The Best Chase Starter Cards for Beginners
⭐ Why Chase Is the Best Place to Start
If you’re new to credit card points, Chase is hands‑down the easiest and most beginner‑friendly place to start. Their cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, which are flexible, valuable, and perfect for anyone who wants to travel more for less.
And because Chase has rules about how many cards you can open (the famous 5/24 rule), it’s smart to start here before branching out.
If you’re brand new to points and want the full beginner roadmap, you can also check out my Credit Card Hub — it’s where I break down the cards I actually use, how I stack perks safely, and the strategies I teach my own kids.
⭐ The Two Chase Cards I Recommend Most for Beginners
I get asked this all the time — by readers, by parents, and by my own kids’ friends who are just starting to build credit.
Here’s the simple answer:
There are two Chase cards that make the best starter combo:
Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee)
Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 annual fee)
And which one you start with depends on where you are in your financial comfort zone.
⭐ If You’re Not Ready for an Annual Fee Yet
Start with the Chase Freedom Unlimited
This is the card I recommend to my college‑age sons and their friends because:
It has no annual fee
It earns great rewards on everyday spending
It’s simple and beginner‑friendly
It helps build credit responsibly
It pairs perfectly with Sapphire later
This is the “training wheels” card — but in the best way. You can earn points on groceries, gas, dining, Target runs, Amazon orders… all the normal life stuff.
And here’s the magic: Those points become more valuable later when you add a Sapphire card.
⭐ If You’re Ready for an Annual Fee
Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred
I know an annual fee can feel scary, but the $95 on this card is one of the best values in travel.
Why beginners love it:
You get access to transfer partners
Your points become more valuable
You get travel protections (huge for flights + hotels)
You can redeem points for outsized value
It’s the easiest “first travel card” to understand
If you’re ready to jump into travel hacking with both feet, this is the card that makes your points work harder.
One of the biggest reasons beginners eventually add the Chase Sapphire Preferred is access to Chase’s transfer partners. This is where your points become way more valuable — instead of using them like cash back, you can transfer them to airlines and hotels for outsized redemptions.
If you want to see the full list (and how to use them), I have a simple beginner guide here: Chase Transfer Partners.
⭐ The Best Part: You Don’t Have to Choose Forever
Here’s the strategy I teach beginners (and my kids):
Start with the card that fits your comfort level
Use it for everyday spending
Build your credit + earn points
Add the Sapphire Preferred later when you’re ready
And when you do?
All the points you earned on the Freedom Unlimited instantly become more valuable.
This is why Chase is such a beginner‑friendly ecosystem — it grows with you.
⭐ Which Card Should You Start With?
Here’s the simplest way to decide:
If you want no annual fee → start with Freedom Unlimited
If you want travel perks + higher point value → start with Sapphire Preferred
If you’re unsure → start with Freedom Unlimited, then upgrade later
There is no wrong choice. There is only one choice that fits where you are right now.
⭐ My Personal Referral Links
I’m not a credit card affiliate — these are my personal referral links for the cards I actually use and recommend to my sons. Using them is totally optional, but it helps support the free guides I share here on No Point Left Behind.
⭐ Where to Go Next
To keep learning (and earning), check out:
These posts build on each other and help beginners move from “I don’t know where to start” to “I’m booking free flights.”
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families, beginners, and “I‑don’t‑want‑to‑overthink‑this” travelers how to use credit card points to see the world for less. She’s been travel hacking for over 20 years and has paid cash for exactly one plane ticket since 2019.
Julie uses the same simple, beginner‑friendly strategies she teaches her readers to help her college‑age sons, their friends, and her parents (the unofficial NPLB mascots) travel affordably. Her approach is warm, practical, and always Lazy Girl‑approved — no overwhelm, no gatekeeping, and no complicated spreadsheets required.
Want help choosing your first Chase card? Come join myTravel Hacking Moms Facebook Group — it’s the friendliest corner of the internet for beginners, and you can ask all your “is this dumb?” questions (spoiler: none of them are).
And if you want daily tips, deals, and Lazy Girl travel hacks, make sure to follow me on Facebook too. We keep it simple, supportive, and stress‑free.
