Best Chase Credit Cards of September 2025
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Written by
Joseph Hostetler
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron
Chase issues some objectively great credit cards. But the best Chase credit card is highly subjective, depending on your lifestyle. Several have a high return rate and no annual fee, others elevate your travel and are made of heavy metal, and some are for folks who are loyal to certain airline, hotel and retail brand partners.
Let’s compare the top Chase cards to help you quickly find the best fit.
Quick Overview: Chase Credit Cards
| Our Choice For | Credit Range | Annual Fee | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$95 |
Incredible rewards redemption value and a welcome bonus worth up to $1,312 in Travel Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your points are worth up to 75% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel, making this bonus worth up to $1,312.50.
Apply Now
More Details
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| Cash Back |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$0 |
Earn an intro offer worth $200 Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Apply Now
More Details
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Earning Cash Back While Building Credit |
New to Credit/Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$0 |
1.5% cash back on all purchases plus a bonus for setting up automatic paymentsEarn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
Full Review
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Premium Perks |
Excellent
720 – 850*
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$795 |
Luxury travel card with airport lounge access & a bonus worth up to $2,500 in Travel Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your points are worth up to 100% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel, making this bonus worth up to $2,500.
Full Review
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Occasional Southwest Flyers |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$99 |
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
Full Review
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Die-Hard Southwest Loyalists |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$229 |
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
Full Review
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Rotating Bonus Categories |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$0 |
Up to 5% cash back on certain categories each quarter 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Full Review
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Amazon Shoppers |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$0 |
Up to 10% cash back on select items and categories on Amazon Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Full Review
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Casual or Frequent United Flyers |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
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$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 |
Free first checked bag when flying United
Full Review
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Marriott Loyalists |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$95 |
Free night award every year after your account anniversary worth up to 35,000 points (certain hotels have resort fees).
Full Review
More Details
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Detailed Overview: Best Chase Credit Cards
Top Feature
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.24% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.99% – 28.49% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
25.99%
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Increase your approval chances – Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
- Earn Cash Back – With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
- Credit Limit Increase – As a Freedom Rise cardmember, you’ll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
- Free Credit Score – Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
- No Annual Fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® card.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
20.24% – 28.74% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.49% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
You’ll sacrifice a few benefits you enjoy with the Priority card, such as seat upgrades and tier-qualifying points toward A-List status. But you’ll still earn a generous welcome bonus and up to 2x points on purchases, and receive other travel perks.
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.49% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Frequent Southwest Airlines flyers will love this card for its generous rewards, no foreign transaction fees and travel protection benefits. It’s easy to justify the $229 annual fee with perks like an anniversary bonus of 7,500 points, a free first checked bag, seat upgrades when available, and an earlier boarding position. There’s a lot to like about this card, especially if you are already using your Southwest points and want to earn rewards faster.
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.*
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.99% – 28.49% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99%-28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.49% – 28.24% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Card Details From Issuer
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
20.49% – 28.99% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag – a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.49% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC
How To Choose the Best Chase Credit Card for You
There’s no shortage of Chase credit card options. You can decide which is best for your situation by asking yourself the following questions.
What is your credit score?
The first step to finding your ideal match is to check your credit score. You don’t want to apply for a credit card that’s out of your league.
The best Chase credit cards typically require at least a good credit score (defined by FICO as 670 or above). We recommend waiting until your score is at least 700 to give yourself the best odds for approval.
What are your financial goals?
Identify the specific reason you’re opening a credit card. Are you after a 0% intro APR offer to escape high-interest debt? Do you want to earn travel rewards for super-cheap vacations? What about simple cash back? Answering this question will quickly narrow your pool of potential suitors.
What are your spending habits?
Which expenses do you charge the most? Think dining, gas, groceries and other day-to-day purchases. Some Chase credit cards earn bonus rewards in common categories like these — so pick a card that best complements your spending.
Are you willing to pay an annual fee?
Some of the best Chase credit cards, such as the Sapphire Preferred Card, charge annual fees (and in many cases, they’re worth it). Are you willing to pay upfront each year to hold a credit card?
Examine the benefits of a credit card and decide whether you will organically save more money each year than you’ll pony up for the fee.
Which welcome bonus is the most valuable?
If you’re still undecided between two credit cards, go for the one with a higher welcome bonus if you can comfortably meet its minimum spending requirement. Chase cards routinely come with monster offers — like the current 125,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus, which you’ll earn after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Pros and Cons of Chase Cards
Chase offers some of the best credit cards on the market. But they don’t get everything right. Here are a few things to consider.
Pros
- Excellent travel benefits
- Great return rates for everyday spending
- Top-tier welcome bonuses
Cons
- Strict application rules, including the Chase 5/24 rule
- Most credit cards charge annual fees
- No options for those with poor credit
Chase Credit Card Benefits
Yes, many Chase credit cards come with sky-high welcome bonuses. But the ongoing benefits are the reason to keep the card year after year.
Chase credit cards come with a handful of common benefits (though their exact terms may vary). You’ll get:
- Purchase coverage: Extended warranty protection, return protection and purchase protection appear on many Chase credit cards.
- Travel insurance: Many cards come with some form of Chase rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage protection, and more.
- Fraud protection: You’ll get zero liability protection when your card is lost or stolen and used to make purchases you didn’t authorize.
- Chase Offers: These are digital coupons, rebates and bonus rewards opportunities that you can add to your card from within your online Chase account. They can help you save money on purchases you’d make anyway.
There are also fantastic perks that are only found on Chase’s best cards. In other words, these are often unique to one card (or a family of cards). For example:
- Airport lounge access: Some premium Chase cards let you gain entry into fancy lounges, which often have free alcohol, food and sometimes even shower suites. You’ll get this perk with Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits like Priority Pass Select membership and access to Chase Sapphire airport lounges.
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS credits: You can speed through domestic airport security checkpoints with a dedicated lane and a less invasive screening process. Cards like the Aeroplan® Credit Card offer this benefit.
- Travel credits: Some cards come with annual credits that you can redeem toward travel purchases. For example, one of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card benefits is up to $50 in yearly credit when you book prepaid hotels through Chase Travel℠.
- Free checked bags on domestic flights: Checked bags generally cost at least $35 each way. But you can get them for free with certain airlines by using the right credit card, like the United Explorer.
- Rotating bonus categories: The Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter (then 1%) after you activate.
- Elite status: You’ll get automatic status with certain travel programs when you hold one of their credit cards. For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card confers IHG Platinum elite status, which comes with free room upgrades (when available), late checkout, a welcome amenity at check-in and more.
- Free hotel nights: Several hotel credit cards, such as the The World of Hyatt Credit Card, dole out free night awards each year after your account anniversary.
Alternatives To Consider
If no Chase credit card feels like a match, other issuers likely offer a card that fits your goals:
- Capital One credit cards: Capital One serves some credit profiles that Chase doesn’t, such as students and those trying to rebuild a poor credit history.
- American Express credit cards: American Express offers a similar range of credit cards to Chase, but it partners with several different brands. For example, if you regularly fly Delta or stay with Hilton, Amex has just the co-branded credit card for you.
- Discover credit cards: Discover never charges annual fees. For those resolute not to pay a membership fee, Discover has a fairly sizable selection of cards.
How To Apply for a Chase Card
Once you’ve found the Chase credit card you want, applying for a Chase card is a simple process:
- Navigate to Chase’s website or head in-branch to find an application.
- Enter personal information, including your Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address and annual income.
- Formally submit your application. This will result in a hard credit inquiry on your credit report.
- If you’re immediately approved, note your credit card number (many Chase cards generate an instant number so you can use it for purchases immediately).
- If you’re declined — or if your application is pending — you could consider calling the Chase reconsideration line to ask if there’s any other information you can offer that may result in an approval.
The information related to Chase Freedom Rise®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex®, Prime Visa, The New United℠ Explorer Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for these products.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chase Credit Cards
What is the best credit card from Chase?
The best credit card from Chase in terms of benefits is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its travel insurance is incredible, and it comes with hundreds of dollars in effortless value each year thanks to travel credits, airport lounge access and more.
Which Chase credit card is the hardest to get?
Chase doesn’t reveal its exact method for approving applicants for its cards, but the hardest Chase credit cards to get are likely premium business cards such as the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card. Not only do you need a good credit score for approval, but you must also be a business owner.
Which Chase card is the easiest to get approved for?
The easiest Chase card to get is the Chase Freedom Rise®. It’s designed for those new to credit, and it’s one of the few credit cards targeted toward those with no credit history.
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
Chase will not approve you for a credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding many small business credit cards) within the past 24 months.
How Do Our Critics Evaluate the Cards?
All of the credit cards featured on CardCritics™ are assessed using the same criteria. Our critics evaluate fees, interest rates, balance transfer options, introductory bonuses, rewards, additional benefits and the average credit score required for approval.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.