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Chase Sapphire Reserve Card – Full Review [2024]

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Jarrod West

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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon4.58
Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
  • 60,000 points

  • $550

  • 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

  • Excellent (740-850)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon4.58
Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
Summary

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

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

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Card Details

Card Snapshot

Welcome Bonus & Info

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Member FDIC

Customer Service Number

800-493-3319 (Available 24/7)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked through Chase TravelSM
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Complimentary access to DashPass for a minimum of one year (activate by December 31, 2027)
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
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Great Card If

  • You’re a frequent traveler who can easily take advantage of the $300 annual travel credit and lounge access
  • You spend a lot on travel and dining purchases
  • You regularly use Lyft and order food with apps such as DoorDash
  • You want a card with no foreign transaction fees
  • You want a card that provides top-notch travel insurance and purchase protection

Don’t Get If

  • You don’t frequently travel
  • You prefer a card that earns cash-back rewards instead of points
  • You cannot afford or justify the $550 annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Is It Worth It?

Make no mistake, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a powerhouse of a card.

Not only does it help you earn rewards on a plethora of purchase categories like hotels, car rentals, flights, dining, and Lyft rides, but the card also comes packed with benefits sure to excite frequent travelers.

Some of our favorite benefits include a $300 annual travel credit, a complimentary Priority Pass membership for complimentary airport lounge access, a complimentary Lyft Pink membership, a complimentary DoorDash DashPass, and access to Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.

Better yet, once you’re ready to redeem your points, you have tons of options for doing so. You can redeem points for cash-back, travel through the Chase Travel portal, statement credits with a 50% bonus via Pay Yourself Back, or for huge value through one of Chase’s travel transfer partners such as World of Hyatt!

That’s not all, though. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers top-notch consumer protections, including trip delay insurance, lost luggage insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and return protection.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a must-have for many Upgraded Points writers, including Upgraded Points’ Content Contributor Lori Zaino, who had this to say about her Chase Sapphire Reserve card:

“As someone who spends a significant amount on travel and dining, I’m able to get a lot of value out of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s 3x bonus categories. I also love that the $300 annual travel credit makes the annual fee seem much less daunting. With Chase’s ample selection of travel partners, I can always find a high-value way to maximize my points — even more so when Chase offers transfer bonuses. Recent transfer bonuses on Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia Avios have allowed me to bank many additional Avios, leading to some incredible award redemptions. These are some of the main reasons I keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve card year after year — I’m able to bank lots of points, offset the annual fee, and get high-value redemptions thanks to its flexible points and transfer options.”

Lori Zaino, Content Contributor

In our view, if you’re a frequent traveler looking for a premium all-in-one card that’s great at earning points, offers benefits like lounge access, and keeps you covered when things go wrong, then the Chase Sapphire Reserve card would definitely be worth it to you!

Chase Sapphire Reserve Top Benefits

$300 Annual Travel Credit

One of the most important benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the $300 annual travel credit. You will get up to $300 in statement credits each year for travel purchases charged to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

But what counts as a travel purchase? Chase has one of the broadest definitions of travel on the market, and purchases include:

  • Airfare
  • Campgrounds
  • Car rental agencies
  • Cruise lines
  • Discount travel sites
  • Hotels/motels (including Airbnb) and timeshares
  • Travel agencies
  • Trains, buses, taxis (including Uber and Lyft), limousines, and ferries
  • Toll bridges/highways
  • Parking lots and parking garages

Read our guide to find out how you can use Chase points for Airbnb.

Airport Lounge Access

Another top benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is lounge access. Cardholders have access to the exclusive Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network, as well as Priority Pass lounges.

You also get a Priority Pass Select membership, which gives cardholders access to 1,400+ airport lounges. With your membership, you’ll be able to bring 2 guests into any lounge with you.

Whether you enjoy a preflight snack, complimentary beverages, or a quiet space to work before a flight, airport lounge access is a great perk to have.

Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit Benefit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card will help you get the Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck at no out-of-pocket cost once every 4 years. Simply charge the application fee to your card, and it will be automatically reimbursed as a statement credit.

Global Entry is a Customs and Border Protection program that prescreens passengers and then allows expedited entry into the U.S. when returning from international travel. It requires a detailed application and an in-person interview before approval.

When you’re approved for the Global Entry program, you also receive TSA PreCheck. With your application fees covered by the card, there’s no reason not to apply for Global Entry if you’re eligible.

Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection

The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection is a network of over 900 of the world’s best hotels and resorts around the world. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a free Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection membership and can take advantage of special benefits and privileges, including:

  • Daily breakfast for 2 guests
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Room upgrade (when available at select properties)
  • Early check-in and late checkout (when available at select properties)
  • Special amenity unique to each property

Special amenities can include lunch or dinner for 2, a spa treatment, golf green fee waivers, welcome gifts, or airport transfers. Details on the amenities available for a specific property are available when searching and booking.

You must book hotels through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection program and pay for your stay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to take advantage of these benefits — hotel stays booked directly or through another portal are not eligible.

Rental Car Elite Status

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with great rental car benefits with 3 rental companies.

When you enroll your card with National Emerald Club, you’ll receive a complimentary Executive membership, allowing you to select any car you’d like from the Emerald or Executive aisles. Plus, when you use your card and make a reservation directly through National, you can save up to 25% on qualifying rentals with code 5030849.

When you enroll with Avis Preferred, you’ll receive Plus status, which offers 75% bonus points on every rental. In addition, you’ll receive a 30% discount when using your card and making a reservation directly through Avis.

Primary Rental Car Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers primary rental coverage and pays for any loss, theft, or damage to your rental car, as well as towing and loss of use for the rental company, up to $75,000 for rentals 31 days or shorter.

For this coverage to apply, you must pay for the entire rental with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You also need to refuse any collision damage and loss damage waiver coverages from the rental company — if you don’t do this, the rental company’s coverage will apply first.

There are certain vehicle exclusions, namely for high-end sports and luxury cars. With that in mind, be sure to double-check your coverage if you’re renting any type of specialty vehicle.

Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance

If your trip gets cut short due to sickness, extreme weather, or other select situations, you’ll be covered up to $10,000 per person ($20,000 per trip). These benefits cover you and your immediate family for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.

Trip Delay Insurance

If your flight on a common carrier is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an extra overnight stay, you’re covered for up to $500 per person who had a ticket that was delayed. This delay can be for any reason — even bad weather or air traffic control issues.

The $500 can be used to cover expenses incurred during the delay, including meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal items.

Baggage Delay and Lost Luggage Insurance

If your bag is delayed by an airline, bus, cruise ship, or train for more than 6 hours, your card will cover up to $100 per day in purchases of emergency supplies like toiletries, clothing, and 1 cell phone charger.

If your baggage is lost or damaged during your trip by the carrier, you’re covered up to $3,000 per person per trip. Of that maximum benefit, $500 can be reimbursed for watches, jewelry, and electronics, so don’t check your laptop or other expensive items.

Purchase Protection

When you purchase an item with your card, it’s protected from theft and damage for the first 120 days you own it. In other words: if you buy a new laptop and it’s stolen the next day, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of replacing it.

There’s a maximum of $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per account is available for coverage. Further, this coverage has exclusions and is secondary to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, so be sure to check the details of this benefit.

Purchase protection is especially valuable for cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other easily lost items, so consider putting tech purchases on your new Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Extended Warranty Protection

When you purchase eligible items with your card, the manufacturer’s warranty is extended for 1 year. For coverage to apply, the item must have come with an original manufacturer-written U.S. repair warranty of 3 years or less. Certain foreign purchases may also be eligible if they have a store-purchased dealer warranty or an assembler warranty.

This benefit is limited to $10,000 per claim and a maximum of $50,000 per account, making it useful for repairing laptops, cell phones, and other high-end purchases. Purchases made by the cardholder for themselves or others as gifts are eligible for coverage.

Roadside Assistance

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the roadside assistance provided with your card covers you while driving your own vehicle or any other vehicle with the permission of the owner.

Covered services include the following:

  • Battery boost
  • Flat tire service
  • Fuel delivery
  • Towing
  • Lockout assistance

Coverage is limited to $50 per occurrence a maximum of 4 times per year, which should be more than enough for most drivers.

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Chase Points

If you’re hooked on travel rewards, you’re likely wondering how you can earn even more points. Our guide covering the best ways to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points will help you hit the ground running.

Of course, earning points is just one part of the equation, as you also need to know how to redeem them effectively. Our dedicated guide breaks down many of our favorite redemption options using Chase Ultimate Rewards points and shows you how you can book them as well!

Most of our favorite redemptions involve utilizing Chase transfer partners, and while there’s a bit of a learning curve, you’ll find that these redemptions can get you the best value for your points by far!

Alternative Cards to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Often mentioned alongside the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the Amex Platinum card is a competitive premium rewards credit card.

In fact, the Amex Platinum card offers some of the best elite perks on the market, including Gold status with Marriott and Hilton hotels upon enrollment, access to American Express Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and even Uber and Saks Fifth Avenue credits.

If you prefer a card that offers more elite perks and more expansive lounge access, the Amex Platinum card might be a better option for you.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

While the Hilton Aspire card is technically a hotel card, it still offers other travel benefits like airport lounge access and 7x Hilton Honors points on airfare.

You’ll also receive up to a $400 Hilton resort credit, complimentary Diamond status, and an annual free night certificate to use at a Hilton hotel.

While Hilton Honors points aren’t as valuable as Chase Ultimate Rewards points, if you’re a Hilton loyalist who spends a large number of nights each year at its hotels, this could be the best card option for you.


We’ve also compared the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to a number of other popular cards:


UP’s Card Review Methodology

Every card we review is assigned a "U.P. Rating" – our star-based system that encompasses all the key details to showcase a card’s standout features, where it falls short, and how it stacks up for travelers to maximize rewards.

These ratings range from 0 to 5 stars and are determined by carefully weighing crucial factors like:

  • Bonus categories
  • Benefits and perks
  • Quality of associated loyalty programs
  • Annual fees and other costs
  • Size of the welcome bonus (and relative to the annual fee)
  • And several more

You can learn more about how Upgraded Points reviews and rates credit cards.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card? Is it worth it?

This card is Chase’s luxury travel card in its Ultimate Rewards lineup.

Similar to the Amex Platinum card, it offers Priority Pass Select lounge access plus a $300 travel credit each year.

Additionally, you will get a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, or Global Entry application fee every 4 years.

The card earns 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and dining through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5x points on airfare through the Ultimate Rewards portal, and 3x points on all other travel and dining. However, because there are so many benefits offered, it has an annual fee of $550.

Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card fall under the Chase 5/24 rule?

Unfortunately, it does. This means that if you’ve signed up for more than 5 Chase cards in the last 2 years, you’ll have to wait to apply for the card.

Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card have lounge access?

Yes, the card has a Priority Pass Select membership. Unfortunately, you won’t have access to airline-operated lounges outside of Priority Pass, such as Delta Sky Club, American Airlines Admirals Club, and United Club lounges.

How does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel credit work?

You simply make purchases in the travel category with your card and Chase will automatically reimburse you for the purchases until you reach the $300 limit.

What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card's annual fee?

The card has an annual fee of $550.

What are the car rental benefits that come with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

You can redeem your reward points in the Chase Travel portal for 50% more value on car rentals, as well as other travel.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also comes with great rental car benefits with 3 rental companies:

  • National — Complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership and up to 25% off qualifying rentals
  • Avis — Complimentary Preferred Plus status that offers 75% bonus points on every rental and a 30% discount
  • Audi on demand — 30% off all rentals
What are the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

The card comes with benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck fee credit, trip insurance, purchase protection, and a 3x point bonus on all travel and dining purchases.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card metal?

Yes, the card is metal with a dark blue finish.

Do authorized users receive all benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

If you add an authorized user to your card they will receive their own Priority Pass Select membership, earn points, have all of the card’s travel protections, rental car benefits, and their own DoorDash DashPass subscription.

However, they will not receive an additional $300 travel credit, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit, DoorDash credits, or a Lyft Pink membership.

Can I downgrade my Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

Yes, if you’ve had your card open for at least 1 year, you are able to downgrade it to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which has a lower annual fee.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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