Chase 24 Month Rule Explained: How to Get Credit Card Bonuses in 2025
Dig into the Chase 24 month rule: what it means, why it matters for credit card bonuses, and practical tips to get the most from Chase in 2025.
Chase Credit Cards – Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
Chase offers a mix of cards that target rewards lovers, travelers and folks who just want cash back on everyday purchases. Instead of guessing, let’s compare the most popular Chase cards and see which one lines up with your goals.
Top Chase Cards and What They Do
Chase Sapphire Preferred® – Great for travel beginners. You earn 2 points per dollar on dining and travel, and 1 point on everything else. The annual fee is £95 and the sign‑up bonus usually tops out at 60,000 points after you spend £4,000 in the first three months.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Designed for frequent flyers. It gives 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, plus a $300 travel credit every year. The fee is higher at £550, but the premium lounge access and higher points value can offset it if you travel a lot.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Ideal for cash‑back fans who want a simple structure. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultraservice, and 3% on dining. No annual fee makes it a low‑maintenance option.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ – A flexible cash‑back card with rotating quarterly categories. You get 5% cash back on up to £1,500 in select categories each quarter, plus 5% on travel booked through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on everything else. No fee, but you need to activate the quarterly offers.
How to Choose the Right Card
First, think about where you spend most of your money. If dining and travel dominate, the Sapphire cards give the highest points per pound. If you’re looking for flat‑rate cash back without worrying about categories, Freedom Unlimited is a solid pick.
Second, weigh the annual fee against the benefits. A high fee only makes sense if you’ll use the travel credit, lounge passes and bonus points enough to cover it. Do the math: a £550 fee on Sapphire Reserve can be broken down to about £45 per month. If you travel at least £45 worth of benefits each month, the card pays for itself.
Third, check your credit score. Chase usually requires a good to excellent credit rating (around 700+). If your score is lower, start with a no‑fee card like Freedom Flex and build your credit before applying for a premium card.
Finally, consider the sign‑up bonus. A big bonus can give you a jump‑start on rewards, but only if you can meet the spending requirement without overspending. Treat the required spend as a budgeted amount rather than an excuse to splurge.
In short, match the card’s reward structure to your habits, make sure the fee is worth the perks, and keep an eye on your credit health. With the right Chase card, you’ll earn points or cash back on purchases you’d make anyway, turning everyday spending into real value.
