with identical rewards and benefits but different networks will have identical fees.
Which network is better for rewards?
The network itself does not affect your rewards rate. Your rewards depend entirely on which Bank of America card you choose. Compare the cash back percentage or points earning rate across Bank of America's product lineup, then decide whether you prefer Visa or Mastercard based on where you travel or which merchants you use most.
If my Bank of America Visa is compromised, does Mastercard protect me differently?
No. Both Visa and Mastercard offer zero-liability protection for unauthorized charges, and Bank of America's fraud monitoring and dispute process is identical regardless of network. Your protection comes from Bank of America, not from the card network.
What happens to my rewards if I switch from a Bank of America Visa to a Mastercard?
Rewards you have already earned stay in your account and do not transfer to the new card. When you close the Visa account, you can redeem any remaining rewards before closure. Rewards you earn on the new Mastercard will accumulate separately in that account.