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If you’re a frequent traveler or planning a trip, you might be considering getting a travel rewards credit card to earn points and perks on your spending. Two popular options are the Chase Sapphire and Bank of America Travel Rewards credit cards. In this article, we’ll compare and review the features, rewards, and benefits of these two cards to help you decide which one is right for you.
Overview of Chase Sapphire and Bank of America Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire is a premium travel rewards credit card offered by JPMorgan Chase. It comes in two versions: Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Both cards offer generous rewards and benefits, but also come with high annual fees and minimum spending requirements.
Bank of America Travel Rewards is a no-annual-fee travel rewards credit card offered by Bank of America. It’s a basic card that offers modest rewards and benefits, but also has a lower barrier to entry and no foreign transaction fees.
Rewards and Benefits of Chase Sapphire
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve both offer generous rewards on travel and dining purchases. With Chase Sapphire Preferred, you earn 2x points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1x point per dollar on all other purchases. With Chase Sapphire Reserve, you earn 3x points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1x point per dollar on all other purchases.
Chase Sapphire also offers valuable redemption options for your points, such as transferring them to partner airlines and hotels for potentially higher value, or using them to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at a 25% or 50% bonus.
In addition, both Chase Sapphire cards come with benefits like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, and airport lounge access through the Priority Pass program (Reserve only).
Rewards and Benefits of Bank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America Travel Rewards offers 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no caps or categories. You can redeem your points for statement credits to offset travel purchases, or book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center at a 1 cent per point value.
Bank of America Travel Rewards also has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and offers a modest sign-up bonus of 25,000 points (worth $250) if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.
Comparison and Conclusion
When comparing Chase Sapphire and Bank of America Travel Rewards, it’s important to consider your spending habits, travel preferences, and budget. If you’re a frequent traveler who spends a lot on dining and travel, and values premium benefits like airport lounge access and primary rental car insurance, then Chase Sapphire might be worth the high annual fee.
On the other hand, if you’re a casual traveler who wants a simple and free way to earn travel rewards on all purchases, and doesn’t mind booking travel through a limited portal, then Bank of America Travel Rewards might be a better fit.
Ultimately, the best credit card for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. Take the time to research and compare different options, and choose the one that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: Can I use Chase Sapphire points for non-travel redemptions? | A: Yes, you can use your points for cash back, gift cards, or merchandise, but the value per point is lower than for travel redemptions. |
| Q: Is Bank of America Travel Rewards a good card for international travel? | A: Yes, it has no foreign transaction fees and chip-and-pin capability, but you might need to use a different card for emergency assistance and travel insurance. |
| Q: How much is the annual fee for Chase Sapphire Reserve? | A: The annual fee is $550, but it comes with a $300 travel credit, which effectively reduces the fee to $250. |