BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CARD FOR VALUE
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a no-brainer card for those who are looking to up their reward earnings to the highest level. Chase Ultimate Rewards are one of the most valuable points currencies you can transfer between several airlines and hotel loyalty programs. (Partner offer)
At a glance
- 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
At a glance
- 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
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Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
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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
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Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
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1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
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Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
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Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
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Member FDIC
Our Take
TPG Editor's Rating
Overview
If you’re searching for your next — or first premium card — the Chase Sapphire Reserve is an excellent choice. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are easy to redeem, with a range of 11 airline and three hotel transfer partners. Though the Sapphire Reserve features a hefty annual fee, Chase consistently adds new benefits to keep the card competitive in a fierce premium rewards field.
Pros
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Automatic $300 annual travel credit each account anniversary year
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Access to Chase hotel and airline travel partners
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Unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases
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50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠
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Broad definitions for travel and dining bonus categories
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No foreign transaction fee
Cons
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Steep $550 annual fee
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May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
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The $300 travel credit is not eligible to earn Ultimate Rewards points
Who is this card good for?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great choice for travelers who want a credit card with premium perks. First, Ultimate Rewards are one of the most valuable points currencies and are easy to redeem, with a wide range of airline and hotel transfer partners. Because of Chase’s 5/24 rule, you’ll want to apply for Chase cards first before turning to other issuers.
The Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee is a valid concern, though the $300 annual travel credit drops your real out-of-pocket cost to $250 a year — and that’s before you factor in other perks such as a Global Entry fee credit and Priority Pass lounge access. Plus, the annual travel credit is automatically applied to a broad range of travel purchases in the U.S. and abroad.
Those seeking a less costly annual fee may find the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card more appealing. There is a value tradeoff, though, as the Sapphire Reserve’s points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, while the points earned with the Sapphire Preferred are worth just 1.25 cents each.
Earning Rewards
According to TPG valuations, which peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, the 60,000-point bonus (after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership) on the Sapphire Reserve is worth $1,230.