It's no surprise that Chase is one of the most popular credit card companies. All the perks that consumers want, such as big bonuses, high rewards rates, and long intro APRs, are found in the best Chase credit cards. You also get many complementary protections as part of their Chase card benefits. Our experts have reviewed the entire Chase card lineup and selected the best options.
Best Chase credit cards
- The Sign-up bonus for travel and transfer partners: Chase Sapphire Preferred(r) Card
- The Sign-up bonus for travel and dining: Chase Sapphire Reserve(r),
- Cashback, no annual fee: Chase Freedom Flex (sm)
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back and no annual fees: Chase Freedom Unlimited(r),
- The Sign-up bonus for business and travel: Ink Business Preferred(r), Credit Card
- Ink Cashback and No Annual Fee: Credit Card
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Frequent Marriot Bonvoy stays: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless(r) Credit Card
- Occasional Marriot Bonvoy Stays and No Annual Fee: Marriott Bonvoy Bod(r) Credit card
Review of the top Chase credit cards
Let's take a closer look at which Chase credit cards are the best and what they have to offer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred(r) Card
Best for: Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Privileges include one of the most valuable welcome bonuses of any travel card, purchase security, and Chase's flexible Ultimate Rewards points. All this for an affordable annual cost.
Chase Sapphire Reserve(r)
Best for: Premium travel benefits
Chase Sapphire Reserve(r), offers a complete suite of travel perks including spending credits, airport lounge access and trip insurance. It also provides bonus rewards for travel purchases. Although it has a high annual fee, Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits offer some of the best credit cards.
Chase Freedom Flex(sm).
Best for: Rotating Bonus Categories
Chase Freedom Flex(sm), which earns bonus cashback in a wide range of spending categories, is the Chase Freedom Flex(sm). You also get a 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers, and there is no annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited(r)
Best for: Unlimited cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), which offers several bonus categories, earns 1.5% on all non-bonus purchases. The card comes with no annual fees and a 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers.
Ink Business Preferred(r), Credit Card
Best: Get bonus points for business spending
Ink Business Preferred(r), Credit Card offers extra points for common business expenses. You will also receive a high-value welcome bonus as well as free employee cards.
Ink Business Cash(r), Credit Card
Best for: Bonus cash back
The Ink Business Cash(r), Credit Card offers high cashback rates and a 0% intro rate on purchases. This business credit card is even more attractive because it doesn't have an annual fee and Chase offers extended warranty protection.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Best for: Amazon Bonus Rewards
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card earns the best cash back rates for Whole Foods and Amazon purchases. It also provides Chase's purchase insurance in the event of any eligible purchases being stolen or damaged.
Chase credit cards: Types
Chase offers most major credit cards in its lineup. There are cash-back credit cards as well as travel rewards cards and cards with 0% intro APR. You also have business credit cards. The most popular option is its rewards credit card, which includes travel and cash back cards. This is how each credit card works.
Cash back credit cards
Cashback cards earn a percentage off your purchases Chase allows you to redeem your cash back for a statement credit towards your existing purchases, or as a direct bank deposit. Cashback has the advantage of being easy to use, as opposed to travel points. Cashback can be redeemed at any time by anyone. Cash back cards are often more affordable than travel cards and most of the best cashback cards don't have an annual fee. You should be aware that they may charge a foreign transaction fee if you are planning to travel internationally.
Credit cards for travel
You can earn miles or points on your purchases with travel credit cards. The Chase travel credit cards you have will determine the redemption options. The best travel cards offer additional perks, including the possibility to earn travel rewards.
Travel cards require a little more learning. These cards are also more expensive than cashback cards. However, there are some no-annual-fee travel cards. This type of credit card is great for frequent travelers, as it can save you money on travel and increase the quality of your trip. They almost never charge a foreign transaction fee.
What is Chase's 5/24 rule and how does it apply to you?
Chase's 5/24 Rule automatically denies all applicants who have applied for five or more credit cards within the past 24 months. You must ensure that you have not opened more than four credit cards in the last 24 months before you apply for a Chase credit card. Chase has not yet released any information about this rule. All information comes from the consumers.
Chase's 5/24 rule is not applicable to all cases. Business credit cards don't usually count towards the cardmember's 5/24 limit, as they aren't reported on credit history. However, TD Bank, Discover, and Capital One report on your personal credit and business credit cards. You can count your business card from any of these credit card companies towards the limit of 5/24.
Some customers have reported that they were able to bypass this rule by using the "Just for you” offers from their card issuers. Chase may approve your application through one of these targeted offers even if it doesn't meet its 5/24 requirement. Find out if there are any "Just for you” offers.
- Log in to Chase's account
- Click the menu bar
- Click "Just for You" under the heading "Explore Products"
We'll let you know if there are any targeted Chase card offers for you.
How to apply for a Chase Credit Card
The next step after you have decided to apply for a Chase credit card is to open an application. Be sure to pass the 5/24 rule. This is where you count the number of credit cards that you have opened within the last 24 months. You meet this requirement if you have opened less than five credit cards in the past 24 months.
These are the steps to follow in order to apply for a Chase card.
- To speed up the application, sign in to your Chase account. If you don’t have a Chase account, you can apply as a guest.
- Complete the application. Chase will ask for basic information such as your name, address, and Social Security number.
- Submit the application and confirm. Click the submit button.
Chase offers instant credit cards. You can get an approval immediately after you submit your application. Other options include a Chase denial or a Chase review of your application. This means that it takes longer to reach a decision.
What is Chase's Ultimate Rewards Program?
Chase Ultimate Rewards allows you to accumulate points that can be used for a wide range of redemption options. These include dining, travel, cash back and gift cards.
Which Chase cards earn Ultimate Reward points?
These Chase cards earn Ultimate Reward points and offer every redemption option Chase has to offer:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred(r) Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve(r)
- Ink Business Preferred(r), Credit Card
This is where things get a bit confusing. Chase cash back cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. They offer fewer redemption options. The most notable exception is transfers to Chase travel partners.
These cards earn Ultimate Rewards points and are available from Chase Cash Back.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited(r).
- Chase Freedom Flex(sm).
- Ink Business Cash(r), Credit Card
- Ink Business Unlimited(r), Credit Card
The fact that your Chase Cash Back card earns Ultimate Rewards points is not much of an advantage if you have only a Chase cashback card. Cash back is the best option to get the most value.
It makes a huge difference if you have a Chase Cash Back card or a Chase Travel Card. Because you can transfer your points from your cashback card to your travel card, and have all the redemption options available. One Ultimate Rewards point is equal to $0.01 in cash back, so 100 points would be earned for $1. You could consider it 5x points if your card gives you 5% back on a certain spending category.
Let's suppose you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited (r) and Chase Sapphire Reserve (r). Your Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), which earns more back, could be used to purchase anything that you want. You could then transfer your Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), to the Chase Sapphire Reserve (r), to take advantage of the fact that the latter has more ways to redeem your points.
How to earn Ultimate Rewards Points
Get Chase credit cards that are part of the Ultimate Rewards program to earn Ultimate Rewards points. All purchases made with your Chase card earn you points. The Only exceptions are charges that are later reversed. Chase will deduct the points earned for this purchase if the merchant reimburses you.
Chase offers Shop through Chase(r) an online shopping portal that allows you to shop online and earn bonus points from online merchants. You can access the shopping portal here:
- Log in to Ultimate Rewards
- To open the menu, click "Earn/Use"
- Click on "Earn Bonus points"
- To view the offer, click on any merchant.
- Click "Shop Now" on Chase's merchant page to go to the merchant's website and complete your purchase
How to redeem Ultimate Rewards Points
Here are the steps to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
- Log in to Ultimate Rewards
- To open the menu, click "Earn/Use"
- Select the method you wish to redeem your points and click on it.
Chase makes it easy to understand the process, although it depends on which redemption you choose.
Be aware that not all redemption options are equal in value. It's best to use Chase points for travel if you have a Chase card. Two options are available:
- Transfer to travel partners. Transfer Ultimate Rewards Points to a Chase travel associate. Chase has both hotel and airline partners. Once you have transferred your points, you will be able to use them through the loyalty program of the travel partner. You will get different value depending on which travel partner you choose and what award bookings you make. However, it is possible to earn more than $0.03 per point.
- Travel: Book your travel through the Ultimate rewards travel portal. Either cash or Ultimate Rewards points can be used to pay. Your points will be worth a fixed amount depending on which Chase card you have. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred (r) Card, or the Ink Business Preferred (r) Card, their value is $0.0125/point. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve(r), their value is $0.015
Which Chase credit card is best?
Chase Freedom Unlimited(r) is the best Chase credit card. The combination of its perks gives it the highest value of all Chase cards. We believe that the Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), based on our calculations offers the greatest money-saving potential among all Chase cards.
Here are some quick facts about the card's benefits.
- You can earn between 1.5% to 5% cash back depending on your category.
- There is no annual fee. This card does not require you to pay any additional fees.
- This bonus offers an innovative sign-up offer.
- This offer has a 0% intro rate for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), our top choice, is not the best overall Chase card. However, it is the best choice for all situations. Some customers will find that another card suits them better. A Chase travel card like the Chase Sapphire card is a great choice for frequent travelers.
How to choose a Chase credit cards
Chase Credit Card is best for you if it fits your spending habits and lifestyle.
You can start by choosing whether you want travel rewards or cash back. If you are looking to simplify your credit card rewards or don't travel often, cash back cards will be more appealing. For frequent travelers, travel rewards cards offer greater value. Chase travel cards are worth considering if you plan to take more than two or three trips each year.
After you have decided on the Chase card type you want, you can compare credit cards to find the right card.
Chase Cash Back Card
Chase offers two cash back cards to consumers: Chase Freedom Unlimited (r) and Chase Freedom Flex (sm). Both cards offer very similar cash back rates. Both cards offer 5% cash back on travel purchases via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% for dining and 3% for drugstore purchases. One key difference is:
- Chase Freedom Flex(sm), earns 5% on purchases up to $1,500 made in combination in the bonus categories that you activate each quarter. It earns 1% for all other categories.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), however, doesn't offer those rotating bonus categories. However, it earns 1.5% for non-bonus spending.
It comes down to which bonus category the cardmember prefers: a rotating bonus category where you earn 5% back, or an additional reward with a rate 1.5% on your regular purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited(r), a Visa card, is available. Chase Freedom Flex(sm), a Mastercard, is available. However, this is not a major deciding factor in comparison to the bonus points opportunities.
These are both credit cards that have no annual fees. You don't have to pay any additional fees if you choose to get both, as it will maximize your cash back. If you are open to the Chase Business Credit Card, there are more cash back cards.
Choose a Chase Travel Card
Chase offers quite a number of travel cards including Ultimate Rewards cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. It helps you narrow down your choices. Decide whether you would prefer an Ultimate Rewards card, or one that is tied to a particular airline or hotel.
Ultimate Rewards cards work better for travelers who don't want to be loyal to any one airline or hotel chain. You can book travel using Ultimate Rewards points in many different ways, so you can use your rewards for almost any trip. Two Ultimate Rewards travel cards are available to consumers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred(r), Card is the most affordable. Although the Chase Sapphire Reserve(r), is more costly, it offers a lot of benefits that can be very valuable for frequent travel.
A card with that travel provider may be a good option if you often fly with the same airline and stay at the same hotel. Chase has partnered with many airlines and hotels. Chase has one credit card for some of these airlines, while Chase offers multiple credit cards for others.
How to handle a Chase denial of your credit card application
If you are denied for an application, you can ask for a reconsideration by calling Chase at 1-888-270-2127.
Sometimes it's easier than you think to convert a denial into an approval. Chase has denied it multiple times, but I was able to get them to reconsider my decision by calling the reconsideration number.
Your chances of success depend largely on why you were denied. This information is contained in the Chase denial letter. These are the most frequent reasons Chase denies you:
- Chase didn't want your credit score to be too high for this card. This is difficult to overcome. You should review the suggested credit score to apply for a credit card. It is possible to request a reconsideration depending on your credit history and whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Your income may not be sufficient. If you don't have income, you might be able to convince a representative to approve the application. To ensure you include everything, review what constitutes income for a credit card application.
- Chase won't issue any credit to you if you have Chase cards. Representatives will sometimes allow you to reduce your credit lines on existing cards so that you can apply for a new card. You could, for example, reduce your Chase credit limit by $5,000 and a representative may then approve you for the card with a $5,000 credit limit.
- You are not eligible for the Chase card if you have opened too many credit cards within the past 24 months. Chase will only count credit card accounts that you are an authorized user and not the primary cardholder. You may be eligible to request reconsideration in this case.
If the first representative is unable to help, you can always call back later. Some representatives are more flexible than others. You only need one representative willing to accept your application.