Best Chase Credit Cards of October 2024

Why choose Chase?

Choosing a Chase credit card isn’t just about earning rewards; it’s about accessing a range of valuable benefits. With options that include cash back, travel rewards, and more, Chase caters to a wide audience.

Here are some noteworthy benefits of banking with Chase:

Chase Ultimate Rewards^®: A top-tier program

One of Chase’s standout features is its rewards program, Chase Ultimate Rewards^®. This program is particularly appealing to those looking to maximize their spending, with generous travel rewards and benefits for everyday expenses.

Cardholders can redeem points for:

• Cash back
• Travel credits
• Purchases on Amazon and Apple
• Gift cards
• Special events

Higher value

If you get a Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, or Ink Business Preferred^® card, your points are worth more. While Ultimate Rewards^® points are typically worth 1 cent each, these cards bump that rate up for travel through Chase.

The Sapphire Preferred and Ink Preferred offer a redemption rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠, while the Sapphire Reserve has a 1.5 cent per point rate.

Combining points

One of the most beneficial parts of Chase Ultimate Rewards^® is the ability to pool your points to maximize value. You can carry multiple cards, earn rewards based on each of their bonus categories, and then move those points to the account with the highest redemption value. The most effective way to do this is via the Chase Trifecta.

Welcome bonuses: Boost your rewards

Chase also offers generous welcome bonuses for new cardholders who meet set spending requirements in the first few months. But even if a card has an exceptional intro offer, it’s important to consider whether the card and its annual fee are worth the benefits you’ll actually use in the long term.

Travel and purchase protection: Added security

Many Chase cards come with travel and purchase protection, providing invaluable peace of mind just for being a card member.

Here’s what you can expect:

Travel protection

Travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and/or baggage issues, protecting you from unforeseen events.

The best travel insurance protection comes from the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Keep in mind, there are various requirements to meet for these coverages to apply, but these cards offer the following coverage:

• Trip cancellation/interruption: When your trip has to be canceled or cut short due to reasons outside of your control, such as natural disasters.
• Trip delay reimbursement: When your flight is delayed by a common carrier for a specific time, trip delay coverage gives you a stipend to pay for expenses like lodging.
• Baggage delay reimbursement: When your bags don’t make it to your destination when you do, baggage delay reimbursement provides a stipend to pay for incidentals like clothing, hygiene items, and toiletries.
• Lost luggage reimbursement: If your luggage gets lost or significantly damaged by a common carrier, this coverage kicks in to help you recoup some of the losses.
• Primary car rental coverage: Skip the rental company’s coverage and pay for your car with your Sapphire Card. Collision damage and theft will be covered up to set amounts.
• Emergency medical/dental: If you get sick or injured while on your trip and need to see a doctor, Sapphire Reserve^® covers up to a certain amount for emergency medical expenses.
• Emergency evacuation: If you end up in a medical emergency that requires you to be evacuated from your destination, Sapphire Reserve covers up to a set amount to foot these expenses.
• Travel accident insurance: Loss of life, loss of senses, or accidental dismemberment is covered up to a set amount on both cards.

▶︎ Learn more about coverage amounts and stipulations in our guide to Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance.

Purchase and return protection

Purchase protection safeguards your buys against theft or damage for a set number of days up to a certain amount. Return protection reimburses you for items that stores won’t take back within a set number of days up to a certain amount.

Extended warranty

Some cards provide extended warranty protection, adding extra time (often one year) to the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases.

Types of Chase credit cards

Chase offers a variety of credit cards designed to meet different spending profiles and needs:

Travel cards

For the jet-setters, Chase offers both general and co-branded travel cards. General travel cards provide points on all travel-related expenses, while co-branded cards, like those with United Airlines, offer brand-specific benefits that can accelerate rewards and elite status.

Cash back cards

Imagine earning money—by spending money on everyday purchases. Every time you swipe your Chase card, you can earn points from daily spending and other purchases, and your Chase card may allow you to earn more points in qualifying rotating bonus categories. You can even use your cash-back rewards as a statement credit on your monthly balance.

Zero APR and no annual fee cards

For those who want to save a few bucks, Chase also offers several 0% intro APR cards to help give you an extra window to pay off a large purchase or balance transfer. Additionally, Chase has several no-annual-fee cards, which provide rewards without the hassle of yearly costs.

Business cards

Small business owners can pad their finances with a credit card to earn rewards and perks on business purchases they make monthly, including advertising, shipping, office supplies, lab equipment, and more. Anyone with a side hustle, even dog walking, can apply for a business card through Chase.

Student cards

College is the perfect time to build your credit with student credit cards. The good news is that the application process is generally less strict, with fewer requirements.

How to choose the right Chase card

If you’re in the market for a new credit card, the odds are high that there is at least one Chase option on your list. Knowing which is best will all depend on your needs, credit score, and spending habits.

Consider the following when choosing a new credit card:

1. Your financial goals

The most important factor to consider right off the bat is what you’re looking to get out of your new card. Are you looking for a business, balance transfer, cash-back, travel card, etc.? You can get the “shiniest” card out there, but if it doesn’t meet your goals or match your lifestyle, it’s not for you.

2. Your spending habits

Some Chase credit cards offer rewards in different categories, while others offer no rewards at all. If you’re in the market for a rewards credit card, choose one with categories that align with your spending habits and lifestyle. Also think about whether you’re willing to utilize the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

3. The annual fee

Premium options often have high annual fees in exchange for valuable benefits. Although this may be worthwhile for some consumers, others may not utilize the card’s benefits enough to justify the fee. Evaluate whether the added benefit of a high-end card is worth the extra cost, compared to a lower-fee alternative.

4. Welcome bonuses

Most Chase credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, worth hundreds to thousands. While these are a way to rack up a chunk of change quickly, make sure you can realistically meet the spending requirement to earn this bonus before applying.

5. Additional benefits

Chase cards often come loaded with valuable perks, such as travel credits and partner benefits. See which benefits would be the most useful to you. These perks can help offset high annual fees and provide additional long-term value.

The application process

It’s a relatively simple process to apply for a Chase card online. Before beginning, consider checking your credit score to know which cards you’re eligible for.

Most credit card applications require the following personal and financial elements, so it may be best to prepare them ahead of time:

• Your full name
• Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Your income & employment status
• Your housing costs
• Your street address
• Your phone number

Once you’ve decided on which card to apply for, select the “Learn More” button at the top of this page, next to the card you choose, which will lead you to a page with more information and a button to “Apply Now.”

The Chase 5/24 rule

Applying for a Chase card is straightforward, but be mindful of the Chase 5/24 rule. This guideline states that if you’ve opened five new credit cards in the past 24 months, your application for a Chase card will likely be denied. This helps Chase ensure that applicants are genuinely interested in long-term benefits.