Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $795
• APR: 19.74%–29.99% variable
• Rewards: 8X Chase Travel + 4X flights/hotels + 3X dining + 1X everything else
• Bonus: 125,000 points after $6,000 spend in 3 months
• Best For: Frequent travelers who maximize premium perks and credits
• Credit Needed: Excellent (740+)

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is Chase's flagship premium travel rewards credit card, designed for frequent travelers who want elite benefits and maximum earning potential. With 8X points on Chase Travel, $300 annual travel credit, $500 hotel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and extensive travel protections, this card justifies its $795 annual fee for those who maximize its premium perks.

With over $1,000 in annual statement credits, Priority Pass lounge access, IHG Platinum Elite status, and best-in-class travel protections, the Reserve caters to travelers who demand the absolute best. When fully utilized, the benefits can far exceed the annual fee, making this one of the most rewarding premium cards available.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.74%–29.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.74%–29.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Premium cards carry higher APRs. This card is designed for those who pay balances in full monthly to maximize rewards and benefits rather than carrying debt.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• Priority Pass Select membership ($469 value) with 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide plus up to 2 guests
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access when flying with Air Canada
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip)
• Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler for delays 6+ hours)
• Emergency evacuation and transportation (up to $100,000)
• Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per traveler)
• Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for 5 days if delayed 6+ hours)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (primary coverage)
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit (up to $120 every 4 years)
• Reserve Travel Designer personalized itinerary planning (up to $300 value per trip)
• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status (complimentary through 12/31/2027)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Emergency card replacement worldwide

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase protection (120 days, up to $10,000 per item)
• Return protection (90 days, up to $500 per item, $1,000 per year)
• Extended warranty protection (adds 1 year to warranties of 3 years or less)
• Free Chase Credit Journey (credit score monitoring)
• 24/7 fraud monitoring with zero liability protection
• Travel and emergency assistance services worldwide
• Card lock/unlock feature via Chase Mobile app

Lifestyle Benefits

• $300 annual travel credit (automatically applied to qualifying purchases)
• $500 annual hotel credit ($250 per half-year for The Edit by Chase Travel)
• $300 annual dining credit (Sapphire Exclusive Tables on OpenTable)
• $288 Apple credits (complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music through June 22, 2027)
• $120 DashPass membership with $300 in monthly DoorDash promotional credits
• $300 StubHub credits annually for event tickets
• $120 Lyft credits plus 5X points on rides through September 30, 2027
• $120 Peloton credits plus 10X points on equipment over $150
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards portal with exclusive travel deals

Rewards & Points

• 8X points on purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit
• 4X points on flights booked directly with airlines
• 4X points on hotels booked directly with hotels
• 3X points on dining worldwide (including takeout and delivery)
• 1X point on all other purchases
• 50% redemption bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel (1.5 cents per point)
• Transfer to partners at 1:1 ratio to 14+ airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Points never expire as long as your account is open

Transfer Partners Include:

• Airlines: United, Southwest, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and more
• Hotels: IHG, Hyatt, Marriott

Welcome Bonus

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Bonus Value: Valued at approximately $2,500 when redeemed for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel (at 1.5 cents per point), or potentially more when transferred to airline/hotel partners for premium cabin redemptions.

Note: New cardholders only. You cannot have other personal Sapphire cards open or have previously received a Sapphire bonus in the past 48 months.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $795
• Authorized User Fee: $195 per authorized user
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 (No foreign transaction fees)
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent travelers flying 6+ times per year
• Premium cabin flyers who transfer points to airline partners
• Lounge access seekers who value Priority Pass membership
• International travelers benefiting from no foreign fees and global protections
• High spenders who can leverage all statement credits annually
• Chase ecosystem maximizers pairing with Freedom cards
• Those wanting elite hotel status and comprehensive travel insurance

Not Good For

• Casual travelers flying 1-2 times per year (benefits won't justify the fee)
• Budget-conscious travelers who prefer lower annual fees
• Those with limited spending ($6,000 bonus requirement may be challenging)
• Current Sapphire cardholders (cannot hold multiple Sapphire cards)
• Those who had a Sapphire bonus in the past 48 months
• Anyone unable to use $1,000+ in annual credits

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Massive 125,000-point welcome bonus worth $2,500+ for travel
• Industry-leading 8X points on Chase Travel bookings
• Over $1,000 in annual statement credits ($300 travel + $500 hotel + $300 dining + more)
• $300 annual travel credit effectively reduces fee to $495
• Priority Pass Select membership ($469 value) with lounge access worldwide
• IHG Platinum Elite Status (complimentary through 12/31/2027)
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit ($120 value every 4 years)
• Comprehensive premium travel insurance unmatched by most cards
• Primary auto rental coverage (no need to file with personal insurance)
• 50% redemption bonus on travel (1.5 cents per point value)
• Transfer points to 14+ valuable airline and hotel partners
• Multiple lifestyle credits: Apple, DashPass, StubHub, Lyft, Peloton
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• Reserve Travel Designer for personalized trip planning

Cons

• High $795 annual fee requires significant travel to justify
• $195 fee per authorized user adds up quickly
• $6,000 minimum spend requirement for welcome bonus in 3 months
• Cannot hold multiple Sapphire cards simultaneously
• 48-month restriction on Sapphire bonus eligibility
• Points worth only 1 cent each for cash back redemption
• Higher APR (up to 29.99%) if carrying a balance
• Many premium benefits require active use to maximize value
• Credits are use-it-or-lose-it (don't roll over year-to-year)

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $30,000 per year with strategic category optimization and maximize credits:

Points Value: $3,315

Annual Statement Credits:

• $300 travel credit
• $500 hotel credit (The Edit)
• $300 dining credit (Exclusive Tables)
• $288 Apple credits
• $120 DashPass + DoorDash credits
• $300 StubHub credits
• $120 Lyft credits
• $120 Peloton credits
• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck (amortized over 4 years: $30/year)

Total Credits Value: $2,168

Total First Year Value: $5,483
Less Annual Fee: -$795
Net First Year Value: $4,688

Ongoing Annual Value (after Year 1): $3,608
Less Annual Fee: -$795
Net Ongoing Annual Value: $2,813

This assumes you maximize all credits and redeem points at 1.5 cents per point for travel. Transfer partner redemptions can yield even higher value (2+ cents per point).

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If…

• You travel frequently (6+ times per year) and value premium experiences
• You can maximize the $1,000+ in annual statement credits
• You want Priority Pass lounge access for yourself and guests
• You spend $6,000+ within 3 months for the welcome bonus
• You value comprehensive travel insurance and protections
• You travel internationally regularly and need no foreign fees
• You want IHG Platinum Elite status and hotel benefits
• You're building a Chase ecosystem to maximize Ultimate Rewards
• You transfer points to airline partners for premium cabin redemptions
• You dine out frequently and can use the $300 dining credit

You Should Skip It If…

• You travel infrequently (fewer than 6 times per year)
• You can't or won't use the various statement credits
• You can't meet the $6,000 spending requirement comfortably
• You already have a Sapphire card or received a bonus in the past 48 months
• You prefer simple cash back over travel points
• The $795 annual fee feels too steep for your budget
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR is costly)
• You already have other premium travel cards with similar benefits
• The Sapphire Preferred ($95 fee) would better suit your needs

Apply Now

Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.