Chase Cash Back & Co-Branded Cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Cash Back, Airline, and Hotel Cards
Chase offers a diverse range of credit cards that go beyond their popular Ultimate Rewards program. Whether you’re looking to earn straightforward cash back on everyday purchases or want to rack up miles and points with your favorite airline or hotel chain, Chase has options that cater to your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore Chase’s cash back cards, as well as their co-branded airline and hotel cards, helping you find the best fit for your lifestyle and spending habits.
Why Consider Cash Back or Co-Branded Cards?
While Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program is popular for its flexibility, cash back and co-branded cards can provide straightforward and valuable rewards for those who prefer simplicity or loyalty perks. Here’s why you might consider these cards:
Simple Cash Back Rewards: Cash back cards allow you to earn a percentage back on your purchases, making them ideal for those who want to save money without tracking points or transfer partners.
Travel Loyalty Perks: Co-branded airline and hotel cards are great for travelers who are loyal to a particular brand and want to enjoy benefits like free checked bags, room upgrades, and accelerated earning rates on specific purchases.
Bonus Categories Tailored to Specific Needs: Whether you’re a frequent grocery shopper, business owner, or a regular flyer, there’s likely a Chase card that fits your spending habits.
Let’s take a closer look at the available card options.
Chase Cash Back Cards
Chase’s lineup of cash back cards is ideal for those who want to earn money back on their everyday spending without the complexity of a points program. Here are some of the popular options:
1. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $200 (equivalent to 20,000 points) after spending $500 in the first three months. (Occasionally, there are elevated offers that include extra earning categories.)
Earning Rates: 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter), 3% on dining and drugstores, 1% on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: This card allows you to earn cash back on a wide range of purchases. The rotating 5% categories can offer significant rewards if you maximize them each quarter.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $200 (equivalent to 20,000 points) after spending $500 in the first three months. (Sometimes, there are elevated offers for more cash back in specific categories.)
Earning Rates: 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no limit.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: The straightforward earning structure makes this card an excellent choice for everyday purchases. There’s no need to worry about categories—just swipe and earn.
3. Chase Ink Business Cash®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $750 cash back (75,000 points) after spending $6,000 in the first three months. (Elevated offers may be available on occasion.)
Earning Rates: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services; 2% on gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 combined annually); 1% on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: Ideal for business owners who want to save on everyday business expenses. The 5% categories can offer significant cash back if you use this card strategically.
4. Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $750 cash back (75,000 points) after spending $6,000 in the first three months. (Sometimes, there are elevated offers or promotions.)
Earning Rates: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no limit.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: Perfect for businesses that want a simple and consistent cash back rate across all spending categories.
Important Note: The Freedom and Ink cash back cards can also earn points that convert to Ultimate Rewards if you hold a card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred. This means you can turn cash back into valuable points for travel if desired.
Chase Co-Branded Airline Cards
For travelers who are loyal to a specific airline, Chase’s co-branded cards offer a variety of benefits, from earning frequent flyer miles to enjoying perks like priority boarding and free checked bags. Here are some of the popular options:
1. United Explorer Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months. (Occasionally, there are elevated offers of up to 70,000 miles or more.)
Earning Rates: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays; 1x miles on everything else.
Annual Fee: $95 (waived for the first year)
Why It’s Great: Includes benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and two United Club passes annually.
2. United Quest℠ Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. (Elevated offers sometimes provide even more miles.)
Earning Rates: 3x miles on United purchases, 2x on travel, dining, and streaming services, 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $250
Why It’s Great: This card offers more premium perks for frequent United flyers, including free checked bags, travel credits, and better earning rates on travel-related purchases.
3. Aeroplan® Credit Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 50,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. (Elevated offers may also include more points or benefits.)
Earning Rates: 3x points on dining, takeout, and delivery, 3x points on groceries, and 1x points on everything else.
Annual Fee: $95
Why It’s Great: Great for travelers who fly with Air Canada, and the points can also be used with Star Alliance partners.
Chase Co-Branded Hotel Cards
If you’re more of a hotel person, Chase’s co-branded cards with major hotel chains offer a way to earn points toward free nights, upgrades, and other valuable perks. Here are a few standout options:
1. World of Hyatt Credit Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn up to 60,000 points (30,000 after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 more based on spending). (Sometimes, you can find elevated offers for even more points.)
Earning Rates: 4x points on Hyatt stays, 2x on transit, dining, and gym memberships, 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $95
Why It’s Great: Hyatt points are generally considered to be very valuable, and this card offers benefits like a free night each year and automatic Discoverist status.
2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. (Elevated offers sometimes go up to 150,000 points or more.)
Earning Rates: 6x points on Marriott purchases, 2x on all other purchases.
Annual Fee: $95
Why It’s Great: Includes a free night award each year after your account anniversary and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your next tier status.
3. IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 140,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. (Occasionally, offers can reach 175,000 points.)
Earning Rates: 10x points on IHG stays, 2x on gas stations, groceries, and restaurants, 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $99
Why It’s Great: Comes with perks like a free night every year, Platinum Elite status, and a fourth night free on award stays.
Final Thoughts
Chase’s lineup of cash back and co-branded airline and hotel cards offers a diverse range of benefits to suit different types of spenders. Whether you’re looking to earn simple cash back, save on your favorite airline, or enjoy perks with a hotel chain, Chase has a card that can meet your needs.
These cards can also be a valuable complement to your Ultimate Rewards strategy, helping you earn rewards for every aspect of your spending.