3 Chase Cards That Belong in Every Wallet

Here's the truth: Some credit cards just pull their weight better than others.

I've tested dozens of cards over the years -- cash back, travel, 0% intro APR, you name it -- and I always find myself coming back to the same core few. Not because I'm loyal to a logo, but because the math makes sense.

Today, I'll walk you through three Chase cards that have earned a permanent spot in my wallet. Two of them just won major awards and have $0 annual fees!

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: The set-it-and-forget-it rewards machine

I've had this card for over 10 years, and it's the cornerstone of my entire card strategy.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) just won the Best Cash Back Card award for 2026 from Motley Fool Money, and honestly, I'm not surprised.

Here's what you get:

• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back at drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases -- with no caps or rotating categories

That last part is what makes this card sneaky valuable. Most cash back cards either have spending caps for high earning categories, or a baseline 1% back rate for general spending. But this one's just a solid earner across the board.

And with no annual fee, all the cash back is pure upside.

Sometimes I'll go many months without using this card (because I'm testing or maximizing rewards on others), but I never have to worry about fees or getting my money's worth. I'll probably never get rid of this card.

2. Prime Visa: Best retail card for Amazon + Whole Foods loyalists

If you're an Amazon Prime member (a paying member -- not using a family login 😉), the Prime Visa (see rates and fees) is a no-brainer perk you need.

I applied and got mine earlier this year, and it just took home the Best Retail Card award for 2026.

With the Prime Visa, you earn:

• 5% cash rewards at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
• 2% cash rewards at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• 1% cash rewards on all other purchases

There's no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and you can redeem all rewards when you're checking out on Amazon (or you can get a statement credit via Chase).

If you're an Amazon and Whole Foods regular, all your groceries, impulse gift purchases, and random charger cords all earn 5% back. That adds up fast -- especially for families like mine who 1-click buy first and think later.

3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: The gateway to travel rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is widely considered one of the best starter travel cards. And it still holds up, especially for folks who want flexible, high-value rewards.

This card has a $95 annual fee, but the rewards are quickly worth it. Here's the overview of what you'll get:

• $50 annual hotel credit
• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2X points on all other travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases

Plus, there's a 10% anniversary boost of all the points you earned throughout the year.

The real secret sauce to this travel card is that these aren't just "points." They're Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are super flexible. You can transfer them to a handful of airline and hotel partners (typically at a 1:1 ratio, but sometimes higher), and stretch the value even further with deals via Chase's Points Boost feature.

How to choose the right combo

Personally, I love no-annual-fee cards. I can use them lightly for specific categories and never worry about "earning back" the fee.

For example, my Prime Visa is set as my default on Amazon, and that's the only time I use it. The rest of the time the physical card sits in a drawer and never gets used.

All my other spending goes on cards that reward higher for other categories.

Yes, I'm a points nerd. But most people really only need two or three well-picked cards to cover 90% of their spending and earn top rewards.

If you're a one-card kind of person, Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Prime Visa are killer solo options. But if you're ready to go full "two-player mode" like me and my wife, pairing two (or all three) unlocks even more value.

Check out all our top rewards cards across every category -- and build the setup that fits your lifestyle best.