There is no single best Chase card — the right one depends on what you spend money on and whether you want rewards or a low interest rate
Chase makes over a dozen credit cards, each built for a different reason to borrow. Some reward you for groceries and gas. Some charge no interest for a year. Some waive the annual fee if you keep a certain balance in a Chase bank account. The "best" card is the one that matches how you actually spend and what you actually need from a credit card right now.
This guide walks you through the main Chase cards, what each one costs, and what each one pays back. It does not rank them — it shows you how to pick the one that makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Chase reward cards fall into three groups: cash back on everyday purchases, points toward travel, and cards that combine both.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom cards are among the most popular because they let you earn points on different categories and move those points between Chase cards.
- If you carry a balance month to month, a low-interest card or a 0% introductory rate card may save you more money than a rewards card.
- Most Chase cards charge an annual fee between $95 and $550, but several have no annual fee at all.
- Your credit score and income determine whether Chase will approve you and what interest rate you receive.
Cash Back Cards: Money Back on Everyday Spending
Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex both return a percentage of what you spend as cash back. The Unlimited version gives 1.5% cash back on everything. The Flex version gives 5% on groceries (up to $12,500 per year, then 1%), 5% on gas stations (first year only), 1% on everything else, and has no annual fee.
These cards work best if you spend consistently on the same categories — groceries, gas, restaurants — and you pay off the full balance each month. If you carry a balance, the interest you pay will quickly erase any cash back you earned. The Flex card has no annual fee, which makes it a low-risk first card. The Unlimited card also has no annual fee and is simpler if you do not want to track which category you are in.
Points Cards: Rewards You Can Use for Travel or Transfers
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve both earn points instead of cash back. Points are more flexible than cash back because you can transfer them to airline and hotel partners, redeem them for travel through Chase, or convert them to cash. The Preferred card costs $95 per year and earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else. The Reserve card costs $550 per year but earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, includes travel credits that offset part of the fee, and gives you access to airport lounges.
The Sapphire cards make sense if you travel several times a year and want flexibility in how you use your rewards. If you never fly or stay in hotels, the points are harder to use and the annual fee becomes a cost with no payoff. The Reserve card is designed for people who spend at least $15,000 to $20,000 per year on travel and dining — if you spend less, the $550 fee is not worth it.
Business and Category Cards: Rewards Tailored to Specific Spending
Chase Ink Business Cash and Chase Ink Business Preferred are for people with a business or side income. The Cash card earns 5% on internet, cable, and phone (up to $25,000 per year), 2% on gas and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. It has no annual fee. The Preferred card earns 3 points per dollar on travel and internet, 2 points on dining and gas, and 1 point on everything else. It costs $95 per year.
These cards require you to have a business tax ID or to use your Social Security number as a sole proprietor. Chase also offers the Chase Ink Unlimited, which works like the Freedom Unlimited but for business spending. If you own a business or freelance, these cards let you earn rewards on business expenses that a personal card would not track separately.
Low-Interest and 0% Introductory Rate Cards
Chase Slate Edge has no annual fee and offers 0% interest for the first 21 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the interest rate depends on your credit score and income. This card has no rewards, so you do not earn cash back or points. It is designed for people who need to pay off debt without interest charges piling up, or who need to move a balance from another card.
If you know you will carry a balance for several months, a 0% card saves you far more money than a rewards card. The math is straightforward: 1.5% cash back on $5,000 is $75. Interest at 18% on $5,000 for six months is $450. The 0% card wins. Use it only if you have a real plan to pay off the balance before the 0% period ends, because the interest rate after that is usually high.
How to Choose Based on Your Credit Score and Spending
Chase approves cards based on your credit score, income, and how many credit cards you already have. If your score is below 670, you may not be approved for the premium cards like Sapphire Reserve. If your score is 670 to 740, you have access to most cards. If your score is above 740, you have access to all of them.
Start by listing what you spend the most money on each month. If it is groceries and gas, the Freedom Flex makes sense. If it is restaurants and travel, the Sapphire Preferred makes sense. If you carry a balance, the Slate Edge makes sense. If you are not sure, the Freedom Unlimited or Flex (both no annual fee) let you earn rewards without risking money on a card you do not use.
One more thing: Chase lets you move points between most of its reward cards if you have more than one. This means you can earn points on a Freedom card (which has rotating categories) and move them to a Sapphire card (which lets you transfer to travel partners). This flexibility is one reason Chase cards are popular, but it only works if you pay off both cards in full each month.
Annual Fees and When They Make Sense
Chase cards with no annual fee: Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, Ink Business Cash. Chase cards with annual fees: Sapphire Preferred ($95), Sapphire Reserve ($550), Ink Business Preferred ($95). Some cards waive the first-year fee or waive the fee if you keep a certain balance in a Chase bank account.
An annual fee only makes sense if the rewards you earn exceed the fee. If you earn $1,500 in cash back or points per year and the fee is $95, you come out ahead by $1,405. If you earn $50 and the fee is $95, you lose $45. Calculate your own spending before you explore: add up what you spent last year in the categories the card rewards, multiply by the reward rate, and subtract the annual fee. If the number is positive, the card pays for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Chase credit card?
Yes. Chase lets most people hold multiple cards at the same time. Many people have a Freedom card for everyday rewards and a Sapphire card to transfer points to travel partners. There is no rule against it, but Chase may deny you if you have applied for too many cards in a short time or if your income is too low to support multiple accounts.
What happens to my rewards if I close a Chase card?
Your rewards stay in your account as long as you have at least one other Chase card open. If you close all your Chase cards, you lose any points or cash back you have not redeemed. Always redeem or transfer your rewards before you close a card.
Do I have to use a Chase card for a certain amount of time before I close it?
No. You can close a Chase card whenever you want. However, closing a card lowers your available credit and can hurt your credit score slightly. If you want to close a card with an annual fee, wait until after the fee posts so you can dispute it, or call Chase to ask them to waive it before you close the account.
What is the difference between points and cash back?
Cash back is money deposited into your account or applied to your balance. Points are a currency you can redeem for travel, merchandise, or cash. Points are usually worth more if you use them for travel (often 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point) than if you convert them to cash (usually 1 cent per point).
Can I transfer my rewards from one Chase card to another?
Yes, but only if both cards are in your name and both are open. You can move points from a Freedom card to a Sapphire card, for example. You cannot move cash back between cards — cash back is tied to the card it was earned on.