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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for everyday spenders who want consistent cash back rewards on all purchases, dining, and at drugstores without needing to track rotating categories.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: An excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers, this card offers simple, flat-rate travel points on every purchase with no annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.
- With no annual fee, every dollar in rewards you earn is pure profit.
- It offers a strong baseline of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus an elevated 3% back on dining and at drugstores.
- Spending $10,000 annually on general purchases nets you $150, which is $50 more than you'd get with a typical 1% cash back card (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a straightforward rewards structure that combines a solid flat-rate on all purchases with automatic bonus earnings in popular spending categories.
- Points can be pooled with premium Chase cards, unlocking higher redemption value for travel.
- Provides valuable travel and purchase protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver and extended warranty coverage.
Cons
- It’s not ideal for international travel, as it comes with a foreign transaction fee.
- To unlock the full potential of your rewards, you’ll need to pair it with a premium Chase card, which typically comes with an annual fee.
- While the rewards are competitive, some other cards offer a higher flat-rate return on all spending.
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.
- With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is cost-effective for both everyday use and international travel.
- You'll earn a simple, flat rate of 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, without worrying about rotating categories or spending caps.
- Because the card has no annual fee, you start gaining value from the very first point you earn, making it easy to come out ahead (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- The rewards program is refreshingly simple, earning you points on every purchase without any complicated categories to track.
- You have the flexibility to redeem points as a statement credit for a broad range of travel and dining expenses, so you aren’t locked into a specific travel portal.
- As a Visa Signature card, it offers wide global acceptance and includes basic travel protections.
Cons
- The rewards rate is modest and doesn't offer bonus categories, which means you may earn points slower than with other cards, especially on travel and dining.
- It lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
- The card’s best features are reserved for Bank of America customers with high balances, making it less valuable for those who don't qualify for the Preferred Rewards program.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
When considering which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card, the answer often depends on your personal spending habits and what you want from your rewards.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best suited for cash back seekers who want to earn consistent rewards on daily purchases without having to track complex categories.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards: This card is an excellent fit for occasional travelers who value simplicity and a straightforward way to redeem points for travel expenses.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase portal, offering a high degree of flexibility. You can also transfer points to other premium Chase cards to potentially increase their value.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards: Points are redeemed as a statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases made on your card. This provides a simple way to erase travel-related expenses without dealing with blackout dates or travel portals.
Travel Perks
- Travel Portals: Both cards provide access to a proprietary travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders can book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, while the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card uses the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: For international travel, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card holds an edge as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, on the other hand, does have a foreign transaction fee.
- Airport Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary airport lounge access. This perk is generally reserved for premium travel cards with higher annual fees.
- Broader Travel Ecosystem: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® shines when paired with a premium Chase card, as points can be transferred to high-value airline and hotel partners. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card offers a more straightforward, self-contained system focused on redeeming points as a statement credit against travel and dining purchases, with no transfer partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make a data-driven decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your own spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual spending data to see personalized projections before you apply.
- Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting approved through Kudos, the platform will match it.
- Exclusive rewards: Unlock incentives for joining, such as a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards to your wallet and other bonuses.
- Comprehensive card management: Manage all your cards, monitor your credit score, and track spending and perks from a single platform.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value a straightforward rewards structure without having to track rotating bonus categories. It particularly benefits those new to credit card rewards or anyone whose spending is concentrated on dining and drugstore purchases. As detailed in this comprehensive guide, it's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers who want to pair it with a premium card to maximize Ultimate Rewards® points, all while paying no annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?
This card is an excellent choice for beginners, casual travelers, or anyone who prefers a straightforward, single-card approach to earning rewards without tracking complicated categories. Existing Bank of America customers stand to gain the most, as those enrolled in the Preferred Rewards program can earn a rewards bonus of up to 75%. With no annual fee and a dedicated student version, it's also a great option for budget-conscious users and students looking to build credit while earning travel points.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.
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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.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Know the rewards system - Understand how you will redeem points or miles before you apply.
Application Strategy
- Review issuer-specific rules, like Chase's 5/24 rule, which can affect your approval odds.
- Leverage existing banking relationships, as some issuers like Bank of America offer rewards bonuses to their customers.
- Consider how a card fits your long-term strategy, such as pairing it with other cards in the same rewards ecosystem.
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
Do either of these cards have an annual fee?
No, neither the Chase Freedom Unlimited® nor the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card charges an annual fee, making them both cost-effective options to keep long-term.
Which card is better for international travel?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is the superior choice for use abroad as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does have foreign transaction fees, which can add up on international purchases.
Can I combine rewards from these cards with other cards?
Yes, points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be pooled with premium Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards®. While you can't combine points with other cards, Bank of America® Preferred Rewards members can earn a bonus on rewards earned with the Travel Rewards card.
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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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