Four cards I recommend over and over, what each one costs, and which to open first.
These are the four cards I recommend most often. Each one does a different job, so the right starting point depends on how you spend and how you plan to travel.
The links below are my referral links, and I may be compensated if you apply through them, at no cost to you. I'd recommend each of these with or without a link.
| Card | Annual fee | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | Everyday spending, and the free side of a Chase setup |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Your first transferable-points card |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Premium perks and flat 2x on everything |
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited | $0 | Business owners, including sole proprietors |
The Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% back on everything, with 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3% on dining and drugstores. The offer right now is a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months.
I keep it on the list for what it does next to a Sapphire. Once you hold a Sapphire Preferred, the Freedom Unlimited's rewards can move into Ultimate Rewards points and transfer to airline and hotel partners, so everyday spending earns travel points instead of 1 cent cash back.
The Sapphire Preferred costs $95 a year and is currently offering 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. At a conservative 1.5 cents per point, that is about $1,125 in travel, and transferring to the right partner can push it higher.
It earns 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3x on dining and online groceries, and 2x on other travel. Points transfer to most partners at 1:1, and that is how I fly business class "for free." The full breakdown is in my Sapphire Preferred review.
The Venture X costs $395 a year, and the math works before you swipe it. The $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles (about $100) put you at +$5 against the fee. Everything you buy earns 2x, hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel earn 10x, and flights through the portal earn 5x. Capital One has recently offered 75,000 miles after $4,000 in the first three months, so check the current offer before you apply.
You get unlimited lounge access as the primary cardholder, across Capital One Lounges and the Priority Pass network. Bringing family along costs extra: $125 per authorized user per year, plus guest fees. If you travel with a spouse and kids, run those numbers first (the lounge access is only free if you are flying solo).
I'd open a Sapphire first and come to this card after you have booked a redemption or two. Here is my full Venture X review.
The Ink Business Unlimited has no annual fee, earns a flat 1.5% back, and is offering $750 after you spend $6,000 in the first three months. You do not need an LLC. You can apply as a sole proprietor with your name and Social Security number, and I walk through how in this post.
If you also hold a Sapphire, you can take the bonus as 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points instead of cash, which is about $1,125 in travel at 1.5 cents each. If your spending leans toward office supplies, internet, and phone bills, the Ink Business Cash comparison shows where its 5% categories win.
If you are new to points, start with the Sapphire Preferred. Chase's 5/24 rule can block approval once you have opened five or more cards in 24 months, so apply for it before other issuers. Add the Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending, an Ink if you run a business, and the Venture X once you are ready for a premium card.
None of these pay off if you carry a balance month to month, because interest charges erase the points you earn.
If you want help picking the first one for your spending, that is what the free call is for.
Affiliate disclosure: Ross may be compensated for referral links at no cost to you. He will never recommend a card that isn't in your best interest. Credit card offers are provided by issuing banks and may change, so always review terms on the issuer's page before applying. The Chase offers above were checked on October 31, 2026. Full Affiliate Disclosure here.