Chase
The biggest card issuer in the US and home of Ultimate Rewards, the most beginner-friendly transferable currency thanks to Hyatt, United and Southwest.
Application Rules
- ▸5/24 rule: 5+ new personal cards across all banks in 24 months = automatic denial on most Chase cards
- ▸Sapphire bonuses: one bonus per Sapphire card per 48 months
- ▸Business cards don't count toward your 5/24 total
- ▸1-2 Chase applications per 30 days is the safe velocity
Tracked Chase Cards
The flagship premium travel card, rebuilt in 2025 with a credit stack that can out-earn its fee.
The best first travel card in the game. Full transfer partner access for $95.
1.5x on everything, and a points multiplier when paired with a Sapphire.
5% rotating categories that turn into 5x transferable points in the right setup.
The biggest routine sign-up bonus in the business. Period.
$750 for free, every so often. The churnable workhorse.
5x at office supply stores, and gift card racks live at office supply stores.
The only hotel card whose free night reliably beats the annual fee.
Free bags, expanded award space, and two lounge passes a year.
An annual 35k free night certificate for a $95 fee.
The middle child of the United lineup, with enough credits to cover the fee for regular flyers.
A United Club membership with a card attached. The 2025 refresh raised the fee and stacked on credits.
The top personal Southwest card. The travel credit and anniversary points nearly erase the fee.
The cheapest door into Southwest points and the Companion Pass.
Huge headline bonuses, an anniversary night, and a fourth award night free every stay.
The only US card that earns one of the best Star Alliance currencies directly.
5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods, no annual fee beyond your Prime membership.
Chase's front door for first-time cardholders. 1.5% on everything while you build history.
A palladium-faced Sapphire Reserve for J.P. Morgan Private Bank clients. Same benefits, heavier metal.
United miles with no annual fee and no FTF.
The middle child of the Southwest lineup, and often the right pick.
The biggest Southwest bonuses live on the business side.
The legacy luxury card you can only reach by product change.
The Sapphire Reserve playbook, rebuilt for business owners with ad spend and software credits.
2.5% on big purchases, with one catch: the points are stuck as cash.
The Explorer's business sibling, refreshed in 2025 with a deeper credit stack.
A full United Club membership on the business side, with a fee that tripled to match.
The lighter Southwest business card, and a clean second bonus toward the Companion Pass.
The free way to keep Marriott points alive and bank elite nights.
Gold status and big earn rates, but no annual free night to anchor the fee.
More Hyatt points for the best hotel currency, with flexible quarterly bonus categories.
Six-figure point bonuses and a fourth night free, on a card that costs nothing.
The personal IHG Premier's perks, repeated on the business side of the ledger.
Chase's balance transfer and APR card, now closed to new applicants.
The Prime Visa without the Prime: 3% at Amazon, no membership required.
5% back on grocery delivery for households that live on Instacart.
4% on delivery and 3% on dining, built for people who outsource dinner.
Avios for short-haul sweet spots, plus the famous Travel Together companion ticket.
The Ireland specialist of the Avios trio, with cheap transatlantic award math.
Avios with a Spanish accent and a $1,000 flight discount for big spenders.
Park perks and character meet-and-greets, with rewards as an afterthought.
The Disney card with actual earn rates, for households funding an annual pilgrimage.
The original 5 percent rotating workhorse, retired but never killed.
VisaThe no-fee Sapphire that started the dynasty, then vanished into Freedom Unlimited.
The no-fee balance transfer icon, retired in 2020. A new Slate exists, this is not that card.
A 49 dollar fee for a free night anywhere IHG flies its flag. Never again.
The Slate name returns with 21 months of 0% APR and nothing else.