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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.
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I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred — which card should I get next?
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
July 18, 2025 • 14 min read
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Quick summary
The article explores optimal next steps for those who already hold a popular travel rewards card, outlining three main strategies for expanding a points and miles portfolio.
Options include pairing with another card that earns the same transferable rewards, choosing a card tied to a specific loyalty program, or diversifying into a different transferable rewards ecosystem.
Each approach offers unique benefits, such as maximizing rewards in specific spending categories, accessing exclusive travel perks, or broadening redemption opportunities with new partners.
Selecting the right card depends on individual travel goals, preferred loyalty programs and spending habits.
What to consider
Some cards offer enhanced rewards in select categories or at specific merchants, which can complement your existing card's strengths.
Eligibility rules, such as application timing and restrictions based on recent card openings, may affect your approval chances.
Certain benefits, like annual free nights or statement credits, may require activation or a minimum spend within a set timeframe.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the advantages and trade-offs among the three main strategies for expanding your travel rewards setup.
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.
We often recommend it as a great travel rewards card for beginners and travel rewards veterans alike for its solid earning potential, excellent point redemption options and relatively low annual fee.
But if you’ve already listened to us and gotten the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your next card decision might seem more daunting and complicated. In reality, there are a lot of really good card options to take you to the next phase of your points and miles journey. It's hard to make a bad choice as long as you keep a few things in mind.
Let's break down the three major schools of thought on which card you should get to pair with your trusty Sapphire Preferred to help you decide which approach is best for you.
There is no single right answer that applies to everyone, so you’ll want to consider your own situation to determine which makes the most sense. Think about what bonus categories you often spend in, what loyalty programs you favor and whether you want to focus on Chase before going over 5/24.
If you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, though, you’ll be able to combine your rewards and transfer them to the full range of Chase's transfer partners.
If you find yourself ready to juggle a few cards but want to keep earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can use all three cards (Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex) to maximize your Ultimate Rewards-earning potential on all of your purchases. TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak uses this strategy to maximize the amount of Ultimate Rewards she earns.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards rate: With the Freedom Unlimited, you'll earn:
5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
3% back on dining
3% back on drugstores
1.5% back on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: This card is excellent to pair with your Chase Sapphire Preferred because it earns 1.5% (or points per dollar spent) on all purchases, which is 50% more than the Sapphire Preferred (1 point per dollar spent on purchases outside of its bonus categories).
Even with our own more advanced card portfolios, this is a card TPGers reach for often. It allows us to earn a decent return on purchases that don’t fall under most bonus categories, such as auto repairs and specialty items. With its current welcome bonus, it will make sense for most Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards rate: The Freedom Flex earns:
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
3% back on drugstore purchases
3% back on dining
1% back on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: With this card, you’ll get 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) on qualifying purchases in merchant categories and at specific retailers that change each quarter (on up to $1,500 of spending each quarter).
For example, during the fourth quarter of 2025 (Oct. 1 through Dec. 31), you'll earn up to 7% cash back (or up to 7 points per dollar spent) on dining, and 5% back at grocery stores and American Red Cross donations. Activation required.
This card gives you a great way to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points on different spending categories.
Option 2: A card to earn additional points with a Chase transfer partner
If you consistently transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to a specific transfer partner, like United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt, you should consider a cobranded card to maximize your points-earning potential. A cobranded card will also provide benefits associated with that specific partner, like free checked bags or complimentary hotel elite status.
United Quest Card
Annual fee: $350
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP: Earn 500 PQP after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG's October 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $1,080 (including the points from adding an authorized user; not including the value of the PQPs).
5 miles per dollar spent when you prepay for a booking through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers
4 miles per dollar spent on other eligible United Airlines purchases
2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: Since United is one of Chase's most valuable travel partners, this card will greatly improve the value you receive when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to United. For example, when you have a United Quest card, your miles will go much further due to the additional award availability offered to all United cardholders.
You’ll also receive a free first and second checked bag for yourself and a companion, and priority boarding. Other benefits include two 10,000-mile award flight discounts (one after every card anniversary and another you can earn after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year), 25% back on United inflight purchases and an up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit.
An automatic annual $200 in United TravelBank Cash will also help take the sting out of this card’s $350 annual fee.
The United Quest card offers elitelike benefits you can enjoy while taking the trips you've redeemed with your Ultimate Rewards. If you fly United regularly, this is a great card to add to your wallet.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 point, on up to $15,000 spent.
According to TPG's August 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $960.
2 points per dollar spent on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting and fitness club and gym memberships
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: The World of Hyatt program is easily the most valuable hotel transfer partner offered by Ultimate Rewards, so you’ll want to enjoy as many perks as possible when redeeming your rewards for stays at Hyatt.
You’ll receive Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open and five qualifying night credits toward your next status tier every year. Plus, you can earn two additional qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card, making it much easier to reach the next tier of elite status even if you’re not on the road constantly.
Another popular benefit on this card is the annual free night you receive after your cardmember anniversary (valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort), as well as an additional free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Suppose you feel ready to venture into another issuer's loyalty program. In that case, you’ll want to open a card that will build you another set of transferable rewards. Here are some great choices:
American Express Gold Card
Annual fee: $325 (see )
Welcome bonus: New cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth as much as $2,000.
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline, on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels, car rental or cruises booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer bonus rewards for grocery purchases (other than online groceries), so this is an excellent card to use at U.S. supermarkets.
The Amex Gold also offers a variety of statement credits geared toward foodies every calendar year to help offset its $325 annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus receive a $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.
According to TPG's September 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,688 (including the credit).
5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred has incredible transfer partners, but it can’t account for all travel purchases. That's where the Venture Rewards can come in. The miles you earn from your Capital One Venture Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits toward nearly any travel purchase.
The Venture Rewards allows you to transfer your miles to 15-plus airline and hotel programs, including some partners that Chase doesn't have.
10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) when you book through CitiTravel.com
3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations
3 points per dollar spent on air travel and other hotel purchases made outside CitiTravel.com
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Why this card pairs well: The Citi ThankYou Rewards program offers several transfer partners that Chase doesn’t, such as Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Etihad Guest and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. It also offers valuable bonus-earning rates at supermarkets and gas stations, which the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t.
This card also comes with a hotel savings benefit worth $100 off a $500 or more single hotel stay (excluding taxes and fees) once each calendar year. However, that stay must be booked through Citi’s travel portal, limiting its utility to some extent.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is excellent on its own, but it’s even better when paired with other cards. Whether you want to focus on earning more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, build out your stash of points or miles with one of Chase’s transfer partners or diversify into another set of transferable rewards, you have great options available to you.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll build on the knowledge you’ve obtained through the Sapphire Preferred and take another step toward paying for your next dream trip with points and miles.
