Chase Sapphire Reserve® review

This card offers a suite of premium travel and lifestyle benefits, making it a popular choice for frequent travelers. While it carries an annual fee, the right cardholder can offset this cost through various statement credits, lucrative rewards earning potential, and a comprehensive array of travel protections.

Written by
Jennifer Doss
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Key Features

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Editor Analysis:

Pros
  • Receive a $500 annual credit (split into two $250 biannual credits) for The Edit– a Chase Travel℠ collection of over 1,100 hand-picked hotels and resorts.
  • Cardholders also receive a $300 annual dining credit (split into two $150 biannual credits) and primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,000 VIP airport lounges in over 500 cities worldwide after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select.
Cons
  • The annual fee is something to strongly consider. While it can be offset with its numerous credits and travel perks, it's not for everyone. You'll want to thoroughly think through whether you'll utilize enough of the card's perks to make the fee worth it. See more: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® annual fee worth it?
ALTERNATE CARD TO CONSIDER

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card_name sign-up bonus

The CardName card is currently offering an exceptional welcome bonus that includes 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel promotional credit. To qualify for both components of this offer, new cardmembers must spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Eligibility for this lucrative bonus is subject to certain restrictions. The offer is generally not available to individuals who currently hold any personal Sapphire card, or who have previously held the card_name card or received a new cardmember bonus for it. Chase also considers the number of cards an applicant has opened and closed, along with other factors, when determining bonus eligibility. After meeting the spending criteria, the bonus points and promotional credit typically post to the account within six to eight weeks, provided the account remains open and in good standing. The $500 Chase Travel credit is valid for one year from the date it becomes available and can be applied to purchases made through Chase Travel, though it is a one-time use credit, meaning any remaining balance will be forfeited if the full amount isn’t used on a single transaction.

card_name benefits and rewards

The CardName card was already known for its generous rewards, but thanks to a recent update, its benefits are now even more abundant. This means cardholders can enjoy an expanded array of perks, including:

  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
  • $500 annual credit for The Edit– a Chase Travel℠ collection of over 1,100 hand-picked hotels and resorts (split into two $250 biannual credits)
  • $300 annual dining credit and primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (split into two $150 biannual credits)
  • Points Boost redemption program, which lets users redeem points for up to 2X for select flights and hotel stays
  • Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
  • $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus credit every four years
  • Access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network of airport lounges
  • Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
  • Complimentary access to Reserve Travel Designers for help with travel planning
  • $250 in credits annually for subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music
  • $300 annual StubHub credit (split into two $150 biannual credits; activation required)
  • $120 in annual Lyft in-app credits, up to $10 monthly, plus 5x total points on eligible Lyft rides
  • $300 annually in monthly DoorDash promos and complimentary DashPass membership
  • Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships
  • Comprehensive travel insurance benefits

Several other cardholder benefits can be unlocked with $75,000 in annual spending on the card, including:

  • IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status
  • Southwest Airlines® A-List Status
  • $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel
  • $250 credit to The Shops at Chase

It’s also important to note that the new Points Boost program will replace the card’s previous offer for travel booked through Chase. Where the old version of the card automatically offered 50% more value for points when redeeming for travel through Chase, Points Boost will offer up to 2X value for rewards when redeeming for “top booked hotels and flights with select airlines and hotels through Chase Travel,” according to Chase.

Finally, the card has also undergone a significant transformation in its rewards structure, changing how cardholders will earn points. While these adjustments may not appeal to every existing cardmember, particularly with the discontinuation of some previously straightforward benefits, many others will find the updated earning categories to be highly lucrative. The changes are designed to reward specific spending habits more generously, and understanding these new opportunities is key to maximizing your card’s potential. card_name earn:

  • 8X points on flights booked through Chase Travel
  • 8X points on hotels booked through Chase Travel
  • 8X points on car rentals booked through Chase Travel
  • 4X points on flights booked directly with airlines
  • 4X points on hotels booked directly
  • 3X points on dining
  • 1X point on all other purchases

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What happens to existing cardholders?

If you’re already a card_name cardholder, you’re probably curious about how the upcoming changes affect your card and benefits, especially if you just paid your annual fee. Chase has a clear plan in place for you.

You won’t see your annual fee jump to AnnualFees until your next card anniversary date after October 26, 2025. This is good news if you’ve already renewed your card this year or plan to before that date. You’ll get to enjoy the improved benefits without paying the higher fee right away. However, if your renewal date is after October 26, 2025, you’ll pay the increased annual fee sooner.

For current cardmembers who applied before June 23, 2025, you’ll get access to the new benefits and statement credits starting on October 26, 2025. This gives you a chance to try out the enhanced perks and get more value from your card before you decide if you want to renew it on your next anniversary.

The one exception to this timeline is the new Points Boost program. Chase has confirmed that points you earned before October 26, 2025, can still be redeemed at a 1.5x value on Chase Travel until October 26, 2027. Chase also states that for points earned before October 26, 2025, you’ll automatically get the best offer available, whether that’s Points Boost or the 1.5x redemption on Chase Travel, ensuring you maximize your rewards for two years.

card_name travel benefits

As one of the best travel rewards credit cards on the market today, the CardName offers world-class perks including travel insurance, car rental insurance and lounge access. Additional benefits include:

card_name travel insurance

No one wants to be caught off guard while they are traveling. Should things go wrong, it is good to have travel insurance in place to make sure that you are protected from unforeseen events. The travel insurance coverage provided by the CardName is extensive, and it comes automatically with owning the card. The card_name card’s travel insurance coverages can provide peace of mind and incredible value in the event that your trip doesn’t go according to plan. Some of these top benefits include:

  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses.
  • Trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
  • Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage up to $100,000.
  • Emergency medical and dental reimbursement up to $2,500 for medical expenses if you or your immediate family member becomes sick or injured more than 100 miles away from your home.
  • Baggage delay insurance up to $100 a day for five days for baggage delays over six hours.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger.

card_name car rental insurance

One of the specific insurance coverages provided by the CardName is car rental insurance coverage. The auto rental coverage included with the card_name provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad when booked using the card. This is one of the highest and most extensive coverages offered in the industry, and it comes included with the card.

card_name foreign transaction fee

Not only does the CardName reward you for travel and dining purchases worldwide, but it also doesn’t charge you any foreign transaction fees while doing so. Think about it this way: If you take an international trip and spend $4,000 with your card_name card, you’ll save yourself $120 in fees over using a card that charges a typical 3% foreign transaction fee on each purchase. That’s $120 that you could spend on another meal out (and earn yourself a few more rewards points), for one last tour or excursion, on souvenirs, etc. This card is really designed with the traveler in mind– including international travel.

card_name credit score requirements

The CardName requires excellent credit to get approval, but other factors might also be considered in the application process, including payment history of revolving credit, your total open cards, and the average age of accounts open. If you have a limited credit history or are currently building your credit, it may be difficult to get approved for the card_name card.

card_name annual fee

With a sizable AnnualFees annual fee, the CardName card isn’t for everyone. If you are someone who does not frequently travel or eat out often, it may be a lot harder to justify the cost of having this card in your wallet. However, for those who can take full advantage of the multiple annual credits and lounge access offerings, the card_name card provides tremendous value for the cost.

What are the potential downsides of the card_name?

While the updated CardName card presents a seemingly compelling value proposition, particularly with its various credits and premium memberships, a closer look reveals several potential downsides that cardholders should consider.

One significant drawback lies in the structure of several new benefits. Many of the touted credits, such as the hotel credit for The Edit, the dining credit for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, and the StubHub credit, are not provided as a single, lump-sum amount. Instead, they are disbursed in smaller increments twice a year. This "split" approach means cardholders must actively track and plan their spending to fully utilize these benefits throughout the year, potentially requiring more mental effort and strategic spending than some might prefer. If these smaller, semi-annual credits don’t align with a cardholder’s spending patterns, a substantial portion of the advertised value could go unredeemed.

Furthermore, a notable change impacts the value of points redeemed through Chase Travel. The previous, straightforward benefit of receiving an enhanced value for all travel booked via the Chase portal is being replaced by the new Points Boost program. While Points Boost offers even greater value for specific "top booked hotels and flights with select airlines and hotels," it also significantly devalues other travel redemptions. Any other travel booked through Chase with points, including activities, car rentals, and flights or hotels not included in the special promotion, will now yield a standard point value, a considerable reduction for those accustomed to the previous, more generous redemption rate.

How do cardholders rate the card_name?

CardRatings commissioned Slice MR in November 2024 to survey 1,666 cardholders nationwide. Responses were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ ratings were then averaged under broad topics. Here are the results for the CardName:

Cost Effectiveness8.20
Rewards Satisfaction8.36
Customer Service8.54
Website/App Usability8.60
Likelihood of Continuing to Use8.57
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague8.10
Overall Rating8.25

Survey results by question

Respondents rated their personal experience with the card_name, answering questions on a scale from 1-10. The results for each question can be found below:

How does the card_name compare to other travel cards?

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card_name vs. CardName

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For those seeking a compelling alternative to the card_name card, the CardName stands out with its more accessible annual fee, robust Chase Ultimate Rewards earning potential, and diverse redemption options.

The CardName provides numerous ways to earn rewards, including elevated points on travel booked through Chase Travel, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, as well as on all other travel purchases and general purchases. It also includes an annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, making its annual fee justifiable, especially when compared to the higher annual fee of the card_name card. However, it’s worth noting that the CardName does not include the annual travel credit or the application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that come with its premium counterpart.

To learn more about how these cards line up side-by-side, see our full Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® comparison.

card_name vs. card_name

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CardName is another strong contender in the luxury card market, though it comes with a higher annual fee of AnnualFees. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser. See Rates and Fees

card_name earns five points for flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel® portal (on up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year) as well as five points for hotels bookings made through the portal. Otherwise, its perks are similar to the card_name card and include airport lounge access (for eligible card members), airline fee reimbursement up to $200 in statement credit annually for fees charged by a pre-selected airline, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement. That said, the Platinum Card® does offer a plethora of additional credit opportunities – a value of more than $1,400 during your first year as a cardholder. Additionally, you may be eligible for as high as signup_reward Membership Rewards® Points after you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount in eligible purchases in your first six months. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the card, your score may be impacted.) Enrollment required for select benefits.

Is card_name worth it?

The CardName card is raising the bar in the luxury credit card world with its stellar introductory offer and top-of-the-line rewards-earning and redemption possibilities. If you are a frequent traveler and can take advantage of the numerous travel perks, rewards earning potential, and travel credits offered by the card then the card_name is worth it for many frequent travelers.

That being said, with a AnnualFees annual fee as well as additional fees for adding on authorized users, the card_name card is not for everyone. If you are more of a casual traveler or want a simpler cash back earning card, the card_name may not be the best fit for you.

Frequently asked questions

card_name charges a AnnualFees annual fee.
Yes, the card_name card includes rental car insurance on rental car bookings paid for with the card.
Yes, the card_name offers cardholders complimentary Priority Pass lounge access.
The card_name card is often easily attainable for those with a high credit score, solid income, a good credit history, and those who fall within Chase's 5/24 rule.

Our Methodology

Survey methodology: CardRatings commissioned Slice MR in November 2024 to survey 1,666 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings’ website analytics from Jan. 1, 2024-Oct. 31, 2024 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards. Responses to 10 questions were given on a scale of 1-10. For nine of these questions, respondents’ scores were averaged under broad topics. The overall rating represents an average of respondents’ responses to their overall rating of each card.

Disclaimer:The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.


This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company. CardRatings.com does not review every company or every offer available on the market.


To see the rates and fee for CardName, please visit the following link: See Rates and Fees

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