Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Bank of America Customized Cash
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3-2. First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates Bank of America Customized Cash is still the right call if choose your 3% category each month — no rotation needed..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Bank of America Customized Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 3% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = $200 cash rewards after $1,000 spend in 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
Bank of America Customized Cash
- 3% on category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, home improvement)
- 2% at grocery stores + wholesale clubs (up to $2,500/quarter combined)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
FAQ
›Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Bank of America Customized Cash: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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 Sapphire Preferred for its best categories, Bank of America Customized Cash for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Bank of America Customized Cash: $200 cash rewards after $1,000 spend in 90 days.