The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Freedom Flex® are two of the best options for maximizing travel rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers a substantial welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, which is worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. It also provides flexible redemption options and the ability to transfer points to over a dozen frequent flyer and hotel programs. This card carries a $95 annual fee but justifies it with robust travel insurance and additional perks with partners like DoorDash and Lyft.
On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Flex® has no annual fee and offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. It excels in cashback, providing 5% on quarterly rotating categories, but does not offer the same travel redemption bonuses or transfer partner access as the Sapphire Preferred®. However, points earned on the Freedom Flex can be transferred to the Sapphire Preferred account, combining the strengths of both cards for maximum value.
Both cards feature additional perks such as shopping protections and partnerships with services like Lyft and Instacart. While the base rewards rate may be low, owning both cards allows for strategic point accumulation. For those seeking higher rewards on non-bonus purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be worth considering, albeit with higher annual fees.
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