Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Points
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is back to a 100,000-point public welcome bonus, below its earlier 2025 and 2026 peaks. New cardholders can now earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months. This Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus is lower than the 150,000-point offer available from April 30 to June 15, 2026, and the 125,000-point offer Chase launched in August 2025, both with the same spending requirement.
Below, we break down what these points are worth, how to qualify, and whether the card’s $795 annual fee still makes sense after Chase’s recent refresh. For broader context, see our roundup of the best credit cards in the U.S. and our full Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Premium Travel Rewards & Perks Explained review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus Details
The current public offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve gives new cardholders 100,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points after $6,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. Industry valuations from April 2026 peg the points alone at roughly $2,050, before factoring in any of the card’s ongoing perks.
This follows a 150,000-point offer (April 30 to June 15, 2026) and a 125,000-point offer launched in August 2025; before that, the card typically hovered between 60,000 and 100,000 points. A late-2025 targeted offer of 175,000 points appeared briefly but is no longer available, and there’s no signal it will return. For now, 100,000 points is the standard public Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus offer.
- Annual fee
- $795
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$2,050Annual credit$300Total$2,350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $2,350
- Welcome offerAfter $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Offer eligibility requirements apply.
- 100,000 points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
What 100,000 Ultimate Rewards Points Are Worth
The value of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points depends entirely on how you use them. Here are the main paths:
- Cash back: $1,000 (1 cent per point)
- Chase Travel℠ portal: Up to $2,000 (with Points Boost on eligible bookings, up to 2 cents per point)
- Curated luxury hotels through The Edit: Up to $2,500 (up to 2.5 cents per point)
- Transfer partners: Frequently $2,500-$7,000+ in premium-cabin or luxury hotel value
Transfer partners almost always deliver the highest value. Chase points move 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel programs, including United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Club, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. For a complete list of options, see our guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: All 14 Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners Explained.
Who Qualifies for the Bonus
Chase enforces specific eligibility rules on the Sapphire family. Before applying, confirm that you meet all of the following:
- Under 5/24: You have opened fewer than five personal credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months.
- No current Sapphire Reserve: You don’t currently hold the Sapphire Reserve.
- No prior Sapphire Reserve bonus: You have never earned a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Reserve before.
- Strong credit profile: Excellent credit, solid income, and a good standing relationship with Chase.
Chase typically excludes business cards from your 5/24 count. Authorized user accounts on someone else’s Sapphire card also do not affect your eligibility. If you’re unsure where you stand, our guide on What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule? Everything You Need to Know walks through how to count your accounts. During the application, Chase usually tells you whether you qualify for the bonus before pulling your credit, so there’s little downside to checking.
Card Benefits After the Refresh
Chase recently overhauled the Sapphire Reserve, raising the annual fee from $550 to $795 and reshaping the credits and earning structure. The card now leans heavily into statement credits and travel perks designed to offset that higher cost.
Statement Credits That Offset the Fee
- $300 annual travel credit: Applies automatically to any travel purchase.
- Up to $500 in The Edit credits: Two $250 credits for stays of two nights or more at Chase’s curated luxury hotels.
- $300 annual dining credit: Two $150 credits for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants, booked through OpenTable.
- $300 in StubHub and viagogo credits: Two $150 credits per year for concert and event tickets (activation required, through Dec. 31, 2027).
- $300 in DoorDash promos: Up to $25 in monthly DoorDash credits, plus a complimentary DashPass subscription (through Dec. 31, 2027).
- $288 in Apple subscriptions: Apple TV+ and Apple Music credits (through June 22, 2027).
- $120 Peloton membership credit: Up to $10 monthly toward a Peloton All-Access or App membership.
- $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Once every four years.
Stack these together and the credits exceed $1,500 in potential annual value. The catch: most are tied to specific merchants or platforms, so they only work if you’d already spend in those categories. Furthermore, with no foreign transaction fees, the card pairs well with international trips. For a wider comparison, see our guide on Avoid Extra Fees Abroad: Best No-FX-Fee Credit Cards Reviewed.
Earning Rates
| Category | Points Per Dollar |
|---|---|
| Eligible Peloton equipment over $150 (up to $5,000, through 12/31/2027) | 10x |
| Chase Travel℠ purchases | 8x |
| Lyft rides (through 9/30/2027) | 5x |
| Flights and hotels booked direct | 4x |
| Dining worldwide | 3x |
| Everything else | 1x |
Lounge Access and Status
- Chase Sapphire Lounges: Access for the cardholder plus two guests at growing locations including Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, and Washington Dulles. Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles are slated to open this year.
- Priority Pass Select: Membership covering 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite: Mid-tier hotel status through Dec. 31, 2027.
Authorized users get the same lounge access for themselves and two guests, though the authorized user fee is $195. Notably, Chase has no minimum spend requirement for complimentary guest access, unlike American Express and Capital One.
High-Spender Bonuses
Spend $75,000 in a calendar year and you unlock additional perks. These rewards target frequent travelers and small-business owners who funnel large expenses through the card.
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite: Top-tier hotel status.
- World of Hyatt Explorist: Mid-tier Hyatt status.
- Southwest A-List status: Plus a $500 Southwest credit for bookings through Chase Travel.
- $250 Shops at Chase credit: For Chase’s online shopping experience.
Drawbacks to Consider
The card isn’t a fit for every wallet. Here’s where the Sapphire Reserve falls short:
- $795 annual fee: Among the highest in the market. You need to use the credits to break even.
- Coupon-book complexity: Many credits are split into halves and tied to specific merchants, which adds tracking work.
- $6,000 minimum spend: $2,000 per month for three months may stretch some household budgets.
- 5/24 rule and Sapphire eligibility: Many applicants are blocked by Chase’s restrictions.
- $195 authorized user fee: One of the more expensive AU fees among premium cards.
How to Maximize the Welcome Bonus
To get the most out of this Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus, plan ahead before you apply.
- Map out your $6,000 in three months: Time the application around a known large expense (taxes, tuition, home repairs, insurance renewals).
- Plan transfers, not portal bookings: Identify a target trip — premium-cabin international flight or a luxury hotel — and aim points at a transfer partner like Hyatt, United, or Virgin Atlantic.
- Stack with other Chase cards: Pair with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® to earn at higher rates in everyday categories, then pool points into your Sapphire Reserve account. Browse the full lineup of Best Chase Credit Cards for ideas.
- Use credits methodically: Set calendar reminders for the biannual halves of the dining, hotel, and StubHub credits so they don’t expire unused.
- Activate optional credits early: StubHub, DoorDash, and Apple credits all require activation. Do this the day your card arrives.
Bottom Line
The 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus is solid, but below the 125,000- and 150,000-point offers Chase ran over the past year. Based on industry valuations, the bonus is worth more than $2,000, and savvy award bookings through transfer partners can push that figure well past $5,000 in real travel value.
This card fits frequent travelers who can absorb the $6,000 spending requirement, use the lounge access, and tap multiple statement credits each year. If you rarely fly, dine out, or book hotels, the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains a smarter pick at $95 per year. For a broader comparison, browse our best travel credit cards guide.
- Annual fee
- $795
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$2,050Annual credit$300Total$2,350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $2,350
- Welcome offerAfter $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Offer eligibility requirements apply.
- 100,000 points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus available?
Chase has not announced an end date for this offer. Public welcome bonuses at this level rarely last long, so apply sooner rather than later if the card fits your strategy. Offers can change without notice.
Can I hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred at the same time?
Yes. Chase recently removed the rule that blocked holding both Sapphire cards simultaneously. You can now keep both products, and a prior Sapphire Preferred bonus does not block you from earning the Sapphire Reserve bonus.
What is the best way to use 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points?
Transferring to airline and hotel partners typically delivers the highest value, often 3 to 10 cents per point. Premium-cabin international flights through Air Canada Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic, or United, and luxury hotel stays through World of Hyatt, are top picks.
How does the Chase 5/24 rule affect the welcome bonus?
If you have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application. Business cards generally do not count toward 5/24, so confirm your card history before applying.
Is the $795 annual fee worth it for occasional travelers?
Probably not. The fee makes sense if you can use the $300 travel credit, the dining and hotel credits, and the lounge access multiple times per year. Occasional travelers usually get more value from the Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95 per year.
Can I downgrade after the first year if the annual fee is too high?
Yes. After year one, you can downgrade to the Chase Sapphire Preferred or a no-annual-fee Chase card like the Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex. This preserves your account history and credit line while avoiding the $795 fee.
What happens if I previously had a Chase Sapphire Reserve?
If you earned a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Reserve in the past, you most likely cannot earn another one. Chase typically requires that you have never received a Sapphire Reserve bonus to qualify for the new offer.
