If you happen to’re leaping into the journey rewards recreation, choosing which bank card to begin with might be overwhelming. There are a whole lot of aggressive choices, every with its personal set of benefits and drawbacks.
On this information, we’ll stroll by way of two widespread newbie journey bank cards — the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and costs) and the Financial institution of America® Journey Rewards bank card. Each provide an entry level into incomes journey rewards, however which is finest in your pockets?
Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Financial institution of America Journey Rewards comparability
Earlier than we dive deeper into how these playing cards stack up towards one another, let’s run by way of a fast overview of every card’s particulars.
| Chase Sapphire Most popular Card | Financial institution of America Journey Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Signal-up bonus | Earn 100,000 Final Rewards factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
Earn 25,000 factors after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. |
| Annual charge | $95 | $0 |
| Incomes charges |
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| Advantages |
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Sapphire Most popular vs. BofA Journey Rewards welcome provide
By comparability, you will solely get 25,000 factors after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening (a $250 worth) from the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards bank card.
Nevertheless, one thing to remember right here is the spending necessities. Whilst you should spend $5,000 within the first three months to earn the Chase Sapphire Most popular bonus, you will solely must spend $1,000 within the first 90 days with the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards bank card.
On the finish of the day, the worth of the bonus would not matter if you cannot moderately hit the spending necessities. For these on a smaller price range, the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards sign-up bonus may be the extra attainable (and due to this fact extra useful) choice — although you should definitely try our information on reaching minimal spending thresholds for recommendations on how you can hit a better requirement.
Winner: Sapphire Most popular. Its welcome provide supplies superior worth.
Associated: The most effective Financial institution of America playing cards
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Sapphire Most popular vs. BofA Journey Rewards advantages
Neither of those playing cards is a premium journey card, which implies they provide comparatively few advantages.
That mentioned, the Chase Sapphire Most popular stands forward on this class, because it does provide cardholders at the least one complimentary 12 months of DashPass service, which supplies you $0 supply charges and lowered service charges on eligible DoorDash meals supply and takeout purchases (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
You will additionally get a $50 annual resort assertion credit score for reservations booked by way of the Chase journey portal, plus a strong lineup of bank card protections, together with:
- prolonged guarantee
- major automobile rental protection, baggage delay insurance coverage
- buy safety
- journey and emergency help providers
- journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
- journey delay reimbursement
Lastly, Chase Sapphire Most popular cardholders get a ten% anniversary factors bonus annually. You will earn at a charge of 1 level for every $10 spent.
Alternatively, the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards card is rather more restricted. Although — just like the Sapphire Most popular — it’s a Visa Signature card, so that can present some advantages.
Winner: Sapphire Most popular additionally will get the sting right here with its longer listing of advantages.
Associated: Why the Chase Sapphire Most popular stays the highest journey rewards bank card 12 months after 12 months
Incomes factors on the Sapphire Most popular vs. BofA Journey Rewards
As soon as once more, the Chase Sapphire Most popular comes out forward within the incomes division.
You will earn 3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming and on-line grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment). Then, you will earn 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by way of Chase Journey and Lyft rides (by way of September 2027) in addition to 2 factors on all different journey. Different purchases earn 1 level per greenback.
Alternatively, the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards bank card earns 3 factors per greenback on journey purchases booked by way of the Financial institution of America Journey Middle and 1.5 factors per greenback throughout all purchases.
Nevertheless, for those who’re already a Financial institution of America buyer, it’s possible you’ll earn at elevated charges. Via the Most popular Rewards® program, you may earn as much as 5.25 factors per greenback on journey purchases by way of the Financial institution of America Journey Middle and as much as 2.62 factors per greenback on all different purchases.
That signifies that those that are Platinum Honors Most popular Rewards members would possibly find yourself getting extra worth from incomes this larger flat charge throughout all purchases in the long run.
Winner: Sapphire Most popular. The Journey Rewards cannot compete with its incomes classes.
Associated: 7 causes you need to get (and preserve) a no-annual-fee bank card
Redeeming factors on the Sapphire Most popular vs. BofA Journey Rewards
One other main distinction between the 2 playing cards is the redemption choices.
With the Sapphire Most popular, you may redeem your factors at a 25% bonus for journey whenever you ebook by way of the Chase journey portal, plus you get many extra choices when transferring factors (see under).
Winner: Sapphire Most popular. Its redemption choices are rather more diverse.
Associated: Higher collectively: The final word information to the perfect bank card combos
Transferring factors on the Sapphire Most popular vs. BofA Journey Rewards
Whereas there’s one thing to be mentioned in regards to the simplicity of Financial institution of America’s redemption course of, particularly for TPG editor Emily Thompson, Chase takes the cake with extra potential worth and suppleness.
Winner: Sapphire Most popular, because it gives the choice to switch factors to resort and airline companions.
Associated: Easy methods to redeem Chase Final Rewards factors for max worth
Ought to I get the Sapphire Most popular or BofA Journey Rewards?
Backside line
For many who hope to construct a sturdy journey bank card technique and study how you can maximize switch companions and card pairings, the Chase Sapphire Most popular is a good beginning place.
But when the considered navigating transferring factors to a selected airline makes you escape into hives, the simplicity of the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards bank card makes it a strong selection, too.
To be taught extra, learn our full critiques of the Chase Sapphire Most popular and the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Journey Rewards
