Best Chase Credit Cards for Beginners [2025]: 5 Starter Cards

If you're new to credit cards, it can feel like a lot of jargon is thrown at you: APR, cash back, annual fees, and more. Fortunately, you can find good, low-cost, and beginner-friendly credit cards with many issuers.

Chase, the largest credit card issuer in the country, has several options. It offers cards that are good fits for college students, young adults, and people who've never carried a credit card before.

The best Chase credit card for beginners will depend on your credit history, spending habits, and lifestyle, but we've identified a few top options based on fees, rewards, and extra benefits.

Compare the best Chase cards for beginners

Chase card	Great for...	Recommended credit	Annual fee
Chase Freedom Rise®	Credit newbies	Fair, Bad	$0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees)	Cashback rewards	Excellent, Good	$0
Chase Freedom Flex®	Added perks	Excellent, Good	$0
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card(Rates and fees)	Travelers	Excellent, Good	$95
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card(Rates and fees)	Solopreneurs and small business owners	Excellent, Good	$0

Chase Freedom Rise^®

If you've never had a credit card before (or made mistakes with one in the past), the Chase Freedom Rise^® may be a good starting point. Designed for those with poor-to-fair credit (or no credit at all), it's a simple, low-cost credit card that's ideal for the less experienced.

While it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, it does have an easy-to-use rewards structure and program. You'll earn up to 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and you can redeem rewards for statement credits, gift cards, travel, and more. (This card technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are more flexible than true cash back when you redeem them. We'll talk more about this program soon.) Every year, Chase will consider upgrading you to the Chase Freedom Unlimited as long as you've used the card in the past year and made all payments on time.

You can increase your chances of approval for this card by having $250 or more in a Chase account, so it could make sense to open a Chase savings or checking account before you apply. While some cards offer introductory annual percentage rates (APRs), such as 0% for a set number of months on new purchases or balance transfers, the Chase Freedom Rise card has no such option.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Rise review

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

If your credit is in better shape, the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® card is basically a step up from the Freedom Rise card. Like the Freedom Rise, it doesn't have an annual fee, and it offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. But the Freedom Unlimited card takes rewards up a notch: You can also earn 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, plus 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is what you'll be upgraded to from the Chase Freedom Rise if you make your payments on time and use your card. So while the Freedom Unlimited may not necessarily be your first Chase credit card, it could be your second.

This card does charge foreign transaction fees, which can be annoying when you're traveling outside the U.S., though it does offer some travel benefits.

Apply now | Learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review

Chase Freedom Flex^®

As you gain experience with rewards credit cards, you may want to consider boosting your earnings with a card that offers a higher rewards rate on changing categories. With the Chase Freedom Flex^®, you can earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

For example, from January through March, you could have earned 5% cash back on groceries or gym memberships. In April through June, you could have earned 5% cash back on Amazon purchases.

Like the Freedom Unlimited, this card offers extra travel and purchase protections not always found with cash back cards. Unlike the Freedom Unlimited, the Freedom Flex also offers cell phone insurance.

You need to remember to activate the spending categories to earn the higher rewards rate with this card. Otherwise, you'll earn just 1% on your purchases.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is one of the best credit cards for travel, and its popularity is well deserved in our book. It has a relatively low annual fee, and it offers valuable rewards and extra travel perks, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage, and auto rental coverage. Plus, it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it could help you save when traveling outside of the U.S.

You should consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want to add a travel card to your wallet. It makes an excellent first travel credit card because its annual fee could be easier to offset than a fee with three digits, and Chase points are known for providing more value than other credit card points.

Unlike many of Chase's other cards for beginners, though, the Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn't have introductory APR offers. If you don't travel often, you could also find the card's rewards less useful, as they offer the best value when redeemed for travel.

Apply now | Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card was my first business credit card, and it could be the perfect first Chase card for you. For freelancers, independent contractors, solopreneurs, and small business owners, it offers useful rewards and perks without an annual fee.

You can earn 1.5% on every purchase and redeem your rewards for statement credits, gift cards, and more.

However, this card doesn't have bonus categories, so you may be able to earn a higher rewards rate with another card if you have a bit of experience. And, if you travel for work, know that this card's travel protections and benefits are limited, and it charges foreign transaction fees.

Apply now | Learn more in our Chase Ink Business Unlimited review

Is Chase a good option for a first credit card?

Yes, Chase is a good option for a first credit card, but the right Chase card for you to start with depends on your needs and experience. Chase offers many credit cards that could be good choices for first-time credit card users, with the Freedom Rise card likely being the best for most beginners. This card stands out for having easier qualification requirements and automatic benefits to help you build credit. The issuer also provides great credit card options for people with more credit experience, including those looking for more advanced rewards structures.

Types of Chase credit cards that are best for beginners

Chase offers a few types of credit cards that are suitable for beginners.

• No-annual-fee cards: Without an annual fee, these credit cards allow you to earn rewards and use credit without budgeting for an added cost every year. No-annual-fee Chase cards include the Freedom lineup. As a beginner, you likely don't need the premium benefits that come with more expensive cards with high annual fees.
• Cash back cards: Some rewards credit cards offer points or airline miles, and maximizing their value requires extra tracking and work. For first-time credit card users, those cards can be confusing. A simple cash back card with flexible redemptions is your best bet if you're getting started.

How Chase Ultimate Rewards works

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a rewards program that allows you to use your credit card rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more. Instead of earning true cash back, which is generally only redeemable for cash-equivalent redemptions like statement credits or gift cards, Chase cash back cards (including the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex) earn rewards in the form of Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards provides more flexibility and control over your rewards than a typical cashback program, so you can redeem your rewards in a way that makes sense for you.

You can earn rewards on your purchases and redeem them through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. With some cards, you can get more value from your points when you redeem them for travel through Chase Travel℠.

Tips to choose the best beginner Chase card

To pick the right Chase credit card for you, ask yourself the following questions.

What's my credit score?

Your credit affects what credit card options you have. If you know you have good to excellent credit, you'll have more options. If you have poor credit (or no credit at all), you may want to try starting with the Chase Freedom Rise card.

What do I tend to spend money on?

If you tend to spend money on everyday essentials like groceries or gas, a card with fewer bonus categories could make sense. If you tend to spend more in certain areas, such as travel or dining at restaurants, consider a card that offers higher rewards in select categories, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which may be a better match.

How important is travel to me?

With cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you get the most value for your rewards when you redeem them for travel arrangements through Chase Travel. But if you don't travel very often, that feature may not be useful to you, and a card that offers a simpler cashback structure may be more suitable.

Other beginner credit card options

If you're just starting out and working on your credit, a traditional credit card from Chase or other issuers isn't your only option. One of the following options may help you build your credit.

• Student credit cards: If you're in college, a student credit card is a great beginner-friendly option. These cards are easier to qualify for than other credit cards and have relatively low credit limits. If you have no credit history, they can help you start building credit.
• Secured credit cards: Secured credit cards are best for people with poor credit or no credit. They require a security deposit, such as $250, which often acts as your card's spending limit. As you use the card and make payments, you can start building good credit (and eventually transition to an unsecured credit card). 

Methodology

We selected the top Chase credit cards for new credit card users based on the cards' credit requirements, fees, rewards programs, and added benefits. We prioritized cards without an annual fee and simple, easy-to-use rewards. 

FAQs

Bottom line

The best Chase credit cards for beginners combine no or low annual fees with simple and easy-to-use rewards. If you're brand-new to credit cards, the Freedom Rise card is a great starter credit card, while frequent travelers may prefer a card with more perks like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

If you're approved for a credit card with Chase or any other issuer, here are our tips for using your first credit card responsibly. And if you're interested in applying for a Chase credit card but you don't have steady earnings of your own, learn ways to get a credit card without a job.

Unlimited Cash Back

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

4.7

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Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Base rewards rate of 1.5%
• $0 annual fee
• Ability to transfer cash back to other Ultimate Rewards cards
• Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers

Drawbacks

• Has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• No bonus categories for gas or groceries

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC