Chase offers different credit cards for different spending patterns and credit histories
Chase makes credit cards for people building credit, people with established credit who want rewards, and people who travel frequently. Each card has a different annual fee (some charge nothing, others charge $95 or more), different rewards rates on purchases, and different welcome offers. The card that makes sense for you depends on how much you spend, what you spend on, and whether you can pay the full balance each month.
Chase does not make every card available to every person. Your credit score, credit history, and current Chase accounts affect which cards you can open. A card marketed to people with excellent credit will likely decline you if your score is below 700. A card marketed to people building credit might accept you at 600. Chase publishes the credit range each card typically requires, though the exact decision is individual.
Key Takeaways
- Chase credit cards fall into three groups: cards for people building credit (no annual fee, lower rewards), cards for everyday spending (annual fee $0–$95, cash back or points on purchases), and premium travel cards (annual fee $450–$550, travel credits and lounge access).
- A welcome offer usually means you earn bonus points or cash back if you spend a certain amount in the first few months — for example, 50,000 points if you spend $3,000 in 90 days.
- Your credit score and credit history determine which cards you can open; Chase publishes the typical credit range for each card before you start.
- Rewards rates vary by card and by category; a card might pay 3% cash back on groceries but only 1% on everything else.
- An annual fee is worth paying only if the rewards and credits you earn in a year exceed the fee amount.
Cards for people building or rebuilding credit
Chase offers secured credit cards and unsecured cards for people with limited or damaged credit history. A secured card requires you to deposit cash with Chase (usually $200 to $2,500), and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, Chase may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
Chase also offers unsecured cards for people with fair credit — people whose score is typically 600 to 669. These cards have no annual fee and no rewards, but they report to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your score. The credit limit is usually low ($300 to $500), and the interest rate is high (around 20% to 27%), but the point is to prove you can pay on time, not to carry a balance.
These cards do not offer welcome bonuses. The benefit is the credit-building itself. After 12 to 24 months of perfect payments, you become may be able to access for Chase's mid-tier cards with rewards.
Everyday rewards cards with no annual fee
Chase's no-annual-fee rewards cards are designed for people who want cash back or points without paying a yearly fee. The most common is the Chase Freedom Flex, which pays 5% cash back on rotating categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, and others) up to a spending cap each quarter, then 1% on everything else. There is no annual fee, and the welcome offer is typically 20,000 points if you spend $500 in the first three months.
Another option is the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which pays 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no categories to track. The welcome offer is usually 20,000 points if you spend $500 in the first three months. This card is simpler if you do not want to remember which quarter pays 5% on what.
Both cards require good credit (typically 670 or higher). The cash back or points can be redeemed for statement credits, transferred to a Chase checking account, or (if you have a premium Chase card) transferred to travel partners. There is no expiration on points or cash back.
Everyday rewards cards with an annual fee
Chase's mid-tier cards charge $95 per year and offer higher rewards rates or additional credits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred pays 2% cash back on dining and travel, 1% on everything else, and includes a $50 annual travel credit. The welcome offer is typically 50,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. At 2 cents per point (the standard redemption value), that is $1,000 in value.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is similar but designed for business owners and self-employed people. It pays 3% cash back on the first $20,000 spent in combined categories each year (internet, cable, phone, gas, and others), then 1% after that. The annual fee is $95, and the welcome offer is typically 100,000 points if you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
Whether a $95 annual fee is worth it depends on your spending. If you spend $5,000 per year on dining and travel, the Sapphire Preferred earns you $100 in cash back plus the $50 travel credit, which covers the fee. If you spend less, the no-annual-fee card is better.
Premium travel cards
Chase's premium cards charge $450 to $550 per year and are designed for people who travel frequently or spend heavily on dining. The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $550 per year and includes a $300 annual travel credit, a $100 dining credit, and $100 in statement credits every four years. It pays 3% cash back on travel and dining, 1% on everything else. The welcome offer is typically 75,000 points if you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
The Chase Ink Preferred (for business) charges $495 per year and pays 3% cash back on travel, shipping, internet, cable, and phone; 2% on dining and gas; and 1% on everything else. It includes a $300 annual travel credit and lounge access through Priority Pass.
These cards make sense only if you travel multiple times per year or spend heavily on dining. The credits and rewards must exceed the annual fee for the card to be worth the cost. If you travel once a year, a no-annual-fee card is usually better.
Welcome offers and how they work
A welcome offer is a bonus you earn by spending a certain amount in a certain time frame. For example, "50,000 points if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days." You must spend the full amount within the window to earn the bonus. Spending $2,999 does not earn you a partial bonus — you get nothing.
The bonus is usually paid as points or cash back that appears in your account after the spending requirement is met. You can then redeem it for a statement credit, a check, or (on some cards) travel bookings or transfers to partners. The bonus does not count toward your annual fee; if the card charges $95, you still owe that fee even if you earn a $1,000 welcome bonus.
Welcome offers change frequently — sometimes monthly. If you see an offer you like, check Chase's website to see the current offer for that card before you open it. Chase does not allow you to earn a welcome bonus on the same card twice within a certain period (usually 24 months), so timing matters if you plan to open multiple cards.
How to compare Chase cards side by side
Start by listing your spending in the last three months: how much on groceries, gas, restaurants, travel, and everything else. Then look at the rewards rates for each card you are considering and calculate how much cash back or points you would earn in a year. Subtract any annual fee. If the result is higher than another card, that card is better for your spending pattern.
Next, check the credit range for each card on Chase's website. If your score is below the typical range, you are unlikely to be approved. If your score is at the bottom of the range, you might be approved but with a lower credit limit.
Finally, read the welcome offer for each card. The bonus is real money (or points worth real money), but only if you can meet the spending requirement without overspending. If you normally spend $1,000 per month and the requirement is $5,000 in three months, you would need to spend an extra $2,000 to earn the bonus. That extra spending might cost you more in interest than the bonus is worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between points and cash back?
Cash back is a percentage of what you spend, paid as money. Points are a currency you earn and redeem for statement credits, travel bookings, or other rewards. One point is usually worth 1 cent, but the value can vary depending on how you redeem it. Some people prefer cash back because it is simpler; others prefer points because they can be worth more if redeemed for travel.
Can I have more than one Chase credit card?
Yes. Many people have two or three Chase cards at once — for example, a no-annual-fee card for everyday spending and a premium card for travel. Chase does limit how many cards you can open in a certain time period (usually no more than one or two every 30 days), and opening multiple cards in a short time can lower your credit score temporarily.
What happens if I do not meet the welcome offer spending requirement?
You do not earn the bonus. You still have the card and can use it, but the welcome offer is forfeited. You will still owe any annual fee if the card charges one.
Do I have to carry a balance to earn rewards?
No. Rewards are earned on all purchases, whether you pay the full balance or carry a balance. However, if you carry a balance, you pay interest, which usually costs more than the rewards are worth. Rewards are most valuable when you pay the full balance each month.
How do I know if my credit score is good enough for a specific card?
Chase publishes the typical credit range for each card on its website before you start the process. If your score is below the range, you can still explore, but approval is unlikely. You can check your own credit score for free through your bank, your credit card issuer, or websites like Credit Karma.