Best Chase Credit Cards in 2025: Compare Rewards, Fees & Benefits
Editor’s pick
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Editor’s pick
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is our pick for best Chase credit card due to its flexibility, generous slate of perks and reward earning potential, all for a $0 annual fee. The card offers bonus categories, plus a flat 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Key takeaways
- Chase offers an array of credit cards, from cash back cards to travel to airline and hotel rewards cards.
- The best Chase cards offer some of the most generous perks and travel and purchase protections on the market.
- Most Chase credit cards require good to excellent credit, but Chase does offer a credit builder card for beginners.
- You can use several Chase cards together to maximize rewards across multiple categories.
- (Winner) Best Chase cash back credit card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best Chase travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best Chase luxury travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best Chase rotating cash back card: Chase Freedom Flex®
- Best Chase card for beginners: Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card
- Best Chase balance transfer credit card: Chase Slate Edge℠
- Best Chase hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Best Chase airline credit card: The New United Club℠ Card
- Best Chase no-annual-fee airline credit card: The New United Gateway℠ Card
- Best Chase business credit card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Top 10 Chase credit cards
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Overall
|
$0 | 1.5% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash back
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Travel
|
$95 | 1X - 5X points
| 75,000 points
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Chase Sapphire Reserve®*
|
Luxury travel
|
$795 | 1X - 8X points
| 125,000 points
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
| |
Chase Freedom Flex®*
|
Rotating cash back
|
$0 | 1% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash bonus
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
| |
Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card*
|
Beginners
|
$0 | 1.5% cash back
| $25 statement credit
Earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and remain enrolled for at least 90 days.
| |
Chase Slate Edge℠*
|
Balance transfer
|
$0 | N/A | N/A | |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*
|
Hotel
|
$95 | 2X - 17X points
| 3 Free Night Awards
Earn 3 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening.
| |
The New United Club℠ Card*
|
Airline
|
$695 | 1X - 4X miles
| 80,000 miles
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
| |
The New United Gateway℠ Card*
|
No-annual-fee airline
|
$0 | 1X - 2X miles
| 30,000 miles
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases.
| |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card*
|
Business
|
$95 | 1X - 3X points
| 90,000 points
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Methodology: How we chose our picks of best Chase cards
We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best Chase cards. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:
We calculate the rewards earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonuses and annual bonuses (including annual free night certificates). We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum redemption thresholds, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits — such as purchase protections, travel protections, elite status benefits and travel credits — against benefits from other cards.
Winner (Best Chase cash back card)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: $200 cash back
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- $0 annual fee
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- Earn higher rewards in bonus categories
- Intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- High late payment fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is our top pick for best Chase credit card for cash back due to its generous sign-up bonus, solid 1.5% flat rewards earning rate on everyday spending and higher rate in several bonus categories. The card is an especially good choice for anyone seeking a credit card for restaurants, due to the earning potential in the dining bonus rewards category.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card also comes with an Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. This is the lowest spending requirement for a welcome bonus on any Chase cash back card.
Why it’s in my wallet
“After college, I didn’t know much about credit cards, but I was looking to upgrade from my student card. A friend had the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, so I applied for it without doing much research. Fortunately, it ended up being a great choice. I now use it exclusively for dining to earn 3% cash back. For other purchases, I usually turn to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card for its 2% flat rate, but it’s nice knowing the Chase Freedom Unlimited® still gives me 1.5% back on everything else. I also really like Chase’s mobile app and online banking. It’s the best of any bank I use. I can manage both this card and my Prime Visa in one place, and redeeming cash back is super easy.”
– Sammi Scharf, credit cards writer at LendingTree
“The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the workhorse of my Chase Ultimate Rewards® cards. Its 1.5% rate might not seem like much compared to a 2% cash back card, but it’s key to collecting a lot of Ultimate Rewards points. I whip it out for most purchases.”
– Robin Ratcliff, managing editor at LendingTree
- Click APPLY NOW to apply online.
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 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; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
Best Chase travel card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: 75,000 points
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- Earn elevated rewards on travel, dining and more
- Get up to 1.75X more value when you book select redemptions through Chase
- Comes with trip cancellation and interruption coverage and other travel benefits
- $95 annual fee
- Doesn’t offer luxury travel benefits like airport lounge access
- You may need excellent credit to qualify
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best Chase travel credit card for most people, since it lets you earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points without paying a high annual fee. And while this card doesn’t come with the same luxury perks as pricier travel cards, it does offer an annual hotel credit and generous travel insurance, making it one of the best credit cards on the market.
You can transfer the flexible rewards points to Chase partners or use them to book travel directly through Chase.
- Click APPLY NOW to apply online.
- 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
- Rates & Fees
Best luxury Chase travel card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 125,000 points
- Huge sign-up bonus
- Up to $300 flexible travel credit
- High rewards rate on travel and dining purchases
- Get up to 2X value from points when booking select travel redemptions through Chase
- $795 annual fee plus $195 per authorized user
- You may need excellent credit to qualify
- Only earns 1X points on purchases outside of bonus categories
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is our pick for best luxury Chase travel card, thanks to its rich array of travel perks that can more than make up for the high annual fee for frequent travelers. The card has the most generous sign-up bonus of any Chase card on the market, along with the most lucrative rewards earning structure of any Chase travel card, plus a slate of benefits potentially worth thousands of dollars a year.
You should know there is a high annual fee, with an additional fee for each authorized user card, so it’s important to make sure it’s worth it to you. If you’re unsure, check out our guide to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to see if the lower-fee option is a better fit.
Why it’s in my wallet
“The best thing about my Chase Sapphire Reserve® is that the points are so valuable, and it’s easy to get a lot of them if you pair it with other cards. I’ve earned nearly a million points that I’ve put toward several family vacations, with more in the works. I’m really interested in exploring the potential of the new point boost feature, which I think will unlock other good hotel options besides Hyatt.”
– Robin Ratcliff, managing editor at LendingTree
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 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 $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Best Chase rotating cash back credit card
Chase Freedom Flex®*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $200 cash bonus
- Earn bonus rewards in rotating quarterly categories
- Plus fixed bonus rewards categories throughout the year
- $0 annual fee
- Comes with cell phone, travel and purchase protections
- You have to activate categories each quarter to earn the quarterly bonus
- Quarterly bonus rewards rate capped at first $1,500 in combined purchases
- Only earns 1% back on spending outside of bonus categories
- Charges foreign transaction fees
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers an exceptional earning rate of 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter) 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. , plus bonus rewards on dining, drugstores and Chase TravelSM purchases. The card is one of the most flexible Chase cards on the market, and it’s a no-annual-fee card to boot. Reward redemption is also flexible since you can redeem for travel through Chase or for cash back, gift cards, merchandise and more.
Just know that you’ll need to activate the bonus category each quarter to earn the 5% cash back rate on those purchases, and that rate will be capped at $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 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
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74%-28.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Best Chase card for beginners
Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $25 statement credit
- $0 annual fee
- Available to consumers with limited credit
- Earns 1.5% cash back rewards
- $25 bonus for automatic payments
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- May require Chase banking relationship to qualify
- No rewards bonus categories
The Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card is a newer Chase credit card that’s geared to individuals who need to build credit for the first time. It’s easily one of the top credit-building cards on the market today. There’s no annual fee, and it earns a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cardholders can even earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and remain enrolled for at least 90 days. Plus, it’s an unsecured card, so there’s no requirement for a security deposit as collateral.
Applicants have a better chance of being approved if they open a Chase bank account and deposit at least $250 before they apply. That makes the Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card best for consumers who already bank with Chase, or those who are willing to open and fund a checking or savings account to increase their approval odds.
- Increase your approval chances - Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
- Earn Cash Back - With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and remain enrolled for at least 90 days. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
- Credit Limit Increase - As a Chase cardmember, you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
- Free Credit Score - Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
- No Annual Fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® card.
- Member FDIC
Best Chase balance transfer card
Chase Slate Edge℠*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months.. Then a 18.99% – 28.99% Variable APR applies.
- Lengthy intro APR offer for balance transfers and purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Opportunity to get a credit limit increase when you spend $500 in the first six months after account opening
- Chance to lower APR by 2% a year when you spend $1,000 annually and make on-time payments
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
The Chase Slate Edge℠ is the Chase credit card with the longest intro offer for balance transfers — this means you’ll have more time to pay down debt at a lower interest rate. (That intro offer applies to purchases, too.) Cardholders also have the potential to qualify for a higher credit limit over time.
However, if you want to earn miles, points or cash back for the purchases you make, a rewards credit card may be a better fit.
- Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a 18.99% – 28.99% Variable
- Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
- Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
- All for no annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate EdgeSM card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
- Member FDIC
Best Chase hotel credit card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 3 Free Night Awards
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- Earns up to 17X points on paid stays with Marriott
- Annual free night award
- Automatic Silver Elite status
- $95 annual fee
- Low rewards on everyday spending
- Inflexible rewards
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card stands out due to its generous rewards rate and bonus offer that can help you score several hotel nights right off the bat. Cardholders get automatic Silver Elite status with the card, as well as the chance to work toward higher levels of elite status through credit card spending. And while the card does have a $95 annual fee, users get a free night award (up to 35,000 points) each year they renew their card.
- Earn 3 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Best Chase airline credit card
The New United Club℠ Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 80,000 miles
- Excellent sign-up bonus
- Complimentary United Club airport lounge membership (value of at least $750)
- Earn Premier qualifying points toward elite status
- United perks include free first and second checked bags and Premier Access® travel services, giving you priority treatment at the airport
- High $695 annual fee
- No flexible travel credit
- Inflexible rewards
While a $695 annual fee applies, The New United Club℠ Card does come with United Club membership, which is worth at least $750. Cardholders get the chance to earn generous rewards on United purchases, travel and dining, and they can even earn Premier qualifying points toward their elite status goals. The card also comes with a range of airline-specific benefits, including first and second checked bags free, 25% back on eligible in-flight purchases, a fee credit toward Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® membership and more.
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
Best Chase no-annual-fee airline credit card
The New United Gateway℠ Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 30,000 miles
- Earn airline miles with a $0 annual fee
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- Generous travel and purchase coverage
- Comes with intro APR offer for purchases
- Only earns 1X miles on regular spending
- Few United travel perks
The New United Gateway℠ Card is the best Chase airline card with a $0 annual fee since it allows even less frequent travelers to earn airline miles, including a modest sign-up bonus, without paying an annual fee. It’s a good choice for those new to airline travel cards who don’t travel enough to justify a perk-heavy, high-annual-fee card. And the travel and purchase coverage offered on this card is more robust than that offered by many other no-annual-fee cards.
You should know that you won’t find the rich United perks you’ll get on Chase airline cards that charge a high annual fee, and you have to spend $10,000 a year on your card to even get two free checked bags.
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles
- 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases & no annual fee.
- 2x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year
- Member FDIC
Best Chase business credit card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 90,000 points
- Large sign-up bonus
- Earn 3X points in popular business categories
- Robust travel and purchase coverage
- Free employee cards
- Caps on bonus rewards for spending
- You may need excellent credit to qualify
- Only earns 1X points on purchases outside of bonus categories
- High spending required to earn sign-up bonus
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, our pick for best Chase business credit card, offers an exceptional earning rate of 3X points on up to $150,000 in annual spending in popular business categories. You’ll earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
The card also offers a variety of benefits to help you manage your business finances, including the ability to easily track expenses and maintain records for tax reporting and other business needs. You can also add employee cards at no additional cost.
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- 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.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
How to qualify for a Chase credit card
What credit score do you need for a Chase credit card?
There is no specific credit score required to get a Chase credit card, but most Chase cards require excellent or very good credit. Generally, a FICO score of 740 to 799 is considered very good, while a score of 800 and up is considered exceptional. So, you’ll want to have a score in the mid-700s or higher to increase your odds of getting a Chase card.
Is it hard to get a Chase credit card?
Chase doesn’t offer a secured credit card and most Chase cards require a good credit score, it may be hard to get a Chase credit card if you have fair or poor credit or if you’re just starting to build credit. Chase does offer a credit builder credit card for beginners, the Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card, which may be easier to get than most other Chase cards. If you’re unsure if you qualify, you can use the Chase preapproval feature to find out with no harm to your credit.
How long does it take to get approved for a Chase credit card?
In a best-case scenario, if you apply for a Chase credit card online and meet the approval criteria, it may take only minutes to get approved. In other scenarios, such as if there’s a glitch with your application, it may take longer. Credit card issuers are required by law to respond to you with a decision in 30 days. Once you’re approved for a Chase credit card, it typically takes seven to 10 business days to receive your new card.
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How to choose the best Chase credit card for you
The best Chase card for you depends on a range of factors, and you’ll need to look at your finances and compare Chase credit cards to make a decision. For example, you’ll need to take your credit score into account to figure out which Chase credit card is best for you. You also need to decide on the type of rewards you want to earn, the Chase credit card benefits you want to have and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Essentially, the best card for you depends on how you plan to spend and save with your Chase credit card.
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What type of card user are you?
Type of user Type of card to consider Chase card to consider You want to earn points that you can use with any hotel or airline. General travel card Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card You want the simplest, most flexible rewards possible. Cash back credit card Chase Freedom Unlimited® You're collecting miles with a particular airline or could use perks like free checked bags and lounge access. Airline credit card The New United Club℠ Card You frequently stay at a hotel chain and could use perks like elite status and free hotel night certificates. Hotel credit card Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card You're trying to pay down a balance on another credit card. Balance transfer credit card Chase Slate Edge℠ You want to finance a large purchase. Intro APR credit card Chase Slate Edge℠ You need a card to make purchases for your small business. Business credit card Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card -
Where do you spend money?
Make sure you pick a card that offers more rewards in categories where you typically spend the most, whether that includes groceries, gas, dining out, travel or another category. This will help you earn more rewards over time, which is the main point of signing up for a rewards credit card in the first place. Keep in mind that you can earn even more rewards through the Chase Offers program.
You can pair together a few different Chase credit cards, so you can earn even more rewards on all your spending and bills. Just make sure to keep annual fees in mind (if they apply), and come up with a strategy for when you’ll use different cards and how you’ll keep track of your spending on each one.
Popular bonus categories Best cards Dining Gas Groceries Travel -
Decide if you want to pay an annual fee
Some Chase credit cards have a high annual fee, yet these fees can be worth it if you’re able to use the perks or earn more in rewards than the fee costs. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $795 annual fee, yet also has a $300 annual travel credit on your account anniversary, up to a $120 credit for TSA PreCheck®, NEXUS or Global Entry membership and a Priority Pass™ Select membership worth $469. If you use all of these benefits, you’re getting nearly $900 in value from the card without even taking the rewards you earn into account.
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Consider other card benefits
Chase credit cards are also known for their incredible benefits, which can include travel and purchase protections and other benefits that make travel more affordable and comfortable. Consider the following perks you can get with certain Chase credit cards.
- No foreign transaction fees:
This benefit can help you avoid paying extra fees when you use your card to pay for purchases outside the United States. - Lounge access:
Airport lounge access gives you a quiet and relaxing place to escape in the airport, and most lounges offer free snacks and drinks to boot. - Travel protections:
Look out for benefits like trip cancellation and interruption coverage, primary auto rental coverage, travel delay coverage and baggage insurance. - Purchase protections:
Look for Chase credit cards that offer purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranties on items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty or both.
If you’re trying to choose between the two similar Freedom cards, check out our guide to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex® cards. It may even make sense to get both. (See Chase Trifecta section below to find out how these cards can work together.)
- No foreign transaction fees:
How do Chase Ultimate Rewards® work?
The Chase Ultimate Rewards® program is one of the most flexible credit card programs out there, and that’s especially true if you have a Chase travel credit card. There are several reasons this is the case, including the fact that Chase credit cards let you pool all your points in a single account for better redemption options.
Chase travel credit cards also let users transfer their points to a variety of airline and hotel partners, and users can also redeem their points for travel through the Chase portal — sometimes for up to 2X more, depending on the card and the offers available.
You don’t have to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for travel if you don’t want to. These points can also be used for cash back, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise — this means you won’t be stuck with unusable rewards.
How much are Ultimate Rewards points worth?
Ultimate Rewards points have a relatively high potential point value. Most options, including cash back, will net you 1 cent per point. You can find select redemptions worth as much as 2X (if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®) and up to 1.75X (if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) through the new Points Boost feature when you redeem through Chase TravelSM for select travel purchases. You’ll get the most value (around 2 cents per point or possibly higher) by transferring them to hotel and airline loyalty program partners via a premium Chase travel card.
Value of 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points
- Transfer to loyalty program: Around $20 (can range more or less)
- Travel on Chase TravelSM portal: $10 to $20 (depending on card)
- Cash back: $10
- Gift cards: $10
- Pay with points on Amazon.com: $8
Which cards earn Ultimate Rewards points?
You may already know that Chase’s travel cards earn points. However, it may be news to you that Chase’s cash back cards also earn Ultimate Rewards points that you can pool with your Chase travel cards.
All the cards below earn points that fall within the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Freedom Flex®
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Chase travel partners
Chase offers a great lineup of hotel and airline programs that you can transfer points to at a 1:1 ratio. Note that the same transfer partners apply to all travel credit cards from Chase.
- AerClub, loyalty program of Aer Lingus
- Air Canada Aeroplan®
- The British Airways Club
- Air France KLM – Flying Blue
- Club Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
- United MileagePlus®
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- IHG® One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy™
- World of Hyatt®
Should you apply for multiple Ultimate Rewards cards?
Applying for several Chase credit cards can be a good idea, provided you can keep track of balances and payments and avoid paying interest on your purchases. After all, having multiple Chase credit cards gives you the chance to maximize bonus rewards in each of the categories your selection of cards offers. From there, you can pool all your points in a single account to get better redemptions.
The Chase Trifecta is popular for this reason. With the three cards involved (the Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card), cardholders can rotate cards to get the highest point value on every purchase.
For example, you could:
- Use the Chase Freedom Flex® to earn elevated rewards in its bonus categories each quarter.
- Rely on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for its superior rate on travel purchases that aren’t booked through Chase.
- Devote the rest of your spending to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to earn 1.5% cash back.
From there, you can move all your points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card account. This would let you get up to 1.75X more value for your rewards on certain redemptions with Points Boost if you redeem them for travel through Chase. It also unlocks the option to transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners.
Sample reward earnings ($20,000 annual spend)
| Comparison categories | Chase Freedom Unlimited® alone | Chase Trifecta |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned on $3,000 in dining | 9,000 points | 9,000 points |
| Rewards earned on $1,300 in groceries (frequent quarterly category for Chase Freedom Flex®) | 1,950 points | 6,500 points |
| Rewards earned on $500 in gas (frequent quarterly category for Chase Freedom Flex®) | 750 points | 2,500 points |
| Rewards earned on $1,400 in travel not booked through Chase | 2,100 points | 2,800 points |
| Rewards earned on $13,800 in other spend | 20,700 points | 20,700 points |
| Total points | 34,500 | 41,500 |
| Target redemption option | Cash back ($0.01 per point) | Transfer points to Southwest Airlines (average point value = $0.013*) |
| Redemption value | $345 | $540 |
| Value minus annual fee | $345 | $445 |
| Other travel benefits Secondary car rental insurance Up to $6,000 trip cancellation/interruption insurance | No foreign transaction fees Up to $50 hotel credit (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) Primary car rental insurance (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) Up to $20,000 trip cancellation/interruption insurance (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) Baggage delay insurance Trip delay insurance |
Pros and cons of Chase credit cards
- Incredibly flexible rewards
- Some cards let users transfer to airlines and hotels
- Many cards have intro APR offers
- Some cards offer enhanced rewards value for select travel redemptions
- Choose from flexible cards, airline cards, hotel cards and more
- Chase credit card benefits can be generous
- Chase offers points pooling on its Chase Ultimate Rewards® cards
- Many Chase cards offer top-notch travel protection
- Chase credit cards generally require good to excellent credit
- Better balance transfer cards come from other issuers
- Some Chase rewards cards have complicated earning rates
- Some Chase cards have high annual fees
- Recent rewards program changes have devalued Chase portal redemptions in some cases
- Other issuers offer secured cards
What is Chase 5/24?
Frequently asked questions
You can activate your new Chase credit card by calling the number that’s listed on the sticker on the front of your card. You may also be able to activate your card online. Check to see if your card has a sticker with a secured website link (chase.com/activate, for example).
You can cancel a Chase credit card over the phone by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Before you call, you’ll want to make sure you’ve paid the card balance down to zero and have used or transferred any remaining rewards.
Chase doesn’t offer a secured credit card, but many other card issuers do. If you need a secured credit card because you have a low credit score or no credit at all, you may want to check out our picks for the best secured credit cards and see if one is right for you.
The easiest Chase credit card to get is likely the Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card, a credit card designed for beginners who are building credit. Most other Chase cards are difficult to get unless you have a solid credit history and good to excellent credit.
There is no published rule on how many Chase credit cards you can have. But keep in mind that the unwritten Chase 5/24 rule can cause you to get turned down for a Chase credit card if you have opened five or more cards with any issuer in the past 24 months.
You can use your Chase account for purchases before you get the physical card in the mail — you’ll just need to add your card to a digital wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
Chase credit cards typically arrive in the mail within seven to 10 days after you’re approved.
Some Chase credit cards charge foreign transaction fees. However, this mostly applies to cash back credit cards from the issuer, like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Chase travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card, Chase Slate Edge℠, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, The New United Club℠ Card, The New United Gateway℠ Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Prime Visa, The New United℠ Explorer Card and Instacart Mastercard® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
