A guide to Chase credit cards
If you want a credit card with superior rewards, excellent cash back or a generous sign-up bonus, Chase provides all that and more. The full-service national bank offers a variety of features and benefits across almost two dozen credit cards – and a few of them are among the best on the market. Here, we look at:
Comparing the best Chase credit cards
| Card Name | Best For | Annual Fee | Review Score |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best overall offer | $95 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | Flat-rate business rewards | $0 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Flexible cash back | $0 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Travel | $550 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Southwest travel | $99 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Southwest benefits | $149 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest card with a low annual fee | $69 | 3.8 / 5 |
| UnitedSM Explorer Card | United miles | $95, waived first year | 3.5 / 5 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | Marriott rewards | $0 | 3.5 / 5 |
| British Airways Visa Signature® Card | Sign-up bonus | $95 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | No annual fee business card | $0 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Overall business rewards value | $95 | 3.8 / 5 |
Editor’s picks: Chase credit card details
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for overall flexible travel rewards
Why we picked it: As a premier Ultimate Rewards card, the Sapphire Preferred allows you to get 25% more value when you redeem for future travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Plus, its 5X points on travel purchased through the Chase portal, 3X points on dining and 2X points on other travel purchases and 1X points on all other purchases give you ample opportunity to stack rewards points in the portal.
Pros: As a sign-up bonus, you can earn 100,000 points after a $4,000 spend within the first three months from opening an account – which translates into $1,250 toward travel when using Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card also has no points limits, expiration dates or blackout dates.
Cons: Despite being a top travel card, this option misses on some luxury travel perks, such as granting access to airport lounges. It also comes with a $95 annual fee.
Who should apply? If you’re a spender who’s determined to earn trips and other travel rewards with your card, this is a great option thanks to it’s rewards structure and generous sign-up bonus.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for flat-rate cash back
Why we picked it: This card gives significant cash back across multiple categories: Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 in the first year (not including Target® or Walmart®), 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% back on Lyft purchases (through March 2022), 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited also offers no annual fee and has a nice sign-up bonus of $200 after a $500 spend within the first three months from opening an account.
Pros: Your cash back is unlimited and will never expire, so you won’t have to worry about using rewards within a certain time period. Additionally, you can use your cash back towards gift cards, travel or Amazon.com purchases, and even have the option of transferring points to combine with other cards in Ultimate Rewards.
Cons: Although it can reward your travel purchases, this card comes with a foreign transaction fee.
Who should apply? People who spend across several categories can benefit from this card’s widespread cash back offerings. If you’re looking for a simple card with no annual fee that can add some cash to your wallet, this is a great choice.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for flat-rate business rewards
Why we picked it: This card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases made for your business, and as a welcome bonus, earn $750 back after a $7,500 spend within the first three months from opening an account. To top it off, there’s no annual fee.
Pros: Your rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, travel rewards, cash deposits and more. Also, they can be transferred in the Ultimate Rewards portal, where rewards can receive a significant boost in value. Rewards are non-expiring and uncapped.
Cons: Though it earns flat-rate cash back, there are no bonus categories offering better rates. This card also features a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Who should apply? Small business owners looking for an affordable card to help expand should look to the Ink Business Unlimited.
Read our Ink Business Unlimited review.
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for flexible cash back
Why we picked it: Freedom Flex cardholders will have access to 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year (not including Target® or Walmart®), 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories each quarter (on up to $1,500), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back at drugstores and restaurants and 1% back on all other purchases. You’ll also be greeted with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 14.99% – 23.74%, variable) – all without an annual fee.
Pros: Similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, this card enhances its multitude of cash back offerings with 5% cash back on all Lyft purchases through March 2022. Also, its $200 sign-up bonus after spending $500 in your first three months will help get you started on the right foot.
Cons: The 5% cash back rates on rotating categories are capped at a $1,500 limit each quarter (then 1%). Also, remembering to activate the rotating bonus categories can be a tedious (yet essential) task.
Who should apply? Active cardholders who want to take advantage of bonus rewards and those looking for an intro APR offer are best suited for this card. It takes a little extra work to reap the full benefits of Chase’s rotating categories schedule, but the right cardholders make it worthwhile.
Read our Chase Freedom Flex review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for travel
Why we picked it: As a strong way to start, new cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months from opening an account. Although it does come with a steep annual fee ($550), it makes up for it by giving points a 50% boost in value toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and a plethora of luxury perks.
Pros: This card comes with 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase portal, 5X points on air travel purchased through the Chase portal, 3X points on other travel and dining purchases and 1X points elsewhere (the 10X, 5X and 3X travel rewards rate only applies after you earn your $300 travel credit), plus 1X points elsewhere. These rewards are unlimited and won’t expire, and there’s no blackout dates or expiration dates when redeeming travel. The Sapphire Reserve also rewards cardholders annually through a $300 travel credit, a Priority Pass Select membership and up to a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Cons: In addition to the high annual fee, this card doesn’t come with an introductory APR offer.
Who should apply? Travelers looking for a more luxurious experience on their rewards-earned trips should look into the Sapphire Reserve. If this card fits your lifestyle, the strong rewards, bonuses and travel perks make the price tag worth it.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier® Credit Card: Best for Southwest travel
Why we picked it: Chase and Southwest have paired to provide a couple welcome bonuses as well as ways to earn consistent rewards. In addition to long-term 2X points earned on Southwest purchases, cardholders can earn 40,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Pros: With this option there’s no foreign transaction fees, blackout dates or points expiration. Plus, your first two bags fly free with Southwest. Another generous bonus, cardholders are eligible to receive 6,000 points after every cardmember anniversary.
Cons: Your rewards tickets can’t be used on layover flights and there are limited options for booking international travel. The card also features a $99 annual fee.
Who should apply? Loyal Southwest travelers who want to get away from traditional travel options to an airline card are a good fit here. This card makes traveling easier and more affordable if you’re able to commit to the airline, but those who want more flexibility should look elsewhere.
Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card review.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for Southwest benefits
Why we picked it: Much like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, this card also offers the solid sign-up bonus of 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. Cardholders also receive 2X points on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, plus 7,500 points each account anniversary.
Pros: On top of several bonuses and ways to earn, this card offers unlimited rewards seats, an annual $75 travel credit, four Upgraded Boardings per year and no fees for changing or booking flights. And to give some added flexibility, Southwest allows you to book one-way tickets with your rewards.
Cons: Like some other airline options, you can’t book flights with layovers when redeeming rewards and you’ll be limited to only Southwest tickets. The card also comes with an annual fee of $149.
Who should apply? If you often fly with Southwest, this is a great addition to your wallet. Not only does it make the travel experience easier, there’s significant savings to be had even with the annual fee.
Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card review.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for Southwest with a low annual fee
Why we picked it: With an annual fee of just $69, this card still offers the solid sign-up bonus of 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from opening an account.
Pros: Cardholders will be rewarded for their loyalty with a 3,000 point bonus each account anniversary. To get rewarded on your spending, the card features 2X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on purchases with the airline’s hotel and car rental partners and 1X points on everything else. Keeping up with the other Southwest options, this card offers no blackout dates, change fees or booking fees.
Cons: Southwest’s flight network is more limited than other major airlines and there isn’t much flexibility in rewards redemption.
Who should apply? If you’re interested in an affordable airline card and like to travel with Southwest, this is a solid option. It may not have all that’s offered by the other Southwest Rapid Rewards cards, but it provides similar value in several ways.
Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card review.
United℠ Explorer Card: Best for United Miles
Why we picked it: This United card is packed with rewards and benefits: Earn 2X miles at restaurants and hotel stays, 2X miles on United purchases and 1X miles elsewhere, plus earn 25% back as a statement credit on United in-flight purchases. Other notable perks include priority boarding, access to the United Club with two one-time passes each anniversary year, up to a $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and your first checked bag is free.
Pros: This card comes with a sign-up bonus of 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months. You can use your miles to redeem for United flights, car rentals, hotel stays and more. Also, matching Southwest’s standard, your miles are uncapped and there are no blackout dates.
Cons: If you want to book a flight in the near future or need to make a change, it’ll cost you. There’s a $75 fee if you book your flight less than 21 days in advance and high fees for changing awarded flights. There’s also a $95 annual fee, but luckily it’s waived in the first year.
Who should apply? Those who often fly with United could take advantage of the myriad of perks and possibilities offered by this card. If you aren’t a frequent traveler or don’t see a future as a United loyalist, you can find better options.
Read our United Explorer card review.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Best for Marriott Rewards
Why we picked it: If you often stay with the world’s largest hotel network, you may want to check in with this card. It offers 3X points on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties, 2X points on travel purchases and 1X points on all other purchases. This travel accessory also rewards you immediately: For a limited time, you can earn 60,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Pros: This no annual fee card not only gives consumers a chance to redeem points for a variety of hotel rewards, it provides a fast track to Marriott Silver Elite status. Plus, points can be combined with cash to pay for hotel stays, so earnings won’t sit idly and you won’t have to worry about meeting a minimum before redeeming. Additionally, Marriott offers hotel destinations all over the world – which can be explored thanks to the card’s 40+ airline partners.
Cons: The rewards offered by the card aren’t as valuable as some other travel card options. Additionally, you might run into some booking problems if you’re looking to book stays during busy times of the year and if you frequent other hotels outside of Marriott, a generic travel card could be a more useful addition to your wallet.
Who should apply? If you tend to stay with Marriott, this could add a lot of value to your travels. There’s no annual fee and a slew of hotel perks.
Read our Marriott Bonvoy Bold review.
British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Best for British Airways fans
Why we picked it: If you’ll fly regularly on British Airways, this card is a great option. You’ll earn 5 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Level within your first 12 months (then 3 Avios) and the sign-up bonus is 100,000 Avios for spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Pros: To continue the travel perks, this card generously rewards hotel accommodations when you purchase directly through the hotel. Also, points don’t expire and there’s excellent redemption value on partner airlines and upgrades on future flights.
Cons: Flight availability can be very limited at times and long-distance flights can still be very expensive, even when redeeming points. The card also comes with a $95 annual fee, putting it about on par with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card.
Who should apply? If you frequent British Airways or any of their partners, this card is a great option thanks to its transfer flexibility and available rewards.
Read our British Airways Visa Signature review.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for no annual fee business card
Why we picked it: Like the Ink Business Unlimited, you can connect this no annual fee card with the premier Ultimate Rewards cards to enjoy a boost in rewards toward travel in the future. Also, as a sign-up bonus, you can earn $750 back after a $7,500 spend within the first three months from opening an account.
Pros: You’ll earn 5% cash back on internet, cable, phone services and office supply stores, 2% back at gas stations and restaurants and 1% back on all other purchases. If your employees are working from home, this cash back reward could be a great incentive for making sure your employees have the materials they need to keep your business successful. Your rewards won’t expire and this card comes with a fairly low APR at 13.24% to 19.24% (variable).
Cons: There’s a $25,000 annual limit on bonus categories, so if your purchases exceed that amount in the 5% or 2% categories in a year, the earnings rate will reduce to 1%. There’s also a 2,000 minimum to redeem rewards.
Who should apply? Thanks to a strong sign-up bonus and common rewards categories, this is a great no annual fee option to help small businesses.
Read our Ink Business Cash review.
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt Rewards
Why we picked it: Frequent travelers will want to take a look at this high-earning hotel card. If you’re a World of Hyatt member, you’ll get rewarded up to 9X points on Hyatt hotel purchases, 2X points on restaurants, eligible airfare purchased directly from airlines, local transit and fitness club memberships and 1X points elsewhere. Hyatt also opens their doors to welcome you with 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, you can earn up to 30,000 more bonus points with 2 points per $1 spent on purchases that would normally earn 1 point (up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening).
Pros: Cardholders will be eligible for a free night (at a Hyatt category 1-4 hotel) each year, and as a promotional offer, can earn a second night’s stay after spending over $15,000 in the year. Your Hyatt rewards points carry solid value and can transfer to the Ultimate Rewards portal at a 1:1 rate. Also, there’s no blackout dates for booking hotels and points don’t expire.
Cons: The card comes with an annual fee of $95, which can be negated thanks to the promotional offers and available rewards. Also, cardholders will have to be sure about what they want to earn – there’s limited redemption options outside of hotel stays.
Who should apply? Hyatt members could squeeze some serious value out of this card, and its impactful rewards make it a great card for pairing. Cash back card carriers might want to look to pair their Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex with one of the top hotel cards.
Read our World of Hyatt credit card review.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for overall business rewards value
Why we picked it: Chase’s premier Ink Business card, the Ink Business Preferred will reward you with the same 25% boost toward travel redemptions made in the Ultimate Rewards portal that the Sapphire Preferred offers. Earn 100,000 points after a $15,000 spend within the first 3 months and earn 3X points on the first $150,000 spent each year on combined purchases on travel and select business categories.
Pros: The select business categories earning 3X should cover a lot of your expenses: shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases all apply. This card offers a 25% travel boost on Chase Ultimate Rewards, the ability to transfer points and several redemption categories. The card also features travel and purchase protection.
Cons: There may be a delay if you try to transfer points, so redeeming points may take some planning ahead. Also, the card comes with an annual fee of $95.
Who should apply? Small business owners looking to earn rewards points rather than cash back should consider this card. Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and heightened rewards in common categories can provide serious value to business expenses.
Read our Ink Business Preferred review.
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: Best for IHG Rewards
Why we picked it: Thanks to a large sign-up bonus, hotel rewards and annual bonuses, this card is a great option for vacationers and business travelers. As a strong yearly promotion, cardholders will receive 10,000 bonus points each year they spend $20,000 and make one additional purchase, plus a rewards night when you redeem points for a stay of four consecutive nights or more. Additionally, this card earns you up to 25X points total on IHG purchases, 2X points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants, and 1X points on all other purchases.
Pros: With this card’s welcome offer you have the opportunity to earn 150,000 points after spending $3,000 in your first three months from opening an account. The card also comes with credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to make your travels as painless and stress-free as possible. Finally, this card’s points don’t expire and there’s no blackout dates.
Cons: There are more lucrative rewards structures (such as the World of Hyatt card) when it comes to earning hotel stays. Also, there’s an $89 annual fee ($0 the first year).
Who should apply? If you’re an IHG Rewards Club member, this card is a must for your travels. Frequent travelers looking for a large hotel network tied to their card might also want to consider this card.
Read our IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card review.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for annual free night award
Why we picked it: Cardholders will receive a free night stay each anniversary. The comped night surely helps make up for the $95 annual fee, but let’s not forget about the contribution from earning 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X points on all other purchases.
Pros: For a limited time, you can earn 125,000 points and 1 Free Night Award (value up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Points will stick around as long as you keep your account active, and you can combine them with cash to book stays at some properties as you fast track your way to Marriott Silver Elite status. This card also features an expansive transfer network, allowing you to transfer points to over 40 airline partners.
Cons: On top of the annual fee, room availability can be low during busy times of the year. Also, your anniversary free night award is only eligible on standard rooms valued at 35,000 points or less.
Who should apply? If Marriott is your hotel of choice, this card can take your capabilities to a new level. Although there is an annual cost, typical travelers can easily out-earn the fee with hotel perks, rewards points and bonus offers.
Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review.
What is Chase?
JPMorgan Chase Bank & Co., or Chase Bank, is a national bank and credit card issuer. It partners primarily with two networks, Visa and Mastercard, which process charges made at retailers. 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, cash back and travel products.
Chase credit cards can be used internationally in most locations. 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.
Who should get a Chase credit card?
Chase’s versatile selection of credit cards gives some great choices for a variety of consumers:
Rewards chasers
Many of Chase’s cards come with top-of-the-line rewards programs, featuring heightened earnings on travel, dining, supermarket purchases and various other categories. If you’re looking for high-end rewards across multiple categories and worthwhile sign-up bonuses, Chase has several answers. While the individual offers are nothing to scoff at, the best way a savvy cardholder can capitalize on a Chase card is by pairing more than one. In finding complementary rewards cards, you can take your earnings capability to a whole new level and have a chance at taking advantage of multiple lucrative sign-up bonuses. Also, with the boosts available through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, calculated cardholders can squeeze even more value out of their rewards card(s).
Travelers
The Ultimate Rewards portal is a major reason Chase has some of the best travel cards on the market. When using points for travel in the portal, you can receive as much as 50% extra points-value with a card like the Sapphire Reserve. In addition to boosting the impact of your points, the Ultimate Rewards program also serves as the connection to the long list of Chase’s airline and hotel partners, allowing you to transfer points and book travel through a wide variety of options. Also, several Chase cards offer great rewards rates on travel purchases – just another reason why travelers might want to add one of their options to their itinerary.
Restaurant-goers
It’s no secret that Chase has some of the best rewards cards on the market, but it may take a little extra digging to notice how many of their cards give juicy rates on dining purchases. Those who love to dine out might be interested in the 3% cash back on dining from the Freedom Unlimited; or maybe you’re more intrigued by the Sapphire Preferred’s ability to earn 3X points on your meals out, which can then be redeemed for travel. If you’re a restaurant-goer looking for a general rewards card, airline card or a card for your small business, you should take a look at the offers Chase has on the menu.
Airline and hotel loyalists
Through partnerships with companies like Southwest, Marriott, United, Hyatt, British Airways and others, Chase offers a selection of airline and hotel cards that can get loyal customers rewarded. If you’re a traveler that is consistent with where you stay or how you get there, it might benefit you more to look at one of Chase’s more specified options rather than a general travel card. It may come with an annual fee, but frequent guests of Chase’s partners can take advantage of room and flight upgrades, free night’s stays, huge rewards rates and a variety of other benefits.
What credit score will I need to be approved for Chase credit cards?
Chase’s credit cards typically require a good to excellent score (670 or above) to be approved. With personal and business options providing top-notch rewards, travel benefits and generous welcome offers, getting a Chase card can be unfortunately exclusive.
If you have a suboptimal score, improving your credit before applying for a Chase card is probably the best route to take. However, there are certain circumstances where they may approve you for a card with a sub-670 credit score. Chase will review your full credit history and annual income before coming to a decision.
How many Chase credit cards can I have?
While in theory there is no limit to the number of Chase cards you can hold, there’s a couple restrictions to keep in mind:
- The Chase 5/24 rule states that if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any issuer within the last 24 months, you’re unlikely to be approved for a new Chase card.
- Chase’s 2/30 rule prevents you from applying for more than two personal Chase cards in a 30 day period. Typically during this time period, a third application would be automatically declined and you can only apply for one business card.
If it’s necessary, waiting the time to comply with the rules and help your odds is probably worth it. Many cardholders have had great success with the strategy of pairing multiple Chase cards.
How to choose which Chase card is right for you
Finding the right Chase card is easiest when you understand what cards best fit your lifestyle. Some people want an easy-to-use cash back option, some want to stack points over time to redeem for travel rewards and some want heightened earnings in a certain category. Think about what you’re actually looking to get out of your credit card before applying for one of Chase’s offers.
Well-rounded cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited gives major cash back across several categories, including 5% back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to the first $12,000 spent in the first year, travel booked with Ultimate Rewards and more. The Chase Freedom Flex brings similar cash back opportunities, plus the ability to earn a little extra with rotating categories.
Travel rewards
The Sapphire Reserve gives 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase portal, 5X points on air travel purchased through the Chase portal, 3X points on other travel and dining, and you can redeem those points for vacations through the Ultimate Rewards portal. The Sapphire Preferred gives a similar offer (5X points on travel purchased through the Chase portal and 3X points on dining) for a lesser fee.
Hotel stays
If you’re a frequent guest of Marriott, IHG or Hyatt, you may be able to take advantage of free night offers and other lucrative rewards with one of Chase’s hotel-partnered cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, IHG Rewards Club Premier and the World of Hyatt credit cards might make checking-in a whole lot easier.
Airline miles
Looking to commit to an airline to start consistently flying at a discount? Chase’s Southwest, United or British Airways partnered options might be your ticket to a cheaper destination.
Business rewards
If you’re looking for a card for your business, Chase has some useful options. The Ink Business Cash is a great choice for earning cash back with no annual fee, while the Ink Business Preferred can help small business owners earn travel rewards for an annual fee of $95.
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 | 100k pts, $4,000/3-mth spend | 60k pts, $4,000/3-mth spend |
| Ongoing rewards | 2X pts on other travel*, 3X pts on dining | 3X pts on other travel*, dining |
| Annual fee | $95 | $550 |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Select complimentary hotel upgrades | Yes | Yes |
| Travel & purchase coverage | Yes | Yes |
*other travel does not include the select travel that earns a higher rewards rate when purchased through the Chase portal
How we picked the best Chase credit cards
Research Methodology: We analyzed Chase’s suite of credit cards to identify their top credit cards currently on the market. The major factors we considered were:
- Base rewards program: Does the card provide ways to earn worthwhile rewards? Thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards, most Chase cards have strong rewards structures. We sought out the best ones to capitalize on.
- Available bonuses: Many Chase cards feature welcome bonuses and other promotional offers, giving out bundles of points, cash back or a free night at a hotel. Finding bonuses that are worth the spending and effort helped narrow down our top options.
- Rewards flexibility: With so many hotel, airline and travel choices available, we looked to find cards that give you worthwhile redemption and transfer options when it comes to redeeming rewards. Although some of the cards here have an obvious partner, you might be surprised at what you’re capable of doing with your points.
- Other rates and fees: We also looked at whether the card carried reasonable APRs, has an introductory APR offer and whether it comes with an annual fee. If a card is pricey in these departments, other important factors should make up for the costs.
Additional information on Chase credit cards
For more information on all things Chase credit cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
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