Bank of America review
For Bank of America customers who pay with Apple Pay or Google PayBank of America is one of the largest US banks and a good fit for customers who want branches, rewards credit cards and a full checking account, but it offers no virtual card numbers on personal accounts.
Halocard is the better choice for anyone who wants a separate virtual card for each merchant, with its own limit and billing address. Since ShopSafe ended on September 20, 2019, Bank of America's virtual card numbers are the tokens Apple Pay and Google Pay create when you add a card, plus a Digital Card for Debit in its app. They protect your card number where a wallet is accepted, but they can't be typed into a checkout form, capped or locked to one store. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with no credit check.
Pros
- Pros: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Paze on its cards
- Pros: Digital Card for Debit before the plastic arrives
- Pros: $0 Liability Guarantee, wallets included
- Pros: Cash back and points on credit cards
- Pros: Branches and ATMs across the US
Cons
- Cons: No virtual card numbers on personal accounts
- Cons: No per-card limits or merchant locks
- Cons: 3% foreign fee on the debit card
- Cons: Checking fees of $4.95 to $25 a month unless waived
- Cons: Rated 1.4/5 on Trustpilot
How much does Bank of America cost?
- Wallet tokens and Digital Card for Debit
- Free
- Checking monthly fee
- $4.95 to $25, waivable
- Debit card in a foreign currency
- 3%
- Credit card annual fee
- $0 to $550
- Outgoing domestic wire
- $30
Is Bank of America legit?
- Company and country
- Bank of America, N.A., USA (public parent)
- Registration or licence
- National bank (OCC); FDIC member
- Card issuer
- Bank of America, N.A.
- Trustpilot
- 1.4/5 (3,750 reviews)
- Founded
- 1904, as the Bank of Italy
What Bank of America reviewers report
Rated 1.4/5 on Trustpilot from 3,750 reviews. The most common complaints:
Hard to reach a person
Users report automated phone menus and long waits to reach someone who can help.
I don’t think humans work here
“The automated phone system is HORRIBLE and I am not able to get past entering my account number. … They list Facebook and Twitter contacts but NO email?”
Bank of America doesn't care about customer service...
“Bank of America customer service has fallen through the floor. … It takes two hours or more to address any customer service challenge and they actually told me today that they didn't know when their system would updates to allow me to use the phone number I have had on that account for almost 10 years to verify that account.”
Refunds reversed or delayed
Complaints about refunds for unauthorized charges being taken back or held for weeks.
I am beyond livid and am even considering sueing
“They initially refunded me, then send me a email a couple weeks after saying because the card was used in person I must have ALLOWED the thief to use my card since they must’ve known my pin in order to use it and they would charge me back the money.”
“just wait” for 20 days
“Bank of America allowed the 3rd party to take the money without my consent, they forced me to wait without access to essential funds, and now still - after the 3rd party confirmed a refund was posted, they suggest waiting an additional 5 days.”
Digital card held or unusable
Reports of the Digital Card for Debit being held, or cards failing in Apple Wallet.
I would have giving minus
“The best word out of call centers are go visit a branch ...not only that they have put a hold even on my digital until my debit card arrives..could be another 3 to 5vdays without any of my accounts being locked but now my digital.”
I’m outside of the country and I’m not…
“I’m outside of the country and I’m not able to use money, transfer them, put on Apple wallet, call support through the stupid app, nothing works, and support just move me from one directory to another without resolving a problem, I was trying 5 days and nothing with that they can help me”
How does Halocard compare to Bank of America?
Halocard is the better choice than Bank of America's wallet cards for most online spending: Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant.
Better choice | Bank of America | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Advantage: US residents and residents of 120+ countries | Bank of America card and account holders |
| Card structure | Advantage: Dedicated Visa credit cards | Wallet tokens and a Digital Card for Debit |
| Controls | Advantage: Per-card limits, custom name and billing address | Lock a card, or its token in one wallet |
| Funding | Advantage: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, Stablecoins & Crypto | Your checking balance or credit line |
| US bank account | Advantage: Your own US account and routing number | Yes, with a checking account |
| In-person payments | Advantage: Physical card, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay | Physical cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay |
| Fees | Advantage: No fee in USD; 1.5% in other currencies | 3% in foreign currencies on the debit card |
| Support | Advantage: Chat, email, and phone on every plan | Phone, plus chat when agents are available |
| Trust and transparency | Advantage: A regulated US company and card issuer | Advantage: A large public US bank |
Bank of America FAQ
Does Bank of America offer virtual credit card numbers?
What happened to Bank of America ShopSafe?
What is a Bank of America virtual card number in Apple Pay?
What is the Bank of America Digital Card for Debit?
Can I set a spending limit on a Bank of America card?
Does Bank of America charge foreign transaction fees?
Is Bank of America safe?
Can a small business get Bank of America virtual cards?
How do I contact Bank of America customer service?
Does Bank of America have a refer-a-friend program?
Sources
- Bank of America, digital wallets: promotions.bankofamerica.com/digitalbanking/mobilebanking/digitalwallets
- Bank of America, Apple Pay FAQs: bankofamerica.com/online-banking/apple-pay-faqs
- Bank of America, debit card and Digital Card for Debit: bankofamerica.com/deposits/checking/debit-card
- Bank of America, Personal Schedule of Fees: bankofamerica.com/salesservices/deposits/resources/personal-schedule-fees
- Bank of America, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees: bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards
- Bank of America, Customized Cash Rewards: bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/cash-back-credit-card
- Bank of America, Refer-a-Friend announcement (June 2026): newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2026/06/bank-of-america-introduces-new-ways-to-reward-clients--manage-pa
- Bank of America, how to contact us: bankofamerica.com/deposits/contact-bank-of-america-faqs
- Bank of America, Erica: info.bankofamerica.com/en/digital-banking/erica
- Bank of America, Virtual Travel Cards: business.bofa.com/en-us/content/virtual-travel-cards.html
- Bank of America, Virtual Payables buyer FAQs: business.bofa.com/content/dam/boamlimages/documents/PDFs/virtual_payables_buyer_faqs.pdf
- Doctor of Credit, Bank of America discontinues ShopSafe: doctorofcredit.com/bank-of-america-discontinues-shopsafe-virtual-credit-card-numbers
- OCC, Bank of America: the humble beginnings of a large bank: occ.gov/about/who-we-are/history/history-of-the-occ/1866-1913/1866-1913-bank-of-america.html
- Reuters, banks plan a joint dollar stablecoin (September 2026): reuters.com/business/finance/goldman-sachs-bofa-others-plan-issue-dollar-stablecoin-together-2027-2026-09-01
- Trustpilot, Bank of America reviews: trustpilot.com/review/www.bankofamerica.com
Disclaimer
Based on public information as of November 2026 (see Sources above); Bank of America's products, fees and terms may change, so check before you decide. Halocard publishes this page and makes one of the products compared, so verdicts and ticks are our opinion. Bank of America, its product names and its logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Their use here does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by or endorsement from Bank of America. Quoted reviews are verbatim Trustpilot excerpts of individual experiences, not verified by us. Not financial, legal or tax advice.
