Chase offers a wide variety of credit cards for travelers. For example, travelers can benefit from a Chase Ultimate Rewards® transferable points card plus airline and hotel co-branded cards. Even the no-annual-fee Freedom-branded cards can play a role in a Chase credit card strategy.

Depending on how complex of a strategy you want to pursue, you can carry just one Chase card, try out the Chase trifecta or build a portfolio of a half-dozen or more cards to complement each other. Let's look at our recommended Chase credit card strategy for all types of travelers and credit card nerds.

Start with an Ultimate Rewards® points-earning card

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Whether you're just getting started in travel rewards or are looking to fill gaps in your Chase credit card strategy, a card that earns Ultimate Rewards®, which is also known as a transferable currency, is a must. For many travelers, the $95 annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is going to be the best choice.

Points earned through the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be transferred to 14 airline or hotel loyalty programs. Or, you can redeem points for paid travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through the Ultimate Rewards® portal. Plus, cardholders get up to $50 in statement credits each account year for hotel stays booked through the Ultimate Rewards® portal.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card holders earn 5x points on travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards® portal (except when utilizing the $50 hotel credit) and 2x on all other travel. Plus, you'll earn 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. All other purchases earn 1x points. Then, each cardholder anniversary, you'll earn another 10% points bonus on all card spending from the previous year.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the long list of travel protections:

Auto rental collision damage waiver.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Baggage delay insurance.

Trip delay reimbursement.

Travel and emergency assistance services.

Other Chase cards that earn transferable Ultimate Rewards® points include the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card for small business owners.