Best Chase Credit Cards

Credit cards can feel like a confusing topic, but the right tools and information can guide you to make a more informed decision. Chase credit cards include many features that cater to varied customer needs and interests. Card benefits apply to hotels, travel, dining, airplanes and online shopping. Bank-issued credit cards assist interested individuals in achieving their financial goals.

Before applying, examine potential fees and interest rates to have a more thorough understanding of the credit cards. Consider speaking with a financial professional to decide which Chase credit card is right for you.

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is ideal for an overall card because of exceptional benefits such as new member bonus points as well as travel and dining rewards. It has a welcome incentive of 60,000 points if an individual spends $4,000 within the first three months. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.

However, the incentive is only available to individuals who have not had any type of Sapphire card or obtained new member perks within 2 years. The card features a $95 annual fee.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. Cardholders earn 1 point on all other purchases.

Best for Airline Rewards: United Club ^SM Infinite Card

United Club^SM Infinite Card provides premium airline benefits that appeal to the frequent flier and traveler. The card grants access to United Club airline lounges as well as affiliate lounges and gives you your first two checked bags for free for every roundtrip. Terms apply.

The annual fee is a robust $525, but you can earn 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases. When using the card, you earn 4X miles on United purchases, 2X miles on travel purchases, such as local transit and hotels, 2X miles on dining, including eligible delivery services and 1 mile per dollar for other approved purchases. Plus, you earn 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months you hold the card. Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 8,000 PQP in a calendar year.

You also get up to a $100 GlobalEntry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit. Your first and second checked backs are free, a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply).

Overall, the card provides generous benefits that could potentially interest a loyal United flier who is interested in money-saving benefits. 

Best for Business Travel: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card provides useful rewards and benefits for the busy traveler. It offers an additional welcome incentive where after spending $8,000 in the first three months a person can receive 100,000 points. You earn 3X points on your combined purchase limit of $150,000 on travel and select business categories annually. The card also has exceptional bonus features such as fraud protection and employee cards where you are able to set limits.

Credit lines have a minimum of $5,000. Such a large initial credit line could prove beneficial for beginning or larger businesses. The card specifies no clearly stated credit score requirement but think about having a strong credit score before applying.

With an annual fee of $95, the card has exceptional benefits for business travel such as giving customers points to redeem for cash back, gift cards and travel benefits.

Best for Cash Back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides cash back rewards as well as attractive introductory options such as low rates and bonus points. Cash back rewards do not expire as long as the account is open. It publishes no clearly stated minimum credit score, but it’s ideal for newer individuals such as students that are looking to grow during their credit journey.

Cardholders gain access to a range of rewards. Earn unlimited 3% on drugstore purchases or dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. You also get 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase and 1.5% on everything else.

Both the return payment fees and late payment fees can reach $40. Credit limits are determined by your creditworthiness. The card has no obviously stated minimum credit score and no annual fee.

Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then you will be charged a generous APR, as is standard for the card.

Special Offer: Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will match all the cash back you earned!

Overall, the card has ample cash back benefits and many incentives that can prove beneficial for the daily spender. 

Best for Online Shopping: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card by Chase

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card by Chase appeals to members of Amazon Prime by offering rewards such as 5% back on purchases from both Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations and 1% on other approved purchases.

With a welcome bonus of a $100 gift card for Prime Members and an introductory 0% APR for 15 months, the card offers reasonable interest rates.

Chase also supplies an additional card called the Amazon Rewards Signature Card that can offer benefits to people who are not Amazon Prime. No obviously stated credit minimum or credit limit appears on its website. Consider paying off monthly credit card bills in full to avoid added interest. 

Features to Look for in Chase Credit Cards

Examine each of Chase’s credit cards to determine which features most appeal to you. The Chase website supplies a tool where interested individuals can research the cards by categories. The tool also compares and contrasts selected cards. When looking at different cards, weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks to have a fuller understanding of what most entices you. 

1. Manageable Fees

Research the Chase credit cards and examine the fees. Certain credit cards offer introductory perks such as low or no fees. For example, some credit cards do not charge annual fees for the first 15 months while other cards refrain from charging APR rates for a year. Eventually, the introductory rates will end, and then it will be necessary to pay the regular fees and APR rates. 

2. Relevant Rewards

Chase provides different rewards programs that are intended to cater to customer needs. For example, reward programs that are structured to appeal to customers such as frequent fliers or travelers will likely make little difference to a person that stays at home. In contrast, a card that gives helpful rewards for shopping online will likely appeal to a person who enjoys convenience.

3. Generous Cash Back

Cash back offers have the potential to add up to large savings. Examine the different options and pick a card that will create the most value for you. Available cards include cash back in areas such as gas, dining, entertainment and airlines. Certain categories offer strong cash back rewards, so think about where you tend to spend money to receive increased cash back returns. 

4. Helpful Benefits

Chase cards include helpful additional benefits that better accommodate the needs of customers. For example, certain Chase credit cards provide fraud protection, contactless payments and credit journey assistance. Such perks can interest individuals who enjoy receiving a wide range of benefits in addition to extensive rewards. 

How to Get Approved for a Chase Credit Card

Approval for a Chase credit card starts before the application process begins. Your credit score and personal financial history will likely indicate eligibility. Contemplate if it would be beneficial to continue improving your financial information before applying. 

1. Know Your Credit Score

One of the top indicators of acceptance for a Chase credit card is a credit score. Generally speaking, higher credit scores are viewed as better scores. Bad credit will negatively impact a person’s ability to obtain a card. The best terms and rates are typically offered for credit scores above 750. It’s important to know your score before applying to understand all available options. Certain companies and websites allow people to check their credit scores for free. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. 

2. Consider Improving Your Credit Score

Improving your credit score increases your chances of being accepted for a Chase credit card in the future. It’s possible to improve a credit score by promptly paying off bills. Avoid too many credit inquiries within a short amount of time. 

3. Examine Your Larger Financial History

Depending on the type of card and credit limit, Chase may inquire about additional financial information. Such information ranges from how much money you make in a year to how much you currently owe on loans or other credit cards. Think about building strong positive spending habits before opening a credit card. 

However, if individuals have less credit or more limited financial history because of being a college student then such information could also work to that person’s benefit. It's possible to open a Chase credit card that is specifically designed to help students build credit. Apply to the card that works best for you in terms of credit score expectations and credit limits. 

4. Ask Questions

If you are unsure about certain parts of the application, then reach out to a customer service representative. Clarifying certain parts of the application can help alleviate confusion and ensure that the application is properly filled out. Incorrectly filled out applications will take longer to process or might even be fully rejected. Save the hassle by checking with customer service before submitting your application. 

How You Can Improve Your Credit Score

Improving a credit score can help you to obtain the best credit card options while also saving money down the road. Credit scores usually range between 300 and 850. Higher scores typically merit elevated benefits. Speak with a financial professional if you have any questions.

1. Check Your Score

Checking your score instills a frame of reference. It can indicate what next steps you will likely need to take to achieve your desired score. Use a reputable company or service to check your score for free. 

2. Pay Off Debt

Making prompt payments on debt boosts your credit score. When possible, consider fully paying off your monthly credit card statements to avoid increased fees. To prevent making late payments, use automatic payments. Automatic payments help avoid late fees and also boost your credit score. 

3. Stop Debt Accumulation

Examine your bills and larger financial history to understand your credit score from multiple perspectives. Consider thoroughly examining your credit card bills to know exactly where money is spent. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Is it difficult to get approved by Chase?

It tends to be more difficult to get approved by Chase because the company has higher-than-usual credit score expectations. The company also examines additional factors when deciding a person’s creditworthiness such as the number of recent credit inquiries and level of annual income.

Chase maintains a wide selection of cards that have different credit limits and benefits. For example, some credit cards have minimum credit limits of $10,000 while others have minimums of $500. This difference in limits causes the company to look more closely at applicants as the minimum credit limits increase.

Cards offered by Chase usually require higher credit scores, so scores above 670 are typically accepted. However, it’s recommended to have a credit score above 750 to have the best chance of receiving good rates and terms. 

2. What are some of the credit cards offered by Chase? 

Chase provides credit cards that fulfill a wide range of needs from assisting students, appealing to travelers and accommodating business needs. The company has over 30 credit cards that are designed to cater to different interests and necessities. 

For example, Chase issues credit cards focused on business needs. These business credit cards have varied incentives such as airline rewards in partnership with airlines such as United and Southwest. In addition, business cards work with hotel chains like the IHG Hotels & Resorts and Marriott to offer points and benefits. 

Chase also issues other cards that do not specifically handle business needs and instead accommodate personal travel as well as student needs. Overall, Chase includes a generous variety of credit cards that accommodate customers. 

3. How do I know which Chase credit card to select?

Before applying for a credit card, examine your interests as well as your current lifestyle. Certain credit cards can better position you to achieve your personal and financial goals. For example, if one of your annual goals was to go on vacation, a card that accumulates points and rewards towards hotels, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card or the World of Hyatt® Credit Card might work best for you. 

Research options and check customer reviews to have a more accurate understanding of how actual users perceive card benefits. Read both the lower-ranking and higher ranking reviews as well as the most recent reviews to have a more informed perspective about customer sentiment. Customer reviews potentially indicate common themes within certain cards. Reviews indicate how you will likely be treated if you decide to open a card. 

Selecting a credit card also comes down to your financial history and credit score. If you are unsure if you will be accepted with your current score, then consider applying after you have increased your score. Think about which cards will likely work with both your needs and financial information to obtain a card that works best for you. If you are unsure, consult a professional to better understand your options. 

4. Does Chase offer strong customer service? 

Chase has comprehensive tools to answer questions and expedite customer assistance. The company website indicates a central area that’s designed to answer customer questions and concerns about credit cards. 

The company even offers a section of the website that’s dedicated to credit card education to better empower customers. The section contains different articles that answer a range of questions and address different topics such as credit card basics and specific Chase credit card questions. Chase also maintains an extensive section of answers to questions that people frequently ask. 

If customers still have questions, the company has an accessible phone number and a scheduled meeting option. Chase maintains a social media presence on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. For an interested individual, the company has multiple avenues to reach out to for assistance. 

5. What is the history of Chase Bank?

The company’s history can be traced back to 1799. Chase is considered part of JPMorgan Chase, which is an accumulation of over 1,000 previous institutions. To a certain degree, Alexander Hamilton created the company because he founded the Bank of Manhattan Company, which eventually became interwoven with JPMorgan Chase. Over the years, the company expanded to meet changing times by offering innovations such as ATMs and online banking. It wasn’t until 2000 that J.P. Morgan and The Chase Manhattan Corporation finally merged. The company’s history contains decades of financial knowledge and expertise that can position customers for success.