Chase vs. Bank of America Credit Cards – Which Is Best? [2024]

Comparing what the largest banks in the U.S. offer in the way of credit cards is always fascinating. Although JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America are the 2 largest banks in the U.S. by total assets, the 2 institutions couldn’t have a more opposite approach to credit card portfolios.

In general, Bank of America focuses on cash-back rewards, while Chase is focused on those interested in travel rewards.

Sure, Bank of America and Chase both offer products that intertwine themselves with different credit card strategies, but their messaging of flagship credit cards is pretty clear in general.

Let’s compare what credit cards these 2 juggernauts offer in a head-to-head comparison!

Comparing Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bank of America Preferred Rewards

Chase’s flagship rewards system is called Ultimate Rewards. Even though Chase works with airlines and hotels, including United and IHG, to issue co-branded credit cards, Ultimate Rewards is unique because it isn’t tied to a single airline or hotel.

For this reason, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly valuable and easy to use. Best of all, Chase issues a series of different credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points (or cards with rewards easily converted into Ultimate Rewards points).

Bank of America’s flagship rewards program is called Preferred Rewards (its business rewards program is called Preferred Rewards for Business).

Broadly speaking, Bank of America points can’t be transferred to travel partners, which is already a huge setback for Bank of America if you’re looking to maximize value.

Right now, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be used for:

• Transfers to travel partners, including airlines and hotels
• Bookings made through the Chase Travel portal
• Pay Yourself Back
• Gift cards
• Cash-back/statement credits
• Online shopping, including Apple and Amazon.com

The redemption options above are sorted from highest to lowest value. The best value, without a doubt, is to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners for luxury award travel where you can get up to 10 cents per point of value!

Right now, Chase has a fantastic list of transfer partners:

Airline Transfer Partners

Chase Transfer Partners

In particular, you can transfer Chase points to frequent flyer programs including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, United MileagePlus, Emirates Skywards, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer at a 1:1 ratio to book amazing flights like Emirates first class, Etihad first class, Qatar Airways Qsuites, Singapore Airlines First Class Suites, and so much more.

Even more impressive, you can transfer Chase points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio to book some amazing luxury hotel stays.

That’s why we value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each.

Chase travel portal reservations and Pay Yourself Back redemptions will get a maximum of 1.5 cents per point in value, while gift cards net up to 1.2 cents per point, cash-back gets 1 cent per point, and online shopping will almost always get you less than 1 cent per point of value.

On the flip-side, Bank of America points are worth a flat 1 cent per point.

However, you can earn a bonus of up to 75% extra rewards if you hold minimum deposits and/or assets in your qualifying Bank of America and/or Merrill accounts. Your points will still be worth a flat 1 cent per point, but you’ll get more rewards per dollar spent with the Preferred Rewards program.

Currently, you can use your points for gift cards, Bank of America Travel Center bookings, statement credits, or direct deposits into Bank of America and eligible Merrill investment accounts only.

Best Overall Travel Rewards Card

If you’re looking for a great starter rewards credit card to dip your toes into travel rewards, we’ll show you our favorite picks in this section.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the best overall travel rewards credit card among those in Chase and Bank of America’s portfolios.

That’s because it has a vast rewards structure, an introductory welcome offer, and attractive ongoing perks.

Here’s how you can earn up to 5x Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card:

• Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• Earn 5x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• Earn 5x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• Earn 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• Earn 2x points on other travel purchases
• Earn 1x points on other purchases

To earn even more rewards, you’ll earn a 10% anniversary bonus after every cardmember anniversary year.

We value Chase points at 2.2 cents each, which means you’d earn a maximum of 10.2% on your spending.

Furthermore, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a 25% redemption bonus on travel bookings made through Chase Travel and Pay Yourself Back through select rotating categories, which would get you a redemption value of 1.25 cents per point.

The card also has a $50 annual hotel credit on bookings made through Chase Travel, as well as a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, phenomenal travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional fee authorized user cards.

Runner-up: Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Credit Card

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 27.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.

From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions via airline and hotel transfer partners

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America^® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill^® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $120, every four years.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Our runner-up credit card in this segment is the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, which offers the ability to earn points that can be used to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Currently, new cardholders can qualify for a welcome bonus, as well as up to 2x points per dollar spent:

• 2x points on travel and dining
• 1.5x points on other purchases

If you happen to be a Preferred Rewards member by virtue of your Bank of America deposit or investment accounts, you can also get 25% to 75% more points on your purchases, effectively allowing you to earn:

• Up to 3.5x points on travel and dining (equivalent to a 3.5% return on spending)
• Up to 2.625x points on other purchases (equivalent to a 2.625% return on spending)

Also, you’ll get 2 sets of travel credits:

• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years, as of October 1, 2024
• Up to $100 airline incidental credit for purchases including seat upgrades, baggage fees, inflight service fees, lounge fees, and more

Also, you won’t be hit with any foreign transaction fees or additional annual fees for authorized users.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card overtakes the Bank of America Premium Rewards card as the best overall travel rewards card, thanks to Chase’s transfer partners and attractive rewards categories. That being said, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers some potentially lucrative rewards if you happen to have large eligible deposits with Bank of America or Merrill and are focused on cash-back rewards. 

Best Overall Business Card

Now that we’ve discussed our best overall travel rewards credit card (the most popular segment), let’s get into another popular segment: business credit cards!

In this section, we’ll show you our 2 favorite business credit cards within Chase’s and Bank of America’s portfolios.

Winner: Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

90,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,800

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.49% - 26.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection

Cons

• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49% - 26.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The best business credit card is the Ink Business Preferred card. At the moment, the welcome bonus alone can pay for the card for over 10 years.

Beyond that, this card is uniquely rewarding on business purchases, earning up to 3x Ultimate Rewards points on select business categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year):

• Ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Shipping expenses
• Travel

You’ll also earn 5x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025. On other purchases, you’ll earn 1x points.

Earning 5x points, 3x points, or 1x points is equal to a 10%, 6%, or 2% return on spending, based on our valuations.

The Ink Business Preferred card comes with a 25% redemption bonus on Chase travel portal bookings, as well as a 25% redemption bonus through Pay Yourself Back.

Other reasons why you’d want to have the Ink Business Preferred card include the leading cell phone insurance, comprehensive travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional fee employee cards.

Runner-up: Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$750

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$750

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% - 23.74% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% - 23.74% thereafter

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% - 23.74% thereafter

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% - 23.74% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

• Chase Ultimate Rewards

Our runner-up card is another Chase card, the Ink Business Unlimited card.

The Ink Business Unlimited card doesn’t accrue Ultimate Rewards points by itself, while the Ink Business Preferred card does.

However, if you have the Ink Business Unlimited card and an Ultimate Rewards card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can easily convert your Ink Business Unlimited card’s rewards at a 1% to 1x ratio.

Also, remember that it earns 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025. Your 5% or 1.5% cash-back can effectively be converted to 5x or 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points with the right credit card pairing, which would transform your return on spending to 10% and 3%, respectively.

On the benefits side, the Ink Business Unlimited card has primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability coverage, and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card

If you consider yourself an avid traveler, you might want to find a credit card that offers premium travel rewards and benefits, especially if you also travel frequently.

Elevate your travel game with these credit cards!

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The best premium travel rewards card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which boasts some of the best rewards in the business. With this card, you can earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points:

• 10x points on rental cars, hotels, and Chase Dining purchased through Chase Travel
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel
• 3x points on other travel and dining purchases
• 1x points on other purchases

Earning 10x points translates to a maximum return on spending of 20%, which is absolutely gigantic.

Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a $300 travel credit every cardmember year, a $120 TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee credit (as of October 1, 2024), and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.

You can utilize the complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by December 31, 2027), access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, amazing travel insurance, rental car perks with Avis and National Car Rental, as well as purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty coverage, and no foreign transaction fees.

Runner-up: Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium rewards credit card with straightforward earning and redeeming, with luxury perks such as airport lounge access.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card

A premium rewards credit card with straightforward earning and redeeming, with luxury perks such as airport lounge access.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 online bonus points after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

75,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$750

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.24%-27.24% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card is the bank’s most premium travel rewards credit card.

While it has quite a large annual fee of $550, it also comes loaded with benefits that frequent travelers are sure to love, such as airport lounge access, $450 in annual statement credits, travel protections, and a 20% boost to point value when redeeming for airfare.

Plus, those with status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can really boost the value they receive from the card by earning 25% to 75% more points on all of their purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• No access to travel transfer partners to help you get outsized value for your points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 75,000 online bonus points — a $750 value — after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. There’s no limit to the points you can earn, and points don’t expire.
• Receive up to $300 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, airline lounge fees and in-flight services
• Save 20% on domestic or international airfare for any class when you pay with points
• Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-27.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Bank of America’s ultra-premium credit card is the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card, which is essentially an amped-up version of the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

The welcome bonus is available for new cardmembers; after that, expect to earn according to this earning structure:

• 2x points on travel and dining
• 1.5x points on other purchases

The same bonus of 25% to 75% in points is offered to those with large enough deposits or investment balances with Bank of America or Merrill. That allows you to earn 3.5x points instead of 2x points and 2.625x points instead of 1.5x points.

One of this card’s unique benefits is that you can save 20% on domestic or international airfare when you pay with points for any cabin class, which could further increase your return on spending from 3.5% to 4.375% and from 2.625% to 3.28%.

Hot Tip: Earning a 4.375% return on spend with this card can be great, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s 3x points on travel and dining can be leveraged for a higher return on spending of 4.5%, thanks to the 50% redemption bonus on Chase travel portal bookings. 

Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card

Let’s say you wanted a card with no annual fee and were willing to sacrifice a bit in terms of rewards earned from credit card spending.

In this section, we’ll show you our favorite picks!

Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

INTRO OFFER

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

One of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in the world happens to be issued by Chase. The Freedom Unlimited card offers a ton of value without an annual fee.

Let’s learn about the rewards:

• 5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 3% cash-back on dining and drugstores
• 1.5% cash-back on other purchases

One of the secrets of this card is that even though it appears to be a cash-back card, you can also convert your rewards to Ultimate Rewards points if you happen to have a card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Converting your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points would translate to a return on spending of 10%, 6%, and 3%, respectively, through the 5x, 3x, and 1.5x points conversion.

Wrapping up on this card, you’ll find travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, secondary rental car insurance, fraud protection, authorized users for no additional annual fee, and no annual fee.

Runner-up: Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards allows you to earn an uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards allows you to earn an uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 18.49% - 28.49% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a good option to consider if you’re looking for unlimited cash-back, and straightforward earning – all without a $0 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Boost your cash-back rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

Cons

• Doesn’t offer bonus categories
• Charges foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
• No annual fee.
• No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers in the first 60 days, and a 4% fee applies thereafter.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 18.49% - 28.49% variable thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

At the moment, our favorite Bank of America personal credit card with no annual fee is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards card.

This simple credit card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases; if you are a Preferred Rewards member, you can get a bonus of 25%-75% more cash-back, which you could earn 1.84%-2.62% cash-back on every purchases.

Best No-Annual-Fee Business Credit Card

In this section, we’ll compare Chase’s and Bank of America’s best business credit cards without annual fees.

Let’s dive right into it!

Winner: Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

Our favorite business credit card with no annual fee is the Ink Business Unlimited card, which we discussed in detail above.

To summarize, this awesome credit card has a great welcome bonus and a 0% introductory APR promotion.

It also earns 1.5% cash-back on all business purchases without any caps or limits. If you book Lyft rides frequently, you’ll earn 5% cash-back on those purchases through March 31, 2025.

This credit card, as a standalone product, earns cash-back, but your cash-back rewards can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points if you happen to also have an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Ink Business Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Thus, your 1.5% cash-back can be converted to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, which is equivalent to a 3% return on spending.

Currently, you’ll also get primary car rental insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, zero liability fraud protection, andno-additional fee employee cards.

Runner-up: Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Welcome Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Up to $750

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 17.74% - 25.74% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% - 25.74% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
• Travel insurance and purchase protection

Cons

• Spending caps in bonus categories
• Low points earning outside of bonus categories

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 17.74% - 25.74% variable thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Cash card is great for those who want no annual fee but can spend on bonus categories for their businesses in an effort to get enhanced rewards.

You’ll notice that the welcome bonus is great, as well, which also includes a 0% introductory APR promotion.

Also, expect to earn a maximum of 5% cash-back:

• Earn 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• Earn 5% cash-back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases) spent every account anniversary
• Earn 2% cash-back at restaurants and gas stations (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases) spent every account anniversary
• Earn 1% cash-back on other purchases

Just like the Ink Business Unlimited card, your cash-back rewards with this card can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points if you have an Ultimate Rewards card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Ink Business Preferred card.

Therefore, your 5% cash-back can convert to 5x Ultimate Rewards points, which is equal to a 10% return on spending.

The Ink Business Cash card also offers primary rental car insurance, zero liability fraud protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and employee cards for no additional annual fee.

Best Airline Credit Card

If you’re looking for the best airline credit card so you can earn miles, get closer to elite status, or enjoy airline-specific benefits, we’ll walk you through our top picks here.

Winner: United℠ Explorer Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• 2x miles on United^® purchases, dining, and hotel stays
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

The United Explorer card is the best overall airline credit card in this guide. It earns a large welcome bonus with a reasonable annual fee and up to 2x MileagePlus miles:

• 2x miles on United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), and hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
• 1x miles on other purchases

Also, you can access a series of United-specific perks!

• Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and a companion traveling on the same reservation (terms apply)
• 25% statement credit on inflight United purchases
• Priority boarding on United flights
• The ability to earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $500 you spend on purchases (up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year)
• 2 United Club 1-time passes after every cardmember anniversary year

There’s also a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit every 4 years (as of October 1, 2024), no foreign transaction fees, no-additional fee authorized users, travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.

Runner-up: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

60,000 miles + $99 Companion Fare™

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the Alaska Signature card in your wallet, you can get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

• Charges a $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America^® account.
• A faster way to earn status with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Throughout 2024, for every $10,000 you spend on purchases, you’ll automatically earn 4,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs), up to 20,000 EQMs total.
• Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases and get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your new card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees.^†

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

Bank of America is the exclusive issuer of co-branded Alaska Airlines credit cards, and the Alaska Signature card happens to be our runner-up card.

There’s an attractive welcome bonus on the card, and you can earn up to 3 Mileage Plan miles per dollar spent:

• 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
• 2x miles on gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x miles on other purchases

This credit card comes with Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare, which is essentially a companion ticket earned after every cardmember anniversary year where you can book a companion flight starting at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting at $23).

Across Alaska Airlines, you’ll enjoy:

• A free checked bag for yourself and up to 6 companions traveling on the same reservation
• 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• Priority boarding when you pay for your flight with your Alaska Signature card
• Discounted Alaska Lounge+ membership

The Alaska Signature card also comes with monthly FICO score access, contactless chip technology, digital wallets, zero liability fraud protection, overdraft protection, no foreign transaction fees, and authorized users for no additional annual fee.

Best Airline Business Credit Card

Now, let’s take a look at our favorite airline business credit cards!

Winner: United℠ Business Card

United℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Business Card

A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

21.24% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Business card is a compelling option for traveling business owners that are also frequent United flyers. Not only will the card help you earn more United miles, but it also offers great perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, a discount on inflight purchases, and much more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on dining

Cons

• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
• Other United cards are more rewarding for United purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• 2x miles on United^® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
• 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
• Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United^® credit card.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
• $100 United^® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The United Business card is the business equivalent of the United Explorer card with a couple of twists.

First, enjoy a welcome offer after qualifying purchases. Then, earn up to 2x MileagePlus miles:

• 2x miles on United purchases, dining, gas stations, local transit, and commuting
• 1x miles on other purchases

Enjoy substantial United perks with this card:

• Free first checked bag for yourself and 1 companion on the same reservation (terms apply)
• Priority boarding
• 2 United Club 1-time passes after account opening and after every cardmember anniversary
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Earn 25 PQPs for every $500 you spend (up to 1,000 PQPs every calendar year) to get closer to Premier status qualification
• $100 United travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more every card anniversary year

This card offers surprisingly good travel and shopping protections, including primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and zero liability fraud protection.

With the United Business card, you won’t be hit with any foreign transaction fees or additional annual fees for employee cards.

Runner-up: Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business Credit Card

Bank of America offers the Alaska Airlines Business card, which usually has a fantastic welcome bonus plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting at $23).

Every year, you’ll get another Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare, too. Also, expect to earn up to 3x Mileage Plan miles:

• 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
• 2x miles on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping, and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
• 1x miles on other purchases

You’ll also get a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights for yourself and up to 6 companions on the same reservation and a 20% rebate on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases.

This particular credit card comes with no foreign transaction fees and an annual fee of $70 for the company plus $25 per employee card.

Best Card for Cash-back

If you’re comfortable paying a modest annual fee but want the best cash-back rewards, you’ll love this section!

Winner: Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Credit Card

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 27.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.

From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions via airline and hotel transfer partners

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America^® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill^® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $120, every four years.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The best overall card for cash-back is the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, which earns up to 2x points:

• 2x points on travel and dining
• 1.5x points on other purchases

But the reason why this card is the best option is that if you have substantial deposits or assets under management through Preferred Rewards, you can get up to 75% more points, which translates to a cash-back ROI of:

• 3.5x points on travel and dining
• 2.625x on other purchases

Furthermore, you’ll get a couple of much-appreciated benefits:

• Up to $100 airline incidentals statement credit every year
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years (as of October 1, 2024)

You’ll even get purchase security, extended warranty, return protection, no foreign transaction fee, and no additional annual fees for authorized user cards.

Runner-up: Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 18.24% - 28.24% applies thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking to the rake in the cash-back rewards, then the Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option. Not only do you get to choose the 3% category for the card, but you can also boost the cash-back you earn by being a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% cash-back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings (your category can be changed each month)
• 2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Cons

• 3% and 2% cash-back categories are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you’ll earn 1%
• Charges a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers in the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4%.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 18.24% - 28.24% applies thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Next up is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, which offers immense cash-back rewards, starting with a welcome bonus.

It earns up to 3% cash-back as follows:

• 3% cash-back in the category of your choice (you can choose from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings) and 2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined purchases every quarter)
• 1% cash-back on other purchases

If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 75% more rewards. This means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.

This credit card also comes with contactless payments, overdraft protection, monthly FICO score access, and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

Best Business Card for Cash-back

Now that we’ve wrapped up our favorite personal cards for cash-back, let’s look at our best business cards for cash-back.

Winner: Bank of America^® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash card is great because it allows you to earn an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases without caps or expiration dates.

This card’s rewards are eligible for up to 75% more cash-back through Preferred Rewards for Business, which would elevate your earnings to 2.62% cash-back on all purchases.

This simplistic business credit card also offers travel accident insurance, emergency assistance services, contactless payments, zero liability fraud protection, overdraft protection, and no additional annual fees for employee cards.

Runner-up: Bank of America^® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card is our runner-up option. It earns up to 3% cash-back:

• 3% cash-back in the category of your choice from gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services
• 2% cash-back on dining purchases
• 1% cash-back on other purchases

At the moment, you’re capped at earning 3% cash-back or 2% cash-back on the first $50,000 in combined purchases every calendar year

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

The very last section we’ll be discussing in this guide is relating to balance transfer credit cards. The truth is that you shouldn’t be worried about accumulating rewards if you’re accruing high-interest debt in the process (or if you already have high-interest debt).

In this guide, we’ll walk you through our favorite balance transfer credit cards between Chase and Bank of America.

Winner: Chase Slate Edge℠

Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card

The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.24% – 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Chase revamped the Chase Slate Edge℠ in 2021. It’s a no-annual-fee card designed for those looking to build their credit or those who need a low-interest APR card for a large purchase or balance transfer.

While the Chase Slate Edge card does not offer the opportunity to earn any rewards, it is a great option for those who are just beginning their credit journey, and the card still offers lucrative benefits that any cardholder would find value in.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• Lower your interest rate by 2% each year
• Raise your credit limit when you pay on time

Cons

• Does not earn any credit card rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.24% – 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
• Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
• Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
• All for no annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge^SM card
• Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.24% – 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

The Chase Slate Edge card is our top winner in the balance transfer segment. The welcome bonus is focused less on rewards and more on debt management.

To incentivize you to build strong credit habits, you can lower your interest rate by 2% every year, and you can also get an automatic review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time and spend $500 in your first 6 months.

With the Chase Slate Edge card, you’ll have access to Chase Credit Journey to help you monitor your credit, plus contactless payments, access to Chase Offers, a 3-month complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by January 31, 2025), purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, secondary rental car insurance, and roadside dispatch.

Runner-up: BankAmericard^® Credit Card

Bank of America offers attractive balance transfer promotions with its credit cards, but our favorite is the BankAmericard, which usually offers the longest introductory balance transfer APR period.

There’s a small welcome bonus, no penalty APR, and monthly FICO Score access. You can also use contactless chip technology and overdraft protection with this card.

Final Thoughts

Bank of America and Chase both have deep credit card portfolios.

Chase generally offers better credit cards for travel rewards, and these include mainstays such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Ink Business Preferred card, and United Explorer card.

On the other hand, Bank of America offers fantastic credit cards for cash-back, especially when used in conjunction with its acclaimed Preferred Rewards program for deposit and investment accounts. Some of these include the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, Bank of America Premier Rewards Elite card, and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards card.

We hope that you’ve found this guide useful in helping you determine the best credit cards for your situation if you’re deciding between Bank of America and Chase.

The information regarding the Bank of America^® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.