Chase offers different cards for different needs, not one "best" card for everyone
Chase makes roughly a dozen credit cards, each designed for a particular type of spender. The card that makes sense for you depends on what you spend on most, how much you spend, and whether you want cash back or travel rewards. A card that earns 5% back on groceries is worthless if you rarely buy groceries. A card with a $95 annual fee makes sense only if you'll earn more in rewards than you pay.
This guide walks you through the main Chase cards, what each one rewards, what it costs, and how to think about whether one fits your situation. It does not recommend a single card — that choice is yours based on your actual spending.
Key Takeaways
- Chase's most popular cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred (travel rewards, $95 annual fee), Chase Freedom Unlimited (flat cash back, no annual fee), and Chase Freedom Flex (bonus categories, no annual fee).
- A card's value depends on whether you spend enough in its bonus categories to earn more than its annual fee costs.
- Most Chase cards require good credit (usually 670 or higher) to be approved, though some are designed for fair credit.
- Sign-up bonuses can be worth $500 to $1,000 in value, but only if you meet the spending requirement within the timeframe given.
- You can hold multiple Chase cards at once, and many people do to earn different rewards on different purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: For people who travel or want flexible rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 per year and earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else. The key feature is that points are worth more when you redeem them through Chase's travel portal — typically 1.25 cents per point instead of 1 cent. That means 2 points on dining becomes worth roughly 2.5 cents per dollar spent, which is competitive with flat cash-back cards.
This card makes sense if you spend $500 or more per month on travel or dining combined. At that level, the extra rewards usually cover the $95 annual fee. It also makes sense if you value flexibility — you can redeem points for any travel purchase (flights, hotels, rental cars, trains) or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. If you never travel and eat out rarely, this card costs you $95 a year for rewards you won't use.
The current sign-up bonus is typically 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. That's worth roughly $750 through the travel portal if you redeem it for travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: For people who want straightforward cash back with no annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on everything you spend. That's lower than the Sapphire Preferred's rewards on dining and travel, but there's no annual fee and no category to track. You get the same cash back whether you're buying groceries, gas, or plane tickets.
This card works well if you spend $1,000 or more per month and want a straightforward card without annual fees. It also works as a second card paired with a bonus-category card — you use the bonus card for categories it rewards, and the Freedom Unlimited for everything else. The sign-up bonus is usually 20,000 cash back ($200) after you spend $500 in the first three months.
Chase Freedom Flex: For people who want bonus categories without an annual fee
The Chase Freedom Flex has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on rotating categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, and others) that change each quarter, up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1% after that. It also earns 1% on everything else. You have to set up each category each quarter through the Chase app or website, or you won't earn the bonus rate.
This card makes sense if you spend heavily in the bonus categories and remember to set up them. If you forget to set up, you only earn 1% on those purchases. The rotating categories mean you have to pay attention — one quarter groceries earn 5%, the next quarter they earn 1%. The sign-up bonus is usually 20,000 cash back ($200) after you spend $500 in the first three months.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: For people who travel frequently and want premium benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year and earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else. Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed through the travel portal, making dining and travel worth roughly 4.5 cents per dollar. It also includes a $300 annual travel credit that offsets some of the annual fee.
This card is designed for people who spend $10,000 or more per year on travel and dining combined. It includes benefits like airport lounge access, trip delay reimbursement, and concierge service. If you don't travel frequently or don't value lounge access, the $550 annual fee is hard to justify. The sign-up bonus is typically 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, worth roughly $1,125 through the travel portal.
Chase cards for fair credit or limited credit history
Chase offers two cards for people who don't yet have good credit. The Chase Secured Credit Card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. It earns 1% cash back on all purchases and has no annual fee. After you make on-time payments for several months, Chase may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
The Chase Freedom Student card is designed for students with limited credit history. It earns 1% cash back on all purchases and 5% on rotating categories (with set up required). It has no annual fee and no credit score requirement, though you do need to be a student.
How to compare cards by your own spending
The best way to decide is to look at your last three months of credit card statements and add up what you spent in each category: groceries, gas, restaurants, travel, and everything else. Then calculate what each card would have earned you on that spending, minus the annual fee.
For example, if you spent $400 on groceries, $200 on gas, $300 on restaurants, and $1,500 on everything else in a month, the Chase Freedom Flex (assuming you set up all categories) would earn roughly $60 in cash back ($20 on groceries at 5%, $10 on gas at 5%, $15 on restaurants at 5%, $15 on other at 1%). The Chase Freedom Unlimited would earn $27 in cash back ($1.5% on $1,800). The Sapphire Preferred would earn roughly $30 in rewards ($20 on dining and restaurants at 2 points, $15 on other at 1 point, converted to cash value). Over a year, the Freedom Flex would earn $720, the Freedom Unlimited would earn $324, and the Sapphire Preferred would earn $360 minus the $95 annual fee, leaving $265. In this case, the Freedom Flex wins.
Your actual spending may be different, so do this math with your own numbers. That's the only way to know which card actually pays you the most.
What credit score you need and how the process works
Most Chase cards require a credit score of 670 or higher. Some require 700 or higher. The Sapphire Reserve typically requires 750 or higher. If your score is lower, you can still explore — Chase will tell you yes or no — but approval is less likely.
To explore, go to Chase.com, find the card you want, and click "explore Now". You'll enter your personal information, income, and employment history. Chase will do a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. You'll usually get a decision within minutes or a few days. If you're approved, the card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Chase has a rule called "5/24" — if you've opened 5 or more credit cards with any bank in the last 24 months, Chase is unlikely to approve you. This rule is not published, but it's widely reported by people who explore. If you're thinking about explore for a Chase card, check how many cards you've opened recently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sign-up bonus if I already have a Chase card?
Yes. You can hold multiple Chase cards at once, and each one can have its own sign-up bonus. However, Chase has a rule that you can't earn a bonus on the same card more than once every 24 months. If you had a Chase Freedom Unlimited two years ago and closed it, you can earn the bonus again now. If you closed it last year, you can't.
What happens if I don't meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement?
You straightforward don't earn the bonus. You still have the card and can use it normally. There's no penalty. If the spending requirement is too high for you to reach in the timeframe given, it's better to choose a card with a lower bonus or no bonus requirement.
Do I have to pay an annual fee every year?
Yes, annual fees are charged every year on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You can cancel the card anytime to avoid paying the fee again. Some people cancel after the first year if they don't think the rewards will cover the fee in year two.
Can I transfer my points from one Chase card to another?
No. Points earned on one card stay on that card. You can't combine points from multiple cards. However, you can redeem points from any Chase card for cash back, travel, or other rewards independently.
What if I'm denied for a Chase card?
You can call Chase's reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter and ask them to review your process. Sometimes they'll approve you if you explain your situation or offer to move money into a Chase account. If they deny you again, wait a few months, improve your credit score if possible, and explore again.