Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card comes from Bank of America at $0/yr; the Chase Sapphire Reserve from Chase at $795/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($2,300 more in estimated value) than the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve first; revisit the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $795 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash rewards | 125,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $2,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Bank of America | Chase |
| Card category | cashback | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
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Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Recently revamped with over $3,000 in annual credits and perks. If you travel three or more times a year and live near an airport with a Sapphire lounge, this card is a smart choice.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the bigger bonus, 125,000 points, worth roughly $2,500, versus $200 cash rewards (~$200) on the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- Is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $795 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Chase Sapphire Reserve's benefits to clear $795 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- Can I have both the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- 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 Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Sapphire Reserve: $6,000 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.
