Chase is one of the biggest banks in the U.S. And by purchase volume, it’s also the top credit card company for American shoppers. That’s a lot of cards. Honestly, it’s also a lot of great options.
If you’re shopping for a new card right now, you’re in a good spot. Chase has something for almost everyone. Travel lovers, cash back fans, small business owners, or people just starting to build credit. There’s a card for you here.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: 75,000 bonus points after $5,000 in spending. This should be done within the first 3 months
Rewards: 5x on Chase Travel purchases, 3x on dining and select streaming, 2x on other travel, 1x everywhere else
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a card that is highly regarded by many. Their rewards offered especially for food and travel are useful. You can also earn bonus points immediately. The $95 fee is easily justifiable after you start to reap the rewards. You also get a $50 hotel credit each year that you use through Chase Travel. Each point that you use through Chase Travel can be worth 1.75 cents per point. And this is impressive for a card that offers mid tier rewards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: $200 after $500 in spending within the first 3 months
Rewards: 5% on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% on everything else
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee. Solid rewards. A generous intro APR period. The Chase Freedom Unlimited does a lot without charging you anything to carry it.
The flat 1.5% on all non-bonus spending sets it apart from many cash back cards. Most cards drop to 1% on everyday purchases. This one keeps you earning more on every swipe.
Ink Business Preferred: Best for Small Business
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 in spending within the first 3 months
Rewards: 5x on Lyft through September 2027, 3x on shipping, travel, ads, phone and internet (up to $150,000 per year), 1x on everything else
Small business owners, this one’s for you. The welcome bonus alone is worth a lot. That 100,000-point offer is one of the biggest you’ll find on a business card right now.
The 3x categories cover many common business expenses. Shipping. Online ads. Phone and internet bills. If your business spends heavily in these areas, the points pile up fast. These are Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem them for travel through Chase Travel at a boosted rate. Great if you travel for work.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Welcome offer: 150,000 bonus points after $6,000 in spending within the first 3 months
Rewards: 8x on Chase Travel purchases. 4x on direct flights and hotels. 3x on dining. 1x on everything else
Yes, $795 is a steep annual fee. But the Chase Sapphire Reserve is built to help you earn it back. You get $300 in travel credits each year. That credit can shrink the cost by a lot.
Then come the extra perks from DoorDash, Lyft, and Peloton. You also get airport lounge access and strong travel protections. Your points can be worth up to 2 cents each when you redeem through Chase Travel. If you travel often, you and I both know the numbers can work out.
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: $200 after $500 in spending within the first 3 months
Rewards: 5% on rotating quarterly categories up to $1,500 per quarter, 5% on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1% on everything else
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
The Chase Freedom Flex keeps things interesting. Every quarter you get new 5% bonus categories to activate. Past categories have included Amazon, gas stations, gym memberships, and wholesale clubs.
Max out that $1,500 each quarter and you’ll earn $300 from bonus categories alone over the year. Add in dining and travel rewards on top and this no-fee card punches well above its weight.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Best Hotel Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Up to 4 Free Night Awards plus up to $100 in airline credits within the first year
Rewards: Up to 17x at Marriott properties, 3x on groceries, gas, and dining up to $6,000 per year, 2x on everything else
If you love Marriott hotels, this card works really hard for you. You can earn up to 17x points when you pay for stays at Marriott properties. That’s a big stack of points per night.
You also get automatic Silver Elite status just for being a cardholder. Spend $35,000 in a year and you unlock Gold Elite status. You also get 15 Elite Night Credits each year toward the next status level. Hotel status fans, this one’s worth a serious look.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Best Airline Card
Annual fee: $149
Welcome offer: 60,000 Rapid Rewards points after $3,000 in spending within the first 3 months
Rewards: 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x at grocery stores and restaurants up to $8,000 per year, 1x on everything else
Southwest fliers get a lot to love here. You earn points fast, especially on Southwest purchases. The everyday rewards on groceries and dining keep points coming in even on non-travel days.
You also get Annual Early Bird check-ins, in-flight discounts, and bonus anniversary points. Working toward the Southwest Companion Pass? This card speeds up that journey. You earn 10,000 qualifying points each year just from holding the card. And all your purchase points count toward that total too.
How to Pick the Right Chase Card
Picking a card doesn’t have to be hard. Just start with a few simple questions:
- Do you travel a lot? Go for the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve.
- Do you want cash back with no annual fee? Try the Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex.
- Do you have debt to pay off? Look at the Slate Edge for that long 0% period.
- Are you just starting with credit? The Freedom Rise is built for you.
- Do you run a small business? The Ink Business Preferred is a strong fit.
Also look back at your actual spending. Pull up a few months of bank or card statements. See where your money goes the most. Then match that to a card’s best reward categories. That’s how you get the most out of any card you carry.
What Are Chase Ultimate Rewards Points?
Most Chase credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards points. These are worth 1 cent each in most cases. But some cards boost that value when you book travel through Chase Travel:
- Sapphire Reserve: up to 2 cents per point
- Sapphire Preferred: up to 1.75 cents per point
- Ink Business Preferred: boosted travel value too
You can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Most transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio. Here’s a look at Chase’s current transfer partners:
Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt
This part is easy to miss. Access to these transfer partners is only given with the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred. It’s an important detail if you plan to move points around for big travel bookings.