If you happen to’ve spent any time round TPG, you already know that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is one in all our most beloved playing cards.
We frequently advocate it as an important journey rewards card for beginners and journey rewards veterans alike for its strong incomes potential, wonderful level redemption choices and comparatively low annual payment.
However should you’ve already listened to us and gotten the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked, your subsequent card choice may appear extra daunting and sophisticated. In actuality, there are loads of actually good card choices to take you to the subsequent section of your factors and miles journey. It is laborious to make a nasty selection so long as you retain a couple of issues in thoughts.
Let’s break down the three main faculties of thought on which card you need to get to pair together with your trusty Sapphire Most well-liked that can assist you resolve which strategy is finest for you.
Three approaches
Your choices fall into three classes:
There is no such thing as a single proper reply that applies to everybody, so you may wish to take into account your personal scenario to find out which makes essentially the most sense. Take into consideration what bonus classes you usually spend in, what loyalty applications you like and whether or not you wish to deal with Chase earlier than going over 5/24.
Associated: The power of the Chase Trifecta
Choice 1: A card to earn further Final Rewards factors
This can be a nice selection should you like Chase’s switch companions and wish to earn as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as attainable to your dream journey.
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With one of many Chase Freedom cards, you possibly can maximize your spending classes to earn much more of those factors out of your on a regular basis spending.
On their very own, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and Chase Freedom Flex® are marketed as cash-back playing cards.
If you happen to even have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, although, you can combine your rewards and switch them to the total vary of Chase’s switch companions.
If you end up able to juggle a couple of playing cards however wish to preserve incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, you should utilize all three playing cards (Sapphire Most well-liked, Freedom Limitless and Freedom Flex) to maximise your Final Rewards-earning potential on your whole purchases. TPG bank cards editor Olivia Mittak makes use of this technique to maximise the quantity of Final Rewards she earns.
Simply make sure to time your applications carefully to maximise your approval possibilities.
The data for the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Chase Freedom Limitless
Annual payment: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 money again after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards price: With the Freedom Limitless, you may earn:
- 5% money again on journey booked via Chase Journey℠
- 3% again on eating
- 3% again on drugstores
- 1.5% again on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: This card is superb to pair together with your Chase Sapphire Most well-liked as a result of it earns 1.5% (or factors per greenback spent) on all purchases, which is 50% greater than the Sapphire Most well-liked (1 level per greenback spent on purchases outdoors of its bonus classes).
Even with our personal extra superior card portfolios, it is a card TPGers attain for sometimes. It permits us to earn an honest return on purchases that do not fall beneath most bonus classes, equivalent to auto repairs and specialty objects. With its present welcome bonus, it can make sense for many Chase Sapphire Most well-liked cardholders.
To study extra, try our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual payment: $0
Welcome bonus: This card is at present closed to digital candidates, however potential cardholders could possibly apply and obtain a welcome provide in-branch.
Rewards price: The Freedom Flex earns:
- 5% money again on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases in bonus classes every quarter you activate
- 5% again on journey booked via Chase Journey
- 3% again on drugstore purchases
- 3% again on eating
- 1% again on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: With this card, you may get 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback spent) on qualifying purchases in service provider classes and at particular retailers that change every quarter (on as much as $1,500 of spending every quarter).
For instance, in the course of the third quarter of 2025 (July 1 via Sept. 30), the bonus classes are electrical car charging stations, gasoline stations, Instacart and choose stay leisure. Activation required.
This card offers you a good way to earn extra Chase Final Rewards factors on completely different spending classes.
To study extra, try our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Choice 2: A card to earn further factors with a Chase switch companion
If you happen to constantly switch your Chase Final Rewards to a selected switch companion, like United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt, you need to take into account a cobranded card to maximise your points-earning potential. A cobranded card may also present advantages related to that particular companion, like free checked baggage or complimentary resort elite standing.
United Quest Card
Annual payment: $350
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus miles and three,000 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,300.
Rewards price: With the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees), you may earn:
- 8 miles per greenback spent on United flights
- 5 miles per greenback spent whenever you prepay for a reserving via Famend Inns and Resorts for United Cardmembers
- 3 miles per greenback spent on different eligible United Airways purchases
- 2 miles per greenback spent on all different journey, eating and choose streaming companies
- 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: Since United is one in all Chase’s Most worthy journey companions, this card will drastically enhance the worth you obtain whenever you switch your Final Rewards factors to United. For instance, when you have got a United Quest card, your miles will go a lot additional as a result of additional award availability offered to all United cardholders.
Plus, the present 100,000-mile bonus on the United Quest is the best offer we’ve seen in the card’s history. This card final provided 100,000 miles throughout its 2021 launch, and the spending requirement was a lot larger then.
You may additionally obtain a free first and second checked bag for your self and a companion, and precedence boarding. Different advantages embody two 10,000-mile award flight reductions (one after each card anniversary and one other you possibly can earn after spending $20,000 on purchases every calendar yr), 25% again on United inflight purchases and an as much as $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus utility payment credit score.
An computerized annual $200 in United TravelBank Money may also assist take the sting out of this card’s $350 annual payment.
The United Quest card presents elitelike advantages you possibly can take pleasure in whereas taking the journeys you have redeemed together with your Final Rewards. If you happen to fly United recurrently, it is a nice card so as to add to your pockets.
To study extra, try our full review of the United Quest card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
World of Hyatt Credit score Card
Annual payment: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn two free nights after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the factors on this welcome provide are value $425.
Rewards price: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) earns:
- 4 factors per greenback spent at Hyatt properties
- 2 factors per greenback spent at eating places
- 2 factors per greenback spent on airline tickets bought instantly from the airline, native transit and commuting and health membership and gymnasium memberships
- 1 level per greenback on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: The World of Hyatt program is definitely essentially the most helpful resort switch companion provided by Final Rewards, so you may wish to take pleasure in as many perks as attainable when redeeming your rewards for stays at Hyatt.
You may obtain Hyatt Discoverist status for so long as your account is open and 5 qualifying night time credit towards your subsequent standing tier yearly. Plus, you possibly can earn two further qualifying night time credit each time you spend $5,000 in your card, making it a lot simpler to achieve the subsequent tier of elite standing even should you’re not on the street consistently.
One other fashionable profit on this card is the annual free night you obtain after your cardmember anniversary (legitimate at any Class 1-4 Hyatt resort or resort), in addition to an extra free night time at any Class 1-4 Hyatt resort or resort should you spend $15,000 in a calendar yr.
All that stated, this card’s present welcome provide is just not one of the best. We advocate ready for a greater provide earlier than making use of.
To study extra, try our full review of the World of Hyatt card.
Apply right here: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Choice 3: A card that diversifies your rewards
Suppose you’re feeling able to enterprise into one other issuer’s loyalty program. In that case, you may wish to open a card that may construct you one other set of transferable rewards. Listed below are some nice decisions:
American Categorical Gold Card
Annual payment: $325 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: New cardmembers can discover out their provide and see if they’re eligible for as excessive as 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents range, and also you will not be eligible for a proposal.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value as a lot as $2,000.
Rewards price: With the American Express® Gold Card, you possibly can earn:
- 4 factors per greenback spent on eating at eating places worldwide (as much as $50,000 per calendar yr; then 1 level per greenback)
- 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per calendar yr; then 1 level per greenback)
- 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or on amextravel.com
- 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations and different eligible purchases on amextravel.com
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Why this card pairs properly: The Sapphire Most well-liked does not provide bonus rewards for grocery purchases (apart from on-line groceries), so this is a wonderful card to make use of at U.S. supermarkets.
The Amex Gold additionally presents a wide range of assertion credit geared towards foodies each calendar yr to assist offset its $325 annual payment. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Most significantly, you may diversify your rewards portfolio by getting access to American Express Membership Rewards. Amex’s loyalty program consists of switch companions that Chase does not have, equivalent to Hilton Honors, Delta SkyMiles, ANA Mileage Club and Qantas Frequent Flyer.
To study extra, try our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Annual payment: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,388.
Rewards price: With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you may earn:
- 5 miles per greenback spent on accommodations, trip leases and rental automobiles booked via Capital One Journey
- 2 miles per greenback spent on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: The Sapphire Most well-liked has unbelievable switch companions, however it may’t account for all journey purchases. That is the place the Enterprise Rewards can are available in. The miles you earn out of your Capital One Enterprise Rewards could be redeemed for statement credits towards almost any journey buy.
The Enterprise Rewards lets you switch your miles to 15-plus airline and hotel programs, together with some companions that Chase does not have.
Priceless additions embody Wyndham Rewards, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Choice Privileges. You even have entry to some shared switch companions like British Airways Club, so pairing the Enterprise Rewards with the Sapphire Most well-liked may speed up your potential earnings with these applications.
This card additionally presents as much as $120 as a World Entry or TSA PreCheck utility payment credit score.
To study extra, try our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Be taught extra: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Citi Strata Premier Card
Annual payment: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 in purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,110.
Rewards price: The Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) earns ThankYou factors on the following charges:
- 10 factors per greenback spent on accommodations, automotive leases and points of interest (excluding air journey) whenever you guide via CitiTravel.com
- 3 factors per greenback spent at eating places, supermarkets, gasoline stations and EV charging stations
- 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases made outdoors CitiTravel.com
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
Why this card pairs properly: The Citi ThankYou Rewards program presents a number of switch companions that Chase does not, equivalent to Qatar Airways Privilege Membership, Etihad Visitor and Turkish Airways Miles&Smiles. It additionally presents helpful bonus-earning charges at supermarkets and gasoline stations, which the Sapphire Most well-liked does not.
This card additionally comes with a resort financial savings profit value $100 off a $500 or extra single resort keep (excluding taxes and charges) as soon as every calendar yr. Nevertheless, that keep should be booked via Citi’s journey portal, limiting its utility to some extent.
To study extra, try our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
Backside line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is superb by itself, nevertheless it’s even higher when paired with different playing cards. Whether or not you wish to deal with incomes extra Chase Final Rewards factors, construct out your stash of factors or miles with one in all Chase’s switch companions or diversify into one other set of transferable rewards, you have got nice choices obtainable to you.
No matter your selection, you may construct on the information you have obtained via the Sapphire Most well-liked and take one other step towards paying to your subsequent dream journey with factors and miles.
Associated: How I chose my next credit card with help from fellow TPGers
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.