Why I Always Have a Chase Card in My Wallet
Hey everyone, Phillip here from Points with Phillip! Today I want to talk about why, no matter what other cards I'm carrying (and trust me, I have a lot!), there's always a Chase card in my wallet. From targeted multipliers and everyday offers to unbeatable travel protections, Chase consistently delivers value that keeps them in the running.
So, let's dive into the main reasons why Chase always earns a spot in my wallet:
1. Targeted Multipliers: Extra Rewards on Everyday Spending
Chase has a knack for offering cardholders extra earning opportunities on everyday spending. For example, my Amazon Prime Visa and Southwest Priority card regularly get offers for 5x points or 5% cash back in categories like dining, groceries, or gas.
The best part? These multipliers often beat the rewards I get with some of my "best" cards. My Amex Gold earns 4x at restaurants and grocery stores, which is great, but when Chase bumps my Amazon Prime Visa to 5% in those same categories, it becomes the better card for that spending, depending on my goals. If my wife and I are planning domestic travel, the Southwest multiplier becomes more appealing, and I'll switch to my Southwest Priority card when those offers pop up.
There's a special link (which I'll include in the description below) where you can enter the last four digits of your card number and some personal information to see if you're targeted for any of these higher multiplier offers.
The same goes for when my business cards offer 4x on gas, which is easily outshined by a Chase 5x promo. These targeted offers turn good cards into really good cards.
2. Chase Offers: Practical Savings Where You Actually Spend
Amex might have the headline-grabbing offers at luxury retailers, but Chase wins when it comes to the sheer number of offers and how practical they are. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten 10% off at places I actually use, like gas stations, grocery stores, and even local restaurants.
For me, these local dining offers are huge. It's not just about saving at Saks or Neiman Marcus; it's about saving money in my own community, where I'm already spending and supporting local businesses. Those savings add up quickly!
Introducing the Points Playbook Newsletter
Before I get into the third reason why Chase will always be in my wallet, I want to introduce a new product: my newsletter, the Points Playbook! It will keep you up-to-date with the latest news in credit cards, points, and miles, as well as all the latest offers. If you want help keeping up with the best Chase offers that I'm using each week, sign up for the newsletter on my website. The link is in the description below.
3. Unbeatable Travel Protections
If you travel even semi-regularly, travel protections are essential. This is where Chase really shines. Many of their cards include primary CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage for rental cars, meaning you don't have to go through your personal auto insurance if something happens.
My Ritz Carlton card takes it even further with free roadside assistance, lost luggage coverage, trip delay insurance, accident insurance... the list goes on! These are the kinds of protections that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when things go sideways on a trip (and let's be honest, travel doesn't always go as planned). Having that backup from Chase is huge.
My Chase Card Lineup
Let's take a quick look at the Chase cards I carry:
Amazon Prime Visa: This was my first Chase card. It has a $0 annual fee (but you need to be a Prime subscriber to get the most out of it). It earns 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (including online orders), 2% back on gas, local transit, and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. If you get approved for the card, you get a $150 Amazon gift card immediately!
Southwest Priority Card: I was upgraded to this from the Southwest Plus card. The annual fee is now $229. With this card, you get complimentary preferred seat selection at booking, your first checked bag free, and up to 48 hours prior to departure, you might be awarded an extra leg room seat upgrade if one is available. You also get 7,500 points every year. You get 4x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on gas and restaurants, and 1x on everything else.
Ritz Carlton Credit Card: This card has a $450 annual fee, but it comes with a $300 annual travel credit and an 85,000-point free night award every year after your first card member anniversary. You also get Marriott Gold status. You get 6x points per dollar on Marriott stays, 3x on dining, car rentals, and airline purchases, and 2x on everything else. There's also no annual fee for authorized users, and they get their own Priority Pass!
Chase Sapphire Preferred (Wife's Card): This card has a $95 annual fee. It earns 3x on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 5x on Chase Travel purchases, and 1x on everything else. It comes with a signup bonus of 75,000 points (after you spend $5,000 in the first three months). It gives you DashPass membership and access to Chase Pay Over Time, and access to Chase's transfer partners.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it: the three big reasons a Chase card is always in my wallet. Those reasons are targeted multipliers that beat out other premium cards, everyday Chase offers that actually save me money where I live, and travel protections that make trips less stressful.
At the end of the day, Chase gives me everyday value and peace of mind, and that's hard to beat.
If this breakdown helped you out, hit that like button, subscribe to Points with Philip, and let me know in the comments which Chase card do you carry every day? I'd love to hear your favorites!