Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Premium Travel Rewards & Perks Explained

Reviews Chase Sapphire Reserve^®: Premium Travel Rewards & Perks Explained

Milesopedia recommends this card from Chase

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

100,000 Points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® card continues to define the premium travel credit card space, introducing widespread enhancements in 2025 alongside a higher annual fee. The card has recently undergone significant changes by Chase, adding new perks, updated credits, and shifts in how points are earned and redeemed. Its core value proposition — premium travel rewards, elevated lounge access, flexible redemptions, and a broad set of credits — remains compelling for frequent travelers who can maximize its offerings.

Let’s break down the new welcome offer, key benefits, earning structure, and point redemption options so you can determine if this card is a fit, despite the $795 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome offer

You’ll earn 100,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards^® points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. This remains one of the largest signup bonuses available, and points can be particularly valuable when you transfer them to Chase’s expansive list of airline and hotel transfer partners..

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Experience Luxury Travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Credit Card

100,000 bonus points + $500 travel credit after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
8X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 4X points on direct airline and hotel bookings
3X points on dining and eligible delivery services; 1X point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit automatically applied to travel purchases
Complimentary lounge access with Priority Pass™ Select and Chase Sapphire Lounges for you +2 guests
Up to $300 in annual credits for dining at Exclusive Tables and stays with The Edit
$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit every four years
No foreign transaction fees
$795 annual fee

From premium lounge retreats to robust trip protections—cancellation, interruption, auto rental and baggage insurance—this card lets you travel with confidence. Manage your account seamlessly in the Chase app, tap to pay with contactless security, and let automatic credits offset the annual fee for high‑value perks all year long.

Terms apply. See issuer for complete details and eligibility.

Chase Sapphire Reserve earning rates

As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you earn:

8 points per dollar spent on all purchases made through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit hotel collection, car rentals, cruises and activities as well as Peloton (through 2027)
5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through September 30, 2027), plus limited-time category bonuses.
4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines and hotel brands (not via Chase Travel).
3 points per dollar on worldwide dining.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

These categories make the Chase Sapphire Reserve a good travel credit card for earning points when you’re on the road.

Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers numerous travel benefits, including airport lounge access and more. Here’s a look at the full roster.

Annual credits

$300 annual travel credit: Applies automatically to any travel purchases each cardmember year.
$500 The Edit hotel credit: Applies to luxury hotel stays booked through Chase Travel’s curated collection ($250 semiannually).
$300 Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables dining credit: Usable at specific restaurants ($150 semiannually).
$300 StubHub credit: For ticket purchases on StubHub or Viagogo each year ($150 semiannually).
Apple TV+ & Apple Music Subscriptions: Up to $250 annual value, complimentary until June 2027.
DoorDash, Lyft and Peloton Credits: Monthly credits for food delivery, transportation and fitness.
Complimentary DashPass: Free for 12 months for food delivery.
Elite hotel and rental car status: Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite through 2027; status with Avis and National, with further upgrades for high annual spend.

Airport Lounge benefits:

Priority Pass Select: Access for the cardholder and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club: Complimentary access for the cardholder and two guests.
Select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges: Access when flying Star Alliance.

Travel protections:

Trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance.
Primary rental car collision coverage.
Lost luggage and baggage delay reimbursement.
Travel accident insurance (up to $1 million).
Emergency assistance and evacuation, plus roadside and medical coverage.

Additional perks

No foreign transaction fees.
Up to $120 every four years: For application fees for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.
Purchase protection: Damage/theft coverage for new purchases up to 120 days.
Extended warranty and return protection.

Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions

You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for:

Travel bookings through Chase at 1.5 cents per point with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Transfers to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.
Gift cards or cash back at 1 cent per point.

Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points and sweet spots

You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for:

Travel bookings through Chase Travel at 1.5 cents per point with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Transfers to 14 airline and hotel partners (often a better value).
Gift cards at 1 cent per point (or more during promotions).
Statement credit at 1 cent per point.

You’ll get the best value from your points when you transfer them to Chase’s various transfer partners. Here’s how to leverage them to book flights with the big three US airlines.

For American Airlines flights:

Transfer to British Airways Executive Club: American Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights start at 12,000 Avios in economy class. This loyalty program uses a distance-based award chart and charges by leg, so you’ll pay more for connecting flights.

For United Airlines flights:

Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan: Book United flights starting for as few as 6,000 points.
Transfer to United MileagePlus: United prices awards dynamically, meaning there’s no set award chart. Thankfully, there are good deals to be found on domestic and international flights.

For Delta Air Lines flights:

Transfer to Air France-KLM Flying Blue: You can book Delta flights with Flying Blue. One of our favorite redemptions is flying Delta from the US mainland to Hawaii for 18,500 Flying Blue miles one-way and $26.22.
Transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Delta awards start at 7,500 points for flights when you book with Virgin points.

These are some of our other favorite ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points:

Air Canada Aeroplan: You can add a stopover to any Aeroplan award ticket for 5,000 bonus miles, so it’s a great way to plan a multi-stop tour of Europe, Asia or another region you’re itching to explore.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue for flights to Europe: Flights from the US to Europe start at 15,000 miles in economy, 35,000 miles in premium economy and 50,000 miles in business class, plus moderate taxes and fees.
Iberia Plus: Business class flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) for 34,000 Avios on off-peak dates.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Book flights from the US to London for as little as 10,000 miles plus moderate taxes and fees.
World of Hyatt for hotel stays: Free nights start at just 3,500 points per night. You can book everything from high-end luxury stays to all-inclusive resorts with Hyatt points.

Comparable cards to the Chase Sapphire Reserve

There’s no shortage of premium travel credit cards out there. Consider these two before you apply for the Sapphire Reserve.

Capital One Venture X Rewards

Elevate Your Travel at a Value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10X miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X miles on flights & vacation rentals through Capital One Travel
2X miles on all other purchases
$395 annual fee, with up to $300 annual travel credit for portal bookings
10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100) each year
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit up to $100 every four years
Unlimited lounge access at Capital One & Priority Pass lounges
No foreign transaction fees

Perfect for frequent explorers, this card’s robust benefits—from statement credits to lounge access—easily offset its annual fee. Book your next adventure, relax in premium lounges and enjoy seamless digital tools, all while earning unlimited rewards on every dollar spent.

Terms apply. See issuer’s website for rates, fees and complete details.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Unlock Unmatched Travel & Lifestyle Perks with The Platinum Card^® from American Express

5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmEx Travel, and on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® & The Hotel Collection^® stays
1X point on all other purchases
$200 airline fee credit (up to $200 per calendar year) for baggage fees, in‑flight refreshments and other incidental charges
$200 hotel credit (up to $200 per calendar year) for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection^® bookings
$240 digital entertainment credit ($20 per month) on eligible streaming services
$300 Equinox credit ($25 per month) for Equinox gym or app purchases
$189 CLEAR^® Plus credit (up to $189 per calendar year) for expedited airport security
$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit every 4–4.5 years
Complimentary lounge access to The Centurion^® Network, Priority Pass™ Select, Delta Sky Clubs^® (when flying Delta) and more
$695 annual fee

Whether you’re jetting across continents or unwinding at a luxury resort, The Platinum Card^® delivers premium benefits that easily offset its fee—if you use them. Earn accelerated Membership Rewards^® points on travel, then redeem or transfer them to top airline and hotel partners. Enjoy exclusive credits, top‑tier lounge access and white‑glove concierge services, all managed seamlessly in the AmEx app. Terms apply.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth it?

If you regularly travel and use the annual $300 travel credit, the effective annual fee can be partially offset by a host of high-value credits and lounge benefits. The combination of superior travel insurance, strong earning rates, premium lounge access, and up to $2,700+ in annual value makes it an excellent card for frequent travelers able to maximize its suite of unique perks.

For occasional travelers, or those less able to use the lifestyle and dining credits, alternative premium cards — like the Capital One Venture X or Amex Platinum — may provide more targeted value.

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve may have a high annual fee, but it can pay off for frequent travelers. We highly recommend it to those who spend a fair amount of money on travel and dining and are looking for a way to earn flexible rewards to power future trips.

FAQs – Chase Sapphire Reserve®

What is the current welcome offer for the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® offers 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. This is one of the most generous sign-up offers in the premium travel card space.

How much is the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®?

The annual fee is $795, which is not waived the first year. However, this can be offset with up to $2,700+ in potential value from travel credits, perks, and lounge access.

What are the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® earning rates?

You’ll earn:

8x points on travel booked through Chase Travel4x on direct airline and hotel bookings3x on dining and eligible delivery services1x on all other purchases

What lounge access is included with the Sapphire Reserve^®?

The card provides Priority Pass™ Select access for you and two guests, Chase Sapphire Lounge access, and select Maple Leaf Lounge access when flying Star Alliance.

Can I get travel credits with this card?

Yes. The Sapphire Reserve offers several credits, including:

$300 annual travel credit$500 The Edit hotel credit ($250 twice a year)$300 Exclusive Tables dining credit ($150 twice a year)$300 StubHub/Viagogo creditVarious streaming, transportation, and fitness credits

How can I redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards^® points?

You can redeem points for:

Travel through Chase Travel at 1.5 cents per pointTransfers to 14+ airline and hotel partnersGift cards or cash back at 1 cent per pointStatement credits

Transfers often provide the best value, especially with partners like Aeroplan, Flying Blue, and World of Hyatt.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® worth it?

If you travel frequently, the Sapphire Reserve can more than justify its high annual fee through its combination of travel protections, lounge access, point earning potential, and annual credits. For infrequent travelers, however, a lower-fee card might be more suitable.

Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs but now lives in Queens, New York. He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 40 countries, 20 travel credit cards and 3 airline statuses under his belt. Andrew was formerly a Senior Editor at The Points Guy and CNN Underscored.

All posts by Andrew Kunesh