What Chase credit cards do and who they're built for
Chase offers credit cards in three broad categories: cards that reward you for everyday spending, cards that give you travel benefits, and cards that charge no interest for a set period if you're paying down debt. Each card has a different annual fee (some charge nothing, others charge $95 to $550), different rewards rates, and different perks. The card that makes sense for you depends on how much you spend, what you spend on, and whether you'll use the benefits enough to justify the fee.
Most Chase cards require good or excellent credit — typically a credit score of 670 or higher — to be approved. A few cards are designed for people rebuilding credit and have lower score requirements. Before you compare cards, check your credit score so you know which ones you're actually may be able to access to get approved for.
Chase also runs a rule called the 5/24 rule: if you've opened five or more credit cards with any bank in the last 24 months, Chase will usually deny your process. This matters if you're a frequent card opener. It doesn't affect most people, but it's worth knowing before you explore.
Key Takeaways
- Chase cards fall into three types: everyday rewards, travel rewards, and 0% interest cards, each with different annual fees and benefits.
- Most Chase cards require a credit score of 670 or higher; a few cards are built for people with lower scores or shorter credit histories.
- The best card for you depends on your annual spending, what categories you spend most in, and whether you'll use travel perks or other benefits.
- Chase's 5/24 rule limits approvals if you've opened five or more cards in 24 months, though this doesn't affect most people.
- Cards with annual fees only make financial sense if the rewards and perks you'll actually use exceed the fee amount each year.
Everyday rewards cards: cash back and points on regular purchases
Chase's everyday rewards cards give you points or cash back on groceries, gas, restaurants, and other common spending. The most popular is the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which has no annual fee and gives 1.5% cash back on everything. If you don't want to track categories or think about which card to use, this is the simplest choice.
The Chase Freedom Flex also has no annual fee but works differently: it gives 5% cash back on rotating categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, and one category that changes each quarter), and 1% on everything else. You have to set up the 5% categories each quarter, and the 5% cap is $1,500 in purchases per quarter (then 1% after that). This card pays off if you spend heavily in those categories and remember to set up them.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee and gives 2% on dining and travel, 1% on everything else, plus $50 back each year if you use the card for travel purchases. The fee makes sense only if you spend at least $3,000 to $4,000 annually on dining and travel combined. The card also lets you transfer points to airline and hotel partners at a better rate than other Chase cards, which matters if you travel frequently.
Travel rewards cards: points that work with airlines and hotels
Chase's travel cards are built for people who fly or stay in hotels regularly and want to earn points that transfer to specific airlines or hotel chains. The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $550 annually but includes $300 back each year for travel purchases, $100 back for dining, and $100 back for other purchases — which means the net cost is $50 if you use all three credits. It gives 3% on dining and travel, 1% on everything else. This card only makes sense if you spend enough on travel and dining to get the full value of the credits.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred charges $95 annually and gives 3% on travel, shipping, and internet/cable, plus 1% on everything else. It's designed for business owners or self-employed people, but you can open it as a sole proprietor with just your Social Security number. The rewards transfer to airline and hotel partners.
Chase also offers co-branded cards with specific airlines (United, Southwest, American) and hotel chains (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG). These cards give you points in that airline or hotel's program directly, plus perks like free checked bags or room upgrades. They're worth considering only if you fly one airline or stay at one hotel chain regularly enough to use the perks.
0% interest cards: when you need time to pay down debt
The Chase Slate Edge has no annual fee and offers 0% interest for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers (transfers from other credit cards). This is useful if you're moving debt from a high-interest card or making a large purchase you want to pay off over time without interest charges. After the 0% period ends, the regular interest rate applies.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited also offers 0% for 15 months on purchases if you're approved, though not all cardholders get this offer — it depends on your credit profile. Check your offer before you explore.
These cards make sense only if you have a concrete plan to pay off the balance before the 0% period ends. If you don't, you'll owe interest at the regular rate on whatever's left, which can be steep. Calculate the monthly payment you'd need to make and confirm you can actually make it before you open the card.
Cards for people with lower credit scores or limited history
The Chase Secured Credit Card is designed for people rebuilding credit or opening their first card. It requires a cash deposit (typically $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. You use it like a regular card, and after about 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, Chase may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit. There's no annual fee, and it reports to all three credit bureaus, so it helps build your credit history.
The Chase Freedom Student is for students under 21 with limited credit history. It has no annual fee, gives 1% cash back on everything, and includes tools to help you learn about credit. You don't need a co-signer, but you do need to be a student.
How to compare cards side by side
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Main Rewards | Best For | Credit Score Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | 1.5% cash back everything | straightforward, no-category tracking | 670+ |
| Chase Freedom Flex | $0 | 5% rotating categories, 1% other | High spending in specific categories | 670+ |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 2% dining/travel, 1% other | Frequent diners and travelers | 670+ |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | 3% dining/travel, 1% other + credits | High-spending travelers | 750+ |
| Chase Slate Edge | $0 | 0% for 21 months on purchases/transfers | Paying down debt interest-free | 670+ |
| Chase Secured Card | $0 | 1% cash back | Building credit from scratch | No minimum |
Questions to ask yourself before you explore
Start with your annual spending. Add up what you spend in a year on groceries, gas, dining, travel, and everything else. If you spend less than $10,000 annually, a card with an annual fee probably won't pay for itself. If you spend $20,000 or more, a fee-based card might make sense.
Next, think about your spending patterns. Do you eat out frequently? Do you travel? Do you buy groceries every week? Match your biggest spending categories to the rewards rates on each card. A card that gives 5% back on groceries is worth more to you if you spend $300 a month on groceries than if you spend $50.
Finally, be honest about whether you'll use the perks. Travel cards often include things like lounge access, travel insurance, or concierge services. If you never use airport lounges or never book travel through the card's portal, those perks have no value to you. The same goes for credits: a $100 dining credit only saves you money if you actually spend $100 on dining in a year.
How rewards and fees affect your actual money
Let's say you spend $2,000 a month on groceries, gas, and dining combined. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited (no fee, 1.5% back), you'd earn $360 a year. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 fee, 2% on dining and travel), you'd earn $480 but pay $95, netting $385 — only $25 more for the hassle of a fee and a higher credit score requirement.
If you spend $5,000 a month on the same categories, the Sapphire Preferred earns you $1,200 minus $95 = $1,105, versus $900 with the Freedom Unlimited. Now the fee-based card is worth $205 more per year. The breakeven point depends on your spending, so calculate it for yourself before you explore.
Also remember that rewards are taxable income in theory, though the IRS rarely pursues individuals for small amounts. More importantly, rewards only have value if you don't overspend to earn them. If a card tempts you to buy things you wouldn't otherwise buy, the rewards are costing you money, not saving it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Chase card at the same time?
Yes. Many people hold both a no-fee everyday card and a travel card, or combine a rewards card with a 0% interest card. Chase doesn't limit the number of cards you can hold, but opening multiple cards in a short time can hurt your credit score temporarily and may trigger the 5/24 rule if you're opening cards with other banks too.
What's the difference between cash back and points?
Cash back is money deposited to your account or applied to your bill — it's straightforward and worth exactly what it says. Points are currency within Chase's system and can be redeemed for cash, travel, or merchandise. Points are often worth more if you redeem them for travel (sometimes 1.5 cents per point instead of 1 cent), but only if you actually book travel through Chase's portal.
Do I need excellent credit to get approved for any Chase card?
Most Chase cards require a score around 670 to 700. The Sapphire Reserve typically requires 750 or higher. The Secured Card and Freedom Student have lower requirements. If your score is below 670, start with a secured card or student card to build history, then explore for a rewards card after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments.
What happens if I don't use my Chase card for a while?
Chase may close the account if it's inactive for 12 months or longer, which can hurt your credit score by reducing your available credit. To keep an account open, use it at least once every few months, even for a small purchase.
Can I switch from one Chase card to another?
Yes, you can close one card and open another, or keep both. If you close a card, you lose that credit limit and the account history, which can lower your score slightly. Some people keep old cards open and just don't use them to preserve the credit history and available credit.