Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Travel Rewards
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 3-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Bank of America Travel Rewards is still the right call if no-fee travel — 1.5x flat with no fx markup, plus preferred rewards bumps.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Bank of America Travel Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 1.5% (general) |
| 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 | = 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.3/5 |
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 Travel Rewards
- 1.5x points on every purchase
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards clients (1.5x → 2.625x)
- Points redeem against any travel purchase, no blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (3 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 Travel 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 Travel Rewards: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel).