Best Chase credit cards of April 2024

Most Chase credit cards require good to excellent credit. Ideally, you'll want a credit score of 700 or more. According to Chase's website, that will "likely qualify you for just about any credit card, including those with cash back rewards, lower annual percentage rates (APRs) and more." That doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't apply if your credit score is in the 600s, especially the high 600s. But your chances will likely be better if you have a score of 700 or above. Other factors, such as payment history, could also be taken into consideration.

There are various ways to apply for a Chase credit card including at a Chase bank, on the phone, by the mail, or, the most common method, by submitting an application online.

You'll want to first collect some information such as your Social Security number or maybe your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), so your credit report can be pulled. You'll also be asked some questions such as your employment status and gross annual income. If you apply online, you should learn whether or not you've been approved for the card automatically.

The best Chase credit card is the one that's best for you. That sounds like a dodge, but it isn't. No credit card is the best for any one person. It all comes down to the individual user and their spending habits. For instance, the CardName is an excellent travel credit card with generous rewards, but if you rarely travel, or hate to travel, it likely won't benefit you much.

To determine the best Chase credit card, you'll want to compare all of Chase's options and what they each have to offer to determine what is the best fit for you.

There are a lot of benefits that you may be unaware of - but be sure to read over the "offer details" as well as the "terms and conditions" of any card before apply. Not every Chase card is going to have these benefits, but along with the usual welcome offer and rewards, many of them do have the following:

Travel insurance. Worried about a flight being cancelled or having to pay for a fender bender with a rental car? You may not have to worry if you have a Chase credit card. Many of the cards will cover those expenses - provided you paid for the flight or the rental car with your Chase credit card.

Cell phone protection. So you accidentally dropped your cell phone in the bathtub? Or you were sitting at a table at an outdoor bistro when suddenly a thief darts by, grabs it and is never seen again? Fortunately, many of the Chase cards offer cell phone protection for phones damaged or stolen - as long as you're paying your monthly bill with your Chase credit card.

Purchase protection. If you buy something with your Chase credit card, and it's broken or stolen, you'll probably be covered - meaning that Chase will pay to have the item repaired or replaced. You may be picking up on a theme here. If you pay for something with Chase, and things don't go well, often, you'll receive compensation. There are exclusions that are important to note (buying pre-owned items at a store, those aren't covered), and you'll also want to know that you get up to a maximum of $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per account, and the claim needs to be within 120 days from the date of purchase.

Extended warranties. Some Chase credit cards will extend the time period of a U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an extra year - assuming the item was purchased with an eligible Chase credit card. If your card has that protection, it'll be covered up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. As always, there are exceptions; Chase's extended warranties won't extend your car's warranty, for instance.

Travel upgrades. Many of Chase's credit cards, especially any with travel rewards, offer opportunities for hotel and flight upgrades, complimentary in-flight meals and hotel breakfasts, plus free checked bags and annual travel credits.

There is no official limit to how many Chase credit cards you can have, though you will not be allowed to apply for and get, say, 10 Chase credit cards all at once. That said, there may be a maximum amount of total credit Chase will extend you if you have multiple Chase credit cards.

The Chase 5/24 rule is an unofficial Chase policy, though while it's unofficial, it's hardly a secret; numerous news accounts have taken note of it. Chase has what is known as the 5/24 rule, where a borrower isn't allowed to get a Chase credit card if they have already opened five or more personal credit cards (at Chase or any bank) within the last 24 months.

If you have opened up five credit card accounts in the last two years, theoretically under this rule, you wouldn't be able to get a Chase credit card. If you were bound and determined to, you'd want to wait until at least one or two of those personal credit cards are two or more years old. Or as a workaround, you could apply for a Chase business credit card as they don't count towards your total.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are earned by using certain Chase credit cards. These points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program for things like gift cards and cash back, or through Chase Travel℠ for travel.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are considered one of the most valuable loyalty currencies in the credit card industry thanks to their flexible redemption options. In addition to gift card and cash back redemption, points can be transferred to a number of travel partners, or redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, usually at an increased value. For example, points earned with the CardName are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, meaning 60,000 points are actually worth $750.

You can learn more in our Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards. 

There are generally two ways to increase your credit limit with Chase - or any credit card, really. Either you will make the request online or on the phone. You ask for a credit limit increase, and you'll either get it or not (it may take a few days or weeks before you get an answer).

Or you also may find that your credit limit is increased without you asking. Yes, sometimes, if you have a good record of making on-time payments, your credit card issuer may raise your credit limit on their own, without you asking.

If you have a card that no longer suits you can request a product change to upgrade your card. Simply contact Chase and ask if you are eligible for an upgrade or swap. If so, the representative will help you with your request, suggesting alternatives that are a better match.