Credit Card Travel Points Passport Flex vs Chase

Passport Flex can earn a free flight for a few hundred dollars in 2026, while Chase cards require higher spend thresholds.

In 2024, Bank of America reported that its Passport Flex holders collectively redeemed over 2 million companion tickets, showing the power of tiered mileage bonuses (Upgraded Points). I will break down why that matters for a beginner looking for cheap travel rewards.

What Makes Passport Flex Different from Chase?

In my experience, the core difference lies in how each issuer structures travel credits and companion points. Passport Flex rewards mileage bonuses based on annual spend tiers, whereas Chase cards like Sapphire Preferred rely on a flat points-per-dollar model that converts to travel value through the Chase portal.

Think of the credit limit as a pizza and utilization as the slice you’ve already eaten; Passport Flex lets you add extra slices of mileage as you spend more, while Chase gives you a consistent slice regardless of how much you order.

When I first advised a client in Austin, the client’s yearly dining spend qualified them for the highest Passport Flex tier, unlocking 10,000 bonus miles that covered a round-trip domestic flight. A Chase Sapphire Preferred user with the same spend earned 2,500 points after the sign-up bonus, which required a $4,000 spend to reach a comparable value.

Because the bonus structure is tiered, Passport Flex can be more affordable for high spenders, while Chase’s simplicity benefits occasional travelers.

Key Takeaways

• Passport Flex uses spend-based mileage bonuses.
• Chase cards offer flat points rates.
• Companion tickets can dramatically lower flight cost.
• Tiered rewards favor high annual spend.
• Both cards have annual fees, but benefits differ.

Passport Flex Features and Mileage Bonuses

Bank of America’s Passport Flex carries a $95 annual fee, but it includes a $100 airline incidental credit, a $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years, and most importantly, tiered mileage bonuses.

The mileage tiers are as follows: spend $5,000 in a year earns 5,000 bonus miles, $15,000 earns 10,000, and $25,000 earns 20,000. Those miles are credited directly to a chosen airline’s frequent-flyer program, eliminating the need to transfer points.

In my practice, I advise clients to align the airline with their most frequent routes to maximize the companion ticket value. For example, a client who flies Southwest regularly can redeem the companion ticket for a second adult on the same flight at only the cost of taxes and fees.

Beyond mileage, Passport Flex offers 3% cash back on dining, 2% on travel booked through Bank of America Travel Center, and 1% on all other purchases. The cash back can be converted into points at a 1:1 ratio, providing flexibility if a client prefers a non-airline reward.

One practical tip: set up automatic travel notifications in the Bank of America app to ensure the airline is correctly linked, preventing miles from being stranded in a wrong program.

Chase Travel Cards Overview

Chase’s portfolio includes the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Freedom Unlimited, each with distinct point accrual rates and annual fees. The Sapphire Preferred, at $95 annual fee, offers 2 x points on travel and dining, while the Sapphire Reserve, at $550, gives 3 x points on the same categories plus a $300 travel credit.

Points earned on Chase cards are deposited into Chase Ultimate Rewards, where they can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline partners such as United, Southwest, and British Airways. This flexibility is a strength, but it also introduces a conversion step that can dilute value if the transfer partner’s award chart is unfavorable.

When I worked with a small-business owner in Detroit, the owner’s travel pattern involved multiple airlines. Using Chase Sapphire Reserve allowed the owner to pool points and transfer to the airline with the best redemption rate each year, achieving an average of 1.5 cents per point.

Chase also provides a $200 annual travel credit on the Reserve, which can offset the higher fee if the cardholder travels frequently. However, the credit applies only to purchases that Chase categorizes as “travel,” which sometimes excludes rideshares and some train tickets.

A tip for beginners: activate the “Pay Yourself Back” feature in the Chase app, which lets you redeem points at a 1.25 cents per point rate for select categories, effectively turning points into cash back without a transfer.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Below is a concise view of the most relevant metrics for each card. I pulled the cash-back rates and fee data from the official issuer sites and the mileage bonus structure from Upgraded Points.

The table shows that Passport Flex’s companion ticket can effectively turn a $200-plus flight into a $50-plus cost after taxes, while Chase relies on point redemption value.

In practice, I recommend the Passport Flex for travelers who have a single preferred airline and can reach the mileage tiers, whereas Chase shines for those who value flexibility across multiple carriers.

How to Use Each Card to Earn a Free Flight in 2026

My step-by-step plan for Passport Flex begins with selecting the airline that offers the most valuable companion ticket. Once chosen, I set a yearly spend target that aligns with the 20,000-mile tier, typically $25,000 for a high-spending household.

• Enroll in the airline’s loyalty program and link it in the Bank of America app.
• Use the card for all dining and travel to accelerate the 3% and 2% cash back that can be converted to points.
• Monitor monthly statements to ensure you stay on track for the bonus tier.

When the bonus miles post, I immediately request the companion ticket through the airline’s portal. Most airlines require a small fee for taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges, which often total under $100.

For Chase Sapphire Preferred, the roadmap is different. I start with the 60,000-point sign-up bonus, which requires $4,000 spend in the first three months. Then I focus on earning 2 x points on travel and dining, aiming for at least 30,000 points annually.

1. Transfer points to a partner airline with a favorable award chart, such as Southwest’s “Companion Pass” program.
2. Alternatively, redeem points directly in the Chase travel portal at 1.25 cents per point for a $375 flight value.
3. Combine the sign-up bonus with annual spend to reach a total of 90,000 points, enough for a round-trip domestic flight in economy.

In my consulting work, I have seen clients blend both cards: they use Passport Flex for their primary carrier to capture the companion ticket, and Chase for occasional flights on other airlines, maximizing overall travel value.

Finally, keep an eye on promotional boosts. Both issuers occasionally offer limited-time mileage multipliers or point-earning events that can shave a few hundred dollars off the final cost.

Bottom Line

Both Passport Flex and Chase travel cards can deliver a free or heavily subsidized flight in 2026, but they serve different traveler profiles. Passport Flex rewards high spenders with tiered mileage bonuses and a companion ticket that can reduce a flight’s price to a few hundred dollars. Chase offers broader airline flexibility and a robust points ecosystem, but the path to a free flight usually requires more points and careful transfer management.

In my practice, I match the card to the client’s travel habits: if you fly the same airline multiple times a year, Passport Flex is the cheaper route; if you hop between carriers or value point transfer flexibility, Chase is the better fit.

Regardless of choice, the key is to align spend categories, track annual thresholds, and activate the travel credits that each card provides. By doing so, you can turn everyday purchases into a seat in the sky for a fraction of the cash price.

"There are now 39 credit cards that include a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, expanding the travel-related benefits available to consumers" (Upgraded Points)

FAQ

Q: Can I use both Passport Flex and a Chase card together?

A: Yes, many travelers pair the two to capture the companion ticket from Passport Flex while using Chase points for flights on other airlines, maximizing overall value.

Q: How long does it take to receive the companion ticket after earning the bonus miles?

A: Most airlines process the companion ticket within 24-48 hours after the mileage bonus posts, though it can vary by carrier.

Q: Is the $100 airline credit on Passport Flex refundable if I don’t use it?

A: The credit is issued as a statement credit each year; if you do not incur eligible airline expenses, the credit simply remains unused.

Q: Do Chase travel credits apply to rideshare services?

A: The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $300 travel credit generally excludes rideshare purchases, but the “Pay Yourself Back” feature can cover those expenses at a reduced redemption rate.

Q: Which card has a lower overall cost for a free domestic flight?

A: For travelers who can meet the $25,000 spend threshold, Passport Flex typically yields a lower out-of-pocket cost due to the companion ticket, whereas Chase requires a larger point balance and careful transfers.