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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
New to travel rewards? Here’s the perfect beginner card combo
Featured image by PANUWAT DANGSUNGNOEN/GETTY IMAGES
Compliance associate Paige Balcom joined TPG in 2022 and has spent her time working in the credit card industry reviewing content across sites such as CNET, CreditCards.com and Bankrate. She has used her knowledge to train new writers and other compliance members on the intricacies of compliance across multiple brands and partners.
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
also contributed to this story
July 9, 2026 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
Starting with two complementary rewards cards can simplify earning travel rewards for beginners.
One card is ideal for everyday purchases, while the other unlocks flexible points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Combining these cards allows users to pool rewards into a single balance, maximizing redemption value as travel goals evolve.
This pairing offers a straightforward, scalable foundation for building a long-term travel rewards strategy.
What to consider
Approval for these cards may be restricted by the 5/24 rule, which limits eligibility if you have opened five or more personal cards in the past 24 months.
To transfer or maximize points with travel partners, you must hold a card that earns flexible points outright.
Redemption rates and partner availability may vary, so reviewing program terms is important for optimal value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed guide on how to strategically use and combine these two cards for maximum travel rewards value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Whether you start with one card or eventually carry both, this pairing gives you a flexible foundation that can grow with you as your travel goals evolve.
Why this is the best beginner card combo
There are plenty of great travel cards, but this pairing stands out because it checks all the boxes for someone just getting started.
It's simple
You don't have to memorize dozens of bonus categories or juggle multiple loyalty programs. These two cards complement each other naturally.
Many beginners start with the no-annual-fee Freedom Unlimited and later add the Sapphire Preferred. Once you have both, you can combine the rewards you earn on each card into a single Ultimate Rewards balance.
DEJAN MARJANOVIC/GETTY IMAGES
That means the cash back earned on the Freedom Unlimited can become transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points when paired with the Sapphire Preferred.
One more reason to prioritize these cards early is Chase's well-known 5/24 rule. In general, if you've opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers within the past 24 months, you're unlikely to be approved for most Chase cards, including the Freedom Unlimited and the Sapphire Preferred.
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES
If these cards are on your wish list, it's often best to apply before filling your wallet with cards from other issuers.
Welcome bonus: New cardholders earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG’s July 2026 valuations place this welcome bonus at $1,538, based on the ability to maximize the points earned with hotel and airline transfer partners.
Annual fee: $95.
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates:
5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel
3 points per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), as well as select streaming services, gas and electric vehicle charging, vacation homes at top brands* and online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
*Top brands for vacation homes include Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa.
Why beginners love it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred strikes a great balance between valuable rewards and an approachable annual fee. It earns bonus points on common purchases like travel and dining, with a broad travel category that includes everything from flights and hotels to taxis, tolls, parking and travel agencies — making it easy to rack up points even if you don't travel frequently.
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 bonus cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates:
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
3% cash back on dining and at drugstores
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Why beginners love it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is an easy card to use every day, thanks to elevated rewards on common spending categories and 1.5% cash back on purchases that don't earn bonus rewards. It's a strong cash-back card on its own, but its real value comes when you pair it with a Chase Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
At that point, the cash back you've earned can be converted into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, giving you access to Chase's airline and hotel partners or higher-value redemptions through Chase Travel. Even if you start with the Freedom Unlimited, you can always add the Sapphire Preferred later and combine your rewards into one Ultimate Rewards account, making it a simple first card that grows with your travel goals.
As mentioned above, rewards earned with the Freedom Unlimited — and its sibling, the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex® (see ) — become much more valuable when you also hold a higher-end Chase card. This is because you can only convert your cash back into transferable points with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points outright.
Even if you don’t plan on transferring points to travel partners such as United Airlines, Hyatt, Southwest Airlines and British Airways, these cards offer extra value when redeeming points through the Chase Travel portal for travel. In other words, rather than redeem each point for 1 cent each with just a Freedom card, you’ll be able to redeem each point at a rate of up to 1.75 or 2 cents by also having the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve, respectively, depending on the card and the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details).
If you simply want cash back and never plan on pairing your cards, you should check out other cash-back credit cards with higher returns. But those looking to build a long-term card strategy can utilize the Chase Freedom Unlimited pairing capabilities with a card that unlocks Ultimate Rewards redemptions.
Using these two cards strategically puts you in a good position to earn and redeem travel rewards for maximum value.
TRAVEL ALASKA/BEN PRESCOTT
For starters, all travel purchases not made through the Chase Travel portal (like Uber rides and Airbnb stays) should go on the Sapphire Preferred to earn bonus points and get excellent travel protections. You should also use the Sapphire Preferred for dining, select streaming services, gas, EV charging and online grocery purchases to earn 3 points per dollar spent. And since the card waives foreign transaction fees, you’ll want to use it for all purchases made outside the U.S.
As for drugstore purchases and all other everyday purchases, those should go on the Freedom Unlimited.
If you're comfortable paying a $95 annual fee and have established credit, the Sapphire Preferred is often the better first application because it earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points immediately.
If you'd rather begin with a no-annual-fee card, the Freedom Unlimited is an excellent starting point. You can always add the Sapphire Preferred later and combine your rewards.
Either path ultimately gets you to the same place: a flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy.
Bottom line
If you're new to travel rewards, you don't need a wallet full of credit cards to start earning valuable points.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Sapphire Preferred complement each other exceptionally well. One helps maximize everyday spending, while the other unlocks the full value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points through travel redemptions and transfer partners.
Start with the card that best fits your budget and spending habits today, then add the second when you're ready. Together, they create a simple, scalable strategy that can grow alongside your travel goals.
