Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Review [2025]: When the Fee Is Worth It

Card basics

Who should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®?

Frequent travelers will get the most bang for their buck with the Sapphire Reserve. If you often find yourself hopping on planes, booking hotel stays, and dining out while on the road, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is a no-brainer. The card's 3X points on dining and lucrative bonus categories will have your points balance climbing in no time.

I go on personal trips about once a month and travel for work a couple of times a year, so my points would add up with the Sapphire Reserve. This card offers a 50% redemption bonus when you redeem through the Chase Travel portal, which is a serious perk. One of the perks I'd use most with the Sapphire Reserve is the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. With access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, I'll be able to turn layovers into relaxing breaks instead of stressful ordeals.

That alone would make the $795 annual fee worth it for me. Not to mention that the card offers up to $300 in annual travel credit, which alone effectively reduces the annual fee to $250.

Who should skip?

The Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel card, so if my travel habits change and I find myself taking fewer trips, the $795 annual fee and travel-focused rewards structure might not be the best fit. If that's your situation and you don't travel often enough to justify the fee, consider its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which has a lower $95 fee and still offers solid travel perks.

Alternatively, if you want to cut annual fees out of your credit card strategy altogether, you should consider a $0-annual-fee cash back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® or a travel card like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which also has a $0 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits

A $300 annual travel credit that is effortless to use

I find the Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit to be particularly exciting because it's one of the most generous and flexible among premium travel cards. While some other cards limit their credits to specific purchases like airline incidentals, Chase's travel credit automatically applies to a wide variety of travel expenses, such as:

With my upcoming trips, I would use up the full $300 credit within the first few months of card membership. I could simply use the card for these purchases, and this benefit would apply to my account as a statement credit. Between flight bookings, hotel stays, and ground transportation, it wouldn't be hard to spend $300 on travel-related expenses. It's a simple way to offset a substantial portion of the annual fee without having to change your spending habits.

A generous welcome offer

The Sapphire Reserve enables you to earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

When redeemed through the Chase Travel Portal, those points are worth an impressive up to $2,500. That's enough to cover a round-trip flight or a luxurious hotel stay.

Lucrative rewards rates on travel and dining

One of the standout features of the Sapphire Reserve is its impressive rewards rates. You'll earn a whopping 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠ (including The Edit℠), 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.

That's a huge incentive to book your travel through Chase, as you're essentially getting a great return on your spending.

Even on travel purchases not booked through Chase, you'll still earn 3X points per dollar. And with 3X points on dining, the Sapphire Reserve is a top choice for foodies like myself.

50% more value when redeemed through Chase Travel

Speaking of redeeming points, the Sapphire Reserve offers one of the best redemption bonuses out there. When you use your points to book travel through the Chase Travel portal, they're worth 50% more. So instead of each point being worth the standard 1 cent, you're getting a value of 1.5 cents per point.

This redemption bonus is a game-changer, as it significantly increases the value of your rewards. For example, if you have 100,000 points, you can redeem them for $1,500 worth of travel instead of the standard $1,000.

Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Another valuable perk of the Sapphire Reserve is the up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. These trusted traveler programs can make your airport experience much smoother by providing expedited security screening and customs processing.

Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck benefits, normally costs $120 to apply. But with the Sapphire Reserve, you'll get that fee reimbursed when you charge it to your card. If you already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can use the credit to cover the application fee for a friend or family member.

I already have Global Entry through the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and it's been a huge time-saver. On my recent trip returning to the U.S., I was able to breeze through customs and immigration in just a few minutes while other passengers waited in line for over an hour.

Lounge access for a luxurious airport experience

The Sapphire Reserve's complimentary Priority Pass Select membership grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, allowing you to escape the terminal's hustle and bustle. But what really excites me are the new Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club. These exclusive spaces offer locally inspired menus, curated beverages, and city-inspired designs. Currently open in Hong Kong (HKG), Boston (BOS), and New York City (LGA), with more locations coming soon, these lounges add a touch of luxury to your travels.

I've visited dozens of Priority Pass lounges, and they've improved my airport experience. Instead of battling for a seat at the gate or overpaying for mediocre food, I can relax in a quiet, comfortable space with all the amenities I need. Some standout experiences include:

• Savoring a three-course meal with champagne at the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Washington-Dulles (IAD)
• Enjoying a refreshing nap in a private sleeping pod at the Miracle First Class Lounge in Thailand (BKK)

With lounge visits typically costing $35 or more, the Sapphire Lounges access and Priority Pass membership can save you hundreds annually. But more than that, it makes the travel experience so much more enjoyable and stress-free.

Protect your trips and purchases with top-notch coverage

In addition to its rewards and luxury benefits, the Sapphire Reserve offers some of the best travel and purchase protections available. This suite of benefits can save you thousands of dollars if things go wrong during your travels or with your purchases.

Some of the standout protections include:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for non-refundable expenses like flights and hotels.
• Primary rental car insurance: When you decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your Sapphire Reserve, you'll get primary coverage up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage.
• Trip delay reimbursement: If your flight is delayed by more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses like meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Purchase protection: If an item you bought with your Sapphire Reserve is damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
• Extended warranty: The Sapphire Reserve extends the time period of a U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

These protections and more can come in handy on various occasions. Imagine you're on a trip when your flight gets delayed overnight due to mechanical issues. The Sapphire Reserve's trip delay coverage could reimburse you for your hotel room, meals, and toiletries.

While you hope never to have to use these benefits, having them in your back pocket can provide significant peace of mind when you travel or make major purchases. It's like having a free insurance policy on all your trips and purchases.

Save on rideshares, food delivery, and groceries with partner benefits

The Sapphire Reserve isn't just a great card for travel – it also offers valuable benefits with partners like Lyft and DoorDash. These perks can save you hundreds of dollars a year on rideshares, food delivery, and grocery shopping.

• Lyft benefits: Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn an impressive 5 points per dollar on all Lyft rides through September 2027, plus get a $10 ride credit each month through September 2027.
• DoorDash benefits: The Sapphire Reserve offers a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a minimum of one year, which normally costs $9.99 per month. Activation is required by Dec. 31, 2027. With DashPass, you'll get $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders over $12. Plus, you'll receive $60 in DoorDash credits each year ($5 per month) to use on your orders and you'll receive two $10 promos per month applicable to eligible non-restaurant orders.

Here's an example of how much you could save with these benefits in your first year:

Drawbacks: Why you may want a different card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is an excellent premium travel card, but it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here are a few potential drawbacks to consider.

$795 annual fee

The Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee is one of the highest among travel rewards cards. While the card offers plenty of benefits to offset that fee, it can still be a tough pill to swallow for some.

If you don't travel frequently enough or don't typically spend a lot on travel and dining, it might be challenging to get enough value from the card to justify the cost. Before applying, take a hard look at your spending habits and travel plans to ensure you'll get your money's worth.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is the Sapphire Reserve's sister card, but it has a much lower $95 fee and still offers great travel benefits.

Limited lounge access compared to other premium cards

While the Sapphire Reserve's Priority Pass Select membership is a valuable perk, it doesn't quite match the lounge access offered by some other premium travel cards.

For example, The Platinum Card^® from American Express includes access to Amex's exclusive Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required). If you frequently fly out of airports with Centurion Lounges or Delta hubs, the Amex Platinum's lounge benefits might be more useful.

$75 a year per authorized user

If you want to share your Sapphire Reserve's benefits with family members, it will cost you. The card charges a $75 annual fee for each authorized user you add to your account.

This can add up quickly if you want to add multiple people. For example, adding your spouse and two children as authorized users would cost an extra $225 per year on top of the primary cardholder's $795 annual fee.

In contrast, some other premium cards offer complimentary authorized users. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for instance, allows you to add up to four authorized users for no additional annual fee. Those users get their own Priority Pass lounge access.

Earning & redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your Chase Ultimate Rewards points can add up with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. To calculate these values, we used a valuation of 1.5 cents per point.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

• Year one earnings: $4,331
• Year two earnings: $1,831

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. How much you spend in the bonus categories can affect how much value you get from this card. For this example, we calculated at least a 5X points bonus on travel even though you can get up to 10X points for certain purchases.

Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the anchor card for the Chase trifecta. This trifecta can be used strategically with other Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, to maximize earnings even further.

And that's not even counting your ability to enjoy free breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, free hotel room upgrades, and complimentary airport lounge access. Once you consider all of that, it's easy to see how the Sapphire Reserve can actually earn you thousands of dollars in value each year.

Best ways to earn

The non-Chase travel purchases category includes the following (some of these expenses you may not think of right away for travel):

• Airlines
• Hotels
• Timeshares
• Car rental agencies
• Campgrounds
• Toll bridges
• Parking lots and garages

The bonus points offered for dining purchases can be earned at everything from fast food establishments to fine dining restaurants.

Chase transfer partners

Another way to stretch your points even further is to transfer them to a number of Chase travel partners at a 1:1 rate. Doing so can give you even more value for your points. With this approach, you transfer points to a frequent traveler program, such as Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus. Depending on the program and the availability of airfare or hotel stays, you could redeem your points for as much as 1.6 cents each.

Chase has a number of hotel partners and airline partners. Current Chase travel partners include the following airline loyalty programs:

And the following hotel loyalty programs are also Chase transfer partners:

Cards you can consider instead of the Sapphire Reserve

If the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®'s high annual fee or specific benefits don't quite fit your needs, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as a premium travel card with a lower annual fee or The Platinum Card^® from American Express as another premium travel card with more extensive benefits at a higher fee.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel card widely regarded as one of the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®'s main rivals. It has a lower annual fee of $395, and some of its perks may sound a bit familiar:

• Up to $300 annual travel statement credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Complimentary Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access
• Up to four authorized users at no extra cost
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

Although it has a lower annual fee than the Sapphire Reserve, some people prefer the Sapphire Reserve because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are well-known for being flexible, and its $300 annual travel credits apply to more travel.

If you're comparing these cards, I'd strongly recommend taking a look at Chase's travel partners and Capital One's travel partners, since you can get a lot of value out of a card like one of these by transferring your points.

Learn more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review | Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve comparison

The Platinum Card^® from American Express vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is another strong competitor to the Sapphire Reserve. It has a slightly higher annual fee of $695 but offers a different set of luxury travel perks. The Amex Platinum's standout benefits include:

• Extensive airport lounge access, including Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual airline fee statement credit
• Up to $200 annual Uber Cash for U.S. rides and Uber Eats (terms apply)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold elite status

Keep in mind that select benefits require enrollment.

If you can take advantage of the Amex Platinum's credits and elite status benefits, it could be a better fit than the Sapphire Reserve. However, the Platinum's rewards structure is less lucrative for everyday spending, as it only earns bonus points on flights booked directly with airlines and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.

Learn more in our The Platinum Card^® from American Express review | Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. The Platinum Card from American Express comparison

Luxury Travel Benefits

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
• Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
• Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
• Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
• Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance

Drawbacks

• Comes with a hefty $695 annual fee
• Charges $175 for each authorized user
• Some credits are challenging to use

Card Details

• Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
• 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
• Terms apply

Complementary cards to consider

To maximize your rewards, consider pairing the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® with one or more of these Chase cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

The $0-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is the perfect companion to the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®.

The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Since the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® only earns 1 point per dollar on non-bonus purchases, using the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® for those expenses can really boost your points earning. The great part is that you earn your cash back as Ultimate Rewards points.

This means you can transfer your Freedom Unlimited points to your Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and redeem them for travel at the 1.5 cent rate or transfer them to partners.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited^® review.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

Another great Chase card to pair with the Sapphire Reserve is the Chase Freedom Flex^®.

This card has $0 annual fee and offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Past categories have included gas stations, grocery stores, streaming services, and more.

The Chase Freedom Flex also earns 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service). Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, you can transfer your Chase Freedom Flex^® points to your Chase Sapphire Reserve^® to take advantage of the higher redemption rate and transfer options.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex^® review.

FAQ

Chase Sapphire Reserve review: bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is a heavyweight among premium travel cards, offering a combination of top-tier rewards and luxury perks that can more than justify its lofty $795 annual fee for the right traveler. That's why I can't wait to upgrade to it next year.

If you're constantly on the go and spend heavily on travel and dining, this card is a clear frontrunner. However, if you're an infrequent traveler or can't stomach the annual fee, you might be better off with a lower-cost alternative like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Premium Travel Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$795

Rewards Rate

8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠ (including The Edit℠), 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Up to $300 in annual travel credits
• Great rewards on travel purchases and dining
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
• Comprehensive travel protections, including trip delay and cancellation insurance
• Points are worth up to 2x on select hotels and flights when booking through Chase Travel

Drawbacks

• $795 annual fee
• High spending requirement for the welcome offer
• $195 annual fee for each authorized user

Card Details

• Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 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 Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC