Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Premium Rewards
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 4-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Bank of America Premium Rewards is still the right call if boa preferred rewards clients — up to 2.625x with $100k relationship..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Bank of America Premium Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Bank of America Premium Rewards
- 2x on travel + dining
- 1.5x on everything else
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards (Platinum Honors tier)
- $100 annual airline incidental credit
- $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited for its best categories, Bank of America Premium Rewards for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. Bank of America Premium Rewards: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days.