Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rating
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers a compelling mix of high-value benefits and flexible rewards. This card stands out in the crowded travel market and is designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy luxury benefits.
Key Features
- Annual Fee: $550
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠
- Rewards Rate:
• 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points on air travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on other travel and dining
• 1X points on all other purchases - Annual Travel Credit: $300 automatically applied to travel purchases
- Point Value: 50% more value when redeeming for travel through Chase Travel℠
Rewards and Redemption
The Sapphire Reserve offers a robust rewards program:
- Earning Points: Cardholders earn elevated points in travel and dining categories, with bonus rates for bookings made through Chase Travel℠
- Redemption Options:
• Transfer points to Chase's airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio
• Redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ at 1.5 cents per point
• Use points for statement credits, gift cards, or experiences
It's important to note that points don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Travel Benefits
The Sapphire Reserve shines with its premium travel perks:
- Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee credit (up to $100)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay reimbursement
Additional Perks
- DoorDash DashPass membership
- Lyft Pink All Access membership for 2 years
- $5 monthly DoorDash credit
- Access to Chase Dining for exclusive culinary experiences
Who Should Get This Card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is ideal for:
- Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the travel credit and lounge access
- Those who value flexible point redemption options
- Consumers who dine out often and can benefit from the elevated dining rewards
- People looking for comprehensive travel insurance coverage
While the $550 annual fee may seem steep, the $300 yearly travel credit effectively reduces this to $250 for those who can fully utilize it. The card's premium benefits, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options can provide significant value for the right user.
It's worth noting that the Sapphire Reserve requires excellent credit, so it may not be accessible to everyone. Additionally, to maximize value, cardholders should be comfortable using the Chase Travel℠ portal for some travel bookings to earn the highest point multiples.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a compelling value proposition for frequent travelers and dining enthusiasts who can take full advantage of its premium benefits and robust rewards structure.
Pros
Flexible $300 annual travel credit: Automatically applies to travel purchases, from flights and hotels to parking fees and tolls
Priority Pass lounge access with restaurant credit: Includes access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide plus up to $28 credit per person at select airport restaurants
50% more value on Ultimate Rewards travel redemptions: Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase, compared to just 1 cent for cash back
Cons
High $550 annual fee: This may be difficult to justify for infrequent travelers or those who can't fully utilize the card's benefits
5X and 10X bonus categories limited to Chase Travel portal: Highest earning rates require booking through Chase, potentially limiting options and foregoing direct bookings with travel providers
No hotel elite status: Unlike some premium travel cards, it does not offer complimentary elite status with any hotel loyalty programs
