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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has long been considered one of the best premium credit cards, and for good reason. In addition to earning valuable rewards, it has top-tier built-in protections, an incredibly long list of annual credits and airport lounge access that's continually expanding.
If you're interested in applying for a travel credit card with supercharged perks, CNBC Select breaks down the rewards, benefits and fees of the Chase Sapphire Reserve so you can decide if the card is worth it for you.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Welcome bonus
When approved for a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase also has a broad selection of travel partners to which you can transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio, including airline and hotel loyalty programs such as United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt. By utilizing these partnerships, you can potentially get even more value from your welcome bonus.
Benefits and perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a long list of perks, partnerships and protections that can more than offset its $795 annual fee.
Travel benefits
The most straightforward benefit is its $300 annual travel credit. Every year, the first $300 in eligible travel purchases you make with your card are reimbursed. This includes flights, hotels, rental cars, public transit, cruises, campgrounds, parking and more.
You can also take advantage of:
- Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® credit: Get up to $120 in statement credits every four years for application fees for these programs.
- Credit for stays with The EditSM: Enjoy up to $500 in annual credits for prepaid stays with The Edit by Chase Travel, a selection of luxury hotels and resorts. You can earn up to $250 in statement credits on up to two bookings per year (minimum two-night stay required).
- Airport lounge access: You can enroll to receive unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, including Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations and select Air Canada lounges.
- Lyft perks: Get up to $120 in annual, in-app Lyft credits (up to $10 in credit per month) through Sept. 30, 2027.
- IHG Elite Status: Enjoy complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status, the second highest level (through Dec. 31, 2027).
- $250 Chase Hotels credit: Up to a $250 credit for select Chase Travel Hotel stays of two nights or more, made before Dec. 31, 2026.
Entertainment, dining and fitness benefits
- Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions: Get up to $288 in annual value through complimentary Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions (activation required; subscriptions run through June 22, 2027).
- Peloton membership: Receive up to $120 annual credits for Peloton memberships through Dec. 31, 2027 ($10 in monthly credit; activation required).
- StubHub and viagogo credits: Get up to $300 in annual StubHub and viagogo credits for concerts or events (up to $150 semiannually through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required).
- $300 annual dining credit: Earn up to $150 in dining credits twice per year via the Sapphire Exclusive Tables program on OpenTable. You can earn a $150 credit at eligible restaurants between Jan. 1 and June 30, and between July 1 and Dec. 31.
- DoorDash perks: Enroll to receive a year of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027. Plus earn up to $300 in annual DoorDash value through promos, including $5 in monthly promo credit at restaurants and two $10 monthly discounts on non-restaurant orders (through Dec. 31, 2027).
Travel and shopping protections
This is also one of the best credit cards for shopping and travel insurance. It features just about every type of coverage you could reasonably expect with a credit card. Plus, many of these protections offer more generous terms compared to similar coverages. Eligible purchases made with your card are covered by the following:
- Purchase protection
- Return protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Roadside assistance
- Auto rental collision coverage (primary)
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Travel accident insurance
- Travel and emergency assistance
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
- Emergency medical and dental
Unlock additional perks with high spending
You also receive additional perks after spending $75,000 in a calendar year, including:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond status
- $500 Southwest Airlines Chase Travel credit
- $250 The Shops at Chase credit
- Southwest Airlines A-list status
How to earn and redeem Chase points
Earning
It's easy to quickly amass Chase Ultimate Rewards® points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, especially if you spend a lot on travel or eating out. It earns points at the following rates:
- 8X points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM
- 4X points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3X points on dining worldwide
- 1X points on all other purchases
Purchases that qualify for the annual travel credit or hotel credits won't earn points.
Redeeming
You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points in all sorts of ways. If you like to keep it simple, you can get 1 cent per point in value for cash back, gift cards and more. You can boost your points value when you use them for travel through a feature called Points Boost. With Points Boost, you receive up to 2 cents per point on a rotating selection of hotels and flights booked through Chase Travel.
With the Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer your points to any of Chase's travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. These partner loyalty programs include:
Chase Ultimate Rewards® transfer partners
| Chase transfer partner | Transfer ratio |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1:1 |
| The British Airways Club | 1:1 |
| Flying Blue (Air France and KLM) | 1:1 |
| Iberia Club | 1:1 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | 1:1 |
| United MileagePlus | 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 |
| IHG One Rewards | 1:1 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 |
| World of Hyatt | 1:1 |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 |
Transferring points can be the best way to use Chase points. For example, you could transfer 34,000 points to Iberia and book a one-way, off-peak business-class award to Spain from cities such as Boston or New York. You could use those same points to book a luxury hotel with World of Hyatt. Standard awards at Category 7 Hyatt hotels cost 30,000 points per night. Locations in this category include luxury hotels and resorts such as the Park Hyatt Vienna in Austria and the Hana-Maui Resort in Hawaii.
Rates and fees
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $795 annual fee, and you'll pay an additional $195 every year per authorized user. It has no foreign transaction fees, but late or returned payments may incur a fee of up to $40.
Card comparison
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® is the ultimate luxury card. It gets you access to one of the largest airport lounge networks, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges, Lufthansa lounges, American Express Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs® (enrollment required; terms apply). You can earn over $3,500 in credits every year for travel, entertainment and shopping, including credits for popular brands like lululemon, and Oura Ring. It also earns American Express Membership Rewards® points, which transfer to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs.
You don't have to utilize all of the Amex Platinum Card's benefits to justify its $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), but its perks are more complicated to maximize than those of the Sapphire Reserve. You'll have to jump through additional hoops to use the Amex Platinum's credits, enrolling in certain programs or selecting an airline, and many of the credits are doled out on a monthly or semiannual basis. Although the Sapphire Reserve offers fewer perks, it's easier to manage.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is an excellent beginner travel credit card that offers valuable redemptions alongside straightforward perks. It gives you useful travel protections such as trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car coverage and earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that unlock 1:1 transfers to Chase travel partners. Plus, it only has a $95 annual fee.
The Sapphire Preferred makes sense if you won't get much value out of the Sapphire Reserve's airport lounge access or additional benefits. With the Sapphire Preferred, you have a much smaller upfront cost, and you still have the option to transfer points. It also has a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase TravelSM, which helps offset its already reasonable annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve right for you?
If you travel frequently and are looking for a luxury credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a good fit. It earns valuable travel rewards and provides more than enough benefits to make it worth the $795 annual fee.
It just depends on how you value each of its many perks. Many of the benefits are earned monthly or semiannually, which complicates things.
Anyone looking for a simpler option can get several of the same great benefits with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). As noted above, this card has a $95 annual fee and still offers many of the same travel and purchase protections. Plus, it also enables point transfers to all of the same partners at the same 1:1 ratio.
FAQs
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth it?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve's benefits can easily make it worth paying the $795 annual fee. Since its $300 annual travel credit is so easy to redeem, you only need to value the rest of the card's perks at over $495 for it to make sense.
Is it hard to get a Chase Sapphire Reserve card?
You'll usually need a very good to excellent credit score (or a FICO Score of 740+) to qualify for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which makes it one of the harder cards to get.
What salary do you need for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
There is no published salary requirement for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, it is a Visa Infinite card and you'll need to have the income to qualify for a minimum credit limit of $10,000 or more.
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
