Best Chase Credit Cards of August 2024 (2024)

14 Best Chase Credit Cards of 2024

Best for Frequent Travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a staple credit card for frequent travelers and offers many ways to earn a large number of points on a variety of categories, including travel and restaurants. The card comes with airport lounge access through Priority Pass and a $300 annual travel credit that offsets a large portion of the $550 annual fee for most cardmembers. The Ultimate Rewards points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer plenty of redemption options that are both easy to use and provide plenty of value, whether you’re looking for cash back or luxury travel.

Pros

• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Select membership, plus access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
• Best-in-class travel insurance protections

Cons

• $75 for each authorized user card
• Travel rewards rates kick in after earning the $300 annual travel credit
• Welcome bonus isn’t as generous as other cards with similar annual fees

Best for Small-Business Travel: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Why we chose it: The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined bonus category purchases each account anniversary year, including shipping purchases; advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines; internet, cable and phone services; and travel (then 1X). The card also offers a primary auto rental collision damage waiver when traveling for business, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, extended warranty protection and a cell phone protection benefit.

Pros

• 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined category purchases each account anniversary year, including select business categories and travel (then 1X after)
• Offers a few travel insurance protections, plus cell phone protection
• Points can be redeemed for cash back, redeemed for 25% more value when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ or transferred to partner programs

Cons

• No bonus rewards on dining
• Bonus rewards categories are capped at $150,000 in spending each account anniversary year
• No introductory APR offer

Best for IHG Stays: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Why we chose it: When you choose to be loyal to a hotel brand, you ideally earn more points with that brand, a status boost in the brand’s loyalty program and a free night certificate from the brand’s credit card. With IHG, you get all of that and more. With the $99 annual fee IHG One Rewards Premier, you get more points on IHG stays compared to the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. Plus, just for having the Premier card, you get Platinum Elite status. There’s also an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts for redemptions up to 40,000 points.

Pros

• Complimentary Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
• Earn a base rate of 10X points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26X total points as an IHG One Rewards member with Platinum Elite status)
• Get a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay

Cons

• Other travel cards offer better rewards on dining (when considering the value of IHG rewards points)
• IHG reward prices are based on the cash price of hotel nights; there are no opportunities to get outsized value from your points

Best for Large Business Purchases: Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

Why we chose it: Some small-business owners frequently make large purchases using a credit card. Having a card that earns you 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more can provide a massive boost to the rewards you earn if you frequently pay vendors, contractors and suppliers with a credit card. If that sounds like your small business, the Ink Business Premier can give you a meaningful boost to your credit card rewards for a $195 annual fee.

Pros

• 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, plus an unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases
• Purchase and extended warranty protection
• Cellphone protection benefit

Cons

• Rewards cannot be directly transferred to Chase airline and hotel partners
• There are lower-cost business cards offering 2% cash back everywhere

Best Southwest Frequent Flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Why we chose it: Southwest offers two free checked bags to everyone, not just those who have one of its co-branded credit cards. If you fly on Southwest often enough to carry one of its credit cards, spending a few extra dollars to own the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority gets you the most value from your $149 annual fee.

Pros

• 7,500 Rapid Rewards points every cardmember anniversary
• 3X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit

Cons

• Earns fewer points on Southwest flights and on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners than the Southwest small-business credit card
• Earns only point for each dollar spent on general purchases

Best for United Frequent Flyers: United Quest℠ Card

Why we chose it: The United Quest Card works well for frequent travelers who engage with the United Airlines MileagePlus frequent flyer program. This card is United’s only personal credit card offering up to a $125 annual United purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply). Plus, you can earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) per calendar year after qualified spending. The United Quest card has a $250 annual fee.

Pros

• Up to a $125 United purchase credit each year (terms apply)
• Up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points each calendar year after qualified spending

Cons

• No complimentary lounge access
• No companion certificate included
• Earns only 1X miles on other purchases

Best for Managing Credit Card Debt: Chase Slate Edge℠

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Chase Slate Edge℠

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% – 29.24% Variable

Intro Bonus

No current offer

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good – Excellent

Why we chose it: The Chase Slate Edge offers the longest introductory APR available on any Chase card. As a new Chase Slate Edge credit card holder, you can transfer a balance to your card and get a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 18 months (20.49% to 29.24% variable APR thereafter).

Pros

• Long intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
• Automatic credit line review after you spend $500 in your first six months and make on-time payments
• No annual fee

Cons

• No ongoing rewards
• 3% ($5 minimum) balance transfer fee increases to 5% (minimum $5) after the first 60 days
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Best for Amazon Prime Members: Prime Visa

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Prime Visa

Learn More

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% – 29.24% variable

Intro Bonus

See Also

Bank of America Review 2024

$200 Amazon Gift Card

Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good-Excellent

Why we chose it: Unlimited 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases is a great deal, and the Prime Visa is the only card that offers that much cash back on every Amazon purchase. The card also features Chase’s extended warranty benefit, so you don’t have to choose between getting maximum cash back and protecting your purchases.

Pros

• Heightened cash back on various Amazon-related purchases, plus Chase Travel purchases
• No annual fee (when you have a Prime membership)
• Includes extended warranty protection and purchase protection

Cons

• Requires a paid Amazon Prime membership
• Other cards with no annual fee offer more rewards on non-Amazon purchases
• Welcome bonus varies and is usually smaller than what’s offered on other no-annual-fee cards

Best for Marriott Loyalists: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49%–28.49% variable

Intro Bonus

3 Free Night Awards

Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night is valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good-Excellent

Why we chose it: Marriott offers a bevy of cards with Chase and American Express. But the card that offers the most bang for your buck is the Bonvoy Boundless. For a $95 annual fee, you get a Free Night Award each year after your account anniversary (redemption level up to 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. You also earn 6X points on Marriott stays—the same base rewards rate as Marriott’s more expensive cards.

Pros

• Earn 6X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy (up to 17X total points as a Marriott Bonvoy member with Silver Elite status)
• Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary (award certificates can be redeemed for stays costing up to 35,000 points)
• 15 Elite Night Credits each year

Cons

• 3X earnings on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining are capped at $6,000 in combined spending each year (then 2X points)
• No free night your first year
• The 15 Elite Night Credits will earn you Silver Elite status anyway, regardless of the card’s automatic Silver Elite status perk

Best for Cash Back Everywhere: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Learn More

On Bankrate Credit Cards's secure site

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% – 29.24% variable

Intro Bonus

Earn up to $300 cash back

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy with your card (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Recommended Credit

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good – Excellent

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on general purchases for no annual fee, but it stands above other competing cards offering a flat rate of cash back rewards everywhere because it includes a few useful bonus categories. The card offers 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel.

Pros

• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
• 3% cash back at dining at restaurants and on drugstore purchases
• Extended warranty and purchase protection benefits
• Technically earns Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back or pooled with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card and redeemed for increased value

Cons

• No cell phone protection benefit, such as offered by the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex
• Foreign transaction fee of 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Best for Hyatt Stays and Elite Status: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49% – 28.49% variable

Intro Bonus

60,000 points

Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Excellent

Why we chose it: World of Hyatt only offers one personal credit card, so the World of Hyatt credit card is an easy choice in this category. If you want points at Hyatt, the card earns 4X points on purchases at Hyatt hotels—more points than you can earn with the Chase Sapphire Reserve while still earning elite status. Plus, you can earn more from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. For a $95 annual fee, you get a free night each year after your cardmember anniversary that can be used at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort (plus an extra free night after qualified spending) and five qualifying night credits toward elite status each year. Two additional qualifying night credits can be earned per $5,000 in spending.

Pros

• Annual free night each year after your cardmember anniversary
• Earn up to 9X points on Hyatt stays
• Get 5 qualifying night credits each year

Cons

• Only earns 2X points in other bonus categories and 1X points on non-category purchases
• Free night perk requires award stay availability
• Hyatt hotel chain does not have the footprint of Marriott and Hilton

Best for Rotating Category Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex®

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Chase Freedom Flex®

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% – 29.24% variable

Intro Bonus

Earn a $200 bonus

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good – Excellent

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Flex® is perhaps the best card to use for high rewards in categories that rotate quarterly. That’s because the card earns its rewards as Ultimate Rewards points. If you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can transfer your points to that card and use them for high-value travel redemptions. Read our Chase Freedom Flex review.

Pros

• Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending in activated categories that rotate quarterly (then 1%)
• Current welcome offer allows you to earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months
• Cell phone protection benefit

Cons

• Must activate quarterly categories
• Rewards for general spending are only 1% cash back

Best for Building Credit: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

26.99% Variable

Intro Bonus

$25 statement credit

Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

No credit history required

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Rise offers a reasonable rate of cash back on all purchases and basic consumer protections like extended warranty and purchase protection on a card that is meant for students and people new to credit. You’ll increase your odds of approval by having $250 or more in a Chase checking account and Chase will consider you for a credit line increase starting six months after opening the account.

Pros

• 1.5% cash back, extended warranty and purchase protection
• Credit line increases in as little as six months
• Having $250 in a Chase checking account increases your approval odds

Cons

• No welcome bonus

Best for Grocery Delivery: Instacart Mastercard®

How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure

Instacart Mastercard®

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.24% – 28.99% Variable

Intro Bonus

$50 Instacart Credit

Get a $50 Instacart credit automatically upon approval.

Credit Score

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Good – Excellent (670 – 850)

Why we chose it: For many people, groceries and household consumables account for a large part of their monthly budget. If you opt to have your groceries and other necessities delivered through Instacart, you can get 5% cash back on your Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases by holding the Instacart Mastercard.

Pros

• 5% cash back on Instacart.com and Instacart app purchases
• Extended warranty protection and purchase protection
• Get a $50 Instacart Credit automatically upon approval.

Cons

• Offers at most 2% cash back outside of Instacart and Chase Travel purchases
• Instacart charges opaque service fees
• Meager welcome offer

The information about the Instacart Mastercard® has been collected independently by Newsweek Vault. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

A Closer Look at the Best Chase Cards

Best for Frequent Travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Why we love this card: We love cards featuring rewards and perks that are both generous and easy to use. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s $300 annual travel credit is automatically applied to the first $300 in eligible travel expenses you put on the card each anniversary year. Points earned can be used for cash back, redeemed for 50% more value through Chase Travel or transferred to a set airline and hotel programs that include United, Southwest and Hyatt. If that isn’t enough, the Sapphire Reserve also offers the most robust set of travel insurance protections available on a credit card.

Who should have this in their wallet: A frequent traveler who wants the simplicity of carrying a single card for all travel expenses should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Other cards to consider: If you want a card that offers the best-in-class travel insurance protections of the Chase Sapphire Reserve but don’t want to pay the card’s $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 annual fee) deserves a look. If you want Priority Pass lounge access and to pay a little less each year, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee).

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best for Small-Business Travel: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Why we love this card: 3X points on travel and other bonus category purchases (on up to $150,000 in combined category purchases each year, then 1X points) on a small-business card is compelling. When those rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, increased value through a travel portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners, you’re getting more rewards value than most other small-business cards offer. The card does cap bonus rewards at $150,000 in spending each year, but most small-business owners are unlikely to hit this cap.

Who should have this in their wallet: Some small-business owners travel a ton. If this is you, you’ll want to have the Ink Business Preferred in your wallet. Not only can you earn maximum rewards on your travel purchases, but you’re also covered by a few travel insurance benefits.

Other cards to consider: If you travel a lot for your small business but prefer to use a personal card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the card to get. You earn 5X to 10X points on select travel booked through Chase Travel and 3X points on general travel (after spending the $300 annual travel credit). Plus, points are worth 50% more toward travel through Chase Travel. A $550 annual fee applies.

Read our review of the Ink Business Preferred

Best for IHG Stays: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Why we love this card: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers plenty of value just for having the card. You get automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember and a Free Night each account Anniversary year (on redemptions up to 40,000 points). But when you use the card for your IHG stays and other spending, you get even more—starting with 10X points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26X total points as an IHG One Rewards member with Platinum Elite status). Plus, after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year, you get a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points.

Who should have this in their wallet: A value-oriented frequent traveler who stays at IHG brands should consider the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Like other cards, you earn more points on your in-brand hotel stays, and you can probably get plenty of value out of the card’s Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts perk. If you’re a frequent IHG guest, you’ll appreciate the automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember.

Other cards to consider: Although the card offers a large number of points on bonus categories like travel, dining and gas stations, you might want to consider another card for spending in these categories—IHG points get you well less than 1 cent per point in value when you redeem them. The Wells Fargo Autograph is a good option if you want points redeemable for cash back rewards for no annual fee.

Best for Large Business Purchases: Ink Business Premier

Why we love this card: We know small-business owners value simplicity. The Ink Business Premier offers both simplicity and generous rewards. If you choose the Ink Business Premier for your small business, you earn 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% cash back on all other business purchases.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Ink Business Premier is ideal for small-business owners who want a single card with no-nonsense cash back rewards. If you frequently pay for large purchases greater than $5,000 with a credit card and don’t want to mess with the complexity of points, the Premier card’s 2.5% cash back rewards can get you more cash back on general spending than any other card.

Other cards to consider: If you like the simplicity of earning cash back as a small-business owner but don’t make large purchases, consider the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. You earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases for an annual fee of $150, and you can get your annual fee refunded every year when you spend at least $150,000 on the card.

Read our review of the Ink Business Premier

Best for Southwest Frequent Flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Why we love this card: We love airline credit cards that give cardholders plenty of value in excess of the card’s annual fee. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has a $149 annual fee, but you get $75 in Southwest travel credits and 7,500 Rapid Rewards anniversary points each year. With these perks alone, you get more than $149 in value—even before you start considering the card’s rewards and other benefits.

Who should have this in their wallet: Frequent Southwest flyers can get plenty of value from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority. If you’re flying Southwest at least a few times a year, you can easily make use of its travel credit and annual points bonus. Road warriors who fly Southwest can earn plenty of points as well as tier qualifying points toward A-List status.

Other cards to consider: If you only occasionally fly Southwest or aren’t particularly loyal to one airline, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn you more points on your travel spending. The points earned can be used for a variety of travel redemptions—including points transfers to Southwest. Plus, the Sapphire cards offer a robust suite of travel insurance protections.

Read our review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Best for United Frequent Flyers: United Quest Card

Why we love this card: Co-branded credit cards that give you credits on purchases you would make anyway provide easy, realizable value right off the bat. And the up to $125 in annual United flight purchase credits offered on the Quest card each year are much easier to use than a restrictive companion ticket (terms apply). Plus, the card offers a path to elite status through spending and bonus miles for those who book award tickets with United.

Who should have this in their wallet: If you’re a United frequent flyer and book at least two award tickets per year, this card will pay for itself. You can also boost your elite status with the United Quest: earn 25 Premier qualifying points for every $500 you spend on purchases with the card—up to 6,000 PQPs per calendar year

Other cards to consider: If you don’t book award tickets or chase frequent flyer status with United, the United℠ Explorer Card might be a better option. You give up the United award credits, but it’s a cheaper card, and you receive two one-time United Club passes each year for your anniversary. On the other hand, if you want United Club access every time you fly United, upgrade to the United Club℠ Infinite Card.

Best for Managing Credit Card Debt: Chase Slate Edge

Why we love this card: If you’re working on paying off high-interest credit card debt, the Chase Slate Edge can get you relief from interest payments for 18 months. The card’s 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months (20.49% to 29.24% variable APR after) means you won’t pay interest when you make on-time payments for the first year and a half. Paying less in interest means you can dedicate more funds to paying down credit card debt.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Chase Slate Edge is best for those currently carrying a balance on another card that charges interest. If this is you, no rewards card is going to pay off like a card with an introductory balance transfer APR offer. The amount you save in interest with a balance transfer offer will be much greater than the rewards you could earn if you’re paying interest at a standard purchase APR.

Other cards to consider: If you want to save on interest with a 0% balance transfer promotion, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card may be a better option. The Reflect offers a 21-month 0% intro APR that applies to both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (followed by an 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% variable APR), giving you an additional three months to pay down your balance interest-free. Note, you must transfer your balance within the first 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory APR.

Read our review of the Chase Slate Edge

Best for Amazon Prime Members: Prime Visa

Why we love this card: Earning unlimited 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases can add up, especially if you’re a Prime member. (Note, a Prime membership, which costs $14.99/month or $139 annually, is required to hold the Prime Visa.) The rewards are enough to put this card on our best list, but the card also offers Chase’s extended warranty protection, meaning your purchases are protected.

Who should have this in their wallet: If you have an Amazon Prime membership, this card should be in your wallet. No other card offers more generous rewards for shopping on Amazon.

Other cards to consider: If you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership but occasionally make purchases on the site, consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. The Blue Cash Everyday card offers 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), making it a good choice for your online shopping. The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.

Read our review of the Prime Visa

Best for Marriott Loyalists: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Why we love this card: For a $95 annual fee, you get up to a 35,000-point Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary. Most travelers will stay at least one night in an airport hotel or with one of Marriott’s value hotel brands and on average can expect to get more than $95 in value out of the Free Night Award. You also get a jumpstart on elite status with 15 Elite Night Credits each year and can earn a good amount of points on Marriott stays.

Who should have this in their wallet: Marriott-branded credit cards are the most rewarding cards to use for your Marriott stays. If you frequently stay with the world’s biggest hotel chain, you’ll want to have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless in your wallet.

Other cards to consider: If you stay in hotels frequently and have the freedom to book your own hotels, but aren’t loyal to a particular brand, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card might be a better choice. You get more points (10X points) when you book hotels through Capital One Travel, plus Capital One miles can get you, on average, about twice as much in travel value as Marriott points. If you’re all-in on Marriott and stay at luxury properties like the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) might get you more value through its property credits and Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month (for redemptions of up to 85,000 points at eligible properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy; certain hotels have resort fees).

Best for Cash Back Everywhere: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why we love this card: The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers excellent rewards on general purchases, but it also offers better-than-average 3% rewards on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service) and the 3% cash back rate on drugstore purchases makes it the best card to use at your eligible local drugstore. It also features a handful of benefits to protect your purchases and travel, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and more.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Chase Freedom Unlimited makes sense for almost anyone. As a single credit card, it offers decent rewards everywhere and bonuses in common categories. And as part of a portfolio of Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, it’s a great choice for dining, drugstore purchases and non-category spending.

Other cards to consider: If you want a card that earns a generous rate of cash back everywhere and don’t mind giving up some benefits, take a look at the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. The Active Cash will earn you 2% cash rewards back on purchases with no annual fee—more than the Freedom Unlimited—but the Active Cash has a very limited set of benefits.

Read our review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited

Best for Hyatt Stays and Elite Status: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Why we love this card: We love that the World of Hyatt card gets Hyatt loyalists the most Hyatt points per dollar on Hyatt stays, five qualifying night credits each year and a way to spend toward additional qualifying night credits. Most travelers will be able to cash in the category 1-4 free night perk for a stay worth more than the card’s $95 annual fee.

Who should have this in their wallet: Travelers who stay at Hyatt hotels a few times a year or more should get this card. If that’s you, there’s no other card that will get you more Hyatt points on your stays with the brand, and you’re very likely to find a use for the category 1-4 free night perk. If you’re staying at Hyatt properties enough to get elite status and want to use a credit card to boost your status with the hotel chain, this card is the only personal credit card that can get you a boost to your status.

Other cards to consider: If you aren’t particularly loyal to any one hotel brand but want to earn travel rewards, consider another card offering cash back or transferable points. At the low end, the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns 3X points on a wide variety of travel and travel-adjacent categories. If you want airport lounge access, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Finally, if you’re a small-business owner, look toward the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.

Best for Rotating Category Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex

Why we love this card: As credit card rewards enthusiasts, we enjoy the thrill of seeking out the best rewards on all of our spending. The Chase Freedom Flex gives both everyday value through its 3% cash back on dining and at drugstores and the excitement of earning high rewards in a new category each quarter.

Who should have this card in their wallet: The Chase Freedom Flex is a wallet staple for anyone invested in the Chase ecosystem. If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the Freedom Flex can quickly earn you valuable Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for high-value travel awards through your premium Chase cards.

Other cards to consider: The Discover it® Cash Back offers 5% cash back in activated categories that rotate each quarter, though the card doesn’t offer additional bonus categories on everyday spending.

Best for Building Credit: Chase Freedom Rise

Why we love this card: Most cards for people new to credit offer mediocre rewards and limited benefits. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Rise offers rewards that are in line with mainstream unsecured credit cards for no annual fee. We also like that the card gives prospective applicants a path to easier approvals by having $250 in a Chase checking account and starts considering cardmembers for credit line increases in as little as six months.

Who should have this card in their wallet: People new to credit should consider the Chase Freedom Rise for their first credit card. The card offers cash back rewards and a path to increasing your available credit, a key component of your FICO Score. Once you’ve built your credit, you’ll already have an established relationship with Chase, and can apply for other cards on this list.

Other cards to consider: If you’re rebuilding your credit and need a secured credit card, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers a low security deposit and a path to an unsecured card. Further, students looking for a first credit card should take a look at the Discover it® Student Cash Back.

Best for Grocery Delivery: Instacart Mastercard

Why we love this card: Many credit card rewards aficionados enjoy assembling an arsenal of credit cards in pursuit of getting the greatest rewards we can everywhere we shop. The Instacart Mastercard gives us an unlimited 5% cash back on anything we purchase on Instacart app and Instacart.com—that’s 5% cash back rewards at grocery stores, drugstores, wholesale clubs, and anywhere else that Instacart delivers from.

Who should have this card in their wallet: If you use Instacart frequently to avoid trips to the grocery store, drugstore, your local warehouse club or one of the dozens of other stores Instacart likely will deliver from in your area, having the Instacart Mastercard in your wallet is an easy way to get 5% cash back on everything you get delivered that’s purchased on Instacart app and Instacart.com.

Other cards to consider: There are many options for earning at least 5% rewards on your grocery deliveries. Amazon Prime members can get 5% cash back on orders from Amazon Fresh with the Amazon Prime Visa. Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, though earnings are capped at $6,000 in spending annually (then 1%).

What Is Chase?

JPMorgan Chase is one of the largest banks in the world and one of the most popular issuers of rewards credit cards in the United States. Chase offers cash back credit cards, balance transfer cards and rewards cards that earn Ultimate Rewards—its transferable rewards currency. The bank also offers co-branded credit cards in partnership with United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt and other brands.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Chase Credit Card?

In general, Chase offers credit cards to prime customers with a good credit score or better. If you have a FICO Score of at least 670, you have a reasonable chance of being approved for a Chase card. If your credit score is excellent (or a FICO Score of 800 and up), you have an even better chance of being approved.

Chase considers other factors when deciding whether to approve you for a card. In addition to your credit score, the bank considers the number of credit cards you’ve recently opened, the amount of outstanding debt you have, the total amount of credit the bank has granted you and other factors.

Chase Preapproval

Chase offers several ways to find out which credit cards it has preapproved you for. If you currently hold a Chase credit card, you can see which cards you’re preapproved for through Chase’s website. Chase also sends out offers to both existing and prospective cardmembers via the mail if you haven’t opted out of prescreened credit card offers.

Qualifying for Chase Credit Cards 101

Here are some tips that may help improve your odds of qualifying for a Chase credit card:

Pay Attention to Your Credit Score

Many of the best Chase credit cards suggest applicants have good or excellent credit scores. Before applying for one of the top Chase credit cards, review your credit score to ensure you’re a good candidate for the card you want.

You can use free online tools to check your credit score. Just make sure they’re legitimate. These tools provide an approximate score to help you determine what card is best for you.

Improve Your Credit

If your credit needs work, making changes before applying for a new credit card is wise. Understanding what factors influence your credit score can help you make progress.

The following factors make up your credit score:

• How much debt you have
• Your payment history
• The length of your credit history
• Your credit mix
• How much new credit you have

You can use this information to improve your credit and increase your chances of approval. It’s also a good idea to review your credit report before applying for a Chase credit card to see what areas need improvement.

You can get a weekly free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Get Prequalified for a Chase Card

Finding out if you’re prequalified for a Chase credit card and receiving a pre-approved offer doesn’t guarantee approval, but it can help indicate eligibility. If you want to apply for a Chase credit card, consider finding out if you’re prequalified to feel more confident before officially applying. This may be through viewing a prescreened offer you may receive, the Chase pre-approval tool or by visiting a local branch.

Don’t Overlook the Chase 5/24 Rule

While not officially spelled out on the credit card issuer’s website, Chase has a 5/24 rule that could impact your chance of being approved for a Chase credit card. To be eligible for approval, you must not have opened five or more credit cards within the last 24 months. This is based on your personal credit report. Consider this before applying for a card so you don’t risk a denial.

What Is Chase Ultimate Rewards?

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a transferable points program offered with many popular Chase credit cards like the Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards and other rewards, depending on which card you hold. Points can also be transferred between eligible cards, allowing you to earn points on one card and use the redemption options available on another.

How Do I Use My Chase Ultimate Rewards?

Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for cash back at 1 cent per point and travel through the Chase Travel portal. If you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards credit card that charges an annual fee (other than the Chase Ink Business Premier), you can also use your points toward transfer partner travel with Chase.

Which Chase Cards Offer Point Transfers?

Chase offers cash back credit cards, credit cards that earn points with partner brands and cards that earn a transferable point currency called Ultimate Rewards. Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to airlines and hotels and offer the potential of aspirational luxury travel rewards, but only some Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards allow you to transfer your points to partners.

You can transfer the Ultimate Rewards points you earn to airlines and hotels if you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards card that allows point transfers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred all offer point transfers to airline and hotel partners. The Ink Business Premier card charges an annual fee, the Ultimate Rewards you earn with the card cannot be transferred to partners (some cardholders have reported being able to pool their points).

Although you must carry one of the above cards to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to partners, many no-annual-fee cards also earn Ultimate Rewards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are two personal cards with no annual fee that are marketed as cash back cards, but technically earn Ultimate Rewards. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card cards also earn Ultimate Rewards points.

Ultimate Rewards points can be combined across your personal and small-business credit card accounts, meaning you can earn points on one card and take advantage of redemption opportunities available to you through another card you hold.

How To Choose the Best Chase Credit Card for You

The best Chase credit card for you will depend on whether you’re carrying a balance, your spending patterns, your preferences for rewards and your travel patterns. Here are the biggest questions you should consider when selecting the best Chase credit card for you:

• Are you carrying a balance?
• What are your spending patterns?
• What is the value of the benefits to you?
• How usable are the rewards?

Carried Balances

If you are currently carrying a balance and paying interest on a credit card, no amount of rewards is going to offset the high interest rates you’re paying on the card. If you’re paying interest on credit card debt, the smartest money move is to find a credit card with a 0% balance transfer offer so you can move your balances to a new card and get up to a 21-month pause in interest payments while you work to pay down your balance.

Your Spending Patterns

Holding a stable of rewards credit cards that match up with your spending patterns is key to earning the most credit card rewards. Consider what you spend on travel, groceries, gas, dining out and other purchases and look for a card that offers increased rewards where you spend the most. If you already have a few credit cards, find a rewards credit card that offers increased rewards in a bonus category not offered on your existing cards.

Value of the Benefits

Many travel credit cards offer benefits like airport lounge access, airline companion certificates or free hotel nights. Other cards offer extended warranty protection or travel insurance benefits. If you’re paying an annual fee to hold a premium credit card, consider what you might pay in cash, in advance, for the benefits offered on the card. If the total of what you would pay for a card’s benefits is greater than the card’s annual fee, getting that card makes sense.

Be cautious about placing too much value on benefits that duplicate what is offered on your existing credit cards—once one card has paid for your TSA PreCheck membership, a second card offering a membership fee credit toward TSA PreCheck isn’t worth much.

Rewards Usefulness and Usability

Cash back rewards are easy to use, but sometimes you can get more value from transferable points, airline miles or hotel points.

If you’re picking up a card that features transferable points, consider how you might use the points. If you travel regularly, you can get 25% more value out of your points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred when you book travel through Chase Travel. If you can figure out the sweet-spot awards of hotel and airline loyalty programs, you can get outsized value out of transferable points.

In contrast, if you don’t travel often, airline and hotel points won’t be worth much—these points usually can only be used for airline and hotel redemptions, which might be of limited value to you.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.