Chase Credit Cards Review

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Having carried the Chase Freedom® MasterCard for some time, I thought it was worth taking a look at some of the best Chase credit cards currently available. Like many major card issuers, Chase has designed their top cards to address just about every consumer need. Chase credit cards range from a basic no frills card to cards with very competitive travel and cash back rewards like Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back. Before looking at the specific cards, however, it’s worth noting that Chase has implemented tiered interest rates on some of its offers.

Credit cards once came with one purchase interest rate. Everybody that obtained the card had the same initial interest rate. Today, many card issuers have implemented tiered interest rates where a cardholder’s rate depends on their credit score and credit history. Chase has implemented a three-tiered interest rate that is calls Elite, Premium and Standard Pricing. Elite pricing is for those consumers with excellent credit, Premium for good credit, and Standard for all others that qualify for a Chase credit card.

The difference in the three pricing levels is significant. For example, the interest rate for Standard Pricing can be almost twice the rate charged to Elite cardholders. On top of that, for many of Chase’s credit cards, 0 APR introductory rates are available for Elite and Premium Pricing cardholders only.

Chase has also introduced Blueprint, which gives you several payment plans to handle your credit card debit and a nifty way to track spending. With that said, here are some of the best Chase credit cards currently available:

Chase Consumer Credit Cards

Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back – One of the best cash back credit cards available today, the Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back has a 5% cash back rewards program for select purchases every quarter.  This card also offers 1% cash back on all other purchases and the $200 up front bonus is given after spending $500 in the first three months.  There is no annual fee to own the Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back.

Chase Sapphire(SM) Preferred Card – The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is designed for consumers with excellent credit who love to travel.  An immediate up front bonus of $500 is given after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card ownership and every member receives a dedicated phone number with live customer support 24/7.  Two points are earned for every dollar spent on dining and travel and one point is earned on every buck spent elsewhere.  The Chase Sapphire charges no foreign transaction fees, offers a 7% annual dividend on points earned every year and has a $95 annual fee, waived during the first year.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – Earn a free flight after just your first purchase, in the form of 25,000 bonus points, which is over $400 in Wanna Get Away fares. Also earn 3,000 Points every year, that can be redeemed for a $50 Wanna Get Away Fare. Southwest happens to be my airline of choice as I never pay change fees or $25 per bag like other airlines and with up to four free flights just for signing up, I love this card. Double points are earned on every Southwest flight purchase and the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card includes a $69 annual fee.

Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card – If you could tell my the other offers on this list, Chase loves to give out big bonuses for new members.  The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is no exception, offering 50,000 bonus points for making one purchase plus a free night’s stay your first year.  Add it up, and that’s good enough for up to SIX free nights at a Marriott location.  Five points are earned per dollar spent for Marriott hotel purchases, two points per dollar spent on dining, airline and rental car purchases and one point per dollar spent elsewhere.  As an added bonus, the $85 annual fee is waived for all first year cardholders of the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card.

United MileagePlus® Explorer Card – Anyone that flies Continental or United would benefit from owning the United MileagePlus Explorer Card.  25,000 bonus miles are given after making just one purchase with a chance to earn an additional 15,000 bonus miles the first year; for a total of 40,000 bonus miles.  Points are earned for every purchase made and the first checked bag on United or Continental flights is always free.  The annual fee of $95 is waived for all first year United MileagePlus Explorer Cardholders.

Slate® from Chase – A great card for Americans in need of transferring debt, the Slate from Chase includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (if you have excellent credit).  That time can be used to make purchases interest free, or transfer a high balance on an existing credit card; again to make payments interest free. And there is no balance transfer fee or annual fee with this offer.

Chase Business Credit Cards

Ink Cash℠ Business – Chase also provides a small line of business card products including it’s best card, the Ink Cash Business.  25,000 bonus points are earned ($250 cash back) after spending $5,000 in the first three months.  5% cash back on office supply and wireless purchases for your business, 2% cash back on gas and dining purchases and 1% cash back on everything else.  A 0% intro APR is provided on purchases for six months and the Ink Cash Business has no annual fee.

Ink Bold℠ with Ultimate Rewards – A little different than most cards, the Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards is a charge card; not a credit card.  This means that all purchases must be paid in full every month and the card does not have an interest rate.  50,000 bonus points are given after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. Points are earned with every purchase and the Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards charges a $95 annual fee, kindly waive the first year.

Published or updated February 8, 2012.