The offer mentioned below for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is no longer available.
The updated Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has received a lot of attention — its new $795 annual fee makes it one of the most expensive premium credit cards on the market.
But what's also drawing eyes is the card's generous welcome bonus: For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 100,000 points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Here's why we're loving the bonus.
What we'll cover
Why I love the new Sapphire Reserve bonus
For starters, this is the best bonus the Chase Sapphire Reserve has ever seen. The last time this card offered a 100,000-point welcome offer was when it first launched in August 2016. The relaunched version of the Sapphire Reserve takes the 100K-point offer and adds up to $500 more in value with the travel credit.
If you're an avid traveler, the bonus is well worth it. With Chase Ultimate Rewards® points valued by industry experts at about 2 cents per point, the 100,000 points you can earn are worth roughly $2,000 in value. Add in the $500 travel credit and you're at a bonus worth around $2,500. Keep in mind, too, that the typical Sapphire Reserve bonus is usually only around 60,000 points.
Plus, Chase's new Points Boost feature allows Sapphire Reserve cardholders to earn up to 1.5X more value on their points when booking select airline tickets and hotel accommodations through Chase Travel.
If you can reach the spending threshold to earn the new bonus (and pay off your credit card on time and in full every month), it's a no-brainer. Here are two ways one could cash in the bonus:
- As of June 2025, you can purchase economy tickets from New York to London, starting at 6,000 points (plus taxes and fees), by transferring points from Chase to Virgin Atlantic. This option would be a good fit for a larger family with the number of tickets one could afford, but if traveling solo and wanting to treat yourself, snag some Upper Class seats with fully flat beds and priority boarding at 47,500 points and have plenty leftover.
- With 100,000 points, you could book the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa in Honolulu, Hawaii, for 5 nights. Alternatively, 5 nights at the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach would only total 75,000 points, leaving you with 25,000 to spend elsewhere.
Chase Sapphire Reserve credits and perks
The Sapphire Reserve's welcome offer is already a big draw, but don't forget about the travel credits and perks that complement the 100,000 bonus points.
Sapphire Reserve travel statement credits
With the Sapphire Reserve, you'll receive a $120 TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS credit every four years to cover the application fee. The card also comes with a $300 annual travel credit, which will automatically be applied towards purchases made in the travel category. Both of these statement credits provide direct benefits to you while you travel, and they make better use of your 100K-point welcome offer.
Sapphire Reserve travel protections and airport lounge access
The Sapphire Reserve's 100K-point bonus, along with the $500 Chase Travel credit, opens up opportunities for exploration, and the Reserve complements this nicely with a lot of built-in travel protections. The card offers baggage delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, including lost luggage reimbursement for up to $3,000 per covered traveler.
Traveling Sapphire Reserve cardholders also get access to Chase Sapphire lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges for them and up to two guests at no additional cost.
Don't want to pay a high annual fee for a travel card?
If you're looking for a travel rewards credit card, but don't want to pay an annual fee of triple digits, several options with lower fees can still provide a lot of value.
One option is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, at a $95 annual fee. The card's earning structure is simple, with 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase. The Venture Rewards comes with up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and a $50 hotel credit for every Lifestyle Collection booking with room upgrades when available.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
If your credit score isn't great but you want a credit card with some travel perks, check out the Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards. Also carrying a $95 annual fee, the card earns an impressive up to 10% cash back rewards on eligible hotel and car rental purchases booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner. You'll also get purchase and retail protections, plus car rental loss and damage insurance for extra protection during your travels.
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Rewards
10% cash back rewards on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5% cash back rewards on eligible dining, gas, & travel purchases. 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
29.74%* Variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair to Good credit
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Pros
- Great return on travel purchases
- Available to those with average credit
Cons
- High APR
- No welcome bonus
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