Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most popular rewards points systems allowing you great flexibility on how you want to spend your points.
The three cards allow you to maximize your point value and transfer points to airline and hotel points programs:
- Best for Luxury Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) :
- Best for Beginner Travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review)
- Best for Businesses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review)
Chase also offers four no-annual-fee credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, but you will need one of the above cards to unlock airline and hotel transfers:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review)
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ (review)
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (review)
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (review)
Below is what you need to know about these seven Chase Ultimate Rewards cards:
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for Beginner Travelers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) is one of the most popular travel rewards cards because it offers nice welcome bonus and extra points on travel and dining, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠. The Sapphire Preferred also offers great travel and purchase protections for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Ability to transfer to airline and hotel partners, 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Travel, $50 annual hotel stay credit via Chase Travel, 10% anniversary points bonus, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for Luxury Travel
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers premium travel benefits including lounge access, hotel elite status, and multiple statement credits that can offset its $795 annual fee. With bonus earnings on travel and dining purchases plus the ability to transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners, this card delivers strong value for frequent travelers who can maximize its benefits.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 10x points on Hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals and 5x points on flights through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 10x points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards; 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out; 3x points on other travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 1x points on other eligible spending.
Card Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass airport lounge membership with unlimited visits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every four years, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, trip cancellation, travel accident, lost luggage, and baggage delay), purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
3. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best for Business Travel Purchases
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) offers great rewards for small business owners. With bonus points on travel, shipping, advertising, and communication services, plus valuable travel protections, it’s a solid choice for companies looking to maximize their everyday spending.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising made with social media sites and search engines, and internet, cable and phone services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year; 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for Daily Personal Spending
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) sets itself apart with 1.5% back on non-bonus purchases, plus higher rewards in select categories including dining and travel. This flexible rewards card becomes even more valuable when paired with a premium Chase card, allowing you to transfer your rewards to travel partners.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Cash Back: 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services; 3% back on drugstore purchases; 1.5% back on all other purchases
CaBenefits: Purchase protection, extended warranty, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary rental car insurance, and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after that reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies;
5. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for Daily Business Spending
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (review) offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all business purchases with no bonus categories to track and no annual fee. This card shines brightest when paired with premium Chase cards, allowing you to transform your rewards into valuable Ultimate Rewards points for transfers to travel partners.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
6. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Best for Flexible Rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ (review) rewards cardholders with 5x points in rotating quarterly categories and includes solid benefits like cell phone protection and purchase coverage. While the rotating categories require activation each quarter, this card offers significant value for those willing to track and maximize the bonus categories.
Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn Rewards: 5% back in quarterly bonus categories; 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services; 3% back on drugstore purchases; 1% back on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary rental car insurance, and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
7. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for Cash Back on Business Purchases
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (review) packs serious value with no annual fee, offering excellent rewards at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services. This business card stands out with its substantial welcome bonus and valuable perks like purchase protection and primary rental car coverage for business rentals.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
