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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most valuable travel credit cards on the market, designed for frequent travelers who want top-tier rewards, premium perks, and industry-leading travel protections. With a high annual fee of $550, it may not be for everyone, but for those who maximize its benefits, the value far exceeds the cost. In this review, we break down everything you need to know to determine whether this card deserves a spot in your wallet.
Strong Welcome Offer
New cardholders can take advantage of a welcome bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days. When redeemed through the Chase Travel℠, these points are worth $900. Transferring points to airline and hotel partners can yield even greater value, often exceeding $4,000 in premium travel redemptions.
The product is not available to current cardholders of any Sapphire credit card or former cardholders of any Sapphire credit card who have received a new cardmember bonus within the past 48 months.
Earning Ultimate Rewards Points
One of the biggest reasons the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out is its strong rewards structure. Cardholders earn 10X points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through the Chase Travel℠, 10X on dining through Chase Dining, 5X points per dollar on flights booked through the portal, 5X on Lyft (ends September 27, 2027) and 3X points on all other travel and dining worldwide. Everyday spending outside these categories earns 1X point per dollar. You can do better than 1 point per dollar on your spend with a small shift to a different card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Chase’s definition of travel is broad. Eligible purchases include flights, hotels, rental cars, trains, buses, rideshares, parking, and tolls. Dining includes everything from fine dining to takeout and delivery services, making it easy to rack up rewards quickly.
You won’t earn points on the first $300 you spend on travel each year—that amount goes toward the card’s $300 Annual Travel Credit. That includes the 10X on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠. The annual travel credit is automatically applied as a statement credit until the full $300 is used even if it’s over multiple transactions. After that, you’ll start earning points on travel purchases at the above rates.
We usually don’t recommend booking hotels through the travel portal since it’s considered a third-party booking. You won’t be able to use any elite status benefits you have. That means no upgrades, no points, no perks. Better to book direct with the hotel when status matters.
Key Benefits & Perks
$300 Annual Travel Credit
The $300 annual travel credit is one of the best in the industry, automatically applying to nearly any travel-related purchase. This effectively lowers the net annual fee to $250. The credit is applied as a statement credit—no action needed—until you’ve used the full $300, even across multiple transactions. After that, you’ll start earning points on travel purchases at the card’s full earning rates. There’s no need to book through a specific portal—the credit applies seamlessly.
Application Credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a valuable benefit: a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $120 every four years. This credit can be used to cover the cost of applying for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, making airport security a breeze. Simply pay the application fee with your Sapphire Reserve card, and you’ll automatically receive a statement credit within one or two billing cycles. This perk is an excellent way to streamline your travel experience and enjoy quicker access to expedited security lines and faster border crossings.
Lounge Access
Another major perk of the Sapphire Reserve is lounge access, which allows you to skip the crowds and relax in comfort before your flight. The card provides two convenient ways to access airport lounges and elevate your travel experience.
First, you’ll receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, you can unwind in these premium lounges, away from the chaos of the terminal. Keep in mind that you’ll need to activate your Priority Pass Select membership to start enjoying this benefit.
Both the primary cardholder and authorized users can take advantage of this perk, with up to two guests allowed to join you for free. It’s a fantastic way to travel in style and make the most of your time at the airport—without the hassle of waiting at the gate.
In addition to a Priority Pass membership, the Sapphire Reserve also grants you access to lounges within the Sapphire Lounge network. These lounges are designed to offer a premium and luxurious experience, with high-end amenities that set them apart from the standard airport offerings.
Inside the Sapphire Lounges, you’ll find comfortable seating, a peaceful environment to relax, and a variety of food and drinks, including craft cocktails, freshly prepared meals, and premium snacks. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, these lounges provide a quiet space to work, recharge, or simply unwind before your flight.
Hotel Perks
The Edit takes your hotel stays to the next level, offering a host of exclusive perks at luxury hotels around the world. You’ll enjoy benefits like complimentary daily breakfast for two and room upgrades when available. Whether it’s a more spacious room, a better view, or additional amenities, these upgrades enhance your stay.
If your flight lands early in the morning, booking through The Edit allows you to check in early, so you don’t have to wait around to start your stay. Late checkout is another great benefit, giving you extra time to unwind or take care of last-minute exploring before your flight. Plus, you’ll often receive a property credit to use toward dining, spa treatments, or other hotel services, making your experience even more seamless and luxurious.
Booking hotels through The Edit is the one exception where it makes sense to use a travel portal. That’s because your elite status benefits can stack with the exclusive perks offered by The Edit, giving you the best of both worlds.
Car Rental Status
Chase also provides Hertz President’s Circle status, which offers a range of premium benefits. As a member, you’ll enjoy automatic car rental upgrades, expedited service to skip the lines, and exclusive discounts on bookings. This status ensures a more convenient, high-end rental experience, whether you’re traveling for business or leisure.
$10 Monthly Lyft Credit
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $10 monthly in-app Lyft credit, automatically applied to your rides each month when you use the Lyft app. Whether you’re taking a quick trip across town or heading to the airport, this credit helps offset your ride costs, totaling up to $120 in savings per year. It’s valid for any Lyft ride, including standard, Lux, Lux Black, and Lux Black XL, giving you flexibility in how you use it. Best of all, the credit is applied automatically, so there’s nothing extra to track or activate—just enjoy the savings on your rides each month.
DashPass Benefits
With your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll receive at least 12 months of complimentary DashPass, giving you access to exclusive benefits on both the DoorDash and Caviar apps. This membership, which provides perks like free delivery and reduced service fees, starts from the activation date and lasts for 12 months. To qualify, activate your DashPass with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card by 12/31/2027.
After activating your Chase Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve DashPass membership, you’ll receive a $5 discount each month on one qualifying restaurant order through DoorDash. This benefit applies as long as you remain enrolled in the DashPass membership.
Travel Insurance
The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel insurance is truly among the best in the industry, offering an extensive range of protections that can give you peace of mind during your travels. One of the standout benefits is primary rental car coverage (up to $75,000), which means you don’t have to rely on your personal insurance when renting a car—it’s covered directly by the card, saving you from potentially costly extra insurance fees.
The card also provides trip cancellation/interruption insurance, covering up to $10,000 per person for non-refundable expenses ($20,000 a trip) if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to unforeseen events like illness, severe weather, or other covered reasons. If your trip is delayed for over six hours, you can take advantage of trip delay reimbursement, which reimburses up to $500 per traveler for expenses like meals, lodging, and transportation during the delay.
For lost baggage, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers lost luggage reimbursement, covering up to $3,000 per passenger for lost, stolen, or damaged checked or carry-on baggage. Plus, in case of an emergency, the card offers emergency evacuation coverage, which can cover the high costs of medical evacuations, ensuring you’re covered if a serious situation arises while you’re abroad.
Few other cards offer this level of protection, making the Sapphire Reserve an ideal choice for frequent travelers who want comprehensive coverage and the confidence to travel without worry.
Maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards
While points can be redeemed at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents each through the Chase Travel portal, the best way to maximize them is through Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners. Some of the most valuable transfer partners include:
- World of Hyatt – offering some of the best hotel redemption values in the industry.
- Air Canada Aeroplan – a great option for international premium cabin flights.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – which provides excellent sweet spots, especially for ANA First Class.
- United MileagePlus – useful for domestic and international travel without fuel surcharges.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – known for its top-tier premium cabin awards.
By strategically transferring points, it’s possible to book flights and hotel stays at rates significantly lower than paying cash. For instance, Hyatt Category 4 hotels can be booked for 12,000 points per night, while ANA First Class between the U.S. and Japan costs 72,500 Virgin Atlantic miles one-way—a redemption that could be worth over $8,000 in cash value.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It?
For frequent travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is absolutely worth considering. The $300 travel credit, a minimum of 3X earning on travel and dining, Priority Pass membership, and top-tier travel protections provide incredible value, easily offsetting the annual fee for those who maximize the card’s benefits.
However, if you don’t travel often and struggle to use the card’s perks, other options like Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture might be a better fit.
For those who want a well-rounded premium travel card with valuable points and practical benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve remains one of the top choices in the industry.