Chase cards have been central to my travel and rewards strategy for years. My first card introduced me to points and miles and financed a spontaneous trip I otherwise couldn’t have taken. Since then I’ve collected a variety of Chase products and now rely on a mix of premium, no-fee and business cards to cover different spending and travel needs. Below are the Chase cards I recommend, with concise notes on welcome offers, fees and the benefits that make each one useful.
The best Chase credit cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Welcome offer: Very large points bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $795.
Why I like it: This is a premium travel card with strong travel credits, elevated earnings on dining and travel, and robust travel protections (including primary rental car coverage). Recent updates added useful statement credits for event tickets and other perks that help offset the high fee if you can make use of them. It’s excellent for frequent travelers who will use the credits and premium benefits.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Welcome offer: Generous points bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $95.
Why I like it: A travel-focused workhorse with great transfer partners through Chase Ultimate Rewards. It earns bonus points on dining and several travel categories (recently expanded to include gas, EV charging and vacation rentals), and it’s my go-to for transferring points to hotel and airline partners like Hyatt. Low annual fee and big transfer value make it ideal for most travelers.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome offer: Cash-back bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $0.
Why I like it: Simple, no-fee card that earns at least 1.5% cash back (effectively 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar when paired with a Sapphire or Ink card). It’s a great everyday card for purchases that don’t fit bonus categories, and when combined with a primary Ultimate Rewards card its cash rewards can be converted into transferable points.
Ink Business Unlimited
Welcome offer: Substantial cash-back bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $0.
Why I like it: The business equivalent of Freedom Unlimited — 1.5% back on all purchases. It’s an easy, useful business card for owners who want flat-rate rewards and the option to convert to Ultimate Rewards when paired with a business Ultimate Rewards product. Great for common business expenses that don’t fit category-specific business cards.
Ink Business Cash
Welcome offer: Significant cash-back bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $0.
Why I like it: Strong 5% cash-back categories (or 5 points per dollar when combined with a transferable-UR card) on office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services for up to a combined annual cap. Very useful for business owners who have recurring digital and office expenses.
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome offer: Cash-back bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $0.
Why I like it: A flexible no-fee card with rotating quarterly 5% bonus categories (after activation) that can add substantial value when you plan for them. The points can be combined with an Ultimate Rewards card to get transferable travel currency, making this a high-value card for category-focused earners.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Welcome offer: Large points bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $229.
Why I like it: A strong choice for frequent Southwest flyers. Benefits include annual bonus points, upgraded boarding opportunities, inflight purchase discounts and a qualifying boost toward the Companion Pass. It’s great if you fly Southwest often and can use the airline-specific perks.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Welcome offer: Generous points bonus (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $99.
Why I like it: A lower-fee Southwest option that still offers key perks like inflight discounts, anniversary points and the Companion Pass boost, plus free first checked bag — a high-value benefit for travelers with luggage.
Prime Visa
Welcome offer: Upfront Amazon gift-card bonus for Prime members (varies by promotion).
Annual fee: $0 (Prime membership required).
Why I like it: Tailored for Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers: elevated cash-back rates for Amazon, Whole Foods and travel booked through Chase Travel. It’s best for people who prefer straightforward cash back and who spend heavily at Amazon or Whole Foods.
How to use these cards together
A common and powerful Chase strategy is to pair no-fee cashback cards (Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, Ink Business Unlimited, Ink Business Cash) with a primary Ultimate Rewards–earning card (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred). Doing so converts the cashback or flat-rate points into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, unlocking transfers to airline and hotel partners and higher redemption value.
What to consider when choosing a Chase card
– Preferred rewards: Do you want cash back or transferable travel points? If you value travel redemptions and partner transfers, prioritize Ultimate Rewards–earning products. If you prefer simple cash back, the Prime Visa or a cashback Ink product may be better.
– Welcome bonus: Big bonuses are often the quickest way to build a travel fund, but they require meeting a spending threshold in a short period — make sure that’s realistic for you.
– Spending habits: Match your card to where you spend most — dining, groceries, travel, business services, or Amazon/Whole Foods.
– Annual fee vs. benefits: Premium cards cost more but include credits and protections that can more than offset the fee if you use them. Low- or no-fee cards are easier to keep long-term and can still deliver excellent value when paired intelligently.
Redemption options
– Ultimate Rewards transfers: Cards that earn Ultimate Rewards (Sapphire cards, Ink Business Preferred) allow transfers to airlines and hotels for outsized value, especially with partners like Hyatt, British Airways, and Southwest.
– Co-branded redemptions: Airline cobranded cards (e.g., Southwest cards) earn that airline’s points directly and are often best used for that carrier.
– Cash back: Some Chase cards earn straightforward cash back; this is flexible and simple but often yields lower maximum value compared to high-value travel redemptions.
Bottom line
Chase offers cards for nearly every user: beginners can start with Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex; frequent travelers can upgrade to Sapphire Reserve for premium perks; business owners have robust Ink options; and loyal Amazon shoppers can benefit from the Prime Visa. Choose based on the rewards you value, where you spend most, and whether you’ll take advantage of transfer partners and statement credits. With the right combination, Chase cards can unlock significant travel and cash-back value.
