Ultimate Rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review and Guide

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium rewards credit card that offers an impressive array of benefits, including a 50,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

With a $450 annual fee, it's clear that this card is designed for frequent travelers and big spenders. The card's rewards program is centered around the Ultimate Rewards points system, which can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or transferred to partner airlines and hotels.

One of the standout features of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is its 3X points earning rate on travel and dining purchases. This means that for every dollar spent on travel or dining, you'll earn 3 points, which can add up quickly.

The card also offers a 10% points bonus when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, making it a great option for those who want to maximize their rewards earnings.

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The welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a game-changer. You can earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within three months, which is worth $900 in travel at an absolute minimum.

This bonus is a great way to jump-start your points stash, and it's worth noting that you can get way more value out of the points than that. According to Business Insider's valuations, the bonus is worth $1,080 in travel when you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

However, the restrictions on the Sapphire credit cards are quite strict. If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can't also get a Chase Sapphire Reserve, and you won't be eligible for a new welcome bonus if you got your last Sapphire card within the past 48 months.

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The Card Details section of the Ultimate Rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve is where things get really interesting. You can earn 3X points on travel and dining purchases, which is a huge perk.

The card has a $450 annual fee, but if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, you'll get a 50,000-point bonus. That's a great way to offset the cost of the card.

You'll also get a $300 travel credit each year, which can be used towards travel purchases. This can be a huge money-saver, especially if you travel frequently.

The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which can be a big help if you need to finance a large purchase.

Earning with the Chase Sapphire Reserve is incredibly rewarding. The card offers two well-rounded bonus categories on spending, making it easy to rack up points.

You can earn 3x points on travel purchases globally, which includes airlines, airports, car rental agencies, and more. This is a broad travel bonus category that's hard to beat.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers 3x points on dining purchases globally, covering merchants like fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments. This is a solid bonus for dining enthusiasts.

For a limited time, you can earn 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 2025. This is an incredible opportunity to earn points on your ride-sharing expenses.

If you book flights through the Chase Travel Portal, you can earn 5x points. However, keep in mind that you'll need to book directly through Chase to earn this rate.

The card also offers shopping bonuses and purchase protections, including purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty protection. These benefits can provide additional value and peace of mind.

You've got a stash of Chase Sapphire Reserve points and you're wondering how to use them. Redeeming your points is a great way to get the most value out of them.

You can redeem your points for 1.5 cents each toward travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal. This means you can book flights, hotels, or rental cars without worrying about blackout dates or capacity controls.

If you have the Sapphire Reserve, you can redeem your points for 1.5 cents each, which is a great option for booking travel. You can also redeem your points for 1.25 cents each if you have the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Preferred.

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One of the best ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to partner airlines and hotels. This can give you a lot more value, especially if you're redeeming for aspirational travel like staying at a five-star hotel or booking first-class flights.

Here are some of the Ultimate Rewards transfer partners:

You can also redeem your points for statement credits after making eligible purchases on gas and select bill pay categories by January 31, 2025.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a wide range of benefits that make it a valuable addition to any traveler's wallet. One of the most significant perks is the 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal, which is equivalent to a 17% return.

You can also enjoy access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, which are among the best credit card lounges out there. With unlimited visits annually, you can bring two guests and indulge in locally inspired menus and a curated selection of beverages. Some lounges, like the one at LaGuardia Airport, even offer caviar service and private bathrooms with spa showers.

Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy with the Chase Sapphire Reserve:

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers a wide range of airline and hotel partners that allow you to transfer your points to maximize your travel rewards.

You can transfer your points to airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, which is great for booking aspirational travel like first or business class flights. The minimum transfer is 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and most transfers are instant, but Flying Blue may take up to 1 hour, and Singapore KrisFlyer may take up to 1-2 days.

Some of the airline partners include Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue Air France and KLM, Emirates Skywards, Iberia Plus, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United Airlines MileagePlus, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Here is a list of Chase airline transfer partners:

You can also transfer your points to hotel partners, including IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. The minimum transfer is also 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and transfers may take up to 2 days, except for World of Hyatt, which is almost instantaneous.

Here is a list of Chase hotel transfer partners:

Transferring points to your preferred airline or hotel partner can be a great way to maximize your travel rewards, but be sure to double-check the number of points you're transferring to avoid any issues.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers some great hotel and rental car discounts. You can earn 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal, which is equivalent to a 17% return.

Hotels and car rental companies often have better prices if you book direct, but you can still earn 3x points if you do. I personally don't use the 10x points offer all that much.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get special privileges on Avis, National, and Silvercar car rentals, including complimentary elite status. This can be very valuable for people who have specific rental vehicle requirements.

You'll get primary rental car coverage against damage up to the cost of most rental car vehicles if you decline the CDW coverage offered by the rental agency. This includes economy through luxury class vehicles, vans that carry fewer than seven passengers, and SUVs.

As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmember, you're already getting some amazing benefits, but there are ways to maximize your experience and make the most of your card. You can add an authorized user to your account to maximize your reward earning potential.

One of the best ways to get more from your Sapphire experience is to take advantage of the card's digital features. You can load your card into a digital wallet for a quick and secure way to pay with your mobile device and receive all the benefits and rewards of using your Sapphire Reserve card.

You can also get your statement online, safely accessing up to 6 years of statements online, which is secure, convenient, and reduces clutter. This is a great way to stay organized and keep track of your spending.

To grow your points balance, use your card as the primary payment method for your daily purchases. This will help you earn more points and get closer to redeeming them for rewards.

Here are some ways to redeem your points:

By taking advantage of these features and redeeming your points wisely, you can get even more value from your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a credit of up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS enrollment, available once every four years.

This benefit can be a huge time-saver, especially during busy travel seasons. You can charge the membership fee to your card, and the credit will automatically be reimbursed.

You can use this credit for any of the three programs: TSA PreCheck, which gets you access to expedited airport security lines, Global Entry, which gives you quicker customs screening when entering the country, or NEXUS, which offers both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits.

Thanks to this card, I've been able to enjoy the benefits of both TSA Precheck and Global Entry, which has made my travel experiences so much smoother.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a range of benefits that can help you get the most from your rewards. With its 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal, you can earn a significant return on your travel expenses.

You can also transfer points to participating frequent travel programs at a 1:1 value, giving you flexibility and freedom to redeem your points. This means 1,000 points equals 1,000 partner miles/points.

The card's $300 annual travel credit can help offset the $550 annual fee, making it more accessible for those who spend at least $300 per year on travel. If you don't, it might not be the best card for you, given its focus on travel rewards.

You can also earn 3 points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants, plus 1 point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases. This can add up quickly, especially if you use your card for daily expenses.

Here are some ways to redeem your points:

Adding an authorized user to your account can also help maximize your reward earning potential, and you can get your statement online for secure and convenient access.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a range of additional perks that can enhance your travel experience.

You'll get travel accident insurance, which provides accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $1,000,000 when you pay for transportation with the card. Roadside assistance is also included, allowing you to get help with a tow, jumpstart, or tire change. Emergency evacuation and transportation benefits are available for up to $100,000 in coverage for trips between five and 60 days.

Other benefits include emergency medical and dental coverage, which supplements any existing medical coverage and can cover costs up to $75 per day for up to five days. You'll also get rental car discounts and perks with Avis, National, and Silvercar, including complimentary elite status and car class upgrades.

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You can earn 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal, which is equivalent to a 17% return.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers primary collision damage waiver coverage against damage up to the cost of most rental car vehicles, provided you decline the CDW coverage offered by the rental agency.

Additional reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve Car Rental Benefits

If you're injured or get sick on a trip of five to 60 days, the Sapphire Reserve card can supplement any existing medical coverage you have, with a maximum benefit of $2,500 and a $50 deductible.

The Sapphire Reserve card also offers emergency evacuation/transportation benefits of up to $100,000 in coverage if you're injured or become critically ill during a covered trip.

You can access an emergency evacuation and transportation benefit of up to $100,000 in coverage if you're injured or become critically ill during a covered trip of between five and 60 days.

The roadside assistance hotline is available to Reserve cardholders for help with a tow, jumpstart, tire change, lockout, or other issues.

Here are some additional benefits of the Sapphire Reserve card:

As a frequent Lyft user, I've found the Lyft Pink All Access membership to be incredibly valuable. It's worth $199 per year, but as a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, I get it for free.

Lyft Pink offers member-exclusive pricing, which can save you money on rides. This perk alone is worth considering the membership.

One of the best features of Lyft Pink is cancellation forgiveness, which can be a lifesaver if you need to cancel a ride at the last minute. You'll also get priority pickup upgrades, which can save you time and hassle.

With Lyft Pink, you'll also get unlimited bike rides, which is a great way to get some exercise and explore your city. Plus, you'll have access to other perks like member-exclusive pricing and more.

As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you'll get two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership, which is a huge benefit.

The Sapphire Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee, which may seem steep, but it's actually a manageable cost, especially when you factor in the $300 annual travel credit.

Adding authorized users to the card will cost you a flat $75 per person, but it's worth considering if you want to share the benefits with family or friends.

One major perk of the Sapphire Reserve is that it has no foreign transaction fees, which means you can use it abroad without incurring extra charges. This is a huge advantage for frequent travelers, as it can save you up to 3% on your purchases.

The Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee, which is in line with what we've come to expect from super-premium credit cards.

This annual fee is substantial, but as we'll explore later, the card's benefits might make it a worthwhile investment for some users.

The $550 annual fee is a significant cost, but it's essential to consider the card's value proposition to determine whether it's a good fit for your financial situation.

The card's annual fee is not the only cost to consider, but it's a crucial factor in deciding whether to apply for the Sapphire Reserve.

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The authorized user fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a $75 charge per person. This fee is waived for the primary cardholder, but it's an additional cost for anyone else you add to the account.

You can add authorized users to the Sapphire Reserve, and they'll receive some of the same benefits as the primary cardholder. These benefits include Priority Pass membership and Visa Infinite benefits.

Here's an interesting read: Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee Increase

Authorized users will earn 3X points on travel, 3X points on dining, 10X points on Lyft, and 1X on everything else. This can be a great perk, especially if you and your authorized user travel or dine together often.

However, it's worth noting that adding an authorized user won't increase the number of credits, such as travel or DoorDash credit. The account will have the same total of $300 for travel and $60 per year for DoorDash.

The annual fee of $250 is a more realistic cost for the Sapphire Reserve card, considering the $300 annual travel credit.

You should aim to spend at least $300 per year on travel to make the most of this card, as it offers travel rewards.

The annual fee of $550 is upfront, but it shouldn't cost you more than $250 per year.

Recommended read: Annual Fee Chase Sapphire Reserve

No Foreign Fees are a thing of the past with some credit cards.

You can earn valuable rewards without being stuck with foreign transaction fees, which can be as high as 3% of the purchase amount.

A large percentage of my purchases abroad are in the travel and dining categories, and I can avoid foreign transaction fees while earning 3x points.

Good travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve do not impose foreign transaction fees, which is a huge advantage for frequent travelers.

Many credit cards still slap a surcharge on all purchases made outside the U.S., but not the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers top-notch security and protection features that give you peace of mind when using your card.

You're protected against unauthorized charges with Zero Liability Protection, which means you won't be held responsible for charges made with your card or account information.

If you spot an unauthorized charge, simply call the number on the back of your card to report it.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve also uses sophisticated fraud monitoring to safeguard your credit card purchases, monitoring for suspicious activity 24/7.

If there's an unusual purchase on your card, you may receive a text, email, or phone call from the bank to alert you.

Here are some key security and protection features of the Chase Sapphire Reserve:

You can safely access up to 6 years of statements online, reducing clutter and making it easy to keep track of your spending history. This feature is particularly useful for tax season or when you need to review past transactions.

Adding an authorized user to your account can help maximize your reward earning potential. This can be a great way to share the benefits of your Sapphire Reserve card with a partner or family member.

To make mobile payments even more convenient, you can load your card into a digital wallet. This allows you to pay quickly and securely using your mobile device, while still earning rewards and benefits.

Adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account can be a great way to share benefits and earn points. The fee for adding an authorized user is $75 per year, and they'll receive some of the same benefits as the primary cardholder.

Authorized users will earn 3X points on travel, 3X points on dining, 10X points on Lyft, and 1X on everything else. They'll also get their own Priority Pass membership, giving them access to the same global network of lounges as the primary cardholder.

However, adding an authorized user won't increase the number of credits, such as travel or DoorDash credit. The account will still have the same total of $300 for travel and $60 per year for DoorDash.

You might consider having your authorized user apply for a different Chase card, like the no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited, to earn 1.5X Ultimate Reward points, and then transfer them over to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's account.

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The account anniversary year is a crucial concept to understand when it comes to your credit card benefits. It's not based on the calendar year, but rather on 12 billing cycles following when you receive the card.

The $300 annual travel credit is a great perk, but it's essential to know that it resets each account anniversary year. This means you'll get a new credit every 12 billing cycles.

The account anniversary year is a specific period that's tied to your billing cycles, not the calendar year. This can be confusing, but it's essential to keep track of your account's anniversary year to make the most of your benefits.

Recommended read: Accounting Reserve

You can earn 3 points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

To get the most from your rewards, consider booking airfare, hotels, and car rentals through Chase Travel, which offers a 50% bonus on points redeemed for travel.

You can transfer points to participating frequent travel programs at a 1:1 value, making it a great option for travelers.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a $300 annual travel credit, which can be redeemed for travel expenses.

Here are some popular travel partners you can transfer points to:

By using your card for dining expenses, you can earn 3 points per dollar and accumulate a significant points balance.

For example, if you spend $1,200 per year on dining out, you'll earn 3,600 Ultimate Rewards points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a flexible points system, earning you Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel, dining, and other purchases.

You can redeem your points for 1.5 cents each toward travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal, which can be a great option for booking flights, hotels, or rental cars without blackout dates or capacity controls.

One of the best ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to one of the Chase airline or hotel partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, or World of Hyatt. This can be especially valuable for booking aspirational travel, like staying at a five-star hotel or redeeming for first or business class flights.

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Here are the Chase airline transfer partners:

Note that the minimum transfer is 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio, and most transfers are instant, except for Flying Blue and Singapore KrisFlyer which may take a bit longer.

You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each toward travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal. This is a great option, especially if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

The value you get per point varies based on which card you have, but with the Sapphire Reserve, you can redeem points for 1.5 cents each. This is a significant difference from other transferable points currencies, which typically let you redeem points for roughly one cent each toward a travel purchase.

One of the best things about redeeming points for travel through the portal is that you can book flights, hotels, and rental cars without dealing with blackout dates or capacity controls. You can even accrue points for those flights.

Recommended read: Chase Sapphire Reserve Flight Booking

If you're looking to get the most value out of your points, consider redeeming them for flights or hotels through the portal. For example, you could book a $900 flight for 60,000 points, giving you a value of 1.5 cents per point.

Here's a quick breakdown of the value you can get per point through the Chase Travel Portal:

Redeeming your Chase Sapphire Reserve points can be a game-changer for your travel plans.

You can redeem your points for 1.5 cents each toward travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal, which is a great option for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. This means you can redeem points for all kinds of travel purchases, ranging from flights to hotels to rental cars.

To maximize your points, you can also transfer them to airline and hotel partners, such as Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and more. These partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio, allowing you to book aspirational travel like staying at a five-star hotel or redeeming for first or business class travel.

Recommended read: Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

You can also redeem your points for travel through the Chase Travel Portal, which offers a 50% bonus on points redeemed for travel.

Here are the Chase airline transfer partners:

And here are the Chase hotel transfer partners:

Remember, the minimum transfer is 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a ratio of 1:1, and transfers can take anywhere from instant to 2 days to post to your account. Always be careful and double-check the number of points you're moving.