Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Rich travel and dining credits that can offset much of the fee
- Annual fee
- $795
- Welcome offer
- ~$2,562.50
- Annual benefits value
- $1,433
- Est. 1st-year value
- $3,995.50
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Our review
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the top-tier travel rewards card in the Chase lineup, built for frequent travelers who want premium perks, flexible points, and airport lounge access in a single card. It carries a high annual fee and pairs it with a long list of statement credits and travel benefits, so it rewards cardholders who actually use what it offers.
It ranks near the top of our travel category because of the strength and flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Points earned on this card can be transferred to a broad set of airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, or used for cash back, and that flexibility is a big part of why the card holds its position.
The card was overhauled in 2025, which raised the annual fee and added a set of recurring, coupon-style credits across travel, dining, and entertainment. That change makes the card more valuable on paper but also more work to manage, since several credits are split into monthly or semi-annual increments that need to be used before they expire.
We like this card because it combines meaningful everyday earning on travel and dining with a suite of protections and perks that are hard to assemble elsewhere. For someone who travels often and books through the right channels, the ongoing value can comfortably exceed the cost of carrying it.
This card is best suited for travelers who can take advantage of lounge access, the annual travel credit, and transfer partners. For occasional travelers, or anyone who does not want to track a coupon book of credits, a lower-fee travel card will usually be a better fit.
Why we like it
- Strong earning on travel and dining, with elevated rewards on purchases booked through Chase Travel and bonus rewards on airline and hotel bookings made directly.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio, which can unlock outsized value for premium-cabin flights and hotel stays.
- Complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership plus access to Chase Sapphire Lounge locations.
- A flexible annual travel credit that applies automatically to a broad range of travel purchases, which helps offset the annual fee.
- A deep set of travel protections, including primary rental car coverage and trip protection benefits, that apply when you pay with the card and meet the benefit terms.
Who it's best for
- Frequent travelers who value flexible travel rewards and want to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
- Cardholders who will use airport lounge access, the annual travel credit, and the recurring statement credits.
- People building a Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy who want the highest redemption flexibility in the lineup.
Welcome bonus
The Chase Sapphire Reserve currently offers a sizable welcome bonus of Ultimate Rewards points after you spend a required amount on purchases within the first few months of opening the account. Welcome offers on this card change over time, so it is worth confirming the current terms and estimated value shown above before applying.
Because Sapphire welcome bonuses are subject to Chase eligibility rules, cardholders who have received a Sapphire bonus recently may not qualify again right away.
Using your rewards
Points can be redeemed for travel booked through Chase Travel, transferred to travel partners, or taken as cash back. Transferring to airline and hotel partners generally offers the most value for travelers who can find good award availability.
Current Chase transfer partners include hotel programs such as World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards, and Wyndham Rewards, along with airline programs including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
Transfer partners and ratios can change over time, so confirm the current lineup in your Chase account before moving points. World of Hyatt is often cited as one of the strongest value redemptions among these partners.
Airport lounge access
Yes. The card includes complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for participating airport lounges, plus access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge network, which is a genuine differentiator versus lower-tier travel cards.
Foreign transaction fees
The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a practical choice for international purchases and travel abroad.
Major credits & annual benefits
An annual travel credit that applies automatically to a broad range of travel purchases, which effectively reduces the net annual fee for anyone who travels.
A statement credit toward the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, available once every four years.
A set of recurring, coupon-style credits across categories such as prepaid hotel stays through The Edit by Chase Travel, dining through the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program, and select entertainment and ride-hailing services. These credits carry their own terms, limits, and expiration windows, and activation may be required, so review the current benefit details before relying on any single credit.
Insurance & protections
The card provides travel and purchase protections that generally include primary rental car coverage as well as trip delay, trip cancellation, and trip interruption benefits.
Coverage generally requires paying for the eligible purchase with the card, and specific limits, exclusions, and claim procedures apply. Review the current benefit guide for the exact terms before you rely on any protection.
Fees & tradeoffs
The annual fee is high, so the card only makes sense if you will use enough of its credits and perks to offset the cost. Cardholders who let the recurring credits go unused will struggle to justify keeping it.
The biggest tradeoff is complexity. Getting full value requires tracking multiple monthly and semi-annual credits and booking through specific channels, which is more effort than many people want from a credit card.
Final verdict
For frequent travelers who will use the lounge access, annual travel credit, and transfer partners, the Chase Sapphire Reserve can deliver value well above its annual fee, especially in the first year when the welcome bonus is factored in. The estimated first-year value shown above helps illustrate that math.
Travelers who do not fly often, or who prefer a simpler card, are usually better off with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or another lower-fee travel card that still earns Ultimate Rewards.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $2,693
- Welcome offer
- $2,562.50
- Annual fee
- −$795
- Estimated first-year net
- +$4,460.50
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 125,000 points after $6,000 in spend within 3 months
$2,562.50
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$2,228
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
$300 Annual Travel Credit Automatic statement credit for travel purchases including flights, hotels, car rentals, transit, tolls, and ride-hailing. Resets on cardmember anniversary. | Annual | $300 |
$250 Chase Travel Hotel Credit (2026) One-time statement credit for an eligible prepaid hotel stay booked through Chase Travel during 2026. Separate from The Edit credit; available through Dec 31, 2026. | One-time | $250 |
$250 The Edit Hotel Credit (1 of 2) Up to $250 credit for a prepaid hotel stay of 2+ nights booked through The Edit by Chase Travel. Two separate $250 credits per calendar year; trigger this one on a qualifying booking anytime during the year. | Annual | $250 |
$250 The Edit Hotel Credit (2 of 2) Up to $250 credit for a prepaid hotel stay of 2+ nights booked through The Edit by Chase Travel. Two separate $250 credits per calendar year; trigger this one on a separate qualifying booking anytime during the year. | Annual | $250 |
$150 OpenTable Dining Credit (Jan-Jun) Up to $150 credit for dining at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants via OpenTable. First half of calendar year. | Annual | $150 |
$150 OpenTable Dining Credit (Jul-Dec) Up to $150 credit for dining at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants via OpenTable. Second half of calendar year. | Annual | $150 |
$10/mo DoorDash Grocery Credit (#1) First of two $10 monthly grocery credits on DoorDash. Statement credit for grocery orders. Plus complimentary DashPass membership. Through Dec 31, 2027. | Monthly | $120 |
$10/mo DoorDash Grocery Credit (#2) Second of two $10 monthly grocery credits on DoorDash. Statement credit for grocery orders. Through Dec 31, 2027. | Monthly | $120 |
$5/mo DoorDash Food Credit $5 monthly statement credit for DoorDash restaurant/food delivery orders. Through Dec 31, 2027. | Monthly | $60 |
$150 StubHub/Viagogo Credit (Jan-Jun) Up to $150 in statement credits for StubHub or Viagogo purchases. First half of calendar year. Through Dec 31, 2027. | Annual | $150 |
$150 StubHub/Viagogo Credit (Jul-Dec) Up to $150 in statement credits for StubHub or Viagogo purchases. Second half of calendar year. Through Dec 31, 2027. | Annual | $150 |
$288 Apple Music & TV+ Credit Up to $288/year covering Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions. One-time activation required. Through June 22, 2027. | Annual | $288 |
$10/mo Lyft Credit Up to $10 monthly statement credit for Lyft rides (excludes Wait & Save, bikes, scooters). Through Sept 30, 2027. | Monthly | $120 |
$120 Peloton Credit Up to $120 per year in credits for Peloton subscriptions. | Annual | $120 |
$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee. Resets every 4 years. | One-time | $120 |
Priority Pass Select Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited visits for the cardholder to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide. | per_visit | $35 |
Chase Sapphire Lounge Access Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and participating Priority Pass lounges for the cardholder. | per_visit | $60 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- Rich travel and dining credits that can offset much of the fee
- Points transfer to airline and hotel partners
- Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounge access
Maybe skip it if
- Very high annual fee
- Getting full value requires actively using credits
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- $795
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Card network
- Visa Infinite
- Recommended credit
- Excellent (740+)
- Rewards currency
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | $795 | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$2,562.50 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $3,995.50 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | $1,433 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Excellent (740+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
