Comparing Credit Card Offers from Chase
Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Here are the best Chase credit cards to get in 2019:
If you want a credit card with superior travel rewards, excellent cash back or a waived balance transfer fee, Chase offers that and more. While part of a full-service national bank, the company also issues about two dozen cards with a host of features and benefits. Here, we look at:
- What is Chase?
- What are Chase credit cards known for?
- Can Chase credit cards be used internationally?
- How many Chase credit cards can I have?
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Earning rewards with Chase
- What kind of points do I earn (Chase Ultimate Rewards) and what can I use them for?
- What counts as dining and travel with Chase?
- What airlines can I use with my Chase Ultimate Rewards?
- Possible Chase benefits outside of cashback/rewards
- Recap of the best Chase credit cards
What is Chase?
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., or Chase Bank, is a national bank and credit card issuer. That means the company grants cards to qualifying consumers. It partners with two networks, which process charges made at retailers. The primary networks are Visa and Mastercard. Most Chase credit cards are Visa cards, except the IHG Rewards Club Premier, which is a Mastercard.
What are Chase credit cards known for?
Chase credit cards are best known for their generous sign-up bonuses and boosted redemption travel rewards. In some cases, such as the Sapphire and Freedom cards, products can be partnered to fully use the Ultimate Rewards portal. A good to excellent credit score is typically needed for this brand, with its portfolio of business, cashback, travel and balance transfer products.
Can Chase credit cards be used internationally?
Chase credit cards can be used internationally in most locations. Along with rewards that come with travel and dining in the U.S., some Chase cards reward you for foreign travel. Also, in the case of such cards as the Sapphire products, there is no foreign transaction fee, which applies to both foreign travel and foreign purchases.
How many Chase credit cards can I have?
While in theory there is no limit to the number of Chase cards you can hold, the Chase 5/24 rule requires that you not open more than 5 cards of all issuers in a 24-month period. There are reported exceptions to this rule:
- IHG Rewards Club Premier Card
- British Airways Visa
- Disney Rewards Visa
- Ritz-Carlton Rewards
- Marriott Rewards Premier Business
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
| Rewards & Benefits | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|
| Sign-up Bonus | 50k pts, $4,000/3-mth spend | 50k pts, $4,000/3-mth spend |
| Ongoing rewards | 2X pts worldwide travel, dining | 3X pts worldwide travel*, dining |
| Annual fee | $95 waived first year | $450 |
| Travel redemption, Ultimate Rewards | 25% more | 50% more |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Annual credit | None | $300 for travel purchases |
| Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check credit | None | None |
| Airport lounge access | None | Yes |
| Rental Car privileges | None | Yes |
| Select complimentary hotel upgrades | Yes | Yes |
| Travel & purchase coverage | Yes | Yes |
*3x pts on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit
Earning rewards with Chase
Chase products are among the best in the credit card business, whether you are looking at business cards or personal cards. That’s because the redemption rewards can be superior, depending on the card you use. Also, sign-up bonuses are lucrative, benefits are excellent and ongoing rewards are rich.
What kind of points do I earn with Chase?
Chase Ultimate Rewards. These are the points that you earn by spending on certain categories with your Chase credit card. Read below for information on redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What can I use Chase Ultimate Rewards for?
You can redeem your Chase points for a number of rewards, including travel, gift cards, Amazon.com purchases, Chase Pay purchases and more. However, all points aren’t equal. For example, with the Chase Sapphire cards and the Ink Business Preferred, you can get $0.0125-$0.015 more on travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards, while points used on Amazon purchases only redeem at $0.008.
What counts as dining and travel to Chase?
Chase counts travel as such purchases from airlines, hotels, rental car agencies, timeshares, campgrounds, parking lots and garages, toll bridges and highways, taxis, and trains. Dining is considered everything from fast dining to fine dining, but it may not include such merchants as casinos or stadiums.
What airlines can I use with my Chase Ultimate Rewards?
- Aer Lingus
- Air France/KLM
- British Airways
- Iberia Plus
- Korean Air
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Possible Chase benefits outside of cash back/rewards
- Chase Pay
- Access to airport lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
- Visa Infinite concierge
- Car rental privileges
- Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check fee credit
- Annual credit
- No annual fee or waived fee first year
- Extended warranty
- Fraud protection
- Purchase protection
- Return protection
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
Recap: Best Chase credit cards
| Card Name | Best For | Annual Fee | Review Score |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best overall offer | $95, waived first year | 4.1 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom® | Rotating cash back categories | $0 | 2.9 / 5 |
| Ink Business UnlimitedSM Credit Card | Flat-rate business rewards | $0 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Travel | $450 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Ink Business PreferredSM Credit Card | Overall business rewards value | $95 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Ink Business CashSM Credit Card | No annual fee business card | $0 | 3.4 / 5 |
| British Airways Visa Signature® Card | Avios bonus | $95 | 4.2 / 5 |
| UnitedSM Explorer Card | United miles | $95, waived first year | 4.0 / 5 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest rewards points | $69 | 3.9 / 5 |
Laura is an editor and writer at CreditCards.com. She has written extensively on all things credit cards and works to bring you the most up-to-date analysis and advice. Laura's work has been cited in such publications as the New York Times and Associated Press. You can reach her by e-mail at laura.mohammad@creditcards.com and on Twitter @creditcards_lm.
Back to top