Best Chase Cards for Travel Rewards in 2025

In the ever-expanding universe of travel rewards, one name consistently stands out for its flexibility, value, and robust offerings: Chase. For years, savvy travelers and beginners alike have leveraged the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program to turn everyday spending into dream vacations. As we navigate 2025, the landscape of travel credit cards is more competitive than ever, yet Chase continues to offer a formidable lineup of cards designed to meet the needs of every type of traveler, from the weekend road-tripper to the luxurious globetrotter.

This comprehensive guide will delve into the best Chase cards for travel rewards in 2025. We’ll break down the top contenders, explore their earning potential, uncover their valuable perks, and help you understand the powerful ecosystem of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Whether you’re looking for premium lounge access, valuable hotel and airline transfer partners, or simply a straightforward way to earn points on your purchases, this article will provide the clarity you need to make an informed decision. We will navigate the key differences between the flagship cards, explore co-branded options for loyalists of specific brands, and even touch on business cards that can supercharge your travel goals. Prepare to unlock a world of travel possibilities as we dissect the best that Chase has to offer.

Why Choose Chase for Your Travel Rewards Strategy?

Before diving into specific cards, it’s essential to understand what makes the Chase ecosystem so compelling. The cornerstone of Chase’s travel rewards program is Ultimate Rewards (UR), a highly flexible and valuable points currency. Unlike being locked into a single airline or hotel loyalty program, UR points give you a world of options. You can redeem them for cash back or gift cards, but their true power is unleashed when used for travel.

You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences directly through the Chase Travel℠ portal, where points have a fixed value that is often boosted depending on the card you hold. More importantly, and where the most significant value lies, is the ability to transfer your UR points to a host of high-value airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Chase points can become 1,000 points or miles with partners like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, British Airways, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy. This transferability allows you to take advantage of sweet spots in partner award charts, often yielding a value far greater than a simple cash back redemption. This flexibility, combined with strong earning categories and generous welcome bonuses, makes Chase a top choice for anyone serious about travel rewards.

The Ultimate Showdown: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For most individuals entering the world of Chase travel rewards, the decision begins with two iconic cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While they share a name and access to the same valuable transfer partners, they are built for different types of travelers.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: The Best for Beginners and Casual Travelers

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is arguably one of the most popular and recommended travel rewards cards on the market, and for good reason. It offers a fantastic entry point into the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem with a modest annual fee, making it accessible to a broader audience.

• Annual Fee: Typically $95.
• Welcome Bonus: Often a substantial offer after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. For example, earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earning Rates:
  • 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out.
  • 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
  • 3x points on select streaming services.
  • 2x points on all other travel purchases.
  • 1x point on all other purchases.
• Redemption Bonus: Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Key Perks:
  • $50 Annual Hotel Credit on hotel stays purchased 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.
  • Excellent travel protections, including Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (primary coverage), and Baggage Delay Insurance.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

The Sapphire Preferred is the ideal choice for those who travel a few times a year, dine out regularly, and want to accumulate valuable, flexible points without committing to a high annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Premium Choice for Frequent Flyers

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the premium big brother to the Preferred, designed for the frequent traveler who can take full advantage of its extensive list of luxury perks. While it comes with a significantly higher annual fee, the benefits can easily outweigh the cost for the right person.

• Annual Fee: Typically $550.
• Welcome Bonus: Historically similar to or slightly higher than the Preferred, with a comparable spending requirement.
• Earning Rates:
  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases.
  • 5x total points on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • 3x points on other travel and dining worldwide.
  • 1x point on all other purchases.
• Redemption Bonus: Your points are worth an impressive 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This turns a 60,000-point bonus into $900 worth of travel.
• Key Perks:
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit: This is the card’s standout feature. You automatically receive up to $300 in statement credits as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. This effectively reduces the annual fee to $250 for those who would spend this on travel anyway.
  • Priority Pass™ Select Membership: Complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges and experiences worldwide.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for either of these programs.
  • Elite-level travel protections, which are even more robust than those on the Preferred.
  • Access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection℠.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

The Sapphire Reserve® is a clear winner for frequent travelers who will utilize the $300 travel credit, value airport lounge access, and can benefit from the higher earning rates and redemption bonus through the Chase portal.

For the Savvy Business Owner: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Travel rewards aren’t just for personal expenses. For small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for accumulating a massive amount of Ultimate Rewards points on common business expenditures.

• Annual Fee: Typically $95.
• Welcome Bonus: Often one of the most lucrative welcome bonuses on the market, frequently offering 100,000 bonus points after a higher spending requirement in the first three months.
• Earning Rates:
  • 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on:
    • Travel
    • Shipping purchases
    • Internet, cable, and phone services
    • Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines.
  • 1x point on all other purchases.
• Key Perks:
  • Cell Phone Protection: Get up to $1,000 per claim in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay it with your card.
  • Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, just like the Sapphire Preferred.
  • Access to the same excellent 1:1 airline and hotel transfer partners.
  • Primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes.
  • No fee for employee cards.

The Ink Business Preferred is a must-have for any business owner whose spending aligns with the generous 3x bonus categories. The ability to earn so many points on essential business costs can single-handedly fund both business and personal travel for years to come.

Beyond Ultimate Rewards: Best Co-Branded Chase Cards for Brand Loyalists

While the Ultimate Rewards cards offer incredible flexibility, travelers who are loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain can find immense value in Chase’s co-branded credit card portfolio. These cards offer brand-specific perks that can significantly enhance your travel experience.

For the Hotel Enthusiast: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt program is a favorite among points and miles enthusiasts for its reasonable award chart and high-value redemptions. The World of Hyatt Credit Card is the perfect companion for anyone who stays at Hyatt properties.

• Annual Fee: Typically $95.
• Key Perks:
  • Annual Free Night Certificate: Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary. This benefit alone can easily justify the annual fee.
  • Automatic Discoverist Elite Status: Enjoy benefits like premium internet, bottled water, and a preferred room within your booked category.
  • Path to Higher Status: Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards the next tier of elite status for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
  • Strong Earning Rates: Earn up to 9x total points for Hyatt stays (4 Bonus Points per $1 spent with your card at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member).

For the Frequent Flyer: Chase United℠ Explorer Card

For those who frequently fly with United Airlines, the United℠ Explorer Card offers perks that make the travel experience smoother and more affordable.

• Annual Fee: Typically $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Key Perks:
  • Free First Checked Bag: You and a companion traveling on the same reservation can each check a first standard bag for free, saving up to $140 per roundtrip.
  • Priority Boarding: Enjoy priority boarding privileges on United flights.
  • Two United Club℠ One-Time Passes: Receive two lounge passes each year on your card anniversary.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit.
  • Expanded Award Availability: Cardmembers have access to more award seats at the saver level than non-cardholders.

Chase also offers co-branded cards with other major airlines and hotel chains, including Southwest Airlines, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG Rewards Club. The best choice depends entirely on your personal travel patterns and brand preferences.

Understanding the Rules: What is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

Before you apply for any of these cards, it’s crucial to be aware of an unwritten but widely acknowledged Chase application rule known as the “5/24 rule.” In simple terms, if you have opened five or more new personal credit card accounts in the past 24 months (from any bank, not just Chase), your application for a new Chase card will almost certainly be denied. This is why it’s often recommended that newcomers to the rewards hobby prioritize applying for Chase cards first. Most business cards (including the Chase Ink cards) do not count towards your 5/24 total, which is a key strategic advantage for business owners.

The Final Verdict: Which Chase Travel Card is Right for You in 2025?

Choosing the best Chase travel card ultimately comes down to a personal calculation of your spending habits, travel frequency, and desired perks.

• Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred® if: You are new to travel rewards, travel a few times a year, and want a card with a reasonable annual fee that unlocks the powerful Ultimate Rewards program.
• Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve® if: You are a frequent traveler who can maximize the $300 travel credit, values airport lounge access, and wants the highest redemption rate through the Chase portal.
• Choose the Chase Ink Business Preferred® if: You are a business owner with significant spending in categories like travel, shipping, internet, or online advertising.
• Choose a Co-Branded Card like the World of Hyatt or United Explorer if: You are a loyalist to a specific brand and the card’s unique perks (like free checked bags or an annual free night) align perfectly with your travel style.

By carefully considering your options and understanding the immense value within the Chase ecosystem, you can select a card that not only complements your travel style but also helps you achieve your travel dreams faster and more affordably than you ever thought possible.