Best Chase Credit Cards (2026)
Chase issues some of the most valuable credit cards for churners and rewards enthusiasts. Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and other partners — making them worth 1.5-2+ cents each. This guide ranks every Chase card by bonus value, covers the 5/24 rule, and lays out the optimal application order.
All bonus amounts and annual fees below are pulled directly from our card database. See our Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve comparison for a deeper dive into which Sapphire card is right for you.
In This Guide
- Quick Comparison Table
- Best Chase Travel Cards (Sapphire Lineup)
- Best Chase Cash Back Cards (Freedom Lineup)
- Best Chase Business Cards (Ink Lineup)
- Co-Branded Chase Cards (United, Southwest, Marriott, Hyatt)
- Best Chase Cards With No Annual Fee
- The Chase Trifecta Strategy
- Chase 5/24 Rule and Application Strategy
- Frequently Asked Questions
Chase Card Comparison Table
Every Chase card ranked by welcome bonus value. Cards at the top deliver the most first-year value from sign-up bonuses alone.
| Card | Annual Fee | Bonus | Est. Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | 125,000 points | ~$1,875 |
| Ink Business Preferred(Biz) | $95 | 100,000 points | ~$1,250 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 70,000 points | ~$1,050 |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 | 30,000 points | ~$1,000 |
| Ink Business Unlimited(Biz) | $0 | $750 | ~$750 |
| Ink Business Cash(Biz) | $0 | $750 | ~$750 |
| United Explorer Card | $0 | 60,000 miles | ~$720 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | $149 | 50,000 points | ~$700 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | $95 | 85,000 points | ~$680 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold | $0 | 100,000 points | ~$500 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | $200 | ~$200 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | $0 | $200 | ~$200 |
Best Chase Travel Cards
The Sapphire lineup is the core of Chase's travel rewards ecosystem. Both cards earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest. You can only hold one Sapphire card at a time, so choose carefully — or read our Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve comparison.
Best Chase Cash Back Cards
The Freedom cards earn Ultimate Rewards points (not just cash back). When paired with a Sapphire card, you can transfer Freedom points to airline and hotel partners — turning a no-fee cash back card into a premium travel earning engine. Both cards are essential components of the Chase trifecta.
Best Chase Business Cards (Ink Lineup)
Chase Ink cards are a churner's best friend. They earn Ultimate Rewards points, do not report to personal credit bureaus, and do not add to your 5/24 count when approved. You can hold all three Ink cards simultaneously. Read our Ink churning guide and Ink Business Preferred deep dive for detailed strategies.
Co-Branded Chase Cards
Chase partners with United, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt to offer co-branded cards. These earn loyalty points in the partner program rather than Ultimate Rewards. They are subject to 5/24 and best applied for after you have locked in your Sapphire and Freedom cards.
Best Chase Cards With No Annual Fee
These Chase cards charge $0 per year, making them perfect keeper cards. Holding at least one no-fee Ultimate Rewards card ensures your points never expire, even if you later cancel a Sapphire card.
The Chase Trifecta Strategy
The Chase trifecta is the most popular rewards card combination in the US. It pairs three cards to maximize earning in every category while pooling all points into one Ultimate Rewards account with transfer access.
Sapphire Preferred/Reserve
- Transfer points to partners
- 3x dining (Preferred)
- 3x travel + dining (Reserve)
- Portal bonus: 1.25x or 1.5x
Freedom Flex
- 5x rotating categories
- 3x dining + drugstores
- Cell phone protection
- $0 annual fee
Freedom Unlimited
- 1.5x on everything
- 3x dining + drugstores
- Catch-all everyday card
- $0 annual fee
With all three, you earn 5x on rotating categories, 3x on dining and drugstores, 1.5x on everything else — and every point can be transferred to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and 10+ other partners. Learn more in our best card combinations guide.
Chase 5/24 Rule and Application Strategy
Chase's 5/24 rule is the most important factor in planning your Chase card applications. If you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months, Chase will automatically deny your application for most cards. Read our full 5/24 guide for the complete breakdown.
Subject to 5/24
- Sapphire Preferred & Reserve
- Freedom Flex & Unlimited
- All Ink Business cards
- United cards
- Southwest cards
- Marriott Bonvoy cards
- World of Hyatt
Key Rules
- Business cards do NOT add to 5/24 count
- AU cards CAN count (call to remove)
- One Sapphire rule: only 1 at a time
- 48-month bonus rule on Sapphire
- Space apps 30+ days apart
- 2-3 months between Chase apps ideal
Recommended Application Order
Since every personal card uses a 5/24 slot, prioritize the highest-value Chase personal cards first. Business cards do not consume slots, so mix them in between.
For more on application timing and approval strategies, see our maximize approval odds and application rules by bank guides. Interested in cycling Sapphire bonuses? Read our Chase Sapphire churning guide.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Chase credit card overall?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best overall Chase card for most people. It has a $95 annual fee, a 70,000-point welcome bonus worth ~$1,050, and strong earning rates on dining and travel. For heavy travelers, the Sapphire Reserve offers more value with lounge access and a $300 travel credit.
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
Chase will automatically deny most credit card applications if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. Business cards from other issuers generally do not count toward 5/24, but Chase business cards do use a 5/24 slot when approved.
Can I have both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve?
No. Chase enforces a one-Sapphire rule — you can only hold one Sapphire card at a time. You also cannot earn a Sapphire bonus if you received one in the past 48 months. To switch, you must either product-change or close your current Sapphire card and wait before applying for the other.
What is the Chase trifecta?
The Chase trifecta is a popular card combination: Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve) + Freedom Flex + Freedom Unlimited. Together, they cover 5x rotating categories, 3x dining and drugstores, 1.5x on everything else, and let you pool all Ultimate Rewards points for maximum transfer value.
Do Chase Ink business cards count toward 5/24?
Chase Ink cards are subject to 5/24 — you must be under 5/24 to get approved. However, being approved for a Chase business card does not add to your 5/24 count because business cards do not appear on your personal credit report.
Which Chase cards have no annual fee?
The Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Ink Business Cash, Marriott Bonvoy Bold, and United Explorer (first year waived) all have no annual fee. These are ideal keeper cards that let you hold onto your Ultimate Rewards points long-term.
What order should I apply for Chase cards?
Start with the highest-value personal cards first since they count toward 5/24: Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, then Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited. After those, apply for Ink business cards (they do not add to your 5/24 count). Save co-branded cards like United and Marriott for last.
How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1 cent each for cash back, 1.25 cents with Sapphire Preferred, and 1.5 cents with Sapphire Reserve when redeemed through the Chase travel portal. Transferred to airline and hotel partners, points can be worth 1.5-2+ cents each on premium redemptions.