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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Best Chase credit cards of 2019:
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 in order to be approved for a Chase credit card. There are reported exceptions to this rule:
- IHG Rewards Club Premier Card
- Disney Rewards Visa
- Ritz-Carlton Rewards
- Marriott Rewards Premier Business
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are two of the best travel credit cards on the market. If you're looking for a premium travel card, you may be wondering which is better for you. Below are some of the key similarities and differences between the CSP and CSR.
| 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 | Up to $100 application fee credit |
| 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
How to earn and use Chase Ultimate Rewards
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
Additional Chase benefits outside of cash back/rewards
Chase credit cards offer a variety of benefits in addition to the rewards you earn. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers primary coverage when you use it for car rentals, providing reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft. The benefits vary from card to card and include the following:
- 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 of 2019
| Card Name | Best For | Annual Fee | Review Score |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best overall offer | $95, waived first year | 3.9 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 3.1 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom® | Rotating cash back categories | $0 | 3.1 / 5 |
| Ink Business UnlimitedSM Credit Card | Flat-rate business rewards | $0 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Travel | $450 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Ink Business PreferredSM Credit Card | Overall business rewards value | $95 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Ink Business CashSM Credit Card | No annual fee business card | $0 | 3.5 / 5 |
| British Airways Visa Signature® Card | Avios bonus | $95 | 4.2 / 5 |
| UnitedSM Explorer Card | United miles | $95, waived first year | 3.7 / 5 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest rewards points | $69 | 4.1 / 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.
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