Essential Insights
When sizing up travel credit card perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card generally steals the spotlight over the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card. Yet, for certain wallets and wanderers, the Travel Rewards option still holds solid ground.
Bank of America sweetens the pot for Preferred Rewards members, amplifying the earning potential on its cards. So if you’re part of that crew, this card can rack up serious value for you.
Granted, the Sapphire Preferred boasts a juicier welcome bonus and superior overall earning rates. On the flip side, the Travel Rewards card carries no annual fee and throws in a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers — perks to mull over.
Choosing Your Contender
Picking between these two isn’t a walk in the park. You’ll want to weigh your daily spending habits, the flavors of rewards you crave, and how you feel about coughing up an annual fee.
Plus, don’t overlook the advantage of snagging a temporary 0% APR on purchases — a lifeline only one card offers for a limited stretch.
Though the Bank of America Travel Rewards and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards share common ground, each has arenas where it decisively outperforms its rival. Dive in to discover which card claims victory in key categories and why either could be your perfect match.
Main Features at a Glance
| Welcome Bonus | Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in first 3 months | 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 spent within 90 days — equals $250 travel credit |
| Rewards Rate |
|
Unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases |
| Intro APR | Not offered |
0% APR on purchases & balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. Balance transfers within first 60 days carry 3% fee, then 4% thereafter. Post-intro APR: 18.24% – 28.24% Variable. |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None |
Breaking Down the Battle
Both cards dish out appealing travel rewards and flexibly redeemable points, yet the Chase Sapphire Preferred edges ahead in several critical aspects.
Welcome Bonus: Sapphire’s Grand Slam
The Sapphire knocks it out of the park with a 75,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the opening quarter. Redeemed via Chase Travel, these points are worth a hefty $937.50.
Compare that with Bank of America’s 25,000-point bonus (worth $250), which even with a Preferred Rewards boost less than doubles to around $437.50. The tradeoff? Sapphire demands heftier spending but pays off handsomely.
Still, if hitting that $5,000 target feels like a stretch, Bank of America’s lower threshold might suit you better.
Rewards Rate: Who’s the Long Haul Champ?
Bank of America dishes out a steady 1.5x points on all purchases, with sweet multipliers available for Preferred Rewards elite tiers:
| Gold | $20,000 – $49,999 | +25% |
| Platinum | $50,000 – $99,999 | +50% |
| Platinum Honors | $100,000 – $999,999 | +75% |
| Diamond Honors | $1 million & up | +75% |
Those topping the Platinum Honors tier can rake in 2.62x points, a juicy uplift. But the Travel Rewards card lacks bonus categories for maximizing returns beyond this.
Meanwhile, Sapphire Preferred piles on with:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel (plus Lyft rides through Sept 2027)
- 3x points on dining, certain streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x points on general travel
- 1x on all other spending
These bonus buckets can significantly amplify rewards for families juggling diverse spending.
APR Faceoff: Bank of America Takes the Lead
Bank of America’s Travel Rewards card shines with a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles – a lifeline for managing big buys or juggling debt. Keep in mind a 3% fee applies on balance transfers within the first 60 days, rising to 4% afterward.
Chase Sapphire Preferred starts charging variable APR of 19.99% – 28.24% right from the get-go, making carrying a balance an expensive proposition compared to Bank of America’s offering.
Annual Fee: No Contest
When it comes to annual fees, Bank of America Travel Rewards wins hands-down with none to worry about. This makes it a strong candidate for cardholders who prefer to avoid yearly costs.
Chase Sapphire Preferred charges $95 annually, not waived in the first year, demanding a bit more commitment.
Foreign Transaction Fees: A Draw
Neither card slaps on foreign transaction fees, both standing as solid options for globetrotters and online shoppers dealing in foreign currencies.
Crunching Numbers: Who Rakes in More Rewards?
Your actual haul depends heavily on where your dollars dance. To illustrate, here’s a practical example based on a typical U.S. family of four, with parents under 50 and two kids between 9 and 11.
Average monthly grocery spend clocks in at $1,369.10 ($16,429.20 annually) under a moderate plan. Add to that $5,000 yearly on flights and hotels (half booked via Chase Travel), $3,600 annually dining out, and $12,000 in miscellaneous spending.
| Groceries |
No Preferred Rewards tier: 24,643 Gold: 30,804 Platinum: 36,965 Platinum Honors+: 43,126 |
49,287 (online grocery purchases) |
| Travel via Chase Travel | N/A | 12,500 |
| General Travel |
No tier: 7,500 Gold: 9,375 Platinum: 11,250 Platinum Honors+: 13,100 |
5,000 |
| Dining Out |
No tier: 5,400 Gold: 6,750 Platinum: 8,100 Platinum Honors+: 9,432 |
10,800 |
| Other Purchases |
No tier: 18,000 Gold: 22,500 Platinum: 27,000 Platinum Honors+: 31,440 |
12,000 |
| Total Points |
No tier: 55,543 Gold: 69,429 Platinum: 83,315 Platinum Honors+: 97,098 |
89,587 |
This example highlights that while Bank of America’s Travel Rewards card can rack up anywhere from 55,543 to 97,098 points annually depending on membership status, Sapphire Preferred generally delivers a strong 89,587 points haul.
Which Card Syncs Best With Your Lifestyle?
Keep in mind, Sapphire Preferred’s 5x travel bonus applies only via Chase Travel bookings, and its grocery bonus only kicks in for online purchases. Without engaging in these specific channels, your points haul may dwindle.
Conversely, Bank of America’s Travel Rewards card shines brighter if you’re perched in the higher Preferred Rewards tiers.
So if you’re loyal to Bank of America and can maintain Platinum Honors or above, the Travel Rewards card could be your budget’s best ally. Otherwise, Sapphire Preferred often brings greater bang for your buck — especially when transferring points to high-value travel partners.
Why Opt for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Beyond the impressive points haul for an average family, Sapphire Preferred brings an arsenal of perks that elevate its appeal.
Perks & Protections
- Primary rental car insurance coverage
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip
- Baggage delay reimbursement
- Trip delay coverage
- Travel and emergency assistance
- Purchase protection against theft/damage
- Extended warranties on eligible purchases
Flexible Redemption
Chase Ultimate Rewards points rank among the most adaptable out there, letting cardholders convert points into cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise. Book through Chase Travel, and your points stretch 25% further. Plus, transferring points to airline and hotel partners unlocks even more value.
Credit Score Requirements
While Chase doesn’t publicize explicit credit score cut-offs, securing this card typically calls for a good or excellent credit rating.
Why Consider Bank of America Travel Rewards?
Introductory APR and Other Perks
The 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers can save serious cash on interest, especially if you plan to pay off larger expenses over time. Though this card lacks some premium travel protections typical in its class, it compensates with other unique features:
- “The Museums on Us” program granting free or discounted museum access for cardholders
- Occasional rotating cashback offers at select retailers
Redemption Flexibility & Travel Definition
Bank of America defines “travel” broadly, so points can cover more than airfare and hotels. Eligible uses include:
- Timeshares
- RV, motorhome, trailer rentals
- Campgrounds
- Car, truck, boat rentals
- Cruise lines
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Passenger trains, buses, taxis, ferries, limousines
- Parking, tolls, and bridge fees
- Tourist attractions, amusement parks, art galleries, museums, aquariums, zoos
- Carnivals and circuses
Points may also be redeemed for gift cards or cash back deposited into a Bank of America or Merrill Money Management account.
Credit Score Guidance
Similar to Chase, Bank of America does not specify credit score requirements, but a solid credit profile is a safe bet for approval.
Final Thoughts
Both the Bank of America Travel Rewards card and Chase Sapphire Preferred come loaded with features catering to different traveler types. Your choice hinges on your spending style, whether you travel frequently enough to leverage Sapphire’s bonus categories, and how much you value an introductory APR or no annual fee.
With the latest details updated as of April 3, 2025, this head-to-head guide should help you pick the travel companion that’s most suited for your financial journey.
