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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. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
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℠.
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. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card likes to consistently hang out in our top cards ranking. Its perks and benefits speak for themselves. Not only does this card give you access to Chase’s insanely wonderful transfer partners, but it also boasts travel credits, lounge access, and more. The only kicker is — you have to choose between the Sapphire Reserve, and its little brother, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Unlike what people may have told you in the past, in this case, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. But while this may seem like Sophie’s choice, with the right card pairings, you can more than make up for this restriction. And just to be clear, there is no “better card” between the Preferred and the Reserve. They’re simply different.
Right now, the Sapphire Reserve is offering 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. Y’all…that’s a lot of moolah. If you’re looking for the Sapphire Preferred’s flexibility but find yourself yearning for better travel perks, it may be time to step up. Trust me, this is a team favorite for a reason.
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 👇
Annual Fee: $695
Annual Fee: $395
Annual Fee: $395
[.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.
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
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
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.
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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Kara and Nate booked a $12,000 private island for FREE 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 👇
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 $100 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:
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:
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.
An excellent credit score (740-850) is recommended for Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. 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.”
