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Annual Fee: $550
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The incredible travel rewards earned from this card more than make up for the high annual fee. It's a premium travel credit card tailored for frequent travelers seeking luxury perks and rewards. With a focus on travel benefits, this card offers a generous welcome offer, airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and valuable rewards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, making it an excellent choice for travelers.
***Chase Bank only allows you to sign up for one Sapphire card, so you have to choose between the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve (this card). ***
[.redeem] 10x [.redeem]per $1 on hotels and car rentals through Chase after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
[.redeem] 10x [.redeem]per $1 on Lyft rides (ending March 31, 2025)
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on flights purchased through Chase (after the $300 travel credit is used)
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem]per $1 on travel (after the $300 travel credit is used) and dining purchases
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem]per $1 on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on all streaming services, online grocery purchases, and all other purchases
And, your miles don't expire as long as your account is open.
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
Annual Fee: $395
🏆 Best for luxury benefits
🏆 Best for luxury benefits
Annual Fee: $695
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Upgrading to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the best choices I’ve made for my wallet. As someone who spends a lot on travel, earning 3x Ultimate Rewards (after use of the $300 travel credit) on all of those purchases is reason enough to pay the higher annual fee. Thankfully, the $550 annual fee is largely offset by the annual $300 travel credit, which, unlike other premium credit cards, can be used on ANY travel purchases rather than just through a portal. Speaking of portals…Holding the CSR allows you to redeem your Ultimate Rewards for 1.5 cents each when booking flights and hotels through Chase Travel. Since this card also comes with a full Priority Pass airport lounge membership and excellent travel insurance, it’s a great “one-stop shop” for a credit card that does it all.
You should know, however, you have to choose between the Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. If you’re having a tough time making this decision, Brendan does an amazing job comparing these cards side-by-side. Check out that YouTube video here 👇
[.pro] Higher earning rates than the Sapphire Preferred including 10X per $1 on hotels and car rentals through Chase [.pro]
[.pro] Luxury perks such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and trusted traveler programs [.pro]
[.pro] $300 travel statement credit reimbursements each anniversary year [.pro]
[.con] This card does come with a $550 annual fee [.con]
[.redeem] 10x [.redeem]per $1 on hotels and car rentals through Chase after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
[.redeem] 10x [.redeem]per $1 on Lyft rides (ending March 31, 2025)
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on flights purchased through Chase (after the $300 travel credit is used)
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem]per $1 on travel (after the $300 travel credit is used) and dining purchases
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem]per $1 on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on all streaming services, online grocery purchases, and all other purchases
And, your miles don't expire as long as your account is open.
I've had this hard for over 8+ years and it's been great for all of the personal and work travel I've done over the years. I really like all of the perks like Priority Pass, lounge access at certain festivals, travel insurance, $300 annual travel credit and credit towards my renewal for Global Entry. I find it really easy to use and transfer points as well. Would recommend, but it does have a steep annual fee, so keep that in mind.
This is the first travel credit card that I have had and one of the main reasons I went with this one is because I like having the travel insurance that it comes with. The annual fee has been more than offset by all of the value that I have gotten out of this card. I just booked flights for a trip to Cancun for free using my Chase points, and I’ve still got plenty more points to use up. I’m super happy with the perks of this card, just not entirely happy with Chase customer service.
This is the first card I ever applied for with and annual fee and it is worth it! I put all my purchases on this card and pay it off monthly. The points accumulate and I have been able to redeem for so many trips including my airfare to Tokyo when I unexpectedly received a last minute bib for the marathon!!
I love this card and is my go-to for nearly all purchases!! The travel benefits are amazing and have balanced the annual fee just with lounge access alone!!
Chase Sapphire Reserve is my favorite credit card ❤️ This was my first big credit card I got after graduating college. Since then I've been able to redeem my UR points for so many trips. Including roundtrip JFK to MAD for 51,000 UR to Iberia Avios for premium economy seats.
Between priority pass lounge access and 3x points on travel purchases and even lounge access at Madison Square Garden... I love this card and will forever have it in my wallet
I’m a huge fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve! The annual fee is hefty, but it more than pays for itself with the $300/yr travel credit, Priority Pass, Global Entry, and travel benefits and protections. They have excellent transfer partners, especially Hyatt, so I’m often able to maximize the value of my points. I primarily use the card for all restaurant and travel expenses since those always earn at least 3 points per dollar. You can earn up 5x and 10x for booking flights and hotels through their portal. I also take advantage of the multitude of merchant offers and bonus earning opportunities in their shopping portal. Highly recommend!
This card opened my eyes to the points and miles world. Love the transfer partners, priority pass access, Doordash subscription is a timesaver for any parent. With the Chase trifecta, I'm able to maximize my spending.
Recently retired, we needed to maximize our travel costs. This Chase card has been a game changer for us, Thanks to all the bene’s of this card we were able to visit the Chase Sapphire lounge at JFK with two guests who had never experienced lounge life. It was the first day of our fabulous trip to Greece. We used the card on the entire trip racking up the points. When Marriott offer the 70% bonus transfer we moved those points & used them to book our hotels (3) for the European Christmas markets in December.
This is my go to card that I’ve had for 11 years, the last 2 years as a full time digital nomad traveling internationally. No foreign transaction fees, 3x points back on anything travel related, great travel insurance, and a huge amount of travel partners make this my all time favorite card and one I will never cancel. Chase also has impressed with me with their fantastic customer service compared to some other banks. This is the card I recommend to any frequent traveler.
This card has been so great for us to have. The $300 very flexible travel credit is always used up and significantly reduces the "effective" annual fee of the card. The rental car protections are a great benefit as are the categories for everyday spend earning. When I first got this card when it came out and I was in medical school, I flew around the US (about 20 flights) interviewing for residencies and I was able to pay for 75% of those flights by transferring the points from the bonus from this card saving me precious dollars while living entirely off student loans. Highly recommend!
While the card itself is nice and the $300 travel credit lowers the fee to essentially $250, they’ve gotten rid of most of the perks that make it worthwhile. Plus the customer service is quite terrible. I’m only keeping it until I use all my reward points before switching to Amex.
When it comes to Chase Ultimate Rewards, the best way to maximize your points is to redeem them with travel.
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Turning your points into cash back [.dontreco]
While you can redeem your points for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point, or use Chase's Pay Yourself Back option, it simply doesn’t provide the best value.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Using the Chase Travel Portal [.sometimesreco]
You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals through Chase TravelSM, all at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents per point. While this is a decent option, it’s still not the best.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Using transfer partners at a 1:1 ratio to stretch your points as far as humanly possible. [.alwaysreco]
The bottom line is — if a flight or hotel room can be bought with cash, you can use your points to book it. Transferring your Chase points can score you more than 1.5 cents per point by moving rewards to Chase's 14 amaaaazing airline and hotel partners. Top picks include Hyatt, United, British Airways, IHG One Rewards, and so many more. Taking advantage of these transfer partners is one of the best ways to justify your Sapphire Reserve. Chase often runs bonus promotions, giving you up to 30% more points or miles when you transfer to a partner.
Transferring your Chase points is a super simple process. Simply log in to your Chase account and click on “points” in the top right corner. Then, you’ll see three dots on the top of the screen. Click those and select “transfer points to partners.” From there, you’ll be able to view any bonuses and available transfer options.
And you’re on your way! ✈️
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Brendan and Erin booked an insane 15-Day European vacation using points! I know this feels like a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but what if I told you that you could use your Sapphire Reserve to make the same redemption?
Check out this video to see the full details on this trip, and get tips on the best ways to utilize your Chase Ultimate Rewards 👇
Why? Ok, hear me out. If you’re already working with a premium card, then it might be time to pair that with a hotel card. This would massively increase your travel game, and here’s how: IHG Premier cardholders can earn tons of points at IHG properties and enjoy exclusive perks. With IHG's extensive global presence and the new IHG One Rewards program, this card has become much more appealing. Plus, the generous welcome offer on a $99 card is hard to resist (especially when you’re already paying a steeper annual fee with the Sapphire Reserve).
With this card, you’re looking at 26X total points per $1 at IHG hotels and resorts (🤯), 3X per $1 on everyday purchases, automatic Platinum Elite Status, an anniversary free night, and so much more. With the Sapphire Reserve, you’re being granted some sweet travel perks, like lounge access and elevated earnings through the Chase Portal. And with the IHG Premier, you’re earning similar rewards, but through hotels this time. In short, when these two cards combine, they can really round out your travel game.
Why? The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a well-known “starter” card. And while you might be wary of “backtracking” to a starter, when paired with the Sapphire Reserve, your point-earning potential skyrockets. First of all, earning an extra 1.5% on EVERYTHING you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year) is a great deal, potentially giving you $300 cash-back. If you also have a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points (like the Sapphire Reserve), you can convert your cash-back into valuable Chase points, transferable to airline and hotel partners.
Here’s the thing about the Sapphire Reserve. Your points can prove most valuable when you use the 50% bonus by booking through the Chase Portal. The 60,000 points you’ll be getting through the welcome offer are now worth 90,000 points when using said bonus.
Brendan does a great job breaking down the benefits of this premium card (along with two others) in this YouTube video 👇
Let’s be clear. The Sapphire Reserve is boujee. In case you need convincing of that, just check out the annual fee. But let’s be clear about another thing. You shouldn’t let that annual fee scare you. This card’s perks and statement credits are here to save the day. And speaking of perks, the Reserve has proven to be for the luxurious traveler. We’re talking about a complimentary membership to Priority Pass lounges and access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, both of which add a little sparkle to any travel day. Plus, you’ll receive up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. Needless to say, with the Sapphire Reserve, you’re definitely traveling in style.
Ok, every day is a stretch, but you get the point. The Sapphire Reserve is a perfect choice for those frequenting the airport. In case you’re in need of some convincing, here are some examples of ways Mike has used his card recently:
Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 700, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
We’ve said it before — but the Sapphire Reserve is not a beginner card. If you’re at the beginning of your miles and points journey, there are a few starter cards we would suggest checking out first. For example, the Sapphire Preferred is an excellent stepping stone on the way to the Reserve. You’ve still got access to Chase’s Travel Portal and transfer partners, but you’re paying a significantly lower annual fee (and working on building up that credit score in the meantime).
Here are a few cards we suggest you check out first:
An excellent credit score (740-850) is recommended for Chase Sapphire Reserve®. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying.
We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, use the reconsideration line, and be granted the Sapphire Reserve. While it’s not necessarily a beginner card, the worst they can say is “no.”
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