How do I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card's $300 travel credit?

The $300 travel credit is applied as a statement credit for any travel purchases made with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, immediately upon card approval or at each card renewal anniversary. Any purchase that codes as travel is reimbursed up to $300 each card anniversary year.

Will I earn Ultimate Rewards points on my travel purchases that count for the Chase $300 travel credit?

No. You do not earn Ultimate Rewards points on travel purchases that qualify for the $300 travel credit. After $300 in travel purchases have been reimbursed with statement credits, you earn 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases, and 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly.

What counts as travel for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card's $300 travel credit?

Any purchase that codes as travel receives the statement credit, up to $300 each card anniversary year. Examples of purchases that can count include airfare, Chase Travel, car rentals, cruises, transit, hotels, and tour companies.

When does the $300 travel credit reset?

The $300 travel credit resets after the card anniversary statement closing. You can check the month and year your credit resets in the tracker in your online card account. For those cardholders who have older cards, the qualifying year may be a calendar year. Accessing the tracker confirms the actual reset date.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Cards: How To Use the $300 Travel Credit

Updated: May 19, 2026, 7:54am CDT

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Table of Contents

Card Overviews
Key Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Key Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card
How Does the $300 Travel Credit Work?
What Counts as Travel for the Credit?
How To Determine if You’ve Used the Credit
Is the $300 Annual Travel Credit Worth It?
Final Thoughts

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One of the most significant benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit that helps offset their annual fees. The credit automatically reimburses qualifying travel purchases, and it’s one of the simplest premium card credits to use.

Learn how the credit works, which purchases count, and how to track your progress.

Card Overviews

Here’s a quick overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
5x points on Lyft rides
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 100,000 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 Travel℠, including The Edit℠ 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 Pass™ 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 subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

LIMITED TIME OFFER

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Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

U.P. Rating

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Apply Now

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.
200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$4,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on Chase Travel purchases
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
$7,000+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Key Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The $300 travel credit is just one of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. It also has a strong earning structure and flexible redemption options. Several protections and benefits can also provide peace of mind when traveling and save you money.

Here are some additional benefits that make the card one of the best premium travel rewards cards:

A generous welcome bonus offer that can be worth thousands of dollars in travel
8x points on all purchases via Chase Travel (after the $300 in purchases that qualify for the travel credit)
5x points on Lyft rides, plus a $10 monthly in-app credit through September 30, 2027
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
3x points on dining worldwide
Points redeemable for up to 2 cents each on select flights and hotels via Points Boost through Chase Travel or transferable to airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value
Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, fee reimbursement, up to $120
Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (activation required)
Premium travel insurance, including primary auto rental coverage; trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; emergency evacuation; and $2,500 incidental medical and dental
Complimentary access to Reserve Travel Designers
Up to $500 a year in statement credits for prepaid stays at The Edit hotels

Key Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card

Like the personal version, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card also has a $300 annual travel credit. It comes with fantastic benefits, such as a hearty welcome bonus, and perks like:

8x points on Chase Travel for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit, car rentals, cruises, activities, and tours
5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27
4x points on flights & hotels booked direct
3x points on social media & search engine advertising
Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass lounges
$500 annual The Edit by Chase Travel credit
$400 annual ZipRecruiter credit
$200 annual Google Workspace credit
$100 Giftcards.com credit
$300 annually in monthly DoorDash promos and a complimentary DashPass membership
$120 in annual Lyft in-app credits
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, with the ability to receive IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status if you spend $120,000 on the card in a calendar year
Southwest Airlines A-List status and a $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel (when you spend $120,000 on the card in a calendar year)
$500 The Shops at Chase credit (when you spend $120,000 on the card in a calendar year)
Various travel and purchase protections

Plaza Premium Marmara Lounge SAW Priority Pass signage — Image Credit: Keri Stooksbury

How Does the $300 Travel Credit Work?

Using the $300 travel credit couldn’t be easier. Make a travel purchase with your card and receive an automatic statement credit for the exact amount, up to $300.

The $300 travel credit works the same way on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card. You can use it for personal travel, or business owners can use the credit for employee travel or client-related travel expenses.

A partial credit is applied if a qualifying travel purchase exceeds the remaining unused credit. For example, if your travel purchase is $40 and you have $25 remaining credit, you receive the $25 credit.

There is no need to preregister or enroll your card before making a purchase. Statement credits are typically applied immediately as purchases are processed in your card account.

Chase Travel Credit Screenshot — Travel credits are applied as a statement credit. Image Credit: Chase

Travel purchases qualifying for the travel credit do not earn Ultimate Rewards points. After the $300 credit is used, you earn the regular rates of 8x points on Chase Travel purchases, 5x points, and a $10 monthly in-app credit on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027, and 4x on flights and hotels booked directly.

Bottom Line:

The $300 travel credit is applied to qualifying travel purchases immediately. No preregistering or card enrollment is necessary. You do not earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points on purchases that qualify for the credit, but you’ll earn them on purchases once the credit is exhausted.

Timing Is Important

When you’re initially approved for either card, your $300 travel credit is immediately available. Any travel purchases made qualify for the statement credit.

Once used, the $300 travel credit refreshes after your card renewal anniversary. Any travel purchases made after your card renewal date and after the statement has closed count toward the credit.

Cardholders with older cards (over 7 years) may have a calendar-year period to use their travel credit.

Bottom Line:

New cardholders may use the $300 travel credit immediately. The credit resets annually after the card anniversary statement closes.

What Counts as Travel for the Credit?

AC Hotel Palma Mallorca Train — Most transit tickets, even abroad, count toward the $300 travel credit. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

Any purchase that codes as travel counts for the $300 travel statement credit. Here are examples of purchases that could qualify:

Airline incidental fees
Bus or train tickets
Campground fees
Car rental agencies
Cruises
Flights purchased from an airline or Chase Travel
Hotels
Timeshares
Tours
Travel agencies

This list is not all-inclusive, as any purchase that posts to your account as a travel purchase is eligible, including business travel expenses.

Bottom Line:

Chase has one of the broadest definitions of what counts as a travel purchase. Any purchase that posts to your account that codes as a travel purchase receives the credit.

How To Determine if You’ve Used the Credit

Tracking your progress to ensure you’ve used the entire $300 credit is easy. Log in to your online account. After accessing your account, select the Redeem option or select Benefits from the More drop-down box. Either will take you to Chase Travel.

Chase 300 Travel Credit Find Tracker — The $300 travel credit tracker is in your Ultimate Rewards account. Image Credit: Chase

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see your tracker. It shows how much credit you’ve used and when the annual credit will be available again.

Chase Travel Credit Tracker — The annual travel credit tracker helps ensure you maximize the benefit. Image Credit: Chase

Is the $300 Annual Travel Credit Worth It?

Using the $300 annual travel credit easily helps offset the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s annual fee of $795 or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card’s annual fee of $795.

The cards have many valuable benefits, but the annual travel credit is simple to use and provides immediate value. Unlike other premium travel rewards cards, where only airline incidental fees qualify for travel statement credits, any travel purchase triggers the travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card.

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card provide a stellar earning structure for travelers, outsized redemptions, and premium travel protections and benefits.

The $300 travel credit is one of the unique benefits that results in immediate value to the cardholder.

You might not justify paying the annual fee with the travel credit alone, but you can easily come out ahead if you use even a few additional benefits. Priority Pass Select membership, flexible transferable points, increased value for point redemptions via Chase Travel, and premium travel benefits make the cards a strong choice for travel rewards. Business owners who already spend heavily on travel may find the card’s credit and benefits easy to justify the cost.

Here’s our take on the best travel rewards cards for a broader view of travel credit cards.