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Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apply Now

The Chase Sapphire Reserve elevates your travel experience as the ultimate card in Chase's rewards ecosystem. Points become more valuable through the travel portal, with transferability from other Chase cards and premium benefits offsetting the annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Apply Now

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

The Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t just another premium travel card — it’s the keystone of the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. With this card, your points automatically become 50% more valuable when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal, giving you an unbeatable edge whether you’re booking travel. Even better, you can transfer points from your other Chase cards to this card. Meaning, you get 50% on EVERY Chase point you earn! The card also offers Priority Pass Select membership, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, an annual $300 travel credit (to offset the $550 annual fee), and some of the best travel protections in the industry. If you want the most from every point you earn, this is the one card to rule them all.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

The Sapphire Reserve packs in a tremendous amount of upfront and long-term value. The perks easily cover the annual fee in the first year — and can continue to do so if you travel even just a few times annually.

  • Get 1.5x value on all points redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards (compared to 1.25x or 1.0x on other Chase cards)
  • Receive a $300 annual travel credit that applies automatically to a wide range of travel purchases
  • Enjoy Priority Pass Select lounge access for you and two guests, plus entry to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit (worth up to $100), plus 2-year Lyft Pink All Access and complimentary DashPass membership
  • Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 5x on flights booked through Chase Travel, 3x on other travel and dining, and 1x on everything else

These perks make this a powerful everyday card — not just a great card for trip planning.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card may not be the best fit if you're completely devoted to the Amex (or other point systems). Or the $550 annual fee (less the $300 travel credit) is still too rich for you.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

What to Know About Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards is our most valued point system.

  • These points are the most flexible of any credit card points. You can book travel items directly through the Chase portal, including cruise, car rental, or speciality hotel. (Or transfer points to their partners).
  • The quality of their transfer partners (Hyatt, United & Southwest) is unmatched. As is the value you can get when you transfer.
  • You can get a “multiplier effect” (either 1.5x or 1.25x) on your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you have either of Chase’s Sapphire cards.
  • We view Ultimate Rewards as the points “savings account” to top off a partner reward system for a flight or hotel. Or to book travel items directly through the Chase travel portal.

How The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Fits In The Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem

The Sapphire Reserve sits at the top of the Chase Ultimate Rewards family and acts as the power-up that unlocks maximum value from all your points.

  • Only the Sapphire Reserve offers 1.5 cents per point on Chase portal redemptions
  • The Sapphire Preferred offers 1.25 cents per point, and other Chase cards like Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited redeem at just 1.0 cents per point unless paired with a Sapphire card
  • You can combine points from no-fee cards (like Freedom Unlimited or Chase Ink Cash) with the Reserve to redeem them at 1.5x — dramatically boosting your return
If you’re playing the "two-player game," one household member can hold the Reserve while the other holds the Preferred. Points can be pooled and redeemed through the Reserve to take advantage of the higher value. And if you have a Chase business card (like Ink Cash or Ink Unlimited), you’ll need a Sapphire card to unlock travel transfer partners.


While we don’t necessarily recommend keeping the Reserve forever, it’s the best starting point for anyone new to Chase points. You can always downgrade to a no-fee card in the second year, but be sure to use or transfer your points first, as Freedom cards don’t have access to transfer partners.

My Experience, No Filter

This was the very first card we opened when we started collecting points. The principal reason was the 1.5 redemption value we get on every point. We make some big annual spends on a couple of Chase business cards -- points that we always transfer to the Sapphire Reserve card for the 50% bonus. Factor in 3 points earned per dollar spent on dining, and you're getting back 4.5% every time you go out to eat. The $550 annual fee (less the $300 travel credit) makes the Reserve a no-brainer to keep.

Card Information

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
60,000 $4,000 1.7 ¢ $474 $550
$1009
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
Travel of all kinds 3X points on travel & dining, 150% point redemption on Chase portal, complimentary priority pass membership 1/48 Sapphire , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6

AWARD SYSTEM

Chase Ultimate Rewards

BANK

JP Morgan Chase

Reconsideration Phone 800.935.9935

CURRENT OFFER

60,000 points for
$4,000 spend.

Spend Categories

Airfare + »

5X points
8.5¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other = »

1X points
1.7¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels + »

10X points
17¢ Per Dollar Spent

Parking + »

3X points
5.1¢ Per Dollar Spent

Restaurants + »

3X points
5.1¢ Per Dollar Spent

Travel + »

3X points
5.1¢ Per Dollar Spent

Rideshare and Transit + »

10X points
17¢ Per Dollar Spent

Fitness Memberships - »

10X points
17¢ Per Dollar Spent

Delivery Services + »

3X points
5.1¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

Travel Credits »
Get up to $300 in statement credits annually as reimbursement for travel purchases (airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, etc.) charged to your card.
Lounge Access »
Get unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges for primary and authorized card user. You can bring 2 guests per visit.
TSA Pre Check »
Get up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you primary coverage, providing reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
Travel Insurance »
Travel accident insurance up to $1 million; lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person; trip cancellation insurance up to $10,000 per person; baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for 5 days; trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
With 3x on Restaurants and Travel.
Concierge »
Visa Infinite Concierge Service: call 1-888-853-4458 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Roadside Assistance »
Free roadside assistance through Cross Country Motor Club at 1-866-860-7978. Up to $50 maximum for each service event, up to 4 events each year, separated by at least 7 days.
Hotel Perks »
Chase Luxury resort collection: Includes room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late checkout, and other amenities at more than 900 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.
Purchase Protection »
Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty »
This card extends the manufacturer's warranty by 1 additional year on warranties of 3 years or less.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes

Transfer To Friends No

Travel Partner Transfers

Chase Ultimate Rewards Outside Point System

Transfers Out To
Point Transfer Options
Air Canada Aeroplan

1:1 88% value retained

Point Transfer Options
British Airway Executive Avios

1:1 63% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Cash in Cents

1:1 63% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Flying Blue and Air France

1:1 75% value retained

Point Transfer Options
IHG Rewards

1:1 38% value retained

Point Transfer Options
jetBlue trueBlue

1:1 75% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Marriott Bonvoy

1:1 44% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Singapore KrisFlyer

1:1 81% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Southwest Rapid Rewards

1:1 81% value retained

Point Transfer Options
United MileagePlus

1:1 81% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

1:1 88% value retained

Point Transfer Options
World of Hyatt

1:1 100% value retained

Chase Sapphire Reserve Application Rules

You cannot receive a Sapphire card sign-up bonus if you've already received a bonus from either version within previous 48 months

Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months

You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days

Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months

Breaking Points

May 9, 2024
JP Morgan Chase
Mini Points - May 2024

CHASE CARDS LIMITED TIME OFFERS - GET YOUR ULTIMATE REWARDS:

- Chase Sapphire Reserve - 75,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months - $550/annual fee.

- Chase Sapphire Preferred - 75,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months - $95/annual fee.

BRITISH AIRWAYS AVIOS OFFER:

- British Airways Visa - 80,000 avios after spending $5000 in 3 months - $95/annual fee.

October 19, 2022
JP Morgan Chase
Sapphire Reserve Sign Up Limited Time Offer

Now with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, earn 80,000 Bonus points after spending $4000 in 3 months. Annual fee is $550 with a $300 annual travel credit. This offer is ending soon, so if you haven't tipped the 5/24 rule you may want to consider this one.

October 19, 2022
Chase Sapphire Reserve
New Sign Up Offer on Sapphire Reserve Card

For a limited time get 80,000 bonus points after spending $4000 in 3 months. There is a $550 annual fee that's not waived but can be offset by the $300 annual travel credit every anniversary that comes with this Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.

July 21, 2022
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Reserve has a New Offer

Chase Sapphire Reserve card is offering 60,000 Ultimate Rewards after spending $4000 in 3 months. This card comes with a $300 annual travel credit to offset the $550 annual fee.