Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card Review

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Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card Review:

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is Chase’s flagship premium travel rewards card, built for frequent flyers, point maximizers, and those who value luxury perks. While the card’s $795 annual fee may seem steep at first glance, its combination of generous rewards, travel credits, and premium protections makes it a top contender in the premium credit card space.

A Premium Introductory Offer

Chase Sapphire Reserve’s introductory offer sets the stage for anyone looking to obtain the card and utilize its extensive list of benefits. New cardholders can earn [...] bonus points after spending [...] in the first [...] months. 

Earn Rate: Flexible Rewards for Everyday Spending

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers exceptional earn rates across a variety of spending categories, making it a versatile card for both travel and everyday purchases. Here’s how the earn rate breaks down:

  • 8x points on flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities, and tours when booked through Chase Travel℠

  • 4x points when you book directly with an airline or hotel

  • 3x points on dining purchases worldwide

You can also earn:

  • 5x points on qualifying Lyft purchases through 09/30/2027

  • 10x points on eligible Peloton equipment purchases over $150 through 12/31/2027 with a maximum limit of 50,000 points earne

This structure allows cardholders to earn points quickly, especially if they frequently spend in the bonus categories. The high bonus point rates for travel-related expenses make the Chase Sapphire Reserve especially attractive to frequent travelers.

$300 Annual Travel Credit

One of the most valuable and standout perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is its $300 annual travel credit. Each year, the first $300 you spend on travel is automatically reimbursed as a statement credit. Eligible purchases cover a wide range of categories, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, rideshares, parking, tolls, etc. This credit alone offsets a little less than half of the card’s $795 annual fee, effectively bringing your out-of-pocket cost down to just $495 before considering any other rewards or perks. For frequent travelers, it’s like getting a built-in travel rebate that makes the premium annual fee price tag easier to justify.

Notably, you only earn points on travel purchases after the $300 annual travel credit is used.

$500 Annual Hotel Credits for The Edit by Chase Travel

A valuable perk of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the annual up to $500 in hotel credits for prepaid bookings with The Edit by Chase Travel. The Edit is a luxury hotel booking program only available to Reserve cardholders, allowing cardholders access to elite benefits when booking luxury hotels around the world. 

Elite benefits may include complimentary breakfast, late checkout, room upgrades, property credits, etc. It is essentially Chase’s version of American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts® program.

The $500 credit comes in the form of two $250 semi-annual statement credits:

  • Up to $250 in statement credits from January through June

  • Up to $250 in statement credits from July through December

There is also a minimum of a two night stay for the credit to qualify. Notably, purchases that qualify for the credit will not earn points. This means that you need to use the credits first before you can earn any points on the stay.

Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite Status

Another valuable perk that the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers is automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status for the primary cardmember through December 31, 2027. The benefit must be activated by linking your IHG One Rewards account to your Chase account.

Platinum Elite status is the second highest tier of the IHG loyalty program. Platinum Elite membership comes with a variety of benefits, including Hertz Five Star® status through the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® Status Match program, a welcome amenity at check-in, early check-in, late check-out, etc.

If you’re looking for an easier way to get IHG Platinum status, you can also look into the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. 

$300 Annual Dining Credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers up to $300 in statement credits annually when you dine at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, which is a dining program offered to Reserve cardholders. The program allows members access to some of the most sought-after and hardest-to-book restaurants in major cities.

The $300 credit is also split into two $150 semi-annual credits:

  • Up to $150 in statement credits from January through June

  • Up to $150 in statement credits from July through December

To make a booking, you’ll need to go to OpenTable, add your card, and then book a reservation.

Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music

One way the Chase Sapphire Reserve seeks to elevate entertainment value is by offering complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through June 22, 2027.

These memberships have up to a value of $250 annually, allowing cardholders to elevate their entertainment experiences without needing to pay for premium music and television streaming services.

$300 Annual StubHub Credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve now offers up to $300 per year in statement credits for purchases made directly through StubHub and Viagogo. StubHub and Viagogo are ticket exchange platforms where people can sell their tickets for concerts, sport games, and other events for other people to purchase. 

The $300 credit again is split into two $150 semi-annual credits that are automatically applied as statement credits. Activation is required for the statement credits to apply.

Lounge Access: Priority Pass™ Select Membership

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you and your authorized users get complimentary membership to Priority Pass™ Select, granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This benefit can save hundreds of dollars annually while transforming your airport experience with free snacks, drinks, and a comfortable place to relax before flights.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve also grants you access to Chase Sapphire lounges, as well as Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges when flying on an eligible ticket.

Chase Sapphire Lounges

Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges is one of the best benefits that the Sapphire Reserve offers. Chase Sapphire Lounges are premium airport lounges that offer a range of amenities and services to eligible cardholders.

Chase Sapphire Lounges are relatively new, as the first one opened in Hong Kong in October 2022. They are regarded as comfortable and luxurious experiences for travelers, as lounges can provide premium amenities such as alcoholic beverages, facial treatments, private bathrooms with showers, and more at no additional cost. These lounges are well-renowed and sought after for their benefits.

Trusted Traveler Program Credit

Every four years, the Sapphire Reserve reimburses up to $120 via a statement credit for an application to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS. This benefit helps streamline your travel experience and further enhances the card’s value, especially for travelers who travel internationally frequently.

DoorDash, Lyft, and Peloton Perks

The Sapphire Reserve goes beyond travel with premium perks for your everyday lifestyle. Enjoy convenient savings and built-in value whether you’re ordering dinner or getting around town:

  • Complimentary DashPass membership for at least 12 months on DoorDash and Caviar if activated by 12/31/2027

  • $5 off one qualifying DoorDash restaurant order each month

  • $10 off up to two eligible non-restaurant DoorDash orders per month

  • Up to $10 monthly Lyft credit (up to $120/year) through 09/30/2027, automatically applied when your Sapphire Reserve is set as the default payment method

Notably, you’ll also earn up to 5x points on eligible Lyft rides through September 30, 2027.

The Sapphire Reserve also comes with a $120 annual membership credit for Peloton through 12/31/2027.

Unlocking Extra Benefits

After spending $75,000 on qualifying expenses within a calendar year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve unlocks even more premium benefits. The card offers the following:

  • IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, which is the highest tier within the IHG loyalty program. Perks include, but are not limited to: complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, etc.

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status, which includes perks such as priority boarding, one free checked bag, same-day standby access, etc.

  • $500 credit for Southwest flights booked via Chase Travel

  • $250 Shops at Chase credit, which is valid for purchases with select brands such as Baccarat, Bang & Olufsen, Breitling, Tumi, etc.

Authorized Users

It is worthwhile noting that adding authorized users onto your Chase Sapphire Reserve card will cost $195 per person. However, authorized users will receive the same benefits that primary cardholders do.

This means that authorized users can enjoy premium benefits that the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers, such as access to airport lounges, complimentary IHG loyalty status, etc.

Redeeming Points Through Chase Travel℠

Chase points are known for their flexibility, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve enhances their value when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. When you use your points to book travel through the portal, you can take advantage of Points Boost, which is available on select flight and hotel bookings and allows you to redeem your points at a rate of up to 2x.

The portal allows you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, making it a one-stop shop for travel planning.

Unfortunately, Chase is sunsetting the ability to redeem points for 1.5 cents for redemptions through Chase Travel.

Transferring Points: Unlocking Maximum Value

One of the most powerful features of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is the ability to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to a variety of travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This means that for every 1,000 Chase points you transfer, you’ll receive 1,000 points or miles in the partner’s loyalty program (assuming there’s no transfer bonus). This feature is ideal for travelers who want to maximize the value of their points by leveraging airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Chase has partnered with several leading airlines and hotel chains, giving cardholders access to a wide range of redemption options. Here’s a list of Chase’s current transfer partners:

Airline Partners

  1. Aer Lingus AerClub

  2. Air Canada Aeroplan

  3. Air France/KLM Flying Blue

  4. British Airways Executive Club

  5. Emirates Skywards

  6. Iberia Plus

  7. JetBlue TrueBlue

  8. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

  9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

  10. United MileagePlus

  11. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Hotel Partners

  1. IHG One Rewards

  2. Marriott Bonvoy

  3. World of Hyatt

Maximizing Value with Transfers

To get the most out of your points, it’s worth researching the best redemption options for your travel plans. For example:

  • Use award search tools to identify high-value redemptions

  • Look for promotions or bonus offers from Chase’s transfer partners, which can sometimes provide additional value (e.g. 30% bonus on transferred points)

Travel Insurance Benefits: Peace of Mind While Traveling

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is well-regarded for its robust travel insurance benefits, which provide cardholders with peace of mind when booking trips. These benefits include:

  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.

  • Auto Rental Coverage: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad.

  • Travel Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per covered traveler.

  • Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 5 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.

  • Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.

  • Travel Accident Insurance: When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage.

Final Verdict: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is built for travelers who don’t just want to earn rewards. They want to elevate their entire travel experience. With annual credits that offset a large portion of the fee, luxury perks like lounge access and elite hotel status, and strong travel protections, this card more than earns its place in any frequent flyer’s wallet.

That said, this card isn’t for everyone. If you rarely travel, don't maximize points through transfer partners, or prefer a no-fee card, you'll likely find better value elsewhere. But for high spenders who dine out often, travel regularly, and want to unlock elevated experiences—the Chase Sapphire Reserve delivers.

You’ll get the most out of this card if you:

  • Travel frequently and want luxury travel perks

  • Spend significantly in travel and dining categories

  • Take advantage of transferable points for maximum redemption value

  • Want premium extras like hotel credits, lounge access, and trusted traveler credits

In short: for serious travelers who want both convenience and elevated experiences, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a powerhouse.