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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
Singapore Airways Airbus A380 First Class Suites. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Chase’s flagship rewards system is calledUltimate 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).
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:
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:
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
Image Credit: Holly Mandarich via Unsplash
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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 huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
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)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson 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
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 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, 2024.
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 bonus, 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 Ultimate Rewards
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 Ultimate Rewards and Pay Yourself Back through select rotating categories, which would get you a redemption value of 1.25 cents per point.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
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.
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
50,000 points
$500
$95
18.24% - 25.24% Variable
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.
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
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
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit
No foreign transaction fees
Travel protections
Purchase protections
Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
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
Receive 50,000 online bonus points – a $500 value – after you make at least $3,000 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®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, 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.
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)
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
Image Credit: krakenimages via Unsplash
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
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.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash-back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
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)
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
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
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
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 Ultimate Rewards®
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
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 fee-free employee cards.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
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.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$900
$900
$0
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)
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 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
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.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
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 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
Image Credit: Hello Lightbulb via Unsplash
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
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.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
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)
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
10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$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 Ultimate Rewards® 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 Ultimate Rewards®. 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 $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
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 Ultimate Rewards
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 Ultimate Rewards
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 $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/NEXUS application fee credit, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
A premium rewards credit card with straightforward earning and redeeming, with luxury perks such as airport lounge access.
Earn 50,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
50,000 points
$500
$550
18.24%-25.24% Variable
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.
Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
20% boost to your point value when redeeming for airfare
Visa Infinite benefits
Cons
$550 annual fee
No access to travel transfer partners to help you get outsized value for your points
50,000 online bonus points — a $500 value — after you make at least $3,000 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
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!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
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.
Additional 1.5% cash-back
$0
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)
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.
Don’t forget too, there’s 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
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 Ultimate Rewards®, 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 Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
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, real-time alerts, and more.
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.
The welcome bonus usually also includes a 0% introductory APR benefit. But let’s learn about the rewards:
5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. 16.24% - 26.24% variable thereafter.
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.
$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.
New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
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 18 billing cycles for purchases. 16.24% - 26.24% variable thereafter.
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.
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, and fee-free employee cards.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$900
$900
$0
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)
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 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.
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
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
No annual fee
Cons
Spending caps in bonus categories
Low points earning outside of bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
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.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through 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
Image Credit: Chris Leipelt via Unsplash
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
60,000 miles
$720
$95
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)
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
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
25% statement credit on United inflight purchases
Priority boarding
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
2 United Club 1-time passes each year
Premier upgrades on award tickets
Travel and purchase protections
Cons
$0 intro for the first year, then $95 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
Up to $100 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
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
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)
The ability to earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $12,000 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 $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS application fee credit every 4 years, no foreign transaction fees, fee-free authorized users, travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Runner-up: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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)!
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)!
Get a $100 statement credit, 50,000 Bonus Miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
$100 statement credit + 50,000 bonus miles + Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™
$1,000
$95
18.24% - 26.24% Variable
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)
With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card in your wallet, you could 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
3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual companion fare
Free checked bag for you and up to 6 traveling companions
20% back on Alaska inflight purchase
Cons
$95 annual fee
LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER — $100 statement credit, 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™!
Get a $100 statement credit, 50,000 Bonus Miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Every year on your credit card account anniversary you’ll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation – that’s a savings of $60 per person roundtrip!
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services, and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
10% reward bonus on all miles earned on card with an eligible Bank of America checking, savings, or investment account.
Priority boarding on Alaska Airlines when tickets are purchased with 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 and a low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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 $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting at $22).
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!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 miles
$600
$99
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)
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
2x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 on dining
2x miles per $1 at gas stations and office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting
1x mile per $1 all other purchases
Free checked bag
2 United Club 1-time passes each year
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
Priority boarding
$100 United Annual Travel Credit after you make 7 United flight travel-related purchases, each totaling $100 or more, with your card
5,000 anniversary bonus miles when you have the United Business card and a personal United credit card
Employee cards at no added cost
Earn 500 PQPs towards United status for every $12,000 you spend on your United Business card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year).
Travel and purchase protections
Cons
Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
Other United cards are more rewarding for United purchases
Earn 50,000 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.
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.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent 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.
Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 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.
The United Business card is the business equivalent of the United Explorer card with a couple of twists.
First, enjoy a welcome bonus 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 500 PQPs for every $12,000 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 $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting at $22).
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
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 $50 for the company plus $25 per employee card.
Best Card for Cash-back
Image Credit: Igal Ness via Unsplash
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
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
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.
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
50,000 points
$500
$95
18.24% - 25.24% Variable
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.
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
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
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit
No foreign transaction fees
Travel protections
Purchase protections
Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
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
Receive 50,000 online bonus points – a $500 value – after you make at least $3,000 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®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, 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.
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 $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years
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
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. Variable rate of 16.24% - 26.24% applies thereafter.
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)
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
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
No annual fee
Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
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
$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.
New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
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 18 billing cycles for purchases. Variable rate of 16.24% - 26.24% applies thereafter.
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
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
Image Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash
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.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand 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.
The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.
None
$0
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)
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
No annual fee
Lower your interest rate by 2% each year
Raise your credit limit when you pay on time
Access to Chase Credit Journey to monitor your credit
Purchase protection
Extended warranty protection
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Cons
Does not earn any credit card rewards
Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% - 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℠ 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
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 December 31, 2024), 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.
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.
The information regarding the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the BankAmericard® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Featured Image Credit: naipo.de via Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, Chase offers better credit cards for travel rewards, while Bank of America focuses more on cash-back. However, both banks have great credit cards.
Chase and Bank of America are not the same. They’re direct competitors and 2 of the largest banks in the U.S.
Chase offers better credit cards than Bank of America in general. However, Bank of America might be better for certain cash-back credit cards, depending on your situation.
If you’re currently using a Bank of America credit card and want to start using rewards for travel, it’s probably a better idea to switch to Chase. However, if you have large deposits with Bank of America already and love cash-back, Bank of America has an edge over Chase.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
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This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
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