What card should you get after the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

If you’ve spent any time around TPG, you know that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our most beloved cards. We often recommend it as a great travel rewards card for beginners and travel rewards veterans alike for its solid earning potential, excellent point redemption options and relatively low annual fee.

But if you’ve already listened to us and gotten the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your next card decision might seem more daunting. It can feel like choosing your next card is complicated. In reality, there are a lot of really good card options to take you to the next phase of your points and miles journey. It’s hard to make a bad choice as long as you keep a few things in mind.

Let’s break down the three major schools of thought on which card you should get to pair with your trusty Sapphire Preferred to help you decide which approach is best for you.

There is no single right answer that applies to everyone, so you’ll want to consider your own situation to determine which makes the most sense. Think about what bonus categories you often spend in, what loyalty programs you favor and whether you want to focus on Chase before going over 5/24.

Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta

This is a great choice if you like Chase’s transfer partners and want to earn as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible for your dream trip.

With one of the Chase Freedom cards, you can maximize your spending categories to earn even more of these points from your everyday spending.

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On their own, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex® are marketed as cash-back cards. If you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, though, you’ll be able to combine your rewards and transfer them to the full range of Chase’s transfer partners.

If you find yourself ready to juggle a few cards but want to keep earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can use all three cards (Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex) to maximize your Ultimate Rewards-earning potential on all of your purchases.

Just be sure to time your applications carefully to maximize your approval chances.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual fee: $0

Welcome bonus: Earn $250 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months of account opening.

Rewards rate: With the Freedom Unlimited, you’ll earn:

• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining
• 3% back on drugstores
• 1.5% back on all other purchases

Why this card pairs well: This card is excellent to pair with your Chase Sapphire Preferred because it earns 1.5% (or points per dollar spent) on all purchases, which is 50% more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred (1 point per dollar spent on purchases outside of its bonus categories).

Even with my own more advanced card portfolio, this is a card I reach for often. It allows me to earn a decent return on purchases that don’t fall under most bonus categories, such as auto repairs and specialty items. With its current welcome bonus, it will make sense for most Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Flex

Annual fee: $0

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Rewards rate: The Freedom Flex earns:

• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
• 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3% back on drugstore purchases
• 3% back on dining
• 1% back on all other purchases

Why this card pairs well: With this card, you’ll get 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) on qualifying purchases in merchant categories and at specific retailers that change each quarter.

For example, during the first quarter of 2025 (January 1 through March 31), the bonus categories were fitness club and gym memberships, self-care and spa services, grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) and Norwegian Cruise Line bookings — perfect categories to start your year while planning for spring and summer vacations. This quarter even included an additional bonus category for March: tax preparation and insurance.

This card gives you a great way to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points on different spending categories.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

If you consistently transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to a specific transfer partner, like United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt, you should consider a cobranded card to maximize your points-earning potential. A cobranded card will also provide benefits associated with that specific partner, like free checked bags or complimentary hotel elite status.

United Quest Card

Annual fee: $350

Welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Rewards rate: With the United Quest℠ Card, you’ll earn:

• 8 miles per dollar on United flights
• 5 miles per dollar when you prepay for a booking through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers
• 3 miles per dollar spent on other eligible United Airlines purchases
• 2 miles per dollar on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

Why this card pairs well: Since United is one of Chase’s most valuable travel partners, this card will greatly improve the value you receive when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to United. For example, when you have a United Quest card, your miles will go much further due to the additional award availability offered to all United cardholders.

You’ll also receive a free first and second checked bag for yourself and a companion and priority boarding. Other benefits include two 10,000-mile award flight discounts (one after every card anniversary and another you can earn after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year), 25% back on United inflight purchases and an up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit.

An automatic annual $200 in United TravelBank Cash will also help take the sting out of this card’s $350 annual fee.

The United Quest card offers elitelike benefits you can enjoy while taking the trips you’ve redeemed with your Ultimate Rewards. If you fly United regularly, this is a great card to add to your wallet.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Quest card.

Apply here: United Quest Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Annual fee: $95

Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Rewards rate: The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns:

• 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties
• 2 points per dollar at restaurants
• 2 points per dollar on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting and fitness club and gym memberships
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Why this card pairs well: The World of Hyatt program is easily the most valuable hotel transfer partner offered by Ultimate Rewards, so you’ll want to enjoy as many perks as possible when redeeming your rewards for stays at Hyatt.

You’ll receive Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open and five qualifying night credits toward your next status tier every year. Plus, you can earn two additional qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card, making it much easier to reach the next tier of elite status even if you’re not on the road constantly.

Another popular benefit on the card is the annual free night you receive after your cardmember anniversary (valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort), as well as an additional free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.

To learn more, check out our full review of the World of Hyatt card.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Credit Card

Suppose you feel ready to venture into another issuer’s loyalty program. In that case, you’ll want to open a card that will build you another set of transferable rewards. Here are some great choices:

American Express Gold Card

Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. However, check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher welcome offer (subject to change at any time; not everyone will be targeted for the same offers).

Rewards rate: With the American Express® Gold Card, you can earn:

• 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
• 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases on amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer bonus rewards for grocery purchases, so this is an excellent card to use at U.S. supermarkets.

The Amex Gold also offers a variety of statement credits geared toward foodies every calendar year to help offset its $325 annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Most importantly, you’ll diversify your rewards portfolio by accessing American Express Membership Rewards. Amex’s loyalty program includes transfer partners that Chase doesn’t have, such as Hilton Honors, Delta SkyMiles, ANA Mileage Club and Qantas Frequent Flyer.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee: $95

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit for use in the first cardholder year upon account opening.

Rewards rate: With the Capital One Venture Rewards, you’ll earn:

• 5 miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred has incredible transfer partners, but they can’t account for all travel purchases. That’s where the Venture Rewards can come in. The miles you earn from your Capital One Venture Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits toward nearly any travel purchase.

The Venture Rewards allows you the opportunity to transfer your miles to 15-plus airline and hotel programs, including some partners that Chase doesn’t have.

Valuable additions include Wyndham Rewards, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Choice Privileges. You also have access to some shared transfer partners like British Airways Executive Club, so pairing the Venture Rewards with the Sapphire Preferred could accelerate your potential earnings with these programs.

This card also offers an up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture Rewards.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Citi Strata Premier Card

Annual fee: $95

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Rewards rate: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) earns ThankYou points at the following rates:

• 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) when you book through CitiTravel.com.
• 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
• 3 points per dollar spent on air travel and hotel purchases made outside CitiTravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why this card pairs well: The Citi ThankYou Rewards program offers several transfer partners that Chase doesn’t, such as Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Etihad Guest and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. It also offers valuable bonus-earning rates at supermarkets and gas stations, which the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t.

This card also comes with a hotel savings benefit worth $100 off a $500 or more single hotel stay (excluding taxes and fees) once each calendar year. However, that stay must be booked through Citi’s travel portal, limiting its utility to some extent.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is excellent on its own, but it’s even better when paired with other cards. Whether you want to focus on earning more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, build out your stash of points or miles with one of Chase’s transfer partners or diversify into another set of transferable rewards, you have great options available to you.

Regardless of your choice, you’ll build on the knowledge you’ve obtained through the Sapphire Preferred and take another step toward paying for your next dream trip with points and miles.

Related: How I chose my next credit card with help from fellow TPGers

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.