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Chase Freedom Flex vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great choice for earning high cash back rates in rotating quarterly categories, as well as on dining, drugstore purchases, and travel booked through Chase.
- The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is ideal for travelers who want simple, flat-rate rewards on all purchases without an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Flex® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.
- With no annual fee, every dollar in rewards you earn is pure profit.
- The card features a powerful combination of rotating 5% bonus categories and fixed rewards on everyday spending like dining and drugstore purchases.
- Cardholders who max out the 5% rotating bonus categories on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter can earn $300 in cash back annually from that category alone (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- New cardholders can take advantage of a welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer.
- Provides valuable built-in benefits, including cell phone protection and extended warranty on eligible purchases.
- Points are flexible and can be redeemed for cash back or travel, or combined with other eligible Chase cards to maximize their value.
Cons
- Bonus categories must be activated each quarter to earn the top cash back rate.
- Not ideal for international travel, as it charges foreign transaction fees.
- Subject to Chase’s strict application rules, which may make it difficult for some to get approved.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card a solid choice.
- This card is great for straightforward savings, as it comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- You'll earn a flat 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, so you don't have to keep track of complicated bonus categories.
- With a $0 annual fee, there's no break-even spending required to make the card worthwhile (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- The card offers a simple rewards structure, allowing you to earn points at a consistent rate on all your spending without tracking bonus categories.
- You have the freedom to book travel your way and redeem points as a statement credit against a wide variety of travel and dining purchases.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn a bonus on top of the standard rewards rate, significantly boosting their earning potential.
Cons
- The card offers a modest rewards rate and lacks bonus categories, so you won't earn extra on travel or dining.
- It doesn't come with premium travel perks like airport lounge access or comprehensive travel insurance.
- The rewards program isn't very flexible, as points can't be transferred to airline or hotel partners, and the best earning rates are reserved for those with a specific banking status.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
When comparing these two popular cards, the question of which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Bank of America Travel Rewards, ultimately depends on your spending habits and reward preferences.
- Chase Freedom Flex® is designed for no-fee card seekers who enjoy maximizing rewards through rotating bonus categories and are willing to track spending to earn higher cash back.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards is best suited for occasional travelers or beginners looking for a straightforward rewards card without the need to manage complex bonus categories.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the issuer's portal. Your points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock more valuable redemption options.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards: This card allows you to redeem points for a statement credit against nearly any travel or dining purchase, offering flexibility without being tied to a specific booking portal.
Travel Perks
- Travel Portal: Both cards provide access to their own travel portals for booking. Chase Freedom Flex® cardholders can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, while Bank of America® Travel Rewards cardholders have access to the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card holds a clear advantage for international travel, as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Flex® does incur a fee on purchases made abroad.
- Lounge Access & Other Perks: As no-annual-fee cards, neither option includes premium perks like airport lounge access. The Chase Freedom Flex® offers some travel protections, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance. The primary travel benefit of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is its flexible redemption, allowing you to apply points as a statement credit against a wide array of travel and dining expenses.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For those looking to simplify the decision-making process, tools like Kudos offer a way to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending data.
- Test drive a card before you apply by simulating your potential earnings based on your actual spending history, without a hard credit pull.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Automatically fill in the best card to use at checkout to ensure you're always maximizing your rewards.
- Unlock a $100 Kickstart+ reward when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great fit for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards and don't mind a little bit of active management. It particularly benefits those who frequently dine out or shop at drugstores, and who can take full advantage of the rotating 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter. Additionally, it's an excellent choice for individuals looking to pair it with premium Chase cards to create the powerful 'Chase trifecta' and pool their Ultimate Rewards® points.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers who value simplicity, thanks to its straightforward flat-rate rewards on all purchases. It's particularly beneficial for existing Bank of America customers, who can earn a rewards bonus of up to 75% through the Preferred Rewards program. With no annual fee and a dedicated student version, this travel card also appeals to budget-conscious users and those building their credit history.
Alternatives to Consider
Still on the fence after our Chase Freedom Flex® vs Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison? If neither card feels like the perfect match, let's explore some other top-tier cards that could be a better fit for your wallet.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of application restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
- Have a rewards strategy – Some cards offer greater value when paired with others or for existing banking customers.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically – Apply before a large purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
- Leverage existing relationships – Some issuers, like Bank of America, offer better rewards to their existing banking customers.
- Prepare to manage your card – Be ready to activate rotating bonus categories if your new card requires it.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for beginners?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is often simpler for beginners due to its flat-rate rewards structure. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ requires more active management to maximize its rotating bonus categories.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?
Yes, you can hold both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, as they are issued by different banks. This can be a good strategy to maximize rewards across different spending categories.
What credit score is needed for these cards?
Both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score, which is typically considered to be 670 or higher. Final approval, however, depends on a variety of factors beyond just your score.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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