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Side-by-side

Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Travel Rewards comes from Bank of America at $0/yr; the Chase Freedom Unlimited from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBank of America Travel RewardsChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus25,000 points$200 bonus
Bonus value (est.)$250$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaChase
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersNonechase-ur
Headline benefits
  • 1.5x everywhere
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
  • Preferred Rewards boost
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
Read the full review
Bank of America Travel Rewards
$0/yr · 25,000 points
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus

Editorial take: Bank of America Travel Rewards

The no-fee version of Premium Rewards. Only shines with BoA's Preferred Rewards boost, otherwise the Capital One VentureOne or Wells Fargo Autograph beat it.

Editorial take: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The best no-fee cash back card in the Chase family. Stack it with a Sapphire and your cash back converts into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, a free upgrade most people miss. Note: Cell phone protection is on Freedom Flex, not Freedom Unlimited.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Travel Rewards or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Bank of America Travel Rewards has the bigger bonus, 25,000 points, worth roughly $250, versus $200 bonus (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Bank of America Travel Rewards has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Chase Freedom Unlimited's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Chase Freedom Unlimited's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
Can I have both the Bank of America Travel Rewards and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bank of America Travel Rewards or the Chase Freedom Unlimited first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Travel Rewards: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Freedom Unlimited: $500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.