Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a strong contender.

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• It offers a straightforward rewards structure, earning 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and an unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Existing Bank of America customers can significantly boost their earnings with a 25%–75% rewards bonus through the Preferred Rewards program.
• The card’s up to $100 annual airline incidental credit can offset the $95 annual fee, making it a great value proposition. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Redemption is simple and flexible, allowing you to use points for cash back, statement credits, or travel at a straightforward, fixed value.
• It’s a strong choice for international travel, offering no foreign transaction fees and a range of travel insurance protections.
• The card features broad bonus categories for travel and dining, which include purchases like rideshares, tourist attractions, and food delivery services.

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Cons

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• The rewards program lacks transfer partners, so you can’t move points to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
• Its highest earning potential is reserved for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, making it less valuable for those who don't bank with BoA.
• It doesn't offer premium travel perks found on competing cards, like airport lounge access.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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Deciding between these two popular rewards cards can be tough, so let's break down which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®, based on your spending habits.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is an excellent choice for cash back seekers who want to earn consistent rewards on everyday spending without tracking complicated categories.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards®: Geared towards frequent travelers, this card offers strong value for those who spend regularly on travel and dining.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock more valuable redemption options.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards®: Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards through the Bank of America Travel Center. The best value is typically found when using points to book travel directly or for a statement credit against travel and dining purchases.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®:
  • This card is not primarily a travel card, but it offers access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals.
  • It charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for purchases abroad.
  • Cardholders receive some basic travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • It does not offer airport lounge access.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards®:
  • Designed for travel, this card has no foreign transaction fees.
  • It provides annual statement credits for airline incidentals and an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
  • Cardholders get a more comprehensive suite of travel insurance benefits, including trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement.
  • Like the Freedom Unlimited®, it does not include complimentary airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: The platform’s ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a new card using your real spending data before you apply, with no commitment or hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of getting it through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Personalized recommendations: Kudos analyzes your spending history to match you with cards that will earn you the most rewards.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It’s particularly well-suited for those new to credit card rewards due to its simple structure, as well as for existing Chase customers looking to build a powerful rewards strategy by pairing it with a premium travel card. With no annual fee and benefits like purchase protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver, the card delivers strong value for a wide range of users.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who value straightforward rewards over complex loyalty programs. It's particularly beneficial for existing Bank of America clients, who can boost their earnings by up to 75% through the Preferred Rewards program. With flexible redemption options and valuable travel credits that help offset the annual fee, this card offers a simple way to earn on daily purchases and travel alike, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've reviewed the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® comparison and decided neither card is the right fit, don't fret. There are several other excellent cards available that might better align with your spending habits and rewards goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Understand the ecosystem - Some cards offer maximum value when paired with other products from the same issuer.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some banks have unwritten application limits, like Chase's 5/24 rule.
• Leverage existing relationships - You may get better rewards if you already bank with the card issuer, like with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program.
• Try different application channels - Offers can vary between online, in-branch, or targeted mailings.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for beginners?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its straightforward rewards structure and lack of an annual fee. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is geared more towards established travelers who can maximize its travel credits and benefits to offset the annual fee.

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Bank of America Premium Rewards card?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards simultaneously, as they are issued by different banks. This can be a strategic way to maximize rewards across different spending categories covered by each card.

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How do I redeem rewards on these cards?

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With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can redeem your points for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card allows redemptions for travel, cash back, or gift cards, with preferred customers potentially receiving a higher redemption value.

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