The best Chase credit cards of June 2023
Whether you’re looking for a premium travel card, an introduction into the world of points and miles, an easy cash-back option or a small business credit card, Chase has you covered. And since Chase cards are easily paired with each other for maximum value, people tend to hold more than one Chase card at once. Today I want to go through this magical combination to demonstrate just how lucrative it can be. Let’s start by looking at the best Chase credits cards from our partners overall, many of which we also value as some of the best credit cards on the market today.
Why Trust Us?
At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.
- 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x 3x on dining.
- 2x 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- Annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- Annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- Annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
- 3X Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- 1X Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn
Why We Chose It
Pros
- One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $15,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
- Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
- Reasonable $95 annual fee; bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners
- Primary car insurance; and perks including cellphone and purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement
Cons
- High spending needed to get 100,000-point sign-up bonus
- No travel perks
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $15,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
- Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
- Reasonable $95 annual fee; bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners
- Primary car insurance; and perks including cellphone and purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement
Cons
- High spending needed to get 100,000-point sign-up bonus
- No travel perks
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $15,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
- Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
- Reasonable $95 annual fee; bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners
- Primary car insurance; and perks including cellphone and purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement
Cons
- High spending needed to get 100,000-point sign-up bonus
- No travel perks
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
- 1.5% Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Why We Chose It
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Primary insurance for car rentals
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases (then a variable APR of 17.99% - 23.99% applies)
Cons
- Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
- No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
- No travel protections
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Primary insurance for car rentals
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases (then a variable APR of 17.99% - 23.99% applies)
Cons
- Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
- No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
- No travel protections
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Primary insurance for car rentals
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases (then a variable APR of 17.99% - 23.99% applies)
Cons
- Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
- No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
- No travel protections
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
- 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
Pros
- $300 Annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Why We Chose It
Pros
- $300 Annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Pros
- $300 Annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- 5% Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- 2% Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- 1% Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
Why We Chose It
Pros
- The current sign-up bonus on this card is an impressive $750. TPG values it at $1,500, not including any points you may earn from the valuable bonus categories
- There is no annual fee which is perfect for small business owners
- You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Cons
- 5% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- The current sign-up bonus on this card is an impressive $750. TPG values it at $1,500, not including any points you may earn from the valuable bonus categories
- There is no annual fee which is perfect for small business owners
- You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Cons
- 5% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Pros
- The current sign-up bonus on this card is an impressive $750. TPG values it at $1,500, not including any points you may earn from the valuable bonus categories
- There is no annual fee which is perfect for small business owners
- You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Cons
- 5% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
- 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more;
- 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
- 1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
Pros
- At least 1.5% back on every purchase, with up to 3% back on select categories
- There is no annual fee
- Perfect for everyday, non-bonused spending
- Incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card
Cons
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee so the card shouldn't be used abroad
- Limited card perks and benefits
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- At least 1.5% back on every purchase, with up to 3% back on select categories
- There is no annual fee
- Perfect for everyday, non-bonused spending
- Incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card
Cons
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee so the card shouldn't be used abroad
- Limited card perks and benefits
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Pros
- At least 1.5% back on every purchase, with up to 3% back on select categories
- There is no annual fee
- Perfect for everyday, non-bonused spending
- Incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card
Cons
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee so the card shouldn't be used abroad
- Limited card perks and benefits
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- 2X Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 1X Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary.
- Secondary car rental insurance and collision damage waiver.
- Baggage delay insurance.
- Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage.
- Roadside dispatch.
- Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
Cons
- $69 annual fee.
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary.
- Secondary car rental insurance and collision damage waiver.
- Baggage delay insurance.
- Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage.
- Roadside dispatch.
- Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
Cons
- $69 annual fee.
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary.
- Secondary car rental insurance and collision damage waiver.
- Baggage delay insurance.
- Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage.
- Roadside dispatch.
- Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
Cons
- $69 annual fee.
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
- 5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
- 1% Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- The generous sign-up bonus is impressive for a no annual fee card
- The card features several categories that earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards and rotating quarterly bonus categories and 3% back on dining and drugstores
- Your phone is protected against theft or damage for up to $800 per claim (up to $1,000 per year) when you pay that bill with the card
Cons
- You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5x on select purchases
- This card charges foreign transaction fees so it's best to use it within the U.S.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- The generous sign-up bonus is impressive for a no annual fee card
- The card features several categories that earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards and rotating quarterly bonus categories and 3% back on dining and drugstores
- Your phone is protected against theft or damage for up to $800 per claim (up to $1,000 per year) when you pay that bill with the card
Cons
- You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5x on select purchases
- This card charges foreign transaction fees so it's best to use it within the U.S.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Pros
- The generous sign-up bonus is impressive for a no annual fee card
- The card features several categories that earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards and rotating quarterly bonus categories and 3% back on dining and drugstores
- Your phone is protected against theft or damage for up to $800 per claim (up to $1,000 per year) when you pay that bill with the card
Cons
- You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5x on select purchases
- This card charges foreign transaction fees so it's best to use it within the U.S.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- 2X Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- 6,000 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $99 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 6,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- 6,000 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $99 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 6,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- 6,000 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $99 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 6,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
- 3X Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
Why We Chose It
Pros
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
- 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- 20% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi.
- Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $149 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
Pros
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
- 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- 20% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi.
- Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $149 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
- 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary.
- 20% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi.
- Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
- Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
Cons
- $149 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
The best Chase credit cards for April 2023
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Card | Best for | Welcome Offer/Sign Up Bonus | Earning Rate | Annual Fee |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Best for business travelers | 100,000 points |
|
$95 |
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | Best for freelancers | $750 |
|
$0 |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best for dining and travel insurance | 60,000 points |
|
$550 |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | Best for telecom and office supplies | $750 |
|
$0 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Best for non-bonus spending | Earn an Additional 1.5% Cash Back |
|
$0 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Best for a lower annual fee | Earn 60,000 points |
|
$69 |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Best for rotating bonus categories | $200 |
|
$0 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Best for casual Southwest flyers | Earn 60,000 points |
|
$99 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Best for frequent Southwest flyers | Earn 60,000 points |
|
$149 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best overall mid-tier card | 60,000 bonus points |
|
$95 |
Frequently asked questions Heading
-
In most cases, small-business credit cards will not add to your Chase 5/24 count because they don’t appear on your personal credit report. This actually includes Chase business credit cards, as well. So if you’re at 4/24 (four credits cards opened in the past 24 months) and you open the Ink Cash card, you’ll still be under 5/24 even though you just opened a Chase card.
However, if you open a business card with Discover or Capital One, that account will be reported to your personal credit report and will add to your Chase 5/24 total.
-
If your credit card application is denied, you can call the Chase reconsideration line to speak to a specialist about why it was declined. If you’re not over 5/24, it is possible to have the decision reversed.
For example, Chase will extend you a certain amount of credit based on your income and if you’ve already reached that limit, your application can be denied. However, it’s possible to move credit from existing accounts to the new account. So, as an example, instead of having all of your $20,000 in credit attached to a single card, you could move half of that to a new account to facilitate an approval.
The Chase reconsideration line for personal cards is 888-270-2127; for business cards, it’s 800-453-9719.
-
There is no exact science as to what credit score you’ll need to successfully apply for any Chase credit card because your credit score isn’t the only factor the bank considers. We’ve written about what scores are needed for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Chase Freedom Flex/Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards.
That being said, having a score of at least 700 will give you the best chances of being approved for the top chase credit cards. Of course, it’s possible to be approved with a slightly lower score; it’s just not as likely.
-
Chase doesn’t have an official limit on the number of Chase cards one person can have and many TPG staff have had eight or more Chase credit cards at the same time. But Chase does limit the amount of credit it will extend to you. As a general rule of thumb, you can be approved for one personal card and one business card within 90 days, but even that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are also different application rules for specific Chase cards. You can only hold one Sapphire card at a time. You can only have a single personal Southwest credit card; however, you can hold both a Southwest business and personal card, which is a great way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.
And if you open the Ink Cash, you’re still eligible for the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
For more details on Chase’s application rules, read our guide on credit card application restrictions.
-
If you want to cancel your Chase card, here is what you must do. Speak to a representative on the phone by calling the number on the back of your card or 1-800-432-4117 and let them know you want to cancel your Chase-issued card. Unfortunately, you cannot do this online and you also cannot cancel it until you have paid your balance in full.
It’s important to remember, though, that canceling a credit card can harm your credit score. Your score will be especially be impacted if you have a high limit card because your credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. If it’s merely a case of not wanting to continue to pay a high annual fee, your credit card provider may be able to organize a product change for you.
Related: How to cancel a credit card
-
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best overall mid-tier card
The Sapphire Preferred is an excellent beginner card.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earning rate(s):
- 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides.
- 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points per dollar on travel.
- 3 points per dollar points on select streaming services.
- 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
- 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Annual fee: $95.
TPG Staff’s Pick: “The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5+ years and is the go-to mid-level rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earn rate on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me. Finally, I like using this card when renting cars, as it provides primary car insurance and a little more peace of mind.” – Matt Moffitt, Editor
Why we love it: For some, the cost of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is too steep to justify. At $550 annually, it’s not a cheap card, although $300 of that cost is effectively recouped each year through the card’s annual travel credit. Still, not everyone wants to lay out $550 upfront for a credit card. So as a backup option, you could substitute the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the Sapphire Reserve.
The Sapphire Preferred comes with a much more reasonable $95 annual fee (although with no annual travel credit). And you will only earn half as many points for Lyft rides (5 points per dollar versus 10 points per dollar), you won’t get a complimentary year of Lyft Pink and the Preferred doesn’t come with any DoorDash credits. However, you can get the same complimentary DashPass membership for at least 12 months as long as you set your card to the default payment method by December 31, 2024.
You’ll also get an annual $50 hotel statement credit when booking a stay through the Ultimate Rewards portal which will help reduce your effective annual fee to just $55 per year.
So if you’re nervous about taking on an expensive credit card like the Sapphire Reserve or you don’t expect to have enough yearly travel and dining expenses to make the bonus points worth it, swap in the Chase Sapphire Preferred for your quartet. It’ll still provide a ton of value — including the option to convert cash-back points into fully-transferable ones.
It also includes various similar perks to the Sapphire Reserve, including primary car rental coverage, baggage delay insurance and trip cancellation/interruption protection. And it was chosen as the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card at the 2021 TPG Awards — an award it’s now won for four years in a row.
Like the Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has added temporary benefits to help you maximize your card when you may not be traveling as much.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for business travelers
Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $15,000 in the first three months from opening the account.
Earning rate(s): 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and on advertising purchases made with social media sites and research engines each account anniversary year.
Annual fee: $95.
Why we love it: The Ink Business Preferred is an excellent mid-tier business credit card that rewards cardholders on an array of business expenses. You’re earning valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed at 1.25 cents each through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or maximized by transferring to partners.
While the $15,000 in the first three months is steep to earn the sign-up bonus, keep in mind that this is a business credit card. Many small businesses easily spend $5,000 in combined expenses each month. The card charges a modest $95 annual fee and does offer cell phone protection as an added perk. Be mindful that Chase currently requires potential applicants to sign in to an existing Chase account before applying.
Related: Ink Business Preferred review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Ink Business Preferred.
___________________________________________________________________________
Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for non-bonus spending
Sign-up bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
Earning rate(s): 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% on dining and drugstores; 1.5% cash back on other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we love it: Another lucrative rewards credit card from Chase is the Freedom Unlimited, which is a great option for purchases that don’t fall into the typical bonus categories offered by other cards. The card also comes with three months of DashPass (no DoorDash delivery fees on orders over $12 at participating locations) with the next nine months for 50% off and after that, the membership returns to its normal price of $9.99 a month. To activate your DashPass membership, just set your eligible card as the default DoorDash payment method.
If you can pair this card with a premium card such as the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred, you’re getting a 3% return on non-bonus spending — for me, non-bonus spending includes my monthly utility bills, my daughter’s after-school care and my monthly Crossfit membership. I put about $1,000 per month on this card. Over the course of the year, my monthly spending nets me 18,000 Ultimate Rewards points, worth $360.
Chase announced several new benefits recently added to the card that now makes it an even more attractive companion to your other Chase credit cards.
Related: Chase Freedom Unlimited review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Chase Freedom Unlimited.
___________________________________________________________________________
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for dining and travel insurance
Its high annual fee then covers the perks and credits that come with the Sapphire Reserve. (Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from opening your account.
Earning rate(s): Earn 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Annual fee: $550.
Why we love it: If you order from restaurants often, the Sapphire Reserve offers 3 points per dollar on these purchases. Based on TPG’s valuations, that’s a fantastic return of 6%. I’ve also found that Chase tends to be quite broad in how it defines all other dining purchases. I’ve even had bars (that serve no food) and my local private yacht club post as restaurant transactions, so this is a fantastic way to boost your earnings across various merchants. In a typical month, I’d guess my household spends roughly $1,500 on dining out (mostly takeout or delivery right now), which translates to $18,000 per year. This means that, during a year, we take home 54,000 Ultimate Reward points, worth $1,080.
Another category that offers triple points on the Sapphire Reserve is travel, and this is also defined broadly by Chase. Here’s the official definition from the issuer’s Reward Category FAQs:
“Merchants in the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.”
As you can see, this includes purchases that fall under travel with most cards, including airlines, hotels and car rentals. However, it also includes tolls, paid parking and even Airbnb. This is another category where I spend a decent amount of money every month, roughly $750 by my recent estimate. Over the course of the year, this translates to 27,000 points worth $540.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve.
___________________________________________________________________________
Chase Freedom Flex: Best for rotating bonus categories
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months from opening the account.
Earning rate(s): 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases in select rotating quarterly bonus categories (activation required); 3% on dining and drugstores; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we love it: The Chase Freedom Flex is a no-annual-fee credit card that offers 5% cash back (5 points per dollar) at merchants that rotate each quarter. The card also comes with the same DoorDash benefits as the Freedom Unlimited.
In each quarter you activate, you earn 5% back on the first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases in the bonus category, then 1% cash back on all other purchases. I generally max out the bonus categories each quarter (before shifting my spending back to other, more rewarding options). This translates to 7,500 points per quarter or 30,000 points per year, worth $600.
Related: Chase Freedom Flex review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Chase Freedom Flex.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ink Business Cash Card: Best for telecom and office supplies
Sign-up bonus: Earn $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months from opening the account.
Earning rate(s): 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases made each account year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases spent each account year at restaurants and gas stations; 5% cash back on Lyft rides; 1% back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we chose it: One of the most lucrative business credit cards is the Ink Business Cash credit card. It’s my go-to card for my monthly phone, internet and cable bills in my home office, as well as purchases at office supply stores. These will earn 5% cash back (5x) on up to $25,000 in combined purchases each year.
As mentioned above, the points you earn on this card are technically only redeemable for cash back at a rate of one cent each. Still, when you pair them with the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred or the Ink Business Preferred, they immediately become transferable to partners including Hyatt and United. As a result, this gives you a fantastic return of 10% on these purchases.
I spend about $400 per month on telecommunications and about $250 per month at office supply stores. This boosts my Ultimate Rewards balance each year by another 39,000 points, worth $780.
Related: Ink Business Cash credit card review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Ink Business Cash.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ink Business Unlimited Card: Best for business travelers
Sign-up bonus: Earn $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months from opening the account.
Earning rate(s): 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Annual fee: $0.
Additional details: The Ink Business Unlimited mirrors the personal Chase Freedom Unlimited with the same rewards structure and no annual fee. Since it earns a flat rate across all purchases, it works best for business expenses that don’t fall into other bonus categories. This is also a great card for freelancers who may not spend enough in certain categories to warrant an annual fee or set bonus categories. The new sign-up bonus on this card is also a great reason to apply — especially if you have other Chase cards to convert your points into full-fledged Ultimate Rewards points.
Related: Ink Business Unlimited review
___________________________________________________________________________
Official application link: Ink Business Unlimited.
___________________________________________________________________________
The Chase quartet
Chase cards are easy to pair and maximize, making it worth considering adding multiple to your wallet. We have an entire guide dedicated to what’s referred to as the Chase Trifecta of credit cards, but I personally use a Chase quartet to maximize my own purchases.
From this group, new applicants can only have either the Sapphire Reserve or the Sapphire Preferred — not both (we’ll discuss how to choose one over the other shortly). It’s also worth pointing out that four of the Chase credit cards listed above are technically billed as cash-back credit cards.
Although they’re rewarding in their own right, they take on exceptional value when paired with full-fledged Ultimate Rewards credit cards such as the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred. This is because the program lets you combine Ultimate Rewards points between accounts, allowing you to convert your cash-back points to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points. That’s one of the main reasons this quartet of cards is so powerful.
That being said, which four make up your quartet will likely differ from someone else’s. It all depends on where you spend your money regularly, how you want to redeem the points and miles you earn, and how you value the various perks provided on the best travel credit cards. As always, be sure to evaluate your spending habits and redemption goals to select cards that fit your situation.
Research methodology
Choosing the best Chase credit card for you may seem overwhelming, and you may not know where to start. So at TPG, we’ve tried to make the process as simple as possible. As a handy guide, here are some factors we consider important when reviewing credit card options.
Here’s what to consider when deciding which Chase credit card is right for you.
- Reward rates — We look at which Chase cards earn the most rewards in spending categories such as groceries, gas, travel and everyday spending.
- Annual fee — Annual fees vary and sometimes, a higher annual fee can mean a higher rewards rate and better perks. We look at the balance between each card’s cost and compare it to its earning potential and benefits offerings to see which are worth the annual fees.
- Sign-up bonus — Which card offers the best sign-up bonus and what form is best for you — points or cash back? A sign-up bonus can greatly increase the overall value of a card in its first year, which means it’s one of the primary factors we consider when researching.
- Pairability — We look at how well these Chase cards can fit into a larger credit card strategy. This includes considering if you can convert your rewards to transferable currencies with your other cards.
Maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards
Given the spending habits outlined above, how much value do I get from my four cards (using the Chase Sapphire Reserve versus the Chase Sapphire Preferred)? If you add up my earnings, I’m taking home roughly 168,000 Ultimate Rewards points every year. This haul is worth $3,360, and with yearly spending of $52,800, that equates to an incredible return of 6.36%.
Even when you take out the $250 effective annual fee that I’m paying on the Sapphire Reserve, it’s still nearly 6%, and even that doesn’t factor in the additional perks on the Sapphire Reserve card, such as Priority Pass membership and primary car rental coverage. It also excludes any bonuses earned from the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal, a simple yet effective strategy for boosting your earnings even higher.
However, I don’t put every dollar I spend on one of these four cards. There are a couple of others that offer an even better return on purchases with certain merchants or categories:
- I’ll use an eligible Amex card when an Amex Offer gives me bonus points or additional savings.
- If a merchant accepts Amex for a non-bonus category purchase, I’ll usually swipe my Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express — with no annual fee (see rates and fees) — which earns 2 points per dollar on all purchases up to $50,000 each calendar year; then 1 point per dollar. This gives me a return of 4% on these purchases based on TPG valuations. Terms apply.
- Finally, if I’ve recently opened another credit card and am working toward earning a bonus, I’ll use that card to ensure I hit the minimum spending requirement.
Bottom line
Everyone has their own thoughts on what makes up the best set of travel rewards credit cards, and you may not want to deal with the hassle of tracking multiple cards to be used in different scenarios.
To really make the most of your everyday purchases, it’s important to evaluate your portfolio of cards and identify the best combination to maximize your earning rates. Some folks prefer swapping in the Chase Sapphire Preferred over the Sapphire Reserve. Still, by carrying the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited and Ink Business Cash Credit Card, I firmly believe that I have the perfect combination of Ultimate Rewards credit cards in my wallet.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here.
Additional reporting by Hayley Coyle.
Featured photo by The Points Guy.