The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits and rewards to its cardholders. It has a $450 annual fee, which some may consider steep.
One of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is its 3X points on travel and dining purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or other rewards. This can be a game-changer for frequent travelers and foodies.
The card also offers a $300 travel credit, which can be used towards travel purchases, including flights, hotels, and rental cars. This can help offset the annual fee and make the card more worthwhile for those who travel frequently.
Cardholders also get access to a range of exclusive benefits, including airport lounge access and a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Pros and Cons
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits to its users. One of the standout features is its high rewards rates for travel and dining, which can be redeemed for even more value through Chase Travel.
The card also comes with an automatic $300 travel credit each anniversary year, which can help offset the $550 annual fee. This credit can be a huge help for frequent travelers.
Here are some of the key pros of the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Comes with some of the highest rewards rates for travel and dining
- Automatic $300 travel credit each anniversary year
- Robust collection of travel protection benefits
The card also offers excellent travel insurance and a range of other benefits, including airport lounge access and a statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck. With its great rewards-earning rates and large welcome offer, it's no wonder the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a popular choice among travelers.
Pros
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top-notch credit card that offers some amazing benefits. One of the standout features is its high rewards rates for travel and dining, plus a 50 percent point value boost when redeemed toward Chase travel.
You can earn significant rewards with this card, and one of the perks is an automatic $300 travel credit each anniversary year. This can help offset the $550 annual fee, making it a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers one of the most robust collections of travel protection benefits available. This includes excellent travel insurance, which can provide peace of mind when booking trips.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Great rewards-earning rates
- $300 USD travel credit
- 14 fantastic transfer partners
- Excellent travel insurance
- Statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck (up to $120, every 4 years)
- Airport lounge access through Priority Pass membership (enrollment required)
- Complimentary memberships (including Lyft Pink and DashPass)
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons of the
One of the main drawbacks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that it has a high annual fee, which can be a significant expense for some users.
The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is $450, which may not be feasible for those on a tight budget.
To make the most of the card's benefits, you'll need to spend a significant amount each year to offset the annual fee.
For example, if you're not a frequent traveler, the benefits of the card may not outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
Here are some potential drawbacks to consider:
- You'll need to spend a lot to earn rewards, which can be a challenge for those with limited budgets.
- The annual fee is high, which can be a significant expense for some users.
Should You Apply?
If you're in the market for a new premium travel rewards credit card, this offer is certainly better than the standard bonus.
The offer is only available for a limited time, and there's no telling if or when Chase will run another limited-time offer on the Sapphire Reserve that's better than this.
Be aware that the Chase 5/24 Rule applies to this offer. This rule restricts applicants who have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months from any bank.
The rule doesn't count credit inquiries, but rather card products you have applied for and been approved for. That also means mortgages and other lines of credit don’t count.
If you're unsure about your eligibility, keep in mind that the rule is not officially published through any of Chase's platforms. Case in point: If you ask about it in a Chase branch or on the phone with a Chase customer service representative, employees have likely not heard of it.
You'll also need to check if you earned a sign-up bonus on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve in the last 48 months. If you did, you won't be eligible for this new bonus. The four-year restriction starts from the date you earned the bonus points – not the date that you opened or closed either card.
Benefits and Features
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a wide range of benefits and features that make it an excellent choice for frequent travelers. One of the most notable features is the up to $300 in annual statement credits on qualifying travel purchases, which can automatically cover airfare, hotels, ride-shares, vacation packages, and more.
The card also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, a $299 value, which provides access to airport lounges worldwide. Additionally, you can get up to a $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck, although this perk only applies once every four years.
Here are some of the key benefits and features of the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Up to $300 in annual statement credits on qualifying travel purchases
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Up to a $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck
- Comprehensive travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement
- 10X points on dining purchases made through Chase Dining
- Complimentary statement credits and delivery service memberships for a limited time through partners like DoorDash and Gopuff
Benefits Overview
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top-tier travel credit card that offers a wealth of benefits to frequent travelers. It has a comprehensive roster of travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement.
One of the most notable features of the Sapphire Reserve is its up to $300 annual travel credit, which can automatically cover qualifying travel purchases. This credit can offset airfare, hotels, ride-shares, vacation packages, and more.
The card also offers complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which is a $299 value, and up to a $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck. However, this latter perk only applies once every four years.
Travelers can also earn 3X points on general travel purchases once they've collected the full $300 travel credit. The card's rewards program is one of the most valuable, with high redemption rates through the Chase Travel portal.
Here are some of the card's best perks and benefits:
- Up to $300 annual travel credit
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck
- 3X points on general travel purchases
- Comprehensive roster of travel protections
- High redemption rates through the Chase Travel portal
- Complimentary lounge access
- Airport lounge access through the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network
Transfer Partners
If you're looking to get the most value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, transferring them to one of Chase's partner airlines or hotels is the way to go.
You can usually find airline and hotel redemptions where you can get more than 1.5 cents per point, with a good benchmark being The Points Guy's monthly valuation chart, which values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at over 2 cents per point.
Transferring to airline and hotel partners requires a bit more work than using the Chase Travel portal, but it's worth it to get more bang for your buck.
A great example of this is booking business class flights, where transferring points to airline partners can save you up to 50% of points compared to using the portal.
Chase's current transfer partners include several major airlines and hotel chains, such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, and IHG Rewards Club.
Here are some of Chase's airline transfer partners:
- Aer Lingus, AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Emirates Skywards
- Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
And here are some of Chase's hotel transfer partners:
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
Annual Fee and Value
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card's annual fee is a significant $550, which might be a hard sell for occasional travelers. This fee is not insignificant, and even with the annual $300 travel credit, you're effectively paying $250 per year for lounge access and a strong return on your travel spending.
To break even at $550 in rewards, you would need to spend about $1,019 per month in your 3X-point categories, redeeming points through the Chase Travel program at 1.5 cents per point. However, taking advantage of the higher bonus categories can greatly reduce that spending.
The card's rewards program gives you plenty of chances to make up the rest of the annual fee, especially if you're a frequent traveler. Benefits like the $300 annual travel credit and complimentary memberships alone can nearly recover the cost.
Here's a breakdown of the card's first-year and ongoing value, based on an estimated $22,500 annual spend and a 1.5-cent-per-point redemption value:
The authorized user fee of $75 per year for each additional user on your account may also be a disadvantage, especially if you have family members who use the card often.
Rewards and Earning
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a powerhouse when it comes to rewards and earning, offering some of the best rewards value available.
You can earn 3x points per dollar on dining and a broad-ranging travel category that covers everything from airfare to hotels, subways to toll charges, and more. This is one of the most comprehensive travel and dining categories on the market.
Earning 10x points per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase Travel is a game-changer, as is earning 5x points per dollar on flights. You'll also earn 10x points on Chase Dining and Peloton purchases, and 1x point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most flexible and valuable credit card rewards on the market. These points can be redeemed for a wide variety of options, including gift cards, merchandise, travel experiences, cash back, or statement credits.
Using your points in the Chase Travel portal is a great way to get a 50% value boost, making each point worth 1.5 cents. This is a better value than redeeming your points directly as cash, which only gets you 1 cent per point.
Transferring your points to Chase's 14 transfer partners can get you an even higher value, with an average value of 2.0 cents per point when transferred to a top travel partner.
Travel and Lounge Access
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top-tier travel credit card that offers a wide range of travel and lounge access benefits. With its comprehensive roster of travel protections, you'll have peace of mind while traveling.
You'll get unlimited complimentary access to the growing list of Chase Sapphire Lounges, as well as a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. This is a game-changer for frequent travelers.
Here are some of the key benefits you can expect:
- Unlimited complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounges
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide
- Up to two guests can accompany you on each visit
The annual $300 travel credit can also be used to offset travel-related expenses, making it easier to enjoy the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve.
Lounge Access
Lounge access is a major perk of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. The card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
This membership alone can make the card worth it, especially if you frequently travel through airports with these lounges. Each space is unique, but they all feature tasty food options, a full-service bar, and unique amenities like showers and wellness areas.
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get unlimited complimentary access for themselves and up to two guests each visit. This is a huge benefit for frequent travelers who value a peaceful airport experience.
Here's a breakdown of the lounge access benefits:
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- Unlimited complimentary access for yourself and up to two guests each visit
The Chase Sapphire Lounges, which are also part of the Priority Pass network, offer a unique experience with features like showers and wellness areas. If you frequent an airport with one of these lounges, it could be reason enough to hold the Sapphire Reserve year after year.
Popping Up in Phoenix
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at PHX has opened in Terminal 4's South 1 (S1) Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, offering panoramic views across the airport.
Open daily from 04:30 to 22:30, this lounge is a great spot to relax before your flight. The space is anchored by a centerpiece bar with craft cocktails, stylish seating, and an "indoor patio" area on the airport's concourse.
Snacks are provided by a retrofitted Airstream food truck featuring selections from local Phoenix restaurants and specialty coffee roasters.
Visiting Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can receive an exclusive luggage tag featuring designs inspired by the Southwest landscape.
Access to this lounge is complimentary for Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card primary card members and authorized users.
Where Else Are Lounges Set to Open?
Chase lounges are expanding to several new locations in the US.
The next location to open after Phoenix and San Diego will be in Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Terminal D to E Connector, opening in early 2025.
Nevada will also be getting a new lounge, located in the Concourse C of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), set to open in mid-2025.
A lounge is also planned for the Tom Bradley International Terminal of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but no opening date has been announced yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sapphire reserve worth it in 2024?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card's $550 annual fee can be justified by frequent travelers who maximize its high earnings rate on travel spending. Consider your travel habits to determine if the card's benefits outweigh its cost.
Is the priority pass going away for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Beginning July 1, 2024, Priority Pass Select will no longer be available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. This change affects access to participating restaurants, cafes, and markets
Can I get Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus again?
No, you're not eligible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus again if you've received it within the past 48 months
Sources
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve/
- https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/new-chase-sapphire-reserve-bonus/
- https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/
- https://simpleflying.com/chase-sapphire-open-two-lounges-us-airports/
- https://media.chase.com/news/chase-reinvents-luxury-credit-card-sapphire-reserve
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