Best Chase Rewards Credit Cards

By John Csiszar

October 19, 2021

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Chase is one of the giants in the industry when it comes to rewards credit cards. Most of its rewards credit cards offer a good combination of both travel-oriented perks and high earnings rates in other spending categories as well, on top of some quite large sign-up bonuses. Chase also offers a good variety of cards with annual fees and those with no fees.

4 Best Rewards Credit Cards from Chase

Take a look at the earnings rates, perks, bonuses and costs to determine which of these cards will be the Best Chase Rewards Credit Card for you.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

Best for: All-Around Earning with No Annual Fee

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card is a standout card for those seeking a high level of rewards while paying no annual fee. Card holders can earn a substantial 5% cash back on up to $12,000 in grocery store purchases during the first year, although it excludes Target and Walmart purchases.

The card also pays a permanent 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase. The bonus for dining and drugstore purchases is almost as generous, at 3%, and the rate for all other purchases is 1.5%, a full 50% above what many cash-back cards pay. New cardholders can also avail of a $200 bonus after spending just $500 during the first three months of card ownership.

The card offers other attractive perks as well, including three complimentary months of DashPass and an additional 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022. For new card holders, a 0% introductory APR applies for the first 15 months on all purchases and balance transfers.

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card

Best for: High Earnings Rates on Rotating Categories

The Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers many of the same perks of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, but with a slightly different angle. The Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers the same 5% cash back on grocery purchases of up to $12,000 in the first year, along with a permanent 5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase.

Both cards also offer the same 0% introductory APR rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, along with the same 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases. Finally, both cards offer the same free three months of DashPass and an additional 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022.

Where the Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card differs is that it offers 5% cash back on specific categories that rotate every quarter. For example, one quarter the card might offer 5% cash back on groceries and department stores, and in the next that might shift to gas stations and pharmacies. Also, the card pays a flat 1% cash back on all other purchases, lower than the 1.5% offered by the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

Best for: the Average Traveler

There are few rewards cards that offer the type of sign-up bonus that’s currently available from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. You can earn a whopping 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. That bonus can be redeemed for $1,250 in travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. That benefit alone far outweighs the card’s $95 annual fee.

However, on an ongoing basis, the card also offers a significant level of benefits. You’ll earn three points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), dining and streaming services, along with two points per dollar on all travel. A whopping five points per dollar can be earned on travel purchased through Chase, Lyft rides and Peloton purchases, and the card comes with a complimentary subscription to DashPass.

Every year, you’ll also earn bonus points equivalent to 10% of what you’ve spent on the card for the year, meaning annual expenditures of $30,000 can net you an additional 3,000 points. Finally, you can earn a $50 statement credit annually to offset purchases made through Ultimate Rewards.

In addition to its 24/7 customer service, VIP access to events and experiences and $0 foreign transaction fees, the card offers an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, extended warranty protection, purchase protection and travel and emergency assistance services.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

Best for: Top-Tier Earnings Rates and Perks

Customers looking to the ultimate in rewards card points and benefits should look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card. This card was launched to much fanfare in 2016 with a huge sign-up bonus, and it remains one of the most feature-laden cards available. Here are just some of the headline features of this powerhouse rewards card:

• 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase
• 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining
• 10 points per dollars on Lyft rides
• 10 points per dollar on Peloton purchases
• 5 points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase
• 3 points per dollar on all other dining and travel
• Priority Pass Select membership
• 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

The $550 annual fee is steep, but this is offset to a large degree by the $300 annual travel credit, making the effective fee just $250. Points can be redeemed at 150% of their value when used on the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, meaning you can redeem 60,000 points for $900 in travel credits.

The card also offers the same collection of travel- and entertainment-related benefits as its sibling the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, including a complimentary DashPass subscription, VIP access to events and experiences, 24/7 customer service access, $0 foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, extended warranty protection, purchase protection and travel and emergency assistance services.

Methodology: GOBankingRates.com identified the best rewards credit cards by analyzing the following factors: (1) annual fees; (2) APR for purchases; (3) promotional APR; (4) sign-up bonuses; (5) rewards and features. All fees and rates are subject to change at the credit card issuers’ discretion. Some bonus offers may or might no longer be available on the credit card issuers’ websites, depending on how one accesses the web page. Data was sourced from each financial institution’s website or promotional material between Aug. 4, 2021, and Sept. 27, 2021. Please verify terms and conditions before opening an account.

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.