Chase credit cards offer distinct rewards for cash-back enthusiasts and travelers, as well as buzzed-about card designs. When the Chase Sapphire Reserve® launched in 2016 with a metal card design, so many people applied that there was a shortage of the metal needed to make the card.
Many Chase cards regularly make headlines when new changes are made, such as when Chase added DoorDash benefits to select cards and made updates to the Chase Freedom® cash-back calendar.
Whether you're looking to earn rewards, pay off debt, travel or simplify business expenses, there's a Chase credit card for you.
Below, CNBC Select breaks down the best Chase credit cards into seven categories so you can open the best card based on your spending habits.
Best Chase credit cards
- Best no-annual-fee card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best luxury card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best cash-back card: Chase Freedom Flex®
- Best no-annual-fee business card: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Best small business card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best no-annual-fee card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rewards
Enjoy 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 3% cash back 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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.
Welcome bonus
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!
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Rewards can be transferred to a Chase Ultimate Rewards card
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
Who's this for? Consumers who want a simple rewards program that doesn't require much optimization should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you want to maximize rewards within the first few months of account opening, there's a generous welcome 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! Cardholders earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 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 Chase Travel, 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.
While the Chase Freedom Unlimited card has a different cash-back program from the Freedom Flex card, it also has no annual fee and special financing. You can benefit from a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after, 20.49% - 29.24% variable APR). There's an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, it's either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Best travel card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards
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, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Welcome bonus
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 Travel℠.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
Pros
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
- Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
- Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR
Who's this for? Frequent travelers can benefit from a competitive rewards program and more value on travel redemptions with the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. Cardholders earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X on all other purchases for a reasonable $95 annual fee.
Plus, you can earn a welcome bonus: 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 Travel℠.
Points are worth 25% more when redeemed toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase Travel℠.
The Sapphire Preferred also allows you to transfer your Chase points to Chase's airline and hotel partners, including United, British Airways, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and more. If you transfer to the right partner and want to book luxury travel, you can get huge value from your points.
Aside from rewards, cardholders can benefit from a variety of travel perks, such as a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fee, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
If you're looking for a luxury travel card with enhanced rewards and benefits, check out the Chase Sapphire Reserve® below.
Best luxury travel card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ 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 plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
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 Travel℠.
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
- Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
- Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
- Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
- Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
Cons
- High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
- No introductory APR
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the beefed-up version of the Sapphire Preferred card, with more robust rewards and benefits programs that are suitable for people looking to travel in luxury. Cardholders earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when purchased through Chase Travel℠. They also earn 3X points on other travel and dining and 1X point on all other purchases.
You'll also receive a $300 annual statement credit to apply to qualifying travel expenses, such as airfare, hotels, tolls and more. This credit can help you upgrade to an extra-space seat or offset the cost of staying another night at a hotel.
Another benefit for frequent fliers is a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. And if you want to relax before a flight, the Sapphire Reserve's complimentary Priority Pass Select membership gives you access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide with free amenities, such as Wi-Fi, snacks and beverages.
Points are worth 50% more when redeemed toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. When it comes to lodging, you can book through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection to take advantage of upgrades upon arrival, complimentary breakfast for two, flexible check-in times, extra amenities and special discounts (upon availability).
Keep in mind the Sapphire Reserve has a steep $550 annual fee, which is in line with other premium credit cards and can be offset by the numerous statement credit offers. Though that doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone. If you want a lower annual fee, consider the Sapphire Preferred ($95 a year).
Best cash-back card
Chase Freedom Flex®
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply. Information about the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Read our Chase Freedom Flex® review.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous welcome bonus
- Opportunity to earn up to 5% cash back in select categories upon activation
- Rewards can be transferred to a Chase Ultimate Rewards card
Cons
- Bonus categories must be activated each quarter
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
Who's this for? If you're looking to maximize cash back in a variety of rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex® may be the card for you. (Learn more about how Chase classifies bonus category purchases.)
In addition to rotating rewards, you can earn 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and at drug stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Beyond rewards, you can take advantage of no annual fee and a competitive no-interest intro period for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after, 20.49% - 29.24% variable APR). There's an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that it's either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Freedom card also provides select partner benefits, such as 5% cash back on Lyft purchases through March 2025 and complimentary three months of DashPass, plus 50% off for the next nine months when you activate by December 2024. This perk provides you with free delivery on DoorDash orders over $12 and lower service fees.
If you don't want to deal with rotating bonus categories and rewards activation, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, our pick for best no-annual-fee Chase card.
Best no-annual-fee business card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Rewards
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 (then 1%); 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%); 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases; N/A for balance transfers
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Free employee cards
- Cash back geared toward popular business expenses
- Special financing offer for purchases
Cons
- 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Who's this for? Small business owners have a lot on their plate, but expenses can be simplified with a small business card, such as the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. This card has no annual fee and allows you to open employee cards at no additional cost with the ability to set individual spending limits.
All purchases made by you and your employees earn cash back geared toward common business expenses: 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 (then 1%) as well as 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%). All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
The Ink Business Cash Credit Card provides helpful travel perks, such as a 3% foreign transaction fee, auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance.
This card also comes with purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Best business card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 26.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- Free employee cards
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase TravelSM
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,000
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
Who's this for? The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is ideal for business owners who want to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on common business expenses. Cardholders earn 3X points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year: travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. All other purchases earn 1X point per dollar.
This card comes with a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase TravelSM, making the 100,000-point bonus worth at least $1,250 towards travel. You can also transfer points earned with the Ink Preferred to Chase's travel partners.
There is a $95 annual fee, but the card comes with helpful perks that can help offset it, such as zero foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and free employee cards. Cardholders also get cell phone protection, which covers up to $1,000 per claim against covered theft or damage for you and your employees listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay with your card.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
FAQs
Which Chase credit card is best?
The "best" Chase credit card depends on your spending habits, financial goals and credit score. From cash-back cards to travel rewards cards, co-branded cards and small business cards, Chase offers a range of credit cards, each with unique features and benefits that cater to different needs. For many people, the best option is to pair multiple Chase cards together because of how well they complement each other.
How do I redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points?
You can redeem your Chase points through the Ultimate Rewards portal or Chase Travel℠ for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. Chase points are generally worth at least one cent per point, but have the potential to be worth 25% or 50% more, depending on what credit card you have. You may be able to get even more value than that by transferring and redeeming your points through Chase's airline and hotel partners, such as United Airlines, Air Canada Aeroplan, Southwest, JetBlue, British Airways, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt.
How do I get approved for a Chase credit card?
Chase will usually approve or deny you instantly when applying for a credit card online. Every card has its own approval requirements, but in general, you'll need to have good or excellent credit (scores 670 or higher) in order to be approved for Chase's top cards. That said, there are other factors Chase considers as well, including income and your relationship with the bank. Chase will never approve applicants who have opened more than five cards across issuers within the past 24 months.
How do I cancel a Chase credit card?
Experts generally recommend downgrading your credit card as opposed to canceling as it can have a negative impact on your credit score. If you still want to close your credit card, you must pay off any remaining balance and redeem any rewards. Then, call the number on the back of your card to request your card be canceled.
Read more
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best Chase credit cards
Our methodology
To determine which credit cards offer the best value for various categories, CNBC Select analyzed Chase credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here.
Esri's data team created a sample annual budget of approximately $22,126 in retail spending. The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.
Select used this budget to estimate how much the average consumer would save over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee.
While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your shopping habits.
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