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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 10X points on hotels and car rentals through the Chase Travel portal, 10X points on Chase Dining purchases, 5X points on flights booked through Chase, 3X points on travel and dining, and 1X points on all non-bonus spending (Note: You won’t start earning points until the $300 annual travel statement credit is fully spent. The first $300 spent on travel each year will automatically go towards the statement credit).
What we think: For frequent travelers, the Sapphire Reserve’s abundance of luxury benefits and lifestyle-enriching perks, along with its $300 yearly travel credit, can easily make the $550 annual fee worth it.
Luxury benefits include VIP airport lounge access, free Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart membership.
The annual fee is high, and you usually need a good or excellent credit score to get this card.
Earn points on flights and hotels, redeem them for travel, statement credits, cash, or transfer them to partner loyalty programs.
SUMMARY
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a luxury credit card with ample travel benefits. In this review, we explore the elite credit card’s rewards, fees and benefits to help you understand whether it aligns with your lifestyle.
We’ll cover:
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card worth it?
Benefits, perks & earning rewards
Interest rates, fees & credit limits
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Other popular cards
Take the Sapphire Reserve card on your journeys and earn an array of high-end perks and benefits as you spend. Read on to find out if this card is right for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Lucrative and flexible rewards on flights, hotels, rental cars and dining
Complimentary access to up to 1,300 VIP airport lounges
An array of generous partner benefits
Cons
High annual fee
Highest rewards only available through the Chase portal
VIP lounge access is limited to the Priority Pass® Select network
Earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals through the Chase portal, 10X points on Chase Dining purchases, 5X points on flights booked through Chase, 3X points on travel and dining, and 1X points on all non-bonus spending. This card has a $550 annual fee.
Is Chase Sapphire Reserve worth it?
Yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could absolutely be worth it if you’re in the market for a card with premium benefits and you travel frequently enough to get more than $550 of value out of it.
It’s a handy travel companion for high-earners with unquenchable wanderlust and a taste for life’s luxuries, offering generous rewards and perks for the premium traveler. The airport lounge access, annual travel credit, and partner benefits alone can make this card well worth it.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a hefty $550 annual fee, and big rewards only roll in after you’ve spent $300 on travel. That means if you plan on spending $325 on travel next year like the average American, that $550 fee might be reaching, and the card may not offer much value.
Pros of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Lucrative and flexible rewards on flights, hotels, rental cars and dining
Transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that don’t expire
Complimentary access to up to 1,300 VIP airport lounges
An array of generous partner benefits
Cons of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
High annual fee
Highest rewards only available through the Chase portal
VIP lounge access is limited to the Priority Pass® Select network
Mainly suited to big spenders on travel and dining
Let’s explore how the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s perks and benefits can stack up to make your financial life more rewarding.
Chase Sapphire Reserve travel benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is best for adventure-seekers and explorers who frequently spend big on travel, with valuable perks like an annual travel credit, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and more.
Below, we break down each travel benefit to give you a clear picture of how it might enrich your journeys.
$300 travel credit
You’d hope a card with a $550 annual fee offsets the expense somehow, and this card does so with $300 of annual travel credit. Every year, the card automatically reimburses travel-related purchases — and the real beauty lies in its versatility. Whether it’s big-ticket expenses like flights and hotels or smaller costs such as train tickets and ride-sharing, this travel credit card is flexible. So, provided you maximize the card’s benefits, you’re essentially paying a lesser annual fee of $250.
Airport lounge access
Sign up for Priority Pass Select and gain access to its entire network of 1,300 airport lounges, markets, cafes and restaurants for free. Imagine you and up to two guests savoring gourmet snacks, making plans using complimentary Wi-Fi and unwinding in style as you prepare for the journey ahead.
Application fee credit for Nexus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve to apply for Nexus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can get reimbursed up to $100 every four years to cover the application fee. That means this card can help you get fast-tracked through security checks and border crossings to make your travels as convenient and smooth as possible. Application reimbursement applies to costs covering a single program every four years.
It gives you a full suite of travel protection perks, including:
1
Trip cancellation and interruption
Covers prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip in eligible situations.
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2
Delay
Reimburses expenses for delays over six hours or requiring an overnight stay, up to $500 per ticket.
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3
Lost luggage
Covers lost or damaged luggage by the carrier for up to $3,000 per passenger.
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4
Medical emergencies
Reimburses medical expenses up to $2,500 if you have a medical emergency more than 100 miles from home.
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Perhaps the Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t for you, but you’re impressed by the company and want to learn more about its travel insurance offering? See how Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance measures up in our expert guide.
Hotel benefits
According to the Federal Reserve, people are spending more on travel and tourism than ever — are you one of them? If so, booking a fancy hotel for a much-deserved break with this card could earn you huge points and exclusive perks. Booking through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection (LHRC) program can earn you some exciting benefits, such as elite status with various hotels’ loyalty schemes and late check-out.
Say you and your partner embark on a romantic getaway to one of Rome’s majestic five-star hotels. On arrival, you pay with a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and the receptionist upgrades you automatically to a junior suite with views overlooking the Colosseum. Those gifts from this hotel credit card can set the entire mood for an unforgettable vacation.
Car rental benefits
With this card, you can earn spectacular reward points on car rentals once you’ve spent $300 on purchases annually. Not only that, but you get primary insurance coverage with collision damage waiver and theft protection.
Shopping protections
The Sapphire Reserve card offers multiple shopping protections, including:
Purchase protection covers theft or damage for up to 120 days on individual purchases up to $10,000, with an annual limit of $50,000.
Return protection applies to eligible store-rejected items claimed within 90 days of purchase.
Around-the-clock fraud monitoring with instant alerts helps avoid scams and fraud, which rose more than 30% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
There’s no liability for unauthorized charges.
Extended warranty adds a year to qualifying warranties under three years.
Lyft Pink All Access membership
Elevate your taxi rides with a complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership for two years, giving you a VIP experience during day-to-day travels. With a yearly value of $199, this perk grants you priority rides, airport pickups, relaxed cancellations and discounted fares. Even when the two years are over, you’re entitled to a 50% discount next year. This benefit must be activated by December 31, 2024.
DoorDash discounts
The Chase Sapphire Reserve takes the convenience of ordering takeout to new heights, offering free DashPass membership for at least a year when you activate by December 31, 2024. That means you get free delivery, lower service fees and $5 DoorDash credits per month for the DoorDash and Caviar apps.
Instacart+ membership and statement credits
Take advantage of 12 months’ free Instacart+ membership when activated before July 31, 2024, putting money back in your pocket with benefits such as free delivery on orders over $35. Plus, earn up to $15 in statement credits per calendar month on qualifying purchases, through July 2024.
24/7 hotline access
Skip the queue with an exclusive phone line dedicated to Chase Sapphire Reserve customers. You’ll have access to priority customer service with shorter wait times and specialized assistance.
Provided your spending habits skew toward travel and dining, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could unlock a world in which every dollar you spend rewards you with memorable experiences.
You can scoop up 60,000 welcome bonus points if you spend $4,000 on qualifying purchases within three months of account opening. That means you essentially earn $900 for travel purchases via Chase Travel℠ or $600 in cash by just going about your business as usual.
Earn Chase Sapphire Reserve points
Picture this: Claim 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel℠ — as soon as you’ve spent $300 on annual travel.
And that’s not all. You get rewarded for spending in those categories even if you don’t use the Chase portal. Get 3x points on travel and global dining at qualifying restaurants and eligible takeout and delivery services and 1x points for every $1 spent on other purchases. What’s more, through March 2025, gain 10x points per $1 spent on qualifying Lyft rides and 10x points per $1 invested in Peloton equipment and accessories up to $5,000.
Say you spend $500 per month on flights, $400 on hotels, $300 at restaurants, $250 on other travel and $700 on other purchases.
Here are the points and cash equivalent amounts you’d earn annually:
Flights: 30,000 points = $300 or $450 in travel value
Hotels: 48,000 points = $480 or $720 in travel value
Dining: 10,800 points = $108 or $162 in travel value
Other travel: 9,000 points = $90 or $135 in travel value
Other purchases: 14,000 points = $140 or $210 in travel value
Total = $1,118 or $1,677 per year back in your wallet
We made these calculations to help you understand how the card’s reward system works. Actual values may vary based on redemption methods and available offers at the time of redemption.
Redeem Chase Sapphire Reserve Rewards
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, each point is worth 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel. They’re typically worth 1 cent per point for everything else.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points spent on travel are worth 50% more than other spending options — so 10,000 points would be $150 to spend on travel via the Chase Travel℠ portal. For everything else, it’s typically 1 cent per point, making 100 points equivalent to $1. That gives you an effective rewards rate of 4.5% on travel and dining and 1.5% on other purchases.
Redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and travel through Chase Travel℠, or transfer them to eligible loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.
Maximize Chase Sapphire Reserve Rewards
To maximize the rewards from this card, be sure to check the reward program in advance. If you’re likely to spend $4,000 within three months of opening an account and regularly purchase flights, hotel stays and rarely cook at home, it’s a shoo-in. Buy and book as much as you can through the Chase Travel℠ portal, and use Lyft, Peloton, DoorDash and Instacart whenever possible. Our overall advice for maximizing this card? Don’t be a spendthrift and cash points for their travel value.
Chase Sapphire Reserve card fees, rates & limit
Let’s explore this card’s fees, rates and credit limit.
Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee
Here’s a breakdown of the fees:
The annual fee is $550 but can be offset by the $300 annual travel credit that kicks in once you make $300 worth of travel-related purchases using the card.
Balance transfers are either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, depending on which is greater.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has no foreign transaction fees, making it perfect for traveling within or outside the U.S.
For cash advances, the fee is either $10 or 5% of the transaction amount, whichever is more.
Chase Sapphire Reserve interest rates
Below are the Chase Sapphire Reserve interest rates.
Interest rate type
Interest rate amount
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Purchase Intro APR
N/A
Balance Transfer Intro APR
N/A
In line with other premium credit cards, it has a variable APR rate of 22.49%–29.49. It’s tailored for individuals who prioritize perks and rewards and pay off their balance in full and on time each month to avoid paying interest.
If you tend to carry a balance, this card might not be ideal, and a zero-interest credit card may work better for you.
Chase Sapphire Reserve credit limit
Chase sets your credit limit based on a number of factors, including income, credit history and your current spending habits. For example, if you have a credit score of 800, earn a six-figure annual salary and pay your bills in full and on time, you’ll likely get a generous credit limit.
Chase is more than just a credit card issuer
The first step in growing and maintaining consistent savings is to understand your personal finances through checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and more.
Premium credit cards come with a multitude of perks and benefits. This one potentially delivers big-time on cash back and rewards, especially for those who travel often, enjoy restaurants and takeout, use taxis and love Peleton.
However, if you have a low-to-moderate credit rating, don’t spend generously on travel and dining and want a low APR, it might not be for you. Before making a choice, compare several cards to make sure you choose one that’s suited to your lifestyle.
Here’s a quick overview of how the Sapphire Reserve compares to the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Platinum.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a lower annual fee than the Sapphire Reserve but also offers fewer points and a smaller bonus on travel redemptions.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. American Express Platinum
Compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express Platinum card has a higher annual fee (see rates and fees) and a lower spending threshold spread over a longer period to be eligible for the welcome bonus. Perks are similar, although Amex Platinum offers fewer points on travel, dining and daily purchases overall.
Compared to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stacks up well. It has a higher annual fee than Venture X but also has more valuable points. The perks these two cards offer are similar: $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck credit, travel insurance benefits, and more.
If you anticipate capitalizing on the card’s lifestyle perks and are confident your spending habits align with its reward program, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is an astute choice.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is right for you if you’re a frequent traveler who prioritizes luxury travel perks and lifestyle rewards.
If that doesn’t sound like you or you’re not looking for that right now, these detailed credit card reviews could help you find the best credit card for you:
Business credit cards: Specifically for business expenses, perks typically align with work-related spending.
Balance transfer credit cards: Use these to transfer balances from a high-interest card to one that offers low introductory APR for a set period.
No annual fee credit cards: While they often have fewer perks, the absence of an annual fee might appeal.
Chase takes your credit score, payment history, existing debt and recent credit applications into account. Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and how to apply online from the comfort of your own home.
Yes, it’s widely recognized as a prestigious credit card due to its premium rewards, luxury perks and high annual fee.
What are the rewards on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers tons of rewards, including 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠.
Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?
Yes, you can transfer points earned using this card to around 12 airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.
What credit score do you need to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
You generally need a good to excellent FICO score (around 720+) to get approved for the Sapphire Reserve, but Chase also considers other factors when reviewing your application.
What income do you need for Chase Sapphire Reserve?
There are no specific income requirements for approval, but people with a high income and excellent record of paying bills on time in full are at an advantage.
How do I apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Apply for the card online through the Chase website or head to a branch in person.
Does Chase Sapphire Reserve cover Global Entry?
Yes! If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to apply for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, you can get reimbursed up to $100 every four years to cover the application fee.
Imogen Sharma is a freelance writer with an extensive portfolio, covering topics such as finance, business management, investing, and startups. Before becoming a full-time writer, Imogen managed high-volume fine dining restaurants in London with a knack for pricing and P&L management that contributed to sustained growth.
Imogen has contributed bylined and ghostwritten content for thought-leading publications in business, finance and technology. Topics covered include business loans, personal loans, startup funding and real estate investments.
* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.
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