Best Chase Credit Cards for September 2024 (2024)

Whether you're looking to earn rewards, save on interest, travel or simplify business expenses, there's a Chase credit card for you. Chase Ultimate Rewards is a valuable travel rewards program and the issuer also offers some of the top cash-back credit cards.

Below, CNBC Select breaks down the best Chase credit cards so you can open the best card based on your spending habits.

Who's this for?You should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you want a simple rewards structure. It has a generous welcome bonus and earns at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Standout benefits: The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has no annual fee and special financing. You can benefit from a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after that, a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies). There's an intro balance transfer fee of either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, it's either$5or5%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

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Pro tip: You can pair these cards with a Chase bank account

When you open a Chase Total Checking® account, you can earn a $300 bonus after you make at least $500 in direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. You can also waive the monthly maintenance fee with qualifying activities. Offer expires 10/16/2024.

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a perfect fit if you're looking for a competitive rewards program and higher value on travel redemptions.

Standout benefits: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents per point) when you redeem them through Chase Travel℠ for anything from hotels to cruises. The Sapphire Preferred also allows you to transfer your Chase points to Chase's airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, British Airways Executive Club, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and more. If you transfer to the right partner and want to book luxury travel, you can get huge value from your points.

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Who's this for?TheChase Sapphire Reserveis the beefed-up version of the Sapphire Preferred card, with more robust rewards and benefits programs suitable for people looking to travel in luxury.

Standout benefits: With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you'll receive a $300 annual statement credit for qualifying travel expenses, such as airfare, hotels, tolls and more. This credit can help you upgrade to a larger seat or offset the cost of staying another night at a hotel. You can also unlock airport lounge access with this card.

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Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Flex® is worth considering if you're looking to maximize cash back with rotating bonus categories.

Standout benefits: Beyond rewards, you can take advantage of no annual fee and a competitive no-interest intro period for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after that, a 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR applies). The Freedom Flex has an intro balance transfer fee of either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, the balance transfer fee is either$5or5%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

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Who's this for? You can simplify your small business expenses and get rewarded at the same time with the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. This business credit card earns cash back and is exceptionally rewarding for common business purchases.

Standout benefits: The Ink Business Cash Credit Card provides an intro 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from when you open the account. After that, an 18.49% to 24.49% variable APR applies.

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Who's this for? TheInk Business Preferred Credit Cardis ideal for business owners who want to earn transferrable Ultimate Rewards points on their business expenses.

Standout benefits: With the Ink Business Preferred card, you'll earn 3X points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year: travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. All other purchases earn 1X points per dollar.

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns no less than 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which makes it an excellent option for everyday purchases.

Rewards

• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 5% back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
• 3% back at drugstores
• 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
• 1.5% on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

Once approved for the Freedom Unlimited card, you can take advantage of an intro 0% APR for the first 15 months from account opening on new purchases and balance transfers (after that, a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies). The intro balance transfer fee is3%of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum on transfers you make within 60 days of account opening. Once the intro balance transfer fee expires, the fee increases to5%of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

Eligible purchases are covered by purchase protection and extended warranty protection. Plus, you'll have access to travel insurance, including travel and emergency assistance services, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and a rental car collision damage waiver.

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a modest annual fee and earns exceptionally valuable travel rewards.

Rewards

• 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 5X points on eligible Peloton purchases over $150 (earn a max of 25,000 points through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 3X points on dining
• 3X points on online grocery purchases
• 3X points on select streaming services
• 2X points on all other travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

You can benefit from various travel perks, such as a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fee, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursem*nt. This card's shopping benefits include purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

You also receive a 10% points bonus every account anniversary, based on your total purchases from the previous year. If you spent $20,000 on your card, then at the end of that year you'd receive a 2,000-point bonus. You can also enroll to receive a minimum of one year of free DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027. In addition, you'll get up to $10 off non-restaurant DoorDash orders each month.

The Sapphire Preferred also provides several ways to redeem your points for additional value. When you pay with points through Chase Travel℠ you'll receive a 25% boost in value (1.25 cents per point). You can also transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to all of Chase's partner travel loyalty programs including, World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and Emirates Skywards.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that can be worth the annual fee because of its many luxury perks.

Rewards

• 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase Travel℠*
• 10X points on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
• 10X points on eligible Peloton purchases ( up to 50,000 points through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 5X points on flights purchased through the Chase Travel℠*
• 3X points on travel*
• 3X points on dining
• 1X points on all other purchases

*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases each year

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee

$550

Notable perks

This card has top-tier travel benefits you'd expect to get with a premium travel card. You'll get up to $300 in travel credit every year. On top of that, you receive up to $100 in application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years. When you want to relax at the airport, you can take advantage of the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership after you've enrolled. With it, you receive unlimited visits to 1,500+ airport lounges around the world. Plus, you'll have access to a growing number of Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges.

With the Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents per point) when redeemed toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and more through Chase Travel℠. You can also transfer points to Chase's partner travel programs, including IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, British Airways Executive Club and Flying Blue (Air France and KLM).

When it comes to lodging, you can book through the The Edit by Chase Travel to take advantage of upgrades upon arrival (when available), a $100 property credit, complimentary daily breakfast for two, flexible check-in times (when available), free Wi-Fi and more.

This card also has an incredible list of travel and purchase protections, including:

• Return protection
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Trip delay reimbursem*nt
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage insurance
• Rental car coverage
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Roadside assistance
• Emergency medical and dental benefit
• Emergency evacuation and transportation
• Travel and emergency assistance services

If you frequently use rideshares or order delivery, you'll appreciate this card's additional partner benefits. You can enroll to receive two years of free Lyft Pink All Access, which is worth $199 a year (activate by Dec. 31, 2024; membership renews automatically). You can also enroll to receive a complimentary DashPass membership. With it, you'll get $0 delivery fees on eligible orders and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. You also get up to $20 per month off non-restaurant orders (up to $10 back two times) and $5 off DoorDash restaurant orders.

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card with bonus spending categories that rotate each quarter.

Rewards

• 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating quarterly categories when you activate
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5% back on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 3% back on dining
• 3% back at drugstores
• 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

The Freedom Flex gets you access to a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers. Once the intro APR expires, a 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR applies. The intro balance transfer fee is3%of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum (on transfers made within 60 days of account opening). Once the intro balance transfer fee expires, you pay5%of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

This card also provides useful insurance perks, which are better than what you'd typically expect to receive with a no-annual-fee card. You'll have access to:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Rental car collision coverage
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection

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The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has an amazing intro bonus offer that's made even more valuable since you won't have to pay an annual fee.

Rewards

• 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 5% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary at office supply stores and on cable, internet and phone services
• 2% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary at gas stations and restaurants
• 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

The Ink Business Cash offers a 10% business relationship bonus if you also have a Chase Business Checking account. If you qualify, you'll earn a one-time 10% bonus on all eligible cash back you earn in your first year. This bonus offer is only available if you open an Ink Business Cash card between March and Nov. 2024.

You can also take advantage of this card's 0% intro APR offer for 12 months on purchases. After that, a variable 18.49% to 24.49% applies.

You can also take advantage of these benefits on eligible purchases:

• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty coverage
• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel and emergency assistance services

You can add employee cards to your account for no additional fee.

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The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a top-tier business travel credit card with a modest annual fee.

Rewards

• 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
• 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these categories each account anniversary year: Shipping, advertising with select social media sites and search engines, travel, internet, cable and phone services
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

You can earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

With theInk Business Preferred Credit Card, points are worth 25% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel^SM. That makes the 90,000 bouns worth $1,125 toward travel. You can also transfer points earned with the Ink Preferred to Chase's travel partners.

There is a $95 annual fee, but the card comes with helpful perks that can help offset it, such as zero foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and free employee cards. You also get cell phone protection, which covers up to $1,000 per claim against covered theft or damage when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card.

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The guidelines for earning a Chase card's welcome bonus vary for each card, but you'll typically have a tougher time getting approved for any Chase card if you're over what's known as the Chase 5/24 rule. The way this rule works is, that you're less likely to be approved for a Chase card if you've opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the previous 24 months.

Chase's Sapphire cards also have additional limitations. You aren't eligible for the welcome bonus from any version of the Sapphire card if either of these situations applies to you:

• Currently have any version of the Sapphire card
• You earned a welcome bonus from any version of the Sapphire card in the previous 48 months

You'll also need to meet the credit score requirements for whatever card you're applying for. Chase doesn't typically publish minimum credit score requirements, however, the top Chase cards usually require good to excellent scores (670 or above).

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To determine which Chase cards offer the best value, CNBC Select compared each Chase card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.

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