Erika Kullberg’s Favorite Credit Cards in December 2025

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most premium travel credit cards out there. And while it does come with a very hefty annual fee, that fee could be worth it if you can take advantage of all the perks this card packs in.

On top of high earning rates on travel (including flights, hotels, worldwide dining, and purchases through Chase Travel℠), you also get:

• $300 annual travel credit
• Statement credit to help with the cost of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
• Complimentary access to any Chase Sapphire Lounge and access to 1,300+ Priority Pass Select lounges
• No blackout dates or restrictions
• 1:1 hotel or airline loyalty program transfer
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to 2x value when redeeming points through Chase Travel℠
• Room upgrades and late checkout at select properties

It also comes with a ton of travel insurance protections, like:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip)
• Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler)
• Travel accident insurance (up to $1,000,000 in coverage)
• Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per covered traveler)
• Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for 5 days)
• Emergency evacuation coverage (up to $100,000)
• Roadside assistance (up to $50 per incident, 4 times per year)
• Primary rental car insurance coverage (up to $75,000)
• Emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling (up to $2,500 in coverage with a $50 deductible)

While the Sapphire Reserve card is a top-of-the-line card for frequent travelers, it isn’t for everyone. As mentioned, it has a high annual fee and even though the travel rewards are great, it lacks bonus categories for everyday purchases like groceries or gas. This is clearly a card for frequent fliers.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers some of the best rewards for dining and entertainment.

You earn unlimited elevated cashback on dining, groceries, and select streaming services. And if you like to travel or see live shows, you’ll also earn boosted cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases made through Capital One Entertainment.

Other perks include:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Concierge for dining, travel, or event bookings
• Travel accident insurance
• Access to discounts through Capital One Shopping
• Extended warranty on covered purchases
• 24/7 travel assistance
• $0 fraud liability
• Credit alerts through CreditWise
• Exclusive access through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great cashback card if you want to maximize your rewards-earning with rotating bonus categories. Plus, there’s no annual fee to open an account.

Every quarter, the categories change, featuring higher rewards on everyday purchases like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. You also earn boosted cashback on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, on dining (including takeout and delivery), and at drugstores.

Other benefits include:

• Cellphone protection (up to $800 per claim, $1,000 per year)
• Purchase protection (up to $500 per claim, 120 days)
• Extended warranty
• Zero liability protection
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip)
• 24/7 fraud monitoring
• Access to Chase Offers for extra savings

Keep in mind that you’ll have to activate the rotating category each quarter, which could be a hassle to manage. And if you forget, you’ll only get 1% cashback on your purchases. There’s also a quarterly cap of $1,500, limiting how much you can get back on purchases.

While the Freedom Flex card gives you access to Chase Travel℠, you won’t have the same travel benefits as other premium cards — notably, no lounge access.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a top pick for first-time cardholders because it has no annual fee, an easy approval process, and great rewards.

With cashback earned on everything and elevated rates on travel through Chase Travel℠, dining, takeout, and drugstores, the card is a good option for new cardholders who want to get the most out of their spending while still benefiting from all the perks Chase has to offer.

By using the card to pay for expenses you would otherwise make with a debit card, you can build your credit history while earning rewards.

The card comes with several benefits including:

• Three-month DashPass membership (activate by December 31, 2027)
• Auto rental coverage
• Extended warranty protection for eligible purchases
• Purchase protection for items damaged or stolen within 120 days (up to $500 per item)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip)
• 24/7 fraud monitoring

Few companies offer trip cancellation coverage or purchase protection on their starter cards, making the Freedom Unlimited stand out.

Most notably, you can use the card to work up to a higher rewarding Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred. There is 1:1 transfer compatibility between the Freedom Unlimited and any other card that’s part of Chase Ultimate Rewards®. So, if you start with the Freedom Unlimited, you can then pair it with an upgraded Chase card down the road.

While the Freedom Unlimited card is a good starter card, it has some limitations. It doesn’t include bonus rewards on general travel or groceries. It also doesn’t give you a way to transfer rewards between hotel or airline loyalty programs that you may already be a part of.

If you’re a small business owner, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card can help you manage your cash flow while earning rewards. The card offers unlimited cashback on every purchase and there are bonus opportunities to earn even more.

There are no limits and you won’t need to keep track of a rotating category. Plus, the card doesn’t come with an annual fee, making it a cost-effective way to earn on all your business spending.

Some benefits of the card include:

• Free employee cards with custom spending limits
• Primary auto rental coverage for business rentals (up to $60,000)
• Purchase protection (up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account)
• Extended warranty (adds one year to eligible U.S. warranties)
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip)
• Travel emergency and roadside assistance
• Chase Pay Over Time to make large purchases more manageable
• Business owner referral bonus

However, the Ink Business Unlimited comes with some trade-offs. While other cards offer extra rewards for things like travel or office supplies, you won’t find that with this card.

Also, if you want to transfer points to an airline or hotel partner you can, but you won’t be able to do so directly. You’ll need to pair this card with a premium Chase travel card and transfer your points to that card — which can make the whole process of transferring points more of a hassle than it’s worth.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a great card if you have bad credit. You can access a $200 line of credit with a $49, $99, or $200 deposit, depending on your history. The lower deposit options make the card more accessible than other secured cards that require a full deposit.

There is no annual fee and if you make on-time payments for six months, Capital One may increase your credit limit without a higher deposit or they may upgrade you to an unsecured card. Keeping your credit utilization down can help you boost your score.

Because the card is through Capital One, here are some perks you’ll receive:

• No foreign transaction fee
• Free CreditWise access to track your score
• Flexible payment due date
• Autopay
• $0 fraud liability
• Emergency card replacement

Unfortunately, unlike other Capital One cards, this one doesn’t come with cashback or rewards.