Best Chase credit cards of May 2026
Chase credit cards can come with solid cash-back rates or valuable transferable reward points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you’re looking to earn more on your spending, consider our top picks for the best Chase credit cards. Chase offers a wide selection of credit cards for all customers, whether you’re looking for the easiest cash-back option or a premium travel card.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for dining and travel combined
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for overall mid-tier cards
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for no annual fee business card
- United℠ Explorer Card: Best for occasional United flyers
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for office supplies and technology services
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Best for business travel rewards
- United Quest℠ Card: Best for frequent United flyers
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for business travelers
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for flexible cash rewards
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for casual Southwest flyers on a budget
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for frequent Southwest flyers
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories
Comparing the best Chase credit cards
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8x | Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠. |
| 4x | Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on dining worldwide. |
| 1x | Earn 1x points on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $2,800 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
Pros
- Automatic $300 annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- Earn 8 points per dollar spent on Chase Travel purchases and 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct
- Over $2,800 in total annual cardmember value through travel, and including credits for StubHub, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and DoorDash
- $300 annual dining credit (split up as two semiannual $150 credits) for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants
- Access to Chase’s 14 hotel and airline travel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027)
Cons
- Steep $795 annual fee, plus a $195 fee per authorized user
- Some credits are split biannually, requiring careful tracking to maximize value
- Some credits require enrollment or specific platforms, which may make it more difficult to maximize value
- May not be a good fit for those who don’t spend heavily on travel or select lifestyle categories
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5x | Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | Earn 1x on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points for Chase Travel bookings or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
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 Chase Travel
- 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 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1.5% | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business |
The Ink Business Unlimited offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Primary insurance for car rentals
Cons
- Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
- No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire 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
- Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 9x | Earn 9x total miles on eligible United flights. |
| 3x | Earn 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. |
| 1x | Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. |
Between a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, two annual lounge visits and a free checked bag, the United Explorer card is packed with perks that will enhance your trips for even occasional United flyers. Read our full review of the United Explorer card.
Pros
- First checked bag free for you and a companion on United flights
- Two, one-time United Club passes when the cardholder or authorized user is traveling each year of card membership
- Up to $120 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- Elite status shortcut
- Trip cancellation, trip delay and baggage insurance
Cons
- Miles redemption limited to United and Star Alliance partners
- Only provides lounge access two times
- Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- NEW! Save at least 10% when booking flights with miles. Premier members earn even more.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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 on dining and gas each account anniversary year. |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
The Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. On top of that, the Ink Business Cash card also offers automatic credit limit increase assessments every six months — and sometimes even sooner — to suit the needs of growing businesses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash card.
Pros
- Lucrative sign-up bonus.
- 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 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after 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 on dining and gas each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Complimentary three-month lnstacart+ membership.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Member FDIC
Comparing the best Chase credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | dining and travel combined | 150,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 125,000 bonus points | 1 - 8X points Open Rewards rates
| $795 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | overall mid-tier cards | 75,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | no annual fee business card | Earn $750 bonus cash back Open Intro bonus Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1.5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | occasional United flyers | Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | 1 - 9X miles Open Rewards rates
| $0 Intro Annual fee for the First Year, then $150 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | office supplies and technology services | Earn $750 bonus cash back Open Intro bonus Earn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening | 1 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 |
More details on the best Chase credit cards
The Sapphire Reserve offers exceptional value for frequent travelers through generous rewards on travel spending, flexible point transfers and over $2,800 in potential annual perks.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is best suited for travelers who can take full advantage of its elevated earning rates, statement credits and wide range of luxury benefits.
If you regularly spend on travel and lifestyle purchases, and want a premium reward card that delivers both luxury benefits and long-term value, the Sapphire Reserve is a card you should consider.
If you're looking for similar premium travel benefits but are an Amex loyalist, the American Express Platinum Card® is a strong competitor. It carries an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) and offers extensive luxury perks, including access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection for eligible card members, complimentary Hilton and Marriott elite status (enrollment is required for select benefits), and annual statement credits across categories like airfare, hotels, ridesharing services, digital entertainment and more. Its rewards are also flexible to redeem for general travel, but are mostly focused on luxury experiences.
For those looking for a more budget-friendly entry point into travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular alternative — and one of our favorite beginner travel cards here at TPG. It has a much lower fee of $95, earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and offers access to the same Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. While it lacks the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve, it still provides solid travel protections and the ability to build up a stash of valuable points over time. It’s a great starter card for those new to travel rewards or not yet ready to commit to a premium card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel rewards credit cards available. It offers comprehensive travel protection plus elevated rewards on travel and dining purchases while maintaining a reasonable $95 annual fee.
New travel credit card users who are looking to earn transferable rewards without committing to a high annual fee would be a great fit for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5-plus years and is the go-to midlevel 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 earning rates 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 rental car insurance and a little more peace of mind.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
Transferable points are often considered the golden currency in the travel reward world, but if you find that you prefer American Express travel® partners, the American Express® Green Card offers a comparatively low annual fee while still allowing you to earn on travel, restaurants and more.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
There is no easier cash-back business card than the Ink Business Unlimited, as you’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases. In addition, it features a generous introductory annual percentage rate period and primary insurance on business-related car rentals — all for no annual fee.
Small-business owners who want a simple business card will benefit from the Ink Business Unlimited’s flat reward rate.
“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited cards. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, whilst the Ink Unlimited covers everything else, with a flat 1.5% earning rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
If your business has more specialized purchases that align with the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, it can be a better fit, as the bonus categories have higher earning rates than the Ink Business Unlimited’s flat 1.5%.
The United Explorer Card is geared toward both frequent and occasional United flyers and offers plenty of benefits, such as a free checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, two annual one-time United Club passes (redeemable by the cardholder or authorized user) and a discount on in-flight purchases. It also earns bonus miles on various purchases, including dining and hotels, putting your next award ticket within reach sooner.
If you’re a casual United flyer and want to earn valuable cost-saving perks like a complimentary checked bag (worth $40 on domestic flights) and two one-time United Club passes (worth $59 per entry), you’ll easily get your money’s worth from this card’s $150 annual fee, $0 intro annual fee for the first year.
“The United Explorer Card offers an array of perks that will enhance your travel experiences on United, even if you only fly with United occasionally. With benefits like a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, two annual United Club one-time passes and a complimentary checked bag, this card is packed with valuable perks that help you get your money’s worth year after year.” — Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
If you want to earn more Premier qualifying points and don’t value the two United Club one-time passes that highly, we recommend the United Quest℠ Card. This card offers a $200 United purchase credit annually and 4 miles per dollar on United purchases, in addition to other perks.
The Ink Business Cash offers a great introductory offer, no annual fee and multiple elevated reward rates. In addition, you can increase the value of your rewards by transferring rewards to an eligible Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points.
New business owners who are looking to separate their business and personal expenses while earning rewards on a card with no annual fee should consider the Ink Business Cash card.
The Ink Business Cash card offers elevated cash-back rates on regular business categories and a solid sign-up offer, all with no annual fee. When combined with a higher-end Ultimate Rewards card, the Ink Business Cash is a no-brainer for any small-business owner looking to maximize their rewards earning.
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee business card but have varied spending habits, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. That card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending and features a great introductory bonus.
The Chase Sapphire Business Card is built for business owners who want premium travel perks and solid everyday earning potential. With 3 points per dollar spent on select business categories, plus flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards, it’s a high-value card for business owners on the move.
This card is ideal for business owners who travel frequently, want to earn valuable rewards on both business and everyday purchases and appreciate premium benefits like travel protections, airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees.
If you’re looking to turn business expenses into meaningful travel rewards — and want premium perks usually reserved for personal cards — the Sapphire Business Card’s strong earning power, flexible redemption options and travel-friendly benefits make it a standout choice.
If you want access to the Centurion Lounge and other top-tier travel perks, you might consider The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. While it carries a hefty $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), it offers 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, access to thousands of lounges worldwide and earns 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories (on up to $2 million per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
The United Quest Card is an excellent choice for a mid-tier United card, offering substantial value that more than justifies its annual fee. The card’s annual $200 credit for United purchases makes up for more than half its annual fee, and you can save on award flight redemptions thanks to a 10,000-mile anniversary award flight credit when you redeem for flights on United or United Express. Plus, you can earn another 10,000-mile flight credit after spending $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year. Additionally, you can enjoy baggage perks, priority boarding and a generous PQP maximum, making it a highly rewarding option for a mid-tier travel card.
The United Quest Card is an excellent choice for folks who already fly United frequently but can still take advantage of benefits like a first and second checked bag free for you and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding and a discount on inflight food, drink and Wi-Fi purchases.
“For United flyers who aren’t concerned about accessing the United Club, the Quest provides the perfect benefits for a card with its annual fee. The $200 annual travel credit on United purchases is effectively cash back for United flyers.”— Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
For an even lower annual fee, the United℠ Explorer Card offers priority boarding and one complimentary checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation. Plus, with the Explorer card, you’ll earn miles on everyday purchases.
You get tons of perks for a $95 annual fee. Currently, new cardholders can qualify for the 100,000 bonus points welcome offer by spending $8,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Although this is primarily a business card, it’s also a great travel card as well. Frequent flyers who book trips through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards can maximize the value of their earned points when booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. The best part? The cash back you earn doesn’t expire as long as your account remains open.
“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter, senior writer
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a good option if you want to avoid paying an annual fee and want to earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend at office supply stores, on internet, cable and your phone bill, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend at gas stations and restaurants plus an unlimited 1% cash back on every other purchase you make.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited features a simple earning structure and a flat 1.5% earning rate on all other purchases outside of key categories. This makes it a great go-to for everyday spending, especially to fill in any gaps in your earning strategy.
If you’re relatively new to credit card rewards programs, the Freedom Unlimited is a solid card to get started with since its earning categories are pretty straightforward and there are no rotating categories you have to worry about tracking and activating.
“The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option, especially for anyone with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It has solid bonus categories but also gives 1.5% back on all other purchases. And, if you have a higher-end Chase card, you can effectively convert these cash-back earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.” — Nick Ewen, Director of Content
Those seeking a travel rewards card with no annual fee should consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. It earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel in addition to 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. The VentureOne Rewards also has no foreign transaction fees making it an ideal travel companion, especially for starters.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card is a great starter card for Southwest travelers thanks to its low annual fee. In addition to earning bonus points on Southwest purchases, the card comes with bonus points for each account anniversary, a free checked bag for you and eight companions on the same reservation, and 25% back on inflight purchases.
If you’re a casual Southwest flyer (at least once a year), you’ll likely benefit from the perks on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card.
For beginner travelers who occasionally fly Southwest, adding the Southwest Plus card can be a great way to expand your travel card collection.
If you’re looking for more benefits from your Southwest credit card, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card which features a higher annual bonus upon card renewal and additional benefits when flying the carrier.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Southwest Priority card is a great card for Southwest loyalists who can maximize the card’s perks and benefits. Some notable features include an annual bonus of 7,500 Rapid Rewards points (valued around $105, according to TPG’s monthly valuations), complimentary first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation and unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seating (within 48 hours of departure, when available).
Southwest loyalists can easily justify the Priority’s annual fee with the anniversary point bonus and other travel perks.
Any Southwest loyalist should add the Priority card to their travel wallet, as the perks and benefits easily pay for the annual fee every year.
If you still want a Southwest card but find that you don’t need all of the perks on the Priority, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which offers similar perks with a lower fee.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Freedom Flex makes cash-back earning easier than ever. You can earn elevated cash back on dining and travel, but every quarter, the Freedom Flex also earns 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at a rotating selection of merchants (after activation).
The Chase Freedom Flex is a great addition to any beginner’s wallet since it has no annual fee and offers a large spectrum of elevated cash-back categories.
“I love when a cash-back card is more than a cash-back card, and that's definitely the case with the Chase Freedom Flex. I can effectively convert the cash-back rewards on this card into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, since I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — opening up fantastic redemptions like luxury World of Hyatt properties and top-notch premium airplane cabins.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you know your spending habits do not align with the quarterly bonus categories offered by the Chase Freedom Flex, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® instead. You will still earn the same elevated rate on travel and dining but you get 1.5% cash back on all other purchases instead of 1%.
How we rate
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Chase card — and why?
More than half of TPG readers hold more than one Chase card
A recent survey revealed that 52% of TPG readers prioritize earning high-value credit card points and cash back by holding a Chase Sapphire card along with a Chase Freedom* card.
We also discovered that nearly 60% of TPG readers hold at least one card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which we value at 2.05 cents apiece. When you account for Chase’s transfer partners and how valuable Ultimate Rewards points are, these numbers aren’t surprising.
*The information for the Chase Freedom® card, Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Chase Freedom Rise® card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How to choose the best Chase credit card
- Choose a card that aligns with your financial goals — if you’re saving for a big vacation, applying for a card with a generous sign-up bonus may help cover some of the travel costs for that trip.1Sign-up bonus
- Whether your preference is a card with no annual fee or a premium card with a high annual fee, choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.2Annual fee
- Choose the card that earns rewards in your most frequently used bonus categories like groceries, gas and streaming subscriptions.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of Chase credit cards
Pros
- Chase offers multiple credit cards to earn multiple types of rewards, such as cash back and transferable points
- Some Chase credit cards earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel through Chase Travel or transferred to partners for maximum value
- Some Chase credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection
- Chase credit cards come with access to Chase Sapphire lounges
- Multiple Chase credit cards pair well together to help you earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points to maximize your travel purchases
Cons
- Carrying a balance on your Chase card can lessen the value of rewards you earn
- The cost of borrowing on Chase credit cards is higher than traditional loans
- Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
- Chase has some of the most stringent application restrictions of any issuer
- Some Chase credit cards come with an annual fee
How to apply for a Chase credit card
You can apply for a Chase credit card online, by mail or in person at a Chase bank. You'll need some basic information like your social security number and gross annual income. Here's what else you should know before you submit an application.
Frequently asked questions
There’s no single Chase credit card that’s best for everyone. Instead, it will depend on your spending habits and what rewards you are looking for. Luckily, Chase cards are easy to pair and maximize, so you can consider adding multiple cards to your wallet.
To apply for any Chase card on this list, you can click on the card’s name, photo or “Apply Now” link to the right of the card. Then, simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete (and submit) your application.
Chase doesn’t have an official limit on the number of Chase cards one person can have. In fact, many TPG staffers have had several Chase credit cards at the same time. However, Chase does limit the amount of total credit it will extend to you. It also has the 5/24 rule (more on that below). Finally, as a general rule of thumb, you can only be approved for one personal card and one business card within 90 days — but even that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.
There are also different application rules for specific Chase cards. You can now hold more than one Sapphire product at the same time, though welcome bonus eligibility for Sapphire products has changed.
For example, if you've received a welcome bonus on one consumer Sapphire product, you will most likely not be eligible to receive another welcome bonus on any other consumer Sapphire product. This excludes the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ as it's a business card and not a personal consumer card.
You can only have a single personal Southwest credit card; however, you can hold both a Southwest business card and personal card, which is a great way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.
For more details on Chase’s application rules, read our guide to credit card application restrictions.
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.
To cancel a Chase credit card, you’ll need to call the number on the back of your card. A phone agent can help you complete the cancellation process. However, be sure to use (or transfer) all of your rewards first, since you may forfeit them after canceling (or shortly thereafter). Pay off any outstanding balances, and be sure to update your account with any merchants that automatically bill the card you’re closing.
Just note that canceling a credit card should not be taken lightly, as it can affect your credit score. You can check out our guide to how to cancel a credit card to help you determine if you should go this route.
Chase does not publish an official score for approval, but our data suggests that a score of at least 670 will increase your chances of getting approved. In addition, rewards credit cards generally require a higher credit score for approval, typically 720-plus.
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.