Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a quick look at what makes the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card a compelling option.

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• It’s a genuinely free card to carry, thanks to its $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for trips abroad.
• The rewards structure is refreshingly simple, offering a flat, unlimited 1.5 points on every dollar you spend without any bonus categories to juggle.
• There's no break-even math to worry about; since the card has no annual fee, every point you earn is pure upside from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Redeeming points is incredibly flexible. You can book travel through any provider you choose and apply your points as a statement credit, with no blackout dates to worry about.
• Cardholders with qualifying Bank of America or Merrill accounts can earn a significant rewards bonus on every purchase through the Preferred Rewards program.
• The definition of “travel” is exceptionally broad, allowing you to redeem points for statement credits against purchases at amusement parks, campgrounds, and art galleries—not just flights and hotels.

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Cons

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• The rewards program is fairly basic and lacks bonus categories, making its earning potential underwhelming unless you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member.
• It doesn't offer premium travel perks like airport lounge access, and points can't be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Bank of America® Travel Rewards, it's important to consider what kind of traveler you are.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card best suited for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its travel-related benefits.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent starter card for occasional travelers or those new to travel rewards, offering simplicity and straightforward benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers flexible redemption options, including transferring points to various airline and hotel partners or booking travel through Chase's portal for potentially greater value.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Cardholders can easily redeem points as a statement credit to cover a wide range of travel and dining purchases.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for travel bookings, where points can be worth more. Cardholders receive complimentary airport lounge access through a Priority Pass™ Select membership and have no foreign transaction fees. These premium benefits are supported by a significant annual fee.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Cardholders can book travel through the Bank of America® Travel Center. A major perk for international travelers is that this card also has no foreign transaction fees. It is a more straightforward card that typically has no annual fee but does not include premium extras like airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you decide, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, without affecting your credit score.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee—if you find a better offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage multiple cards in one place.
• Unlock personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending habits.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailored for frequent travelers who spend heavily on dining and travel and can take full advantage of its premium perks to offset the annual fee. This card is a strong fit for those who value comprehensive travel protections, airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select, and the flexibility to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, as detailed in this comprehensive review. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers who want a straightforward rewards program without an annual fee. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers, as those enrolled in the Preferred Rewards program can earn a bonus of 25% to 75% more points on every purchase. This card is also a strong contender for students building credit or anyone who prefers a single, versatile card for all their spending, making it a great fit for budget-conscious users.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison, you might find that your ideal card lies elsewhere. Fortunately, the travel rewards landscape is vast, with several other top-tier cards that could be a better fit for your spending habits and travel 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 premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer's minimum spending requirement without overspending.
• Know your redemption style: Decide if you prefer transferring points to partners or redeeming them for simple statement credits.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage existing relationships with banks like Bank of America to potentially unlock higher reward rates.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold naturally.
• Understand the issuer's process, as some, like American Express, may show your offer before a hard credit inquiry.

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 in travel rewards?

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The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is generally better for beginners due to its straightforward rewards structure and no annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card with more complex benefits best suited for experienced travelers.

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Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards at the same time. Many people use a simple, no-annual-fee card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards for everyday spending and a premium card for its specific high-value benefits.

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What credit score do I need for these cards?

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While issuers don't publish exact credit score requirements, both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score, typically 700 or higher. The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, as a premium card, often has stricter approval criteria.

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