How to choose a Chase credit card
Which Chase credit card is best? The Chase credit card that's best for you is the one that fits your lifestyle and spending habits.
To figure that out, start by deciding whether you want cash back or travel rewards. Cash back cards are better if you want to keep your credit card rewards as simple as possible or if you don't travel that often. Travel rewards cards typically offer more value for frequent travelers. If you take at least two or three trips per year, then it's worth looking at Chase travel cards.
Once you've decided which type of card you want, here's how to compare credit cards from Chase and pick the right one.
Choosing a Chase cash back card
Chase has two cash back cards for consumers, and they're two of the best you can find: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex®. These Chase Freedom credit cards have very similar cash back rates. Both offer 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining, and 3% on drugstore purchases. There is one key difference:
- The Chase Freedom Flex® earns 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories you activate each quarter. It earns 1% on non-bonus category spending.
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn't have those rotating bonus categories, but it earns 1.5% on non-bonus category spending.
It all comes down to whether the cardmember prefers rotating bonus categories where you can earn 5% back or an extra reward with a rate of 1.5% on regular purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is also a Visa card, whereas the Chase Freedom Flex® is a Mastercard. But that usually isn't a deciding factor compared to bonus point opportunities.
Note that these are both no annual fee credit cards. If you want to get both to maximize your cash back, it won't cost you any extra fees. There are also more cash back cards available if you're open to a Chase business credit card.
Choosing a Chase travel card
Chase has quite a few travel cards, including cards in its Ultimate Rewards program, airline credit cards, and hotel credit cards. Once again, it helps to narrow down your options. Decide whether you want an Ultimate Rewards card or a card tied to a specific airline or hotel.
Ultimate Rewards cards are a better fit for travelers who aren't loyal to any particular airline or hotel chain. Since there are so many ways you can book travel with Ultimate Rewards points, you could use your rewards for just about any trip you take. There are two Ultimate Rewards travel cards for consumers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the more affordable option. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is much more expensive, but it also has a lot more benefits that could be valuable if you travel several times per year.
If you usually fly with the same airline or stay at the same hotel, then you may want a card with that travel provider. Chase is partnered with several airlines and hotels. Some of them have one credit card available with Chase, while others have multiple credit cards you can choose from.
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