Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Want to turn your everyday spending into memorable trips? Chase continues to dominate the travel rewards landscape in 2025 with a portfolio of cards that can accelerate your travel goals. Whether you're new to points and miles or looking to optimize your existing strategy, Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer exceptional flexibility and value for your adventures.

The beauty of Chase's ecosystem lies in how these cards work together. You can earn points across multiple cards and pool them for maximum redemption value. Here's your complete guide to the top Chase travel cards worth considering this year.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: The Premium Powerhouse

Annual Fee: $795 (increased from $550 in June 2025)
Welcome Offer: 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel credit after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months

The Chase Sapphire Reserve underwent a major refresh in 2025, and while the annual fee jumped significantly, Chase packed in substantial new benefits to justify the cost.

Key Benefits That Matter

Earning Structure (Updated 2025):

• 8x points on travel through Chase Travel (up from 5x on flights, 10x on hotels/cars)
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly (up from 3x on all travel)
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x point on everything else (note: general travel like cruises now earn only 1x)

Premium Travel Credits:

• $300 annual travel credit (flexible, applies to almost any travel purchase)
• Up to $500 annual credit for The Edit luxury hotel collection (split into two $250 periods)
• Up to $300 annual StubHub/Viagogo credit for concerts and events

Elite Status and Access:

• Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through December 2027
• Priority Pass Select membership with access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide
• $120 credit every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS

The New Points Boost System: Chase replaced the previous 1.5x redemption bonus with "Points Boost," offering up to 2 cents per point value on select hotel and flight bookings through Chase Travel. However, this system is more restrictive than the previous flat bonus.

Best For: Frequent travelers who want luxury perks and can maximize the various statement credits. The $795 annual fee requires significant spending and credit usage to justify.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: The Sweet Spot Card

Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months

The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains one of the best value propositions in travel rewards. While it doesn't have the premium perks of the Reserve, it offers excellent earning rates at a fraction of the cost.

Why This Card Works

Solid Earning Structure:

• 5x points on Chase Travel purchases
• 3x points on dining (including takeout and delivery)
• 2x points on other travel purchases
• 1x point on everything else

Valuable Benefits:

• $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel
• 10% anniversary point bonus on all points earned that year
• No foreign transaction fees
• Complimentary DashPass membership for one year

Transfer Partners: Your Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to valuable airline and hotel partners, including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and many international carriers. This flexibility makes your points significantly more valuable than fixed-value rewards.

Best For: Travelers who want excellent earning rates and valuable points without paying premium annual fees. This card often delivers better value per dollar than more expensive alternatives.

Chase Freedom Flex: The Category Maximizer

Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 in your first 3 months

Don't overlook the Chase Freedom Flex – this no-fee card can be a powerful addition to your Chase lineup.

Rotating Categories That Add Up

Q3 2025 Categories (July-September):

• 5x points on gas stations and EV charging
• 5x points on Instacart purchases
• 5x points on select live entertainment
• 5x points on up to $1,500 combined spending (then 1x)

Year-Round Benefits:

• 5x points on Chase Travel purchases
• 3x points on dining and drugstores
• 1x point on everything else
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Strategy Tip: You can earn up to $300 in rewards annually ($75 per quarter) by maximizing the 5x categories. When paired with a Sapphire card, these "cash back" rewards convert to Ultimate Rewards points for greater flexibility.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: Simple and Consistent

Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 in your first 3 months

The Chase Freedom Unlimited takes the complexity out of earning rewards with straightforward, elevated rates.

No-Fuss Earning:

• 5x points on Chase Travel purchases
• 3x points on dining and drugstores
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• 0% intro APR for 15 months

Perfect For: People who prefer consistent earning without tracking rotating categories. The 1.5x rate on everything makes this card an excellent everyday spender when combined with a Sapphire card for Ultimate Rewards flexibility.

Chase Ink Business Preferred: Business Spending Powerhouse

Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Offer: 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in your first 3 months

The Chase Ink Business Preferred offers one of the most generous welcome bonuses available and exceptional earning potential for business owners.

Business-Focused Benefits:

• 3x points on up to $150,000 annually in combined categories:
  • Shipping purchases
  • Internet, cable, and phone services
  • Social media and search engine advertising
• 3x points on travel
• 1x point on all other purchases

Bonus Value: The 90,000-point welcome bonus is worth approximately $1,800 when transferred to travel partners, making this one of the most valuable offers in the Chase lineup.

Best For: Business owners who can meet the $8,000 minimum spend and regularly purchase in the bonus categories. Even without a business, many people qualify for business cards based on side income or selling items online.

Maximizing Your Chase Strategy in 2025

The Chase Trifecta Approach

The most effective Chase strategy typically involves combining three cards:

1. One Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) for transfer partners and elevated travel/dining earning
2. Chase Freedom Flex for rotating 5x categories
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited for consistent 1.5x earning on everything else

This combination gives you:

• High earning rates across all spending categories
• Maximum Ultimate Rewards point accumulation
• Only one annual fee (if you choose the Sapphire Preferred)
• Complete flexibility in redemption options

Recent Changes to Know

New Bonus Eligibility Rules (2025): Chase updated its Sapphire bonus eligibility rules. You can now hold both Sapphire cards simultaneously, but bonus eligibility depends on your history with each specific card. If you've previously received a bonus on a particular Sapphire card, you likely won't be eligible for another bonus on that same card, even after 48 months.

Points Boost vs. Traditional Redemptions: The Reserve's new Points Boost system can offer up to 2 cents per point value, but it's more restrictive than the previous 1.5x flat bonus. Existing cardholders have a transition period through October 2027.

Transfer Partners Worth Knowing

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to excellent partners that can dramatically increase your redemption value:

Airlines:

• United Airlines (domestic and international flights)
• Southwest Airlines (domestic travel and Companion Pass qualification)
• British Airways (short-haul flights and off-peak international)

Hotels:

• Hyatt (exceptional value for luxury properties)
• Marriott Bonvoy (wide selection worldwide)
• IHG One Rewards (solid value in many markets)

Choosing Your Chase Cards for 2025

If you're new to Chase: Start with the Sapphire Preferred for its manageable annual fee and excellent welcome bonus. Add the Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending.

If you want maximum luxury: The Sapphire Reserve justifies its high fee if you'll use the premium credits and benefits. Pair it with the Freedom Flex for category bonuses.

If you have a business: The Ink Business Preferred offers exceptional value and should be your starting point. Add personal Chase cards to complete your strategy.

If you want simplicity: The Freedom Unlimited plus Sapphire Preferred combination covers most bases without complexity.

Remember, Chase has a 5/24 rule – you can't get approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Plan your applications accordingly and consider starting with Chase cards before exploring other issuers.

Ready to start earning Ultimate Rewards points? These Chase cards offer some of the most valuable and flexible travel rewards available. Whether you choose one card or build a complete strategy around multiple cards, you'll be well-positioned to turn your spending into amazing travel experiences.

For more strategies on maximizing your points, check out our complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners and learn how to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards points effectively.

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