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Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Benefits Guide [2026]: Lounge Access, Travel Credits, and More

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is a premium card with a premium price tag, but its many benefits provide more than enough value to justify the annual fee.

By Kat Tretina , Edited by Alicia Hahn

Updated April 9, 2026

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^®(Rates and fees) is one of the most well-regarded premium travel credit cards on the market. Since its launch in 2016, it's maintained a place among the top-tier options for frequent travelers — and for good reason. With a robust mix of statement credits, lounge access, travel protections, and flexible rewards, the card offers serious value to those who can take advantage of its perks.

That said, its $795 annual fee demands a closer look before applying. Here's a full breakdown of what the Sapphire Reserve has to offer and how to determine whether it's the right card for you.

Top Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits

1. Lucrative welcome bonus

New cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Redeemed for travel through Chase's travel portal, that welcome bonus alone could likely cover a round-trip flight or a multi-night hotel stay. If you regularly charge everyday expenses — groceries, utilities, gas — to your card, hitting the required spend threshold is more manageable than it might initially seem.

But while the welcome offer on any credit card is a big draw, the value you'll get from it is limited to your first year as a cardholder. Determining whether a card is right for you will depend on whether you can use enough of its ongoing benefits to justify the fee beyond that first year.

2. $300 annual travel credit

Each account anniversary year, you receive up to $300 in statement credits automatically applied to travel purchases. Chase is broadly inclusive of what counts here: airlines, hotels, car rentals, Airbnb, cruise lines, taxis, rideshares, parking lots, toll bridges, and more are all eligible.

Maxing out the credit effectively reduces the net cost of the annual fee to $495, so it's one of the primary features that makes the Sapphire Reserve worth your while, provided you spend at least $300 annually on qualifying travel. Thankfully, that should be pretty easy to do.

3. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

The Sapphire Reserve provides a statement credit of up to $120 every four years toward the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. Global Entry is the stronger value of the three options: its $120 application fee is fully covered by the credit, and it includes TSA PreCheck access alongside expedited U.S. Customs processing for international travelers.

When amortized over four years, this benefit is worth about $30 per year toward offsetting the annual fee.

4. Complimentary airport lounge access

Cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. A comparable standalone Priority Pass membership would typically cost more than $450 per year. To activate this benefit, you'll need to manually enroll through your Chase account and wait for your membership card to arrive in the mail.

You and up to two guests can enter Priority Pass lounges at no charge per visit. Additional guests are charged $27 each, which is cheaper than the $35 you'd be charged per guest were you to independently purchase Priority Pass membership.

Cardholders also receive unlimited access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network, Chase's own premium airport lounge experience. These lounges feature elevated food and beverage programs with menus developed by award-winning local chefs, high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable work and relaxation spaces, and private bathrooms.

Current open locations include Boston (BOS), Las Vegas (LAS), New York LaGuardia (LGA), New York JFK (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), with additional locations planned for Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).

What's more, cardholders flying with any of the many Star Alliance member airlines can also access select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges (with one complimentary guest) when traveling. Eligible lounges include locations at Frankfurt (FRA), London (LHR), and San Francisco (SFO).

5. $500 statement credit through The Edit by Chase Travel℠

The Edit is an exclusive collection of more than 1,000 luxury hotels and resorts available only to Sapphire Reserve cardholders. You receive up to $500 in annual statement credits on eligible prepaid bookings (up to $250 for each prepaid booking), with a minimum two-night stay required.

Additional perks of staying with The Edit properties include complimentary breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, and a $100 property credit for dining, spas, or activities. Note that purchases qualifying for this credit do not also earn points.

If you're keeping track, we've already blown past the annual fee when it comes to the value provided the Sapphire Reserves benefits. Even if you can only take advantage of the annual travel credit and the full credit for stays with The Edit, you're getting $800 in value from the card. That's not even considering the Global Entry credit or the significant (though variable) value of the lounge access provided by the Sapphire Reserve.

6. Special rental car privileges

As a Visa Infinite cardholder, you receive complimentary elite status and perks at select rental car companies. This includes National Emerald Club Executive status with discounts of up to 25%, Avis Preferred Plus status with discounts of up to 30%, and eligibility for Hertz perks as well.

7. Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status

Through December 31, 2027, all Sapphire Reserve cardholders automatically qualify for IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status upon activation. This is IHG's second-highest tier, which would ordinarily require 40 qualified nights or 60,000 qualified points to achieve. Perks include a 60% bonus earning rate, reward night discounts, and more across IHG's portfolio of more than 6,600 hotels worldwide.

8. Chase experiences and dining credits

Cardholders get access to exclusive Chase experiences, which vary, but have historically included VIP access to events like the Sundance Film Festival, ski lift discounts, and movie premieres.

You also receive up to $300 in annual dining statement credits through the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program with OpenTable (up to $150 January through June and up to $150 July through December). This benefit features reservations at highly rated and often hard-to-book restaurants, available only to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. On top of the credit, you'll earn 3X points on dining, further sweetening the deal.

9. DoorDash perks

Cardholders can activate a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year (activation required by Dec. 31, 2027), which unlocks $0 delivery fees on eligible orders of $12 or more. Additional monthly credits include two up to $10 promos on eligible non-restaurant orders and a $5 promo on restaurant orders, each month through Dec. 31, 2027. Annual DashPass membership costs $96, so if you make regular use of all these DoorDash benefits, the total annual value could be nearly $400.

Excellent for top-notch travel rewards

Chase Sapphire <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>Reserve<sup>®</sup></span>

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

5.0

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Rates and fees

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

740-850

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Reward Rate

1X - 8X Points

Intro Offer

125,000 bonus points

Annual fee

$795

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

740-850

Why We Like It

Card Details

Additional Chase Sapphire Reserve perks

Beyond the headline perks, the Sapphire Reserve also provides a comprehensive set of additional benefits:

No foreign transaction fees: Use your card abroad or shop with international retailers without paying extra fees. As a Visa, it's also widely accepted globally.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Covers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, jury duty, or other covered situations.
Trip delay reimbursement: If a common carrier delays your trip more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, you're covered up to $500 per ticket for reasonable expenses like meals and lodging.
Baggage delay insurance: Covers up to $100 per day (for up to five days) for essentials if a carrier delays your bags more than six hours.
Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per passenger for luggage lost or damaged by a common carrier.
Auto rental collision damage waiver: Primary rental car coverage up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage. Because this is primary coverage, there's no need to file a claim with your personal auto insurance first. Decline the rental company's coverage and charge the full rental to your Sapphire Reserve to activate this benefit.
Emergency evacuation and transportation: Covers you and immediate family members for up to $100,000 in medical services and transportation if you become injured or sick on a trip more than 100 miles from home requiring an emergency evacuation.
Emergency medical and dental benefits: Up to $2,500 in reimbursement for medical expenses incurred more than 100 miles from home (subject to a $50 deductible).
Roadside assistance: Up to $50 per incident, up to four times per year, for towing, jump starts, tire changes, locksmith services, and fuel delivery.
Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 in coverage for accidental death or dismemberment on a licensed common carrier.
Purchase protection: Covers eligible new purchases against theft or damage for up to 120 days, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
Return protection: Up to $500 per item and $1,000 per year if a retailer won't accept an eligible return.
Extended warranty protection: Adds one year of coverage to eligible manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
StubHub statement credits: Up to $300 annually in credits on eligible ticket purchases (up to $150 January through June and up to $150 July through December, through December 31, 2027; activation required).
Apple TV+ and Apple Music: Complimentary subscriptions to both through June 22, 2027.
Lyft credits and bonus points: Up to $10 per month in Lyft credits (up to $120 annually), plus 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027.
Peloton benefits: Up to $120 in annual credits toward eligible Peloton memberships and 10X total points on eligible Peloton purchases over $150 (up to 50,000 total points), through December 31, 2027.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

The $795 annual fee is steep by any measure, but for frequent travelers who use the card's full suite of benefits, the value can well exceed the cost. The $300 travel credit alone brings the net annual fee down to $495. Apply the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit amortized annually, and you're down to $465.

A Priority Pass membership you'd otherwise pay $450+ for each year, plus The Edit's $500 in hotel credits and the card's $300 in dining credits — and it's easy to see how the Sapphire Reserve can pay for itself many times over for the right cardholder.

Editor's note

Beyond all these credits, we haven't even discussed the value you could get from strategically redeeming your Ultimate Rewards points? While you could get 1:1 value by redeeming those points for a statement credit, you could generate even more value by scoring the right redemption with one of Chase's travel partners. You may even be able to double their value via a Points Boost-eligible booking on Chase's portal. Check out our Ultimate Rewards redemption guide to learn more.

The card is worth it if you travel frequently and spend regularly on flights, hotels, and dining; use rideshare or food delivery apps enough to take advantage of Lyft and DoorDash perks; value airport lounge access; and can redeem your points strategically through the Chase Travel portal or transfer partners.

The card is not worth it if you rarely travel and wouldn't use the travel credit or lounge access; regularly carry a credit card balance (the rewards may not offset interest charges); or prefer simpler, lower-fee cards. In that case, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card offers many of the same earning categories, solid travel protections, and Chase Ultimate Rewards access for a $95 annual fee.

To get the full run-down, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

FAQs

Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Yes. As of June 23, 2025, Chase allows cardholders to hold both Sapphire cards simultaneously. In most cases, you'll also now be eligible to earn the welcome bonus on the Reserve even if you previously earned one on the Preferred (and vice versa).

How does the $300 travel credit work?

No registration is needed. Simply use your card for travel purchases, and Chase will automatically apply statement credits to those charges up to $300 per account anniversary year. The credit posts the same day as the purchase and typically appears on your statement within one to two billing cycles.

Which is better, the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the American Express Platinum Card^®?

Both cards offer Priority Pass access and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement. The Sapphire Reserve's $300 travel credit is more flexible, but the Amex Platinum, however, offers Centurion Lounge access, elite hotel status with Marriott and Hilton, and a broader range of lifestyle credits. Check out our Sapphire Reserve versus Amex Platinum comparison to learn more.

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^®(Rates and fees) offers benefits that are significant and provide incredible value to regular travelers. While it does have a high annual fee, its rewards and substantial perks make it worthwhile for many. If you travel at least a few times a year, it's one of the best travel credit cards out there.

Premium Travel Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

5.0