Which is the best Chase cash-back card?

Chase issues 2 excellent cash-back earning personal cards: the Freedom Flex card and the Freedom Unlimited card. Neither card charges an annual fee and both cards have bonus categories that allow you to earn cash-back rewards faster. Additionally, the cards come with several benefits and protections.

How can I use my Chase cash-back rewards?

Cash-back earned on your Chase card is earned first as points that can be redeemed for cash-back, a statement credit, for travel via the Chase travel portal, gift cards, online shopping, or you can request a check or bank deposit. Points can also be transferred to Chase premium cards and then subsequently redeemed for travel for up to 1.5 cents per point (versus 1 cent per point) or transferred to airline and hotel partners to redeem for award flights or free hotel nights. To redeem your rewards, log in to your online Chase card account and under Ultimate Rewards click on the Use or Redeem option.

Do Chase cash-back cards charge foreign transaction fees?

The Freedom Flex card, Freedom Unlimited card, Freedom Student card, Ink Business Cash card, and Ink Business Unlimited card all charge foreign transaction fees.

Is there a limit on Chase cash-back?

There can be but it differs by card. Bonus-category spending, depending on the card, may have a quarterly, calendar year, card anniversary year, or purchase amount limit. For non-bonus spending, there is normally no cap or purchase amount limit.

18 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Chase Cash-back Rewards [2023]

You have to appreciate the simplicity of earning cash-back when using a rewards-earning card for your purchases. Chase, one of the largest credit card issuers, offers several solid cash-back earning credit cards, none of which charge an annual fee.

In addition to the ease of earning cash-back on the Chase cards we’ll discuss, you’ll find flexibility at redemption time and the opportunity to receive even better potential value when rewards are partnered with Chase premium cards.

Join us as we take a look at the best Chase cash-back cards, both personal and business versions, with a focus on how to earn lots of Chase cash-back rewards.

Table of contents

The Value of Chase Cash-back
The Best Chase Personal Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back
Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Personal Credit Cards
The Best Chase Business Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Business Credit Cards
Everything Else You Need To Know
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

The Value of Chase Cash-back
The Best Chase Personal Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back
Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Personal Credit Cards
The Best Chase Business Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Business Credit Cards
Everything Else You Need To Know
Final Thoughts

The Value of Chase Cash-back

Ease of Earning

We’ll expand on all the ways to earn cash-back rewards shortly. However, one of the reasons it’s easy to earn cash-back is that every purchase you make earns rewards. There are also bonus categories where your purchases with select merchants and service providers earn even more rewards. To maximize these earnings, be sure to select cards with bonus categories that match your spending mix.

Flexibility

Cash-back is one of the most liquid types of Chase rewards. It’s easy to earn, simple to keep track of, and easy to redeem. Chase cash-back, however, offers even more flexibility with the option to transfer those cash-back rewards to other specific Chase cards. Let’s look briefly at this exciting option.

Opportunities for Greater Value

The best potential value for cash-back earned on Chase cards may be realized by transferring these rewards to a Chase premium card and then subsequently redeeming for travel or transferring to airline or hotel partners.

This is because Chase cash-back is initially earned as points that can be redeemed for cash-back (and more) or transferred to premium Chase cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Once transferred, your Ultimate Rewards points are worth up to 1.5 cents each towards purchasing travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal.

For even greater potential value, you can transfer points from premium Chase cards to airline or hotel partners and redeem them for award flights or free hotel nights.

Bottom Line: Cash-back rewards earned on Chase cash-back cards are easy to earn, offer flexibility at redemption time, and can be transferred to Chase premium cards for greater potential value.

The Best Chase Personal Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back

These Chase cash-back rewards cards do not charge an annual fee and come with several benefits and protections:

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

Credit Card	Benefits & Info
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card	$50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening Earn 1% cash back on all purchases $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years Earn a credit limit increase after making 5 monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening when meeting credit criteria No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open. Free credit score with Chase Credit Journey Annual Fee: $0

Credit Card

Benefits & Info

Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

$50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
$20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
Earn a credit limit increase after making 5 monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening when meeting credit criteria
No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Free credit score with Chase Credit Journey
Annual Fee: $0

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Personal Credit Cards

Park Hyatt Maldives overwater villa — Travel purchases made with your Chase cash-back card via Chase Travel earn rewards that can also be redeemed for travel. Park Hyatt Maldives. Image Credit: Hyatt

Now that you have an idea of which Chase credit cards earn cash-back rewards, let’s look closer at how you can actually earn those rewards.

1. Earn a Welcome Bonus

Welcome bonuses are an easy way to earn cash-back rewards quickly. Once you’ve been approved for a Chase credit card that offers a welcome bonus, you’ll have an opportunity to earn a welcome bonus after completing the minimum spending requirements within the stated time period.

Welcome bonuses vary widely and change frequently, so be sure to check for the most current bonus before applying. Check our card tables above for the most current information.

2. Refer a Friend

Once you’re a Chase cardholder, you’ll be able to earn cash-back by referring friends or family. When your referral is approved for a card, you’ll receive a cash-back bonus. Learn more about Chase’s Refer a Friend program.

3. Add an Authorized User

Adding a trusted family member to your card ensures more of your household purchases are earning cash-back rewards. Keep in mind that the primary cardholder is still responsible for all purchases made by the authorized user.

4. Earn on Every Purchase

Every purchase you make with your Chase cash-back card will earn rewards.

5. Receive Bonus Earnings on Chase Travel

Both the Freedom Flex card and Freedom Unlimited card earn 5% cash-back on travel purchased via the Chase Travel portal. Additionally, you’ll want to add your Freedom Flex card to your Lyft account as those purchases also earn 5% cash-back through March 2025.

6. Earn on Select Everyday Purchases

The Freedom Flex card and Freedom Unlimited card each earn 3% cash-back on dining and at drugstores.

Freedom Flex Earnings — There are so many ways to earn cash-back but you can keep track of it all in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Image Credit: Chase

7. Make a Major Purchase

With an introductory 0% APR period for up to 15 months after card opening, the Freedom Flex card and the Freedom Unlimited card make it possible to charge a major purchase with your card and repay the balance during the 0% APR period without incurring interest charges. And, you’ll be earning cash-back rewards on that purchase!

After the 0% APR period expires, normal interest rates apply. Check the card tables above for current interest rates.

8. Earn on Quarterly Bonus Category Purchases

Each quarter, the Freedom Flex card announces bonus spending categories that earn 5% cash-back, up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, in specific spending categories. You’ll find select categories that rotate each quarter and include merchants and services such as home improvement stores, grocery stores, Amazon, gas stations, drugstores, warehouse clubs, and many more.

9. Shop Through Chase

Shop your favorite online stores by first accessing the Shop through Chase link in your Ultimate Rewards account. You’ll earn extra rewards and receive access to special offers at select merchants and service providers.

10. Bonus Offers

Watch your email for special bonus-earning offers. Offers have included additional cash-back in specific earning categories such as grocery stores and gas stations. These offers are often targeted at specific cardholders.

Hot Tip: During the first year of being a Freedom Unlimited cardholder, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% cash-back on all purchases made with the card. This translates to earning 6.5% cash-back on purchases via Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and at drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. There is a limit of $20,000 in total purchases that receive the additional 1.5%. This offer may be limited and terms/conditions apply. Use the link in the card table above to check the most current offer.

The Best Chase Business Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back

man at office supply stationary store — Why not earn rewards on business purchases you’re already making? Image Credit: JackF via Adobe Stock

It’s not easy running a business. In addition to all the hard work it takes to succeed, growing your business comes with a lot of expenses. Having a business credit card helps you manage those expenses while earning rewards in the process.

Chase offers 2 excellent cash-back earning business cards, neither of which charges an annual fee.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Business Credit Cards

Let’s look at several options for earning lots of cash-back rewards on your Chase business card.

1. Earn a Welcome Bonus

Chase business credit cards are known for their generous welcome bonuses. You’ll need to meet minimum spending requirements in the first 3 months after account opening to receive your cash-back bonus. Check the card tables above for the most recent welcome bonus offers.

2. Refer a Friend

Business owners generally know other business owners. Spread your enthusiasm for your Chase business cash-back card with other business owners and receive a cash-back bonus for each referral that gets approved for a Chase business card.

3. Add Employee Cards

There is no cost to request additional cards for your employees. Rewards will add up quickly as every purchase they make earns cash-back for your business.

4. Earn on Every Purchase

Every purchase made with a Chase business credit card will earn at least 1% cash-back. The Ink Business Unlimited card, in fact, earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase. The Ink Business Cash card earns 1% on all purchases, other than bonus category purchases which will earn more.

5. Receive Bonus Earnings on Select Business Purchases

Busy business owners who want to keep things simple may prefer the flat-rate earnings of the Ink Business Unlimited card that earns 1.5% on every purchase your business makes. The Ink Business Cash card, however, offers 5% cash-back bonus earnings on the first $25,000 spent each year at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash-back at gas stations and restaurants.

Ink Business Cash Earnings — Cash-back earnings on Chase business cards can add value to your business’ bottom line. Image Credit: Chase

6. Invest in Your Business and Earn More

If you need to make a major purchase for your business, you’ll want to consider taking advantage of the introductory 0% APR period on both the Ink Business Cash card and the Ink Business Unlimited card. Purchases made during this 12-month period will not incur interest rate charges up until the period expires, which is 12 months from the card approval date.

After that, normal interest rates apply. You can review the current variable interest rates by clicking on the green Learn More links in the card tables above.

7. Shop Through Chase

You can earn lots of bonus points/cash-back via the Chase shopping portal. Log in to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and select Earn Bonus Points at the top of the page.

8. Special Bonus Offers

If you are a Chase business cardholder, you’ll also want to watch your email for special bonus earnings offers.

Bottom Line: You’ll earn cash-back on every purchase your business makes and receive bonus earnings in specific purchase categories with your Chase business credit card. To maximize additional earnings, consider the advantage of the introductory 0% APR for any large purchases, check the Chase Shopping portal prior to making a purchase at your favorite merchant, and watch your email for special bonus-earning promotions.

Everything Else You Need To Know

None of the Chase cards we’ve discussed today charges an annual fee. However, all of our featured cards, with the exception of the Amazon Prime Signature card, do charge foreign transaction fees of 3%.

Chase has limitations on card approvals. If you’ve been approved for more than 5 cards, from any issuer, in the past 24 months, you will not be approved. To learn more about this rule, you’ll want to review our article on the Chase 5/24 rule before applying.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cash-back rewards card, any of these Chase options could be an excellent choice. Be sure to match reward categories to your specific spending mix, review redemption options to make sure there’s alignment with your preferences, and check the list of card benefits and protections for those you’ll actually use.

A Chase cash-back card can offer a lot of value, especially when paired with a Chase premium card. Whether personal or business, points can be transferred between cards allowing you to realize the best earning potential plus the highest value at redemption time, even if each of these is on different cards!

Learn more about the best credit card combinations in our helpful article that gives you examples of cards that compliment each other when earning and redeeming rewards.

The information regarding the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Value of Chase Cash-back

Ease of Earning

Flexibility

Opportunities for Greater Value

The Best Chase Personal Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Personal Credit Cards

1. Earn a Welcome Bonus

2. Refer a Friend

3. Add an Authorized User

4. Earn on Every Purchase

5. Receive Bonus Earnings on Chase Travel

6. Earn on Select Everyday Purchases

7. Make a Major Purchase

8. Earn on Quarterly Bonus Category Purchases

9. Shop Through Chase

10. Bonus Offers

The Best Chase Business Credit Cards That Earn Cash-back

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Earn Lots of Cash-back on Chase Business Credit Cards

1. Earn a Welcome Bonus

2. Refer a Friend

3. Add Employee Cards

4. Earn on Every Purchase

5. Receive Bonus Earnings on Select Business Purchases

6. Invest in Your Business and Earn More

7. Shop Through Chase

8. Special Bonus Offers

Everything Else You Need To Know

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best Chase cash-back card?

How can I use my Chase cash-back rewards?

Do Chase cash-back cards charge foreign transaction fees?

Is there a limit on Chase cash-back?

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