Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card.

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• It offers a solid earning rate on travel and dining, with a strong base rate for all other purchases.
• Cardholders receive valuable travel credits, including up to $100 for airline incidentals and up to $100 for a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee.
• The annual statement credits for airline incidentals and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® can more than offset the card's $95 annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Features a straightforward rewards program with flexible redemption options and offers enhanced earning potential for existing Bank of America customers.
• Provides valuable annual credits that can be used for airline incidentals and expedited airport security screening programs.
• No foreign transaction fees and broad bonus categories for travel and dining make it a versatile choice for spending both at home and abroad.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which limits redemption options and the potential for high-value travel rewards.
• The card’s highest earning potential is exclusive to existing Bank of America customers, making it less valuable for those without a qualifying account.
• Lacks premium travel perks found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Bank of America Premium Rewards, comes down to your personal spending habits and travel goals. Each card excels in different areas, making the right choice a matter of individual preference.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent entry-level travel card for frequent travelers. It's designed for those who want to maximize rewards without committing to a premium annual fee.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is ideal for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who value simplicity and flexible rewards. It's especially powerful for existing Bank of America customers who can earn enhanced rewards.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners. This structure is designed to maximize travel rewards for savvy travelers.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers straightforward redemption options, allowing you to redeem points for cash back, statement credits, travel, or gift cards. The value is consistent across most redemption choices, prioritizing flexibility.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portals & Partners: The Sapphire Preferred card shines with access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more for travel, and a valuable roster of 1:1 airline and hotel transfer partners. In contrast, the Premium Rewards card offers travel booking through the Bank of America Travel Center but does not feature transfer partners, limiting redemption to the portal or statement credits.
• Annual Travel Credits: Each card helps offset its annual fee with travel credits. The Premium Rewards card offers an annual airline incidental statement credit for expenses like baggage fees, while the Sapphire Preferred provides an annual credit for hotel stays booked through Chase.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.
• Travel Insurance: Cardholders get a solid suite of travel protections with either card, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and baggage delay insurance.
• Lounge Access: If airport lounge access is a priority, you'll need to look elsewhere. Neither of these cards includes complimentary lounge membership, a feature typically found on higher-tier travel cards.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos let you evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s standout feature lets you “test drive” credit cards by simulating potential earnings using your actual spending data, providing a clear picture of a card’s value before you apply.
• Personalized Recommendations: Kudos analyzes your spending history to match you with the best card for maximizing rewards.
• Comprehensive Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report, removing some of the guesswork from applying.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of joining, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at participating stores online.
• Financial Management: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your cards in one place.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It serves as a strong entry-level travel card, offering valuable points on everyday spending categories like dining and select streaming services, in addition to travel purchases. Those who travel internationally or want peace of mind with built-in travel protections will also find this card particularly useful, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want strong rewards without a hefty annual fee. It is especially valuable for those who already bank with Bank of America, as they can leverage the Preferred Rewards program to earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase. Ultimately, as this card's review highlights, it’s ideal for users who prefer the simplicity of cash-back-style redemptions over navigating complex airline and hotel transfer partners.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card comparison, you might find that neither card is the perfect match. Fortunately, there are plenty of other travel rewards cards that could be a better fit for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, which can affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's minimum spend requirement.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely, aligning it with large purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Leverage banking relationships, as some issuers like Bank of America may favor existing customers.
• Look for pre-qualified offers, which can gauge your approval odds without a hard credit inquiry.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points from both cards to airline and hotel partners?

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You can transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 ratio. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card does not offer the ability to transfer points to external travel partners.

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Which card offers more value when booking travel through its portal?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides a 25% boost in point value when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, making each point worth 1.25 cents. Points from the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card are worth a flat 1 cent each when redeemed for travel bookings or cash back.

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Is one card better for everyday spending?

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It depends on your spending habits; the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card excels with bonus categories like dining and online groceries, while the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card offers a solid flat rate on all purchases. Your best choice hinges on whether your spending is concentrated in specific categories or spread out more generally.

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