Chase Sapphire Reserve card evaluation: Full particulars

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card overview

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) is without doubt one of the finest rewards bank cards of all time. This card earns extremely invaluable Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to lodge and airline companions or redeemed to e book journey by way of Chase Journey℠ at a worth of as much as 2 cents per level (see your rewards program settlement for full particulars). Add in a number of assertion credit, an annual journey credit score, airport lounge entry and a litany of different perks, and this card is assured to improve your journey way of life. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

*Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve, one of many high premium rewards bank cards, has undergone a serious refresh, together with a brand new card design that weighs in at 19.6 grams. The refresh introduced extra assertion credit, modified earnings, different new advantages and a forty five% annual payment enhance from $550 to $795.

This annual payment is $100 greater than that of The Platinum Card® from American Categorical ($695 annual payment; see charges and costs) and $400 greater than that of the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card ($395 annual payment) — although this may nonetheless be price it given the slew of advantages it gives.

We advocate a credit score rating of a minimum of 670, however it’s not extraordinary to get permitted with a decrease rating. If you need premium advantages, the Sapphire Reserve may nonetheless be a fantastic choice for you, even with its steep annual payment.

Let us take a look at the options that proceed to make it such a beautiful journey bank card and one which has earned a everlasting spot in lots of TPG staffers’ wallets.

Chase Sapphire Reserve execs and cons

Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome supply

Proper now, new candidates for the Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening. This supply is ending quickly.

Word that the phrases for the journey credit score state: The promotional credit score is legitimate for a one-time use solely, when you apply the promotional credit score to a transaction lower than $500, you’ll forfeit the remaining steadiness.

TPG’s August 2025 valuations peg Chase Final Rewards factors at 2.05 cents apiece, making the present welcome bonus price as much as $2,550. This might cowl the annual payment of $795 greater than 3 times.

That is the best-ever welcome supply we have seen on this card, and it is ending quickly. This makes now the right time to use.

Nevertheless, it is vital to maintain Chase’s software restrictions in thoughts, particularly concerning the Sapphire playing cards. Due to Chase’s 5/24 rule, you may need to apply for Chase playing cards first earlier than turning to different issuers. That is why selecting the correct Sapphire product in your scenario is vital.

Whilst you can maintain each the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) and the Sapphire Reserve, when you’ve obtained a bonus on a Sapphire product prior to now, you are seemingly not eligible for a bonus on that very same card once more.

When making use of, earlier than you submit your software, a pop-up will inform you when you’re eligible for a welcome bonus.

Associated: One of the best welcome gives of the month

Chase Sapphire Reserve advantages

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has myriad advantages that attraction to vacationers. It is vital to notice that with this refresh of the Sapphire Reserve, present cardholders is not going to have entry to any new advantages and perks till Oct. 26.

Annual journey credit score

One of many greatest perks of the cardboard is the $300 annual journey credit score. Chase will mechanically credit score your account $300 once you use it to make eligible purchases, which cowl a large number of journey suppliers:

Retailers on this [travel] class embrace airways, inns, motels, timeshares, automotive rental companies, cruise traces, journey companies, low cost journey websites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking heaps and garages.

This perk alone lowers your efficient annual payment to simply $495.

The most effective issues about this credit score is how versatile it’s. It may well cowl quite a lot of journey purchases as much as $300, together with airline tickets, lodge reservations, cruise reservations and rather more. It is a favourite perk of many TPG staffers who’ve the Sapphire Reserve.

Different assertion credit

The Sapphire Reserve additionally comes with a mess of different helpful way of life assertion credit. These embrace:

• As much as $500 in annual The Edit credit score: Cardholders obtain $250 biannually to make use of on The Edit (for stays of two nights or extra) through Chase Journey reserving. This credit score has me intrigued, as I can nonetheless earn and obtain lodge loyalty standing advantages though I am reserving by way of an on-line journey company. I have a tendency to remain at Marriott properties more often than not, and lots of are on The Edit, so it is going to be good that I can use this credit score to cowl my keep. Plus, my Titanium Elite standing advantages would seemingly kick in and earn me elite nights and factors.
• As much as $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credit score (by way of Dec. 31, 2027): Cardholders obtain as much as $150 biannually to make use of on occasion tickets at StubHub. I might simply use this perk, as I attend a number of concert events and sporting occasions annually, and StubHub is without doubt one of the largest on-line ticket platforms.
• As much as $300 in annual eating credit score at Open Desk: Cardholders obtain prime-time reservations at Sapphire Reserve Unique Tables; no prepayment or cost by way of Open Desk is required.
• As much as $300 in annual promos with DoorDash: Cardholders obtain as much as $25 in month-to-month promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo. Plus, obtain a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one yr, price $120, and luxuriate in $0 supply charges and decrease service charges on eligible orders. (Should activate by Dec. 31, 2027.)
• As much as $250 yearly in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (by way of June 22, 2027): This perk alone has me contemplating making use of for the cardboard, given I already pay for and use these companies each day. Apple Music has over 33 million subscribers within the U.S., so this needs to be one of many simpler credit for many cardholders to make use of. (One-time activation per service by way of chase.com or the Chase Cell app required.)
• Up to $120 in annual in-app Lyft credit (by way of Sept. 30, 2027): Cardholders obtain as much as $10 every month; the credit score doesn’t apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides.
• As much as $120 in World Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit score: Cardholders obtain an software payment credit score each 4 years. My choose is World Entry because it consists of PreCheck, in order that’s the perfect worth in your cash.
• As much as $120 in Peloton credit score (by way of Dec. 31, 2027): Given as a month-to-month credit score; activation required.

Should you totally use all of those credit and advantages, the worth you may get totals over $2,000.

Lounge entry

Sapphire Reserve cardholders get entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Go lounges (excluding eating places) for themselves and as much as two company. There are presently eight Sapphire lounges, with three extra lounges set to open.

Moreover, cardholders obtain entry to over 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges when touring on a Star Alliance airline.

Approved customers obtain the identical airport lounge entry on their very own, although you may pay an additional annual payment of $195 for every extra cardholder.

The Precedence Go community consists of over 1,700 lounges, each within the U.S. and overseas.

Lodge advantages

Sapphire Reserve cardholders will obtain computerized IHG One Platinum elite standing by way of Dec. 31, 2027. This standing tier comes with perks like 60% bonus factors on IHG stays, complimentary upgrades (topic to availability), early check-in, 2 p.m. late checkout (topic to availability) and Hertz 5 Star standing.

Moreover, when reserving a lodge through The Edit, cardholders will obtain a $100 property credit score and advantages like free breakfast.

Visa Infinite perks

As a result of the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, you may obtain the perks that come together with this system. Highlights embrace main rental automotive insurance coverage, journey cancellation and delay protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, a concierge service, and entry to The Edit.

Moreover, when overseas, you may pay no international transaction charges.

Unlockable advantages

Moreover, Reserve cardholders will be capable to unlock much more premium advantages after spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar yr. These advantages embrace:

• IHG Diamond standing
• Southwest Airways A-Record standing
• $500 Southwest assertion credit score (flights should be booked by way of Chase Journey)
• $250 annual The Retailers credit score (The Retailers is a web-based market from Chase the place you should utilize your factors to purchase objects from fashionable manufacturers like Dyson and Sony)

Whereas these advantages are good when you can spend $75,000 in your card organically, I would not exit of my approach to meet the spending requirement. You may qualify for IHG Diamond standing by staying 70 nights at IHG inns or spending $40,000 on an IHG bank card. In the meantime, to qualify for Southwest A-Record standing, you simply have to take 20 one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier-qualifying factors.

Relying on what inns and flights you e book, each of those choices may work out to be lower than the $75,000 in spending wanted to unlock these advantages on the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Moreover, when you can meet the spending requirement, the additional assertion credit are good, however once more, I would not exit of my approach to attempt to earn them.

Associated: The ability of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 playing cards

Incomes factors on the Chase Sapphire Reserve

In addition to the welcome bonus, the Sapphire Reserve’s bonus-earning classes can even assist construct your Final Rewards steadiness. You will earn:

• 10 factors per greenback spent on Peloton tools and accent purchases (by way of Dec. 31, 2027) of $150 or extra, with a most of fifty,000 factors (a 20.5% return primarily based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations)
• 8 factors per greenback spent on purchases made by way of Chase Journey, together with The Edit (a 16.4% return)
• 5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides by way of Sept. 30, 2027 (a ten.25% return)
• 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and inns booked immediately (an 8.2% return)
• 3 factors per greenback spent on eating worldwide (a 6.15% return)
• 1 level per greenback spent on every thing else (a 2.05% return)

Word that you simply will not earn any factors on the primary $300 spent on direct flights and lodge purchases or purchases made by way of Chase Journey every cardholder yr, as that may set off the cardboard’s $300 journey credit score.

Beforehand, this card supplied 3 factors per greenback spent on all journey purchases. Whereas I just like the addition of 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and inns booked immediately, not having a bonus class for common journey purchases stings as Chase broadly defines journey and beforehand included issues like parking and tolls.

These are nice earnings charges on eating, Chase Journey purchases, and inns and flights booked immediately, however you may think about pairing this card with the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked, as now you can maintain each Sapphire playing cards. This pairing would earn 4 factors per greenback spent on most flights and inns, 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, and a couple of factors per greenback spent on common journey purchases.

Associated: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve well worth the annual payment?

Redeeming factors on the Chase Sapphire Reserve

The flexibility to redeem rewards with companions is without doubt one of the most vital points of a journey rewards bank card, and that is undoubtedly the case with the Sapphire Reserve. Should you switch your factors to one in every of Chase’s 14 journey companions, there’s potential for some wonderful redemptions (extra on that later).

Nevertheless, you possibly can redeem your factors in different methods, too, reminiscent of for money again, present playing cards, or eating and experiences by way of the Final Rewards portal at a price of 1 cent per level. Or, you possibly can cowl eligible purchases at the next worth by way of Chase Pay Your self Again.

These redemption strategies present much less worth than transferring your factors to companions, so I do not advocate utilizing your factors this manner.

You can even redeem factors to e book journey by way of Chase Journey. With the current refresh, we have seen some modifications to redeeming factors by way of Chase Journey, together with a brand new function: Factors Enhance. Factors can be utilized to e book journey by way of Chase Journey at a worth of as much as 2 cents per level, relying on the cardboard and the precise redemption (see your rewards program settlement for full particulars).

The redemption charges fluctuate primarily based on rotating gives on completely different flights and inns. The airways will fluctuate and alter over time, however from the beginning, it seems that the airways eligible for Factors Enhance are all switch companions of Chase. Listed below are some issues to find out about Factors Enhance:

• Beforehand, Reserve cardholders may redeem factors for 1.5 cents every.
• You may redeem factors at 2 cents per level on premium airfare booked by way of Chase Journey and inns booked by way of The Edit.
• For cardholders permitted earlier than June 23, 2025, all factors earned earlier than Oct. 26, 2025, could be redeemed at 1.5 cents per level through Chase Journey whatever the airfare class or lodge property or at as much as 2 cents with Factors Enhance. The upper redemption price will mechanically be chosen for you.
• Cardholders permitted after June 23, 2025, will solely have entry to Factors Enhance.
• After Oct. 26, 2027, factors could be redeemed for 1 cent every for all Chase Journey purchases that do not qualify for Factors Enhance.
• Fundamental economic system flights usually are not eligible for Factors Enhance.

Associated: From worldwide enterprise class to home journey: One of the best Chase Final Rewards candy spots

Transferring factors on the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Once more, essentially the most invaluable use of your Chase Final Rewards factors is to switch them to one in every of Chase’s 14 airline and lodge switch companions, together with invaluable choices like British Airways Membership, Air Canada Aeroplan and Southwest Airways Fast Rewards.

For instance, I like to switch my factors to World of Hyatt. Only in the near past, I transferred 30,000 factors to Hyatt to remain on the Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, when money charges had been upward of $400 per night time.

Associated: Tips on how to redeem Chase Final Rewards factors for max worth

Which playing cards compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Sapphire Reserve’s most pure rivals are one other Final Rewards-earning card with a decrease annual payment and the 2 different big-name premium journey bank cards.

• If you need a mid-tier card with a decrease annual payment: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is an efficient alternative for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors for a decrease annual payment of $95. You will get quite a few journey protections and have entry to all the identical lodge and airline companions as you’ll with the Sapphire Reserve. To be taught extra, try our full evaluation of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
• If you need a premium journey card with a decrease annual payment: The Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card gives entry to Precedence Go and Capital One lounges for a decrease annual payment of $395. You will additionally take pleasure in insurance coverage protections and earn a minimum of 2 miles per greenback spent on all purchases and a $300 Capital One Journey credit score annually. To be taught extra, try our full evaluation of the Capital One Enterprise X.
• If you wish to earn Amex Membership Rewards factors: The Amex Platinum gives a ton of invaluable assertion credit each calendar yr and has a decrease annual payment of $695. Plus, it gives entry to quite a few lounges, together with the Amex Centurion Lounge community and Precedence Go lounges. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply. To be taught extra, try our full evaluation of the Amex Platinum.

For added choices, try our full listing of finest journey bank cards and finest Chase bank cards.

Associated: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked vs. Sapphire Reserve: Must you go mid-tier or premium?

Backside line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has been revamped with an elevated annual payment, however with a number of added advantages and assertion credit that many will be capable to get nice worth from.

Even with the 45% annual payment enhance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may very well be a fantastic addition to your pockets when you worth premium journey advantages, lounge entry and varied lifestyle-related assertion credit.

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Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve with 100,000 bonus factors and a $500 Chase Journey credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Supply ending quickly.

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For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.

For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.