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Best Chase Credit Cards of October 2024

Chase has made a name for itself in the credit card arena, offering a diverse range of options for various lifestyles. Whether you’re a travel aficionado seeking a lucrative travel rewards card or a savvy spender looking to maximize cash back, Chase credit cards present a myriad of opportunities.

Let’s explore the best options, benefits of Chase credit cards, the types available, and how to choose the right one.

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Our picks for the best Chase credit cards

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for Flexible Cash Back Rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited?

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Up to 6.5% Reward Rate

Enjoy 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 services, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel?, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Up to $300 cash back
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
We love the Chase Freedom Unlimited? card, and we think you will too. It’s a great option for those looking for flexibility in their rewards, offering flat-rate rewards on all purchases and generous cash-back in other useful categories. On top of that, it comes with a fantastic welcome offer. You’d think a card with such great rewards would have an annual fee, right? Think again. Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee. Although this card is marketed as earning cash back, it goes beyond that. The rewards you earn are part of the top-of-the-line Chase Ultimate Rewards program, meaning they’re extra flexible to redeem. In the saturated world of credit cards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited? manages to stand out, which is why it’s one of our favorite options.

Best High-End Travel Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve?

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Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 10X points on Chase Dining purchases, 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel, 3X points on non-Chase travel and dining, and 1X points on all non-bonus spending.

Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer
60,000 points
Regular APR
22.49% to 29.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
Why we like it
The Chase Sapphire Reserve stands as a premium credit card, delivering an exceptional array of benefits for frequent travelers. It offers an impressive reward rate on travel, with up to 10X points on eligible purchases (Note: You won’t start earning points until the $300 annual travel statement credit is fully spent. The first $300 spent on travel each year will automatically go towards the statement credit). It also boasts a $300 yearly travel credit that can help justify the bulk of the annual fee. Outside of that, cardholders can take advantage of complimentary airport lounge access, great travel insurance perks, valuable partner benefits, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee credit. If you’re looking for a card with a huge travel rewards rate and generous travel perks, and you don’t mind paying a substantial annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card may fit the bill.

Best for Business Rewards

Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each anniversary year, and earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
90,000 points
Regular APR
21.24% to 26.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
We like that the Ink Business Preferred has a high rewards-earning rate on travel and certain business purchases, as well as rewards on purchases that don’t fall into those categories. It also boasts various additional perks like travel insurance and cell phone protection. The extremely generous welcome bonus is certainly a plus for us as well, offering 90K bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening, all for a low $95 annual fee. The points you earn are part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, meaning they’re super flexible to redeem. If you spend enough in the 3X points categories, this card could reward you handsomely.

Best Flat-rate Cash Back for Businesses

Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card

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1.5% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made for your business.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$900
Regular APR
18.49% to 24.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
The Ink Business Unlimited isn’t the highest-earning card out there, but it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a card that offers simple rewards for no annual fee. With this card, you can earn 1.5% back on all purchases, so if your spending doesn’t align with typical business card bonus categories, it gives you a chance to earn decent rewards on your purchases. On top of that, this card has a 0% intro APR offer, something not many business cards can boast. Additionally, Ink Business Unlimited cardholders can benefit from travel insurance benefits, purchase protection, and more.

Comparing the best Chase credit cards

Advertiser Disclosure
Card name
Best for
Annual fee
Intro offer
Reward rate
Best for Travel Rewards
$95
60,000 points + $300 travel credit
1X-5X points
Best for Flexible Cash Back Rewards
$0
Up to $300 cash back
1.5%-6.5% cash back
Best High-End Travel Card
$550
60,000 points
1X-10X points
Best Flat-rate Cash Back for Businesses
$0
$900
1.5% cash back

Best Chase credit cards: Editorial reviews, details & rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card is one of the most popular credit cards in America. It offers generous rewards on travel purchases and non-travel purchases, and the points you earn fall into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. This program lets you redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, a statement credit, merchandise, travel through Chase, or point transfers to airline and hotel partners.

Chase Freedom Unlimited?

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Many of Chase’s best cards come with high annual fees, but not the Chase Freedom Unlimited?. This card has no annual fee and comes with an exceptional earning rate. It has a solid cash-back rate on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases, as well as a good rate on purchases outside of those categories. If you can utilize those categories, this card has the potential to be very valuable.

Chase Sapphire Reserve?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve? card is a top-tier credit card for travel-related premium rewards. Cardholders can earn best-in-class Chase Ultimate Rewards points that are redeemable for gift cards, merchandise, cash back, travel through Chase Travel, or 1:1 transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners like United Airlines and Hyatt hotels.

Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

The Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card stands as one of the best Chase cards for entrepreneurs and small businesses and has some of the better points-earning rates available on the market. It also earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, meaning cardmembers have huge flexibility on how they choose to redeem points.

Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card

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We wouldn’t call this our favorite of the Ink Business cards line, but if your spending doesn’t tend to align with other cards’ bonus categories, the Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card could be a decent option. This card offers simple rewards — unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you’re planning on making a large purchase, the 0% intro APR could also be quite valuable.

Why choose Chase?

Choosing a Chase credit card isn’t just about earning rewards; it’s about accessing a range of valuable benefits. With options that include cash back, travel rewards, and more, Chase caters to a wide audience.

Here are some noteworthy benefits of banking with Chase:

Chase Ultimate Rewards?: A top-tier program

One of Chase’s standout features is its rewards program, Chase Ultimate Rewards?. This program is particularly appealing to those looking to maximize their spending, with generous travel rewards and benefits for everyday expenses.

Cardholders can redeem points for:

Higher value

If you get a Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve?, or Ink Business Preferred? card, your points are worth more. While Ultimate Rewards? points are typically worth 1 cent each, these cards bump that rate up for travel through Chase.

The Sapphire Preferred and Ink Preferred offer a redemption rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel?, while the Sapphire Reserve has a 1.5 cent per point rate.

Combining points

One of the most beneficial parts of Chase Ultimate Rewards? is the ability to pool your points to maximize value. You can carry multiple cards, earn rewards based on each of their bonus categories, and then move those points to the account with the highest redemption value. The most effective way to do this is via the Chase Trifecta.

Welcome bonuses: Boost your rewards

Chase also offers generous welcome bonuses for new cardholders who meet set spending requirements in the first few months. But even if a card has an exceptional intro offer, it’s important to consider whether the card and its annual fee are worth the benefits you’ll actually use in the long term.

Travel and purchase protection: Added security

Many Chase cards come with travel and purchase protection, providing invaluable peace of mind just for being a card member.

Here’s what you can expect:

Travel protection

Travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and/or baggage issues, protecting you from unforeseen events.

The best travel insurance protection comes from the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve?.

Keep in mind, there are various requirements to meet for these coverages to apply, but these cards offer the following coverage:

?? Learn more about coverage amounts and stipulations in our guide to Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance.

Purchase and return protection

Purchase protection safeguards your buys against theft or damage for a set number of days up to a certain amount. Return protection reimburses you for items that stores won’t take back within a set number of days up to a certain amount.

Extended warranty

Some cards provide extended warranty protection, adding extra time (often one year) to the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases.

Types of Chase credit cards

Chase offers a variety of credit cards designed to meet different spending profiles and needs:

Travel cards

For the jet-setters, Chase offers both general and co-branded travel cards. General travel cards provide points on all travel-related expenses, while co-branded cards, like those with United Airlines, offer brand-specific benefits that can accelerate rewards and elite status.

Cash back cards

Imagine earning money—by spending money on everyday purchases. Every time you swipe your Chase card, you can earn points from daily spending and other purchases, and your Chase card may allow you to earn more points in qualifying rotating bonus categories. You can even use your cash-back rewards as a statement credit on your monthly balance.

Zero APR and no annual fee cards

For those who want to save a few bucks, Chase also offers several 0% intro APR cards to help give you an extra window to pay off a large purchase or balance transfer. Additionally, Chase has several no-annual-fee cards, which provide rewards without the hassle of yearly costs.

Business cards

Small business owners can pad their finances with a credit card to earn rewards and perks on business purchases they make monthly, including advertising, shipping, office supplies, lab equipment, and more. Anyone with a side hustle, even dog walking, can apply for a business card through Chase.

Student cards

College is the perfect time to build your credit with student credit cards. The good news is that the application process is generally less strict, with fewer requirements.

How to choose the right Chase card

If you’re in the market for a new credit card, the odds are high that there is at least one Chase option on your list. Knowing which is best will all depend on your needs, credit score, and spending habits.

Consider the following when choosing a new credit card:

1. Your financial goals

The most important factor to consider right off the bat is what you’re looking to get out of your new card. Are you looking for a business, balance transfer, cash-back, travel card, etc.? You can get the “shiniest” card out there, but if it doesn’t meet your goals or match your lifestyle, it’s not for you.

2. Your spending habits

Some Chase credit cards offer rewards in different categories, while others offer no rewards at all. If you’re in the market for a rewards credit card, choose one with categories that align with your spending habits and lifestyle. Also think about whether you’re willing to utilize the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

3. The annual fee

Premium options often have high annual fees in exchange for valuable benefits. Although this may be worthwhile for some consumers, others may not utilize the card’s benefits enough to justify the fee. Evaluate whether the added benefit of a high-end card is worth the extra cost, compared to a lower-fee alternative.

4. Welcome bonuses

Most Chase credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, worth hundreds to thousands. While these are a way to rack up a chunk of change quickly, make sure you can realistically meet the spending requirement to earn this bonus before applying.

5. Additional benefits

Chase cards often come loaded with valuable perks, such as travel credits and partner benefits. See which benefits would be the most useful to you. These perks can help offset high annual fees and provide additional long-term value.

The application process

It’s a relatively simple process to apply for a Chase card online. Before beginning, consider checking your credit score to know which cards you’re eligible for.

Most credit card applications require the following personal and financial elements, so it may be best to prepare them ahead of time:

Once you’ve decided on which card to apply for, select the “Learn More” button at the top of this page, next to the card you choose, which will lead you to a page with more information and a button to “Apply Now.”

The Chase 5/24 rule

Applying for a Chase card is straightforward, but be mindful of the Chase 5/24 rule. This guideline states that if you’ve opened five new credit cards in the past 24 months, your application for a Chase card will likely be denied. This helps Chase ensure that applicants are genuinely interested in long-term benefits.

Best Chase credit cards FAQ

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card worth it?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve? Card is one of the most popular premium credit cards since it came on the market five years ago. The $550 annual fee may be considered high by some, but it depends on how much you are willing to spend to reap the rewards. While the pandemic may have stifled frequent travel, keep in mind that Chase has announced additional bonus categories to make the card much more attractive to cardholders.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is worth it if you travel frequently and want to explore its zero foreign transaction fees, $300 annual travel credit, and access to airline lounges.

It’s also worth it if you like to spend on dining and travel, especially if you use Grubhub and DoorDash. Additionally, the card offers purchase protection and travel insurance to save money when you need it most. However, don’t get this card if you do not travel often enough to justify the high annual fee.

How do you cancel a Chase credit card?

If you ever need to cancel your Chase credit card, the process is fairly straightforward.

The steps to cancel a credit card:

  • Settle any balance left on the card and pay it off
  • If there are rewards points, redeem them for eligible offers like cash
  • Contact Chase and speak with an agent
  • Formally notify Chase with a letter
  • Check your credit score and credit report
  • Cut up the card

Does Chase have a secured credit card?

While Chase remains one of the country’s largest credit card lenders, they do not offer secured credit cards for those with bad to no credit history.

In fact, almost all Chase cards require a good to excellent credit score, except for the Chase Freedom Student card.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card better than the American Express Platinum?

Both cards have many benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you more bonus points on everyday categories, while [The Platinum Card? from American Express](https://www.cardratings.com/details/credit-card/platinum-card-from-american-express?src=694008{:rel=’nofollow’ target=’_blank’} gives you more points on flights.

The best card for you depends on your shopping and travel habits. Read more in our Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

How many Chase credit cards can you have?

There isn’t a set limit on how many Chase cards any one person can have, only on how many you can be approved for in a certain amount of time. Chase denies applicants who have already been approved for five credit cards from any issuer within a 24-month period.

Is Chase Visa or Mastercard?

Most Chase credit cards are Visas, but a select few are Mastercards, like the Chase Freedom Flex? Credit Card, the Instacart Mastercard? and DoorDash Rewards Mastercard?.

About the Author

The comparison team is a proud partner of the LA Times and is a combination of expert freelance writers, editors, and contributors specially selected for their extensive experience writing and working in the financial industry. Every article written is thoroughly researched, edited, reviewed, and then fact-checked by a member of The LA Times Business Development staff before publication to ensure you receive accurate information.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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