Chase United Explorer vs Bank of America Premium Rewards
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Bank of America Premium Rewards wins 2-1. BoA Preferred Rewards clients — up to 2.625x with $100K relationship. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase United Explorer | Bank of America Premium Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = $95 | = $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 2% (travel) | = 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months | = 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
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 United Explorer vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: which is better?
Bank of America Premium Rewards wins on more dimensions (2 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 United Explorer 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 United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months. Bank of America Premium Rewards: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days.