best Chase – From a $795 premium to no-fee staples, Chase’s current lineup mixes big welcome bonuses with travel credits, upgraded perks, and flexible reward earning—so frequent flyers, families, and business owners can all build a strategy that fits how they actually spen
The wallet doesn’t feel heavy because of the plastic—it feels heavy because of the decisions. One card should cover the flights you book on impulse. Another should reward dining when plans change. And if you’re planning a trip far from home, the right points system can turn “someday” into “this year.”.
Chase credit cards have long been at the center of that kind of strategy, and this latest roundup walks through the most popular options—each with a different promise, from cash back that’s simple to cash back that can be converted, to premium travel protections and event credits.
At the top end is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. which comes with an annual fee of $795 and a welcome offer of 100. 000 bonus points after spending $6. 000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card’s earning story is built around travel and dining—earning 3 points per dollar spent dining—and it also comes with a $300 travel credit. described as easy to use. The Reserve also added new benefits as part of a full revamp last year. including a $300 annual statement credit for concert and event tickets purchased through StubHub or Viagogo. split into two $150 biannual credits with activation required.
The Reserve is also tied to practical travel moments. The writer says they relied on Chase Travel℠ for flights and hotels in Ushuaia. Argentina. before setting sail on a cruise to Antarctica. They also highlight the card’s primary rental car insurance. calling it something that provided peace of mind on road trips in Ireland and Scotland—where they had to drive on the left side of the road—and in the Azores. where they drove over rocky terrain.
For many travelers, the Sapphire Preferred is the more natural anchor. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee and a welcome offer of 100. 000 bonus points after spending $5. 000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The pitch is straightforward: Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to a range of hotel and airline partners. and the writer says some of their favorite redemptions include four nights at Alila Ventana Big Sur in California. part of their honeymoon. and a long weekend stay at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the card’s earning structure is described as the reason it stays in the wallet. It earns 3 points per dollar on dining and also 3 points per dollar on online groceries. with exclusions for Walmart. Target. and wholesale clubs. A refresh added 3 points per dollar categories for gas stations. EV charging. and vacation home rentals booked at Airbnb. Vrbo. Plum Guide. HomeAway. Homestay.com. and Vacasa. The refresh also increased the hotel statement credit and enhanced travel protections. and it includes at least one year of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership. with activation required by Dec. 31, 2027.
But the strategy doesn’t work unless you have a workhorse card for everyday spending. That’s where the Chase Freedom Unlimited fits—annual fee $0. welcome offer of a $200 bonus cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The writer describes it as indispensable because it earns at least 1.5% cash back—or 1.5 points per dollar when paired with an Ultimate Rewards-earning product—on all purchases.
Unlike the Sapphire-branded cards. the Freedom Unlimited is advertised as a cash-back card and doesn’t offer point transfers on its own. The change comes when you pair it with a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The writer notes that holders of the Sapphire Preferred. Sapphire Reserve. Sapphire Reserve for Business. or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card can combine rewards with other accounts so Freedom Unlimited rewards become transferable. They say this helped them effectively earn 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent in categories where they would otherwise earn 1 point per dollar. calling it a 50% increase on retail purchases. concert tickets. medical bills. and more—with no annual fee.
For business owners, the roundup points to the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. It has an annual fee of $0 and a welcome offer of $1. 000 bonus cash back after spending $8. 000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. Like the consumer version. the value is in pairing—earning 1.5% cash back across all purchases and unlocking transfer to programs such as British Airways when combined with an Ultimate Rewards-earning card.
The writer shares that they’ve used this card for website and email list expenses, and for software platforms like Zoom. They also make the case that many business costs don’t fall into traditional bonus categories like travel, shipping, or advertising—so a simpler base rate can matter.
If you fly Southwest frequently—or want a card that changes the feel of the day—the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is presented as a standout. It has an annual fee of $229 and a welcome offer of 90. 000 bonus points after spending $3. 000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Southwest is described as a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. meaning a dedicated Southwest card isn’t required to earn points that can be used for flights. Still. the writer emphasizes benefits that make travel smoother: 25% back on inflight purchases to access discounted Wi‑Fi and enjoy a discounted glass of wine. plus four upgraded boardings per year when available. There’s also 7. 500 points each year on the cardmember anniversary. and a 10. 000-point qualifying boost each year for Southwest’s Companion Pass. which allows a designated travel companion to fly for just the price of taxes and fees whether booking with cash or points.
For those who want similar perks without the higher fee. the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card shows up as the more budget-friendly alternative. It has an annual fee of $99 and a welcome offer of 80. 000 bonus points after spending $1. 000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The writer says the Plus provides access to many of the same benefits. including the 25% discount on inflight purchases. the 10. 000-point qualifying boost for the Companion Pass. and an earning rate of 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest airline purchases. Like the Priority card. it allows the check of the first bag free of cost—something the writer calls especially attractive as the parent of a toddler who totes a lot of gear.
Not every trip has to be points-first. For business owners who prioritize cash. the Ink Business Cash Credit Card has an annual fee of $0 and a welcome offer of $1. 000 cash back after spending $8. 000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. It earns 5% cash back—or 5 points per dollar when paired with a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve—on the first $25. 000 spent in combined purchases each anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet. cable. and phone services.
The writer gives everyday texture to how that can work. They say their freelance writing and travel consulting side hustles rely on internet. and their husband used phone and internet for client communication and administrative work including filing taxes. They also point out the office supply angle isn’t as narrow as it sounds: they mention Staples sells everything from office furniture to passport services to Apple AirPods. and that they’ve even purchased chocolate there during the workday. They add that Staples has a section titled “Yes. Staples has that” for those who want proof the category is broader.
For people who like rotating bonuses and don’t mind planning to maximize them. the Chase Freedom Flex rounds out the list. It has an annual fee of $0 and a welcome offer of $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. The card offers the chance to earn 5% cash back on up to $1. 500 in combined spending across rotating quarterly bonus categories after activation. The writer translates that into points: 7. 500 bonus points per quarter or 30. 000 points per year. and they note that the points can be converted into transferable travel points if you also hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning card.
They describe how the categories have tended to be lucrative. with restaurants and grocery stores appearing more than once. and PayPal included multiple times. They also recall a late-2024 bonus on purchases at pet shops and veterinary services that helped them earn so many points during an emergency with their dog that they booked a free hotel room in London.
Finally, for Amazon-first households, there’s the Prime Visa. It has an annual fee of $0, but it requires a Prime membership. The welcome offer is a $200 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members. The writer frames it for people who want cash back rather than travel rewards. while still acknowledging it lets you earn an elevated reward rate on Chase Travel purchases since it’s a Chase product. The card earns unlimited 5% back on Amazon.com purchases. unlimited 5% back at Whole Foods on online or in-store purchases. and unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases.
They describe the pull of that kind of convenience: Amazon orders for diapers, wipes, stain spray, and even a last-minute outfit for a themed daycare day. For them, it’s a card for households that value cash-back rewards over other reward currencies.
One theme runs through the entire lineup: the best card depends on how you spend and what you want your travel future to look like. The writer also stresses that you can request a product change after holding a card for a year without affecting your credit score.
When choosing. they list the factors that steer their own decisions—preferred rewards (cash back versus transferable travel points). welcome bonuses. spending habits. and the annual fee range that runs from $0 all the way to $795. They describe their own path. including downgrading their Sapphire Reserve in 2021 to the Chase Freedom Flex because the Freedom Flex better matched their spending needs at the time. Eventually. they say they settled on the Sapphire Preferred as their primary Ultimate Rewards-earning card and have held it ever since.
They also set clear boundaries on redemption: with the Southwest cobranded cards, you’ll only earn Rapid Rewards points. By contrast. the Sapphire Preferred. Sapphire Reserve. Sapphire Reserve for Business. and Ink Business Preferred earn Ultimate Rewards points transferable to a range of airline and hotel partners—Southwest included.
So the takeaway isn’t just which cards made the list. It’s that Chase’s lineup is built for different versions of travel: premium trips secured through credits and protections. points strategies tied to transfer partners. and cash-back options that can still fold into a broader reward plan when the right card is in the wallet.
Chase credit cards Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Freedom Flex Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Ink Business Unlimited Ink Business Cash Prime Visa Ultimate Rewards travel credit cards
So which one is the best for people who don’t travel much?
Chase cards “more ways to earn” sounds like every other ad I’ve seen lol. If you actually keep track of the points it’s cool, but otherwise it’s just another bill to forget.
Wait I thought the Sapphire Reserve was like $795 just to have it, not for benefits? Also 100,000 points after $6,000—so basically they want you to spend more just to get the “free” trip… seems kinda backwards.
This is why I hate credit cards. They say “wallet doesn’t feel heavy” but it’s definitely heavy later. Half the time the dining perks don’t even work how you think, and event credits are never for the stuff I’d go to anyway. Plus I saw something about Chase points and thought it was like airline miles automatically… not the case right?