The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

9 Best Chase Credit Cards of 2024

Best Chase Credit Cards
Eric Bank

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Chase enjoys a solid reputation for offering a variety of popular business and personal credit cards thanks to generous sign-up bonuses and reward programs. You’ll find top cards with cash back, travel miles, and points to be earned. Some Chase cards are best for general use, while others offer targeted rewards for airline and hotel spending, business purchases, or balance transfers.

In fact, credit cards from Chase are so popular that it limits sign-up bonuses if you have received a Chase card bonus in the last two to four years. Chase also limits your access to a new card if you’ve obtained five new cards in the last two years, known as the Chase 5/24 rule.

Chase cards have no minimum redemption amount, and you redeem your rewards for cash, gift cards, travel expenses, and Amazon.com purchases. Our experts evaluated all the cards issued by Chase and selected the 10 best. Read on to see if one is a good match for your lifestyle.

Overall | Cash Back | Balance Transfer | Students | Travel | Business | Airlines

Best Overall Chase Credit Cards

We’ve designated three Chase cards as best overall. They offer competitive rewards in the form of cash back and points that you can redeem for cash, travel, and other goodies.

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card appeals to consumers who want a simple rewards program and good introductory perks. The card offers an introductory period for 0% APR purchases. Cash back rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and the card charges no annual fee.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™; Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
22.49%-29.49% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium credit card with a high annual fee. The card pays point rewards worth 50% more than their cash value when you redeem them for travel via Chase. You earn a bonus reward rate when you use the card to pay for travel and dining, and the standard reward on all other purchases. On each account anniversary, the card pays up to a set amount in statement credits to reimburse travel purchases.

3. Chase Freedom Flex℠

This card is currently not available.

Chase® Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers quarterly bonus categories that earn bonus cash back on combined purchases up to the quarterly limit. You must activate your participation each quarter to earn the bonus rate. New cardmembers are also offered an introductory 0% APR for purchases. You can even earn cash back each year by recommending friends who get the Chase Freedom card.

Best Chase Card for Cash Back

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® lets you earn cash back on all purchases without bothering with complicated rotating merchant categories or quarterly activations. The standard cash back rate is higher than that on many other cards and offers a modest signup bonus. You are eligible for the bonus if you haven’t received one from Chase in the last 24 months.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Your introduction to the card also includes a period of 0% APR offer on purchases. The card charges no annual fee, although fees apply to balance transfers, cash advances, late payments, returned payments, and foreign transactions. You never lose your rewards as long as you keep the account open.

Best Chase Card for Balance Transfers

The Chase Slate Edge℠ offers $0-fee balance transfers during the first 60 days after you open the account. Afterward, the fee reverts to its standard amount. Furthermore, new cardmembers receive an introductory APR of 0% on balance transfers and purchases.

5. Chase Slate Edge℠

This card is currently not available.

Chase® Rating

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

The card charges no annual fee and you can reduce your APR over time when your account remains in good standing. You get unlimited access to Chase Credit Journey to check your credit score. You also get fraud monitoring and alerts, protection against damage or theft of new purchases up to the claim and account limits, and the convenience of contactless tap and pay.

Best Chase Card for Students

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card is great for students new to credit. They can earn a signup bonus for simply using the card and unlimited cash back rewards on every dollar spent. This comes in handy when you are shelling out big bucks on tuition, textbooks, and everything else you need while attending college.

6. Chase Freedom® Student credit card

This card is currently not available.

Chase® Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

The card’s modest perks make it relatively easier to obtain, which is good for students with scant credit history. The card can help you build your credit and establish a relationship with Chase that may lead to more rewarding cards later. By charging no annual fee and a minimal interest rate, the card helps you conserve your cash for other purposes.

Best Chase Card for Travel Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card credit card offers a hefty signup bonus when you spend a set amount during the first three months after opening the account. Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

You can transfer your points to airline and hotel partner frequent travel programs, and you’ll also receive an annual hotel credit. The card charges a reasonable annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Other travel benefits include trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and emergency assistance service.

Best Chase Card for Business Rewards

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card credit card offers unlimited cash back on every purchase. You can earn bonus cash back by spending the set amount on purchases in the first three months after you open the account. New cardmembers also get an introductory period of 0% APR on purchases. You can obtain employee cards at no extra cost and earn rewards from their purchases as well.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A 12 months
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

In addition to cash back, you can redeem your rewards for select gift cards, purchases on Amazon.com, and unrestricted air travel with no blackout dates through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Additional benefits include auto rental collision damage waiver, emergency roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance services, limited purchase protection against purchase damage and theft, and one year of extended warranty protection on eligible warranties.

Best Chase Card for Airline Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers exceptional airline rewards, starting with a statement credit to reimburse TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fees. You also get an annual statement credit on each account anniversary as reimbursement for travel charges, as well as bonus points after earning the credit on travel and dining purchases. All other purchases earn the standard point reward. Your points are worth more when you redeem them for travel through Chase.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™; Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
22.49%-29.49% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent

You can earn bonus points by spending a set amount on purchases during the initial three months. Travel benefits also include complimentary airport lounge access, special perks at select luxury hotels and resorts, and 24/7 access to customer service specialists. You automatically receive trip cancellation/delay insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement and emergency evacuation coverage.

What is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

The Chase 5/24 Rule restricts you to five new cards within a 24-month period. This is an informal policy, unconfirmed by Chase but widely known by credit card experts. The purpose of the rule is to limit credit card churning, the practice of replacing one card with another to earn a new card’s introductory rewards.

The limit applies to all your credit cards and charge cards, not just Chase cards. Even if you would otherwise qualify for a Chase credit card, Chase will withhold approval if you run afoul of the rule.

For example, suppose you move, open a new bank account, and receive the bank’s credit card. In the next year, you also obtain additional cards:

If you now apply with Chase for a credit card, you will likely face rejections despite your good credit score. You must wait two years after securing the initial bank credit card to qualify for a new Chase card. If you feel the rule has unfairly victimized you, call Chase and ask them to reconsider:

  • Personal cards: 888-270-2127
  • Business cards: 800-453-9719

All Chase cards adhere to the 5/24 rule. There are also reports of Chase closing all of a cardmember’s Chase cards if it feels they are churning the card to obtain extra rewards.

Does Chase Automatically Increase Your Credit Limit?

Chase will automatically review your credit line every six months to one year. If you don’t miss any payment deadlines and otherwise use your card responsibly, you have a chance of receiving an automatic credit increase without making a request. However, there is no need to wait for an invitation from Chase.

We’ve offered several tips on how to increase your Chase credit line, including the following:

  1. Contact Chase directly with your request. You can call them at 888-245-0625 or by calling the number on the back of your card. When requesting a higher line, don’t appear overly eager, as it could scare off the credit analyst at the other end of the line. Point out your loyalty to Chase, how you’ve maintained responsible credit habits, and how the credit you currently use is less than 30% of your available credit. It’s also a plus if you can report a recent income increase.
  2. Get a new Chase credit card. You may qualify for a higher credit limit when you apply for a new card. If you receive the new card and a higher limit, you may be able to move some of the new credit line to your existing cards. As a rule, you shouldn’t cancel your old card even when you replace it because the credit bureaus view credit account longevity as a positive when assigning you a credit score.
  3. Ask for a modest increase in the 10% to 25% range. Asking for more than that could sound a little desperate, which may scare Chase into not approving any increase at all. On the other hand, if you feel you deserve a much higher credit line, lay out your case. Each interaction is unique, so you may just get what you want. Manage your debt carefully if you do get a large credit limit increase.
  4. Ask for a balance transfer. You can apply for the Chase Slate card, which we rate as their best card for transfers. Issuers love balance transfers, and with this card, you can make one within the introductory period that is interest- and fee-free. You have leverage if you ask Chase to increase your credit limit to facilitate the balance transfer, and you just may get what you wish for.

And always remember — kindness is key when requesting a credit limit increase. The bank doesn’t owe you anything, so don’t be demanding.

How Do Chase Ultimate Rewards Work?

Chase Ultimate Rewards is the issuer’s online portal that helps you get the most value from your Chase credit card rewards points. Chase designed the program to provide you with redemption choices, including cash back, Amazon.com purchases, gift cards, travel accommodations, and more.

The value of each point varies with the card you own and how you apply the points. For example, you get more value from the points you apply to travel than you do for cash back. The typical value per point is between $0.01 and $0.02, although some values may fall outside of this range.

Screenshot from the Chase Ultimate Rewards website
Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, Apple products, and more on the Chase Ultimate Rewards website.

One interesting way to apply your points is to transfer them 1 for 1 to a participating travel or hotel partner. Chase airline partners include British Air, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic. Hotel partners include Hyatt, International Hotels Group, Ritz Carlton, and Marriott. The value of the transferred points depends upon the details of the partner’s rewards program.

The Ultimate Rewards site also offers travel booking services. This is a good use of your points because the site provides 25% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Ultimate Rewards. Depending on the cost of the booking, the bonus value of your points could save hundreds of dollars on your flight.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card credit cards have a higher reward ratio on Ultimate Rewards, equal to 1.25 cents per point. The other Chase cards have points that are worth 1 cent each. If you have one of the high-reward cards and also the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card, you can transfer the latter’s less-valuable points to other Chase cards and increase the value of those points.

Chase is Known for Great Rewards and Customer Service

Chase targets its cards to those with good or excellent credit. So it’s no surprise that its cards offer good benefits and solicitous customer service. Whether you want to avoid annual fees or feel that a card that offers rewards is well worth the fee, Chase has multiple choices for you. You may want to own several Chase cards since they usually excel in different ways. Just remember to heed the 5/24 rule, which could limit your access to multiple cards.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.