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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Chase Sapphire Reserve review: A premium card for power travelers
Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time). Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won the Green Card Lottery and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years before relocating to Spain in 2025.
June 2, 2026 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A premium travel rewards card offers strong value through flexible points, a wide range of statement credits and robust travel protections.
Key benefits include an annual travel credit, hotel credits for select properties, and access to airport lounges worldwide.
The card is best suited for travelers who actively manage their benefits and seek to maximize value from credits and partner transfers.
It stands out for its ease of use, strong dining rewards and superior travel insurance compared to competitors.
What to consider
Statement credits require tracking across multiple platforms and may not be fully utilized by all cardholders.
Eligibility for the welcome bonus is limited by specific application rules and restrictions.
Points can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners or redeemed through the issuer's travel portal, with valuations pegged at $2,050 for the current bonus per TPG's June 2026 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of premium travel cards, including which features and credits best align with different travel styles and preferences.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
TPG Editor's Rating4.5 / 5
at Chase's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
8x
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠.
4x
Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct.
I've carried either the (see rates and fees) or its mid-tier sibling in my wallet for a decade — and the Reserve continues to play a main role in my travel strategy.
It’s one of the strongest travel rewards cards on the market thanks to high-value Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a large suite of statement credits and best-in-class travel protections. If you’re willing to put in a little effort to maximize its perks, this card can easily deliver outsize value year after year. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: The basics
The is Chase’s premium travel card. It earns valuable transferable Ultimate Rewards points, which are my go-to currency for high-end hotels and business-class flights.
The annual fee is steep at $795, but the value can far outweigh the cost if you use even a couple of the card’s statement credits. I recoup this fee through the $300 annual travel credit and the up to $500 in luxury The Edit hotel credits (a minimum stay of two nights is required). Everything else the card offers feels like added value.
I rely on the Sapphire Reserve for the perks I use constantly: airport lounge access when I’m traveling, hotel benefits that make stays smoother and travel insurance that has come through for me more than once.
The Sapphire Reserve is a flexible premium rewards card designed for people who want to be hands-on with their travel strategy — it's not a passive “set-it-and-forget-it” product.
Chase Sapphire Reserve pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Flexible annual travel credit
Access to Chase's full list of airline and hotel partners
Strong bonus categories on flights, hotels and dining
Sapphire and Priority Pass lounge access
Automatic IHG elite status
Useful lifestyle credits
High $795 annual fee
No bonus earnings for general travel purchases (like vacation rentals)
Statement credits require some management
Chase's 5/24 rule may affect eligibility
Not a good fit for those who don’t spend heavily on travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits
The 's value largely hinges on its extensive set of travel and lifestyle benefits, which can offset the annual fee if you use them regularly.
Annual travel credit
The Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual travel credit is one of the easiest credits to use across any premium card. Chase codes nearly every travel-related expense as eligible — from flights and hotels to car rentals, train tickets and tolls.
HINTERHAUS PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
This perk alone drops the card’s effective annual fee to $495. I trigger it organically within the first month of each cardholder year, usually with a single flight or hotel booking. Last year, it automatically covered the first $300 of public transit and ride-hailing purchases I made on a five-week summer trip through Europe.
Hotel credits
The other most valuable credit on this card is the up to $500 per year in credits for The Edit, Chase’s curated hotel booking platform. Cardholders receive two up to $250 credits per calendar year for stays lasting at least two nights.
IHG HOTEL & RESORTS
Here's what I personally value with this perk:
Many major hotel brands, including Hyatt and Marriott, participate.
You can stack the credit with points redemptions through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
You still earn hotel elite night credits and loyalty points because these bookings count as qualifying stays (except for Small Luxury Hotel of the World properties, which are part of Hilton Honors).
However, note that the credit requires prepaid bookings, a two-night minimum stay and use at a limited selection of properties — meaning it won’t fit every trip or traveler.
Up to $300 per year via OpenTable: Split into two up to $150 biannual credits and valid for dining at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants; no prepayment, payment or reservation through OpenTable is required
Up to $300 per year with DoorDash: Up to $25 in monthly promos, plus at least one complimentary year of DoorDash DashPass (activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
Up to $300 per year with StubHub/Viagogo: Split into two up to $150 biannual credits (activation required; through Dec. 31, 2027)
On paper, these credits add up to significant value, but in practice, they function more like a “coupon book.” You’ll need to actively track and use them across different platforms and time frames, and not all cardholders will find it easy to fully maximize them.
You'll also get a $100 property credit and complimentary breakfast on stays booked through The Edit. Additionally, you'll receive Hertz Five Star status for car rentals since the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card.
You can also unlock extra perks with brands like Hyatt, IHG and Southwest Airlines after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Travel protections
This is the card I trust most for booking flights and hotels directly. Highlights include:
Chase once fully reimbursed me for damaged luggage on an international trip, a claim that took me just five minutes to submit. The strong protections are one of the reasons why I prioritize using this card for airfare.
How to earn and use your rewards
Understanding how you can earn and redeem points with the is key to maximizing the card’s overall value.
I primarily use this card to earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and direct hotel bookings and 3 points per dollar spent on dining, both at home and while traveling abroad. And since the card has no foreign transaction fees, I use it often when traveling abroad.
I try to leverage a transfer bonus to squeeze even more value out of my flight redemptions. I recently took advantage of a 30% bonus to transfer just 3,000 Chase points to Iberia Club to book a flight from Seville to Barcelona, Spain, on Vueling with points (plus $22 in taxes).
You can also redeem points through Chase's travel booking portal at competitive rates, particularly when using Points Boost for better-value premium airfare and select hotel redemptions.
TPG senior director of content Summer Hull found Disneyland hotels for just 17,000 points a night using Points Boost, a rate that was three times less than what Marriott was charging at the time. For many travelers (especially beginners), this is simpler than juggling transfer partners.
Still, if you use the credits consistently and prefer transferring points for elevated redemptions, the can easily justify its cost.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. American Express Platinum Card
The is the Sapphire Reserve’s closest competitor. Both are premium travel cards with high annual fees ($895 for the Amex Platinum, to be exact; see rates and fees), valuable points and extensive perks — but they’re built for slightly different types of travelers.
The Platinum offers the industry’s strongest lounge network and a long list of statement credits with high-end brands. It’s a great fit if you can take advantage of benefits like Centurion Lounge access for eligible cardmembers, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings, Hilton and Marriott elite status and statement credits for entertainment and fitness. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
The Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, focuses more on simplicity and everyday value. Its automatic annual travel credit, strong earning rate on dining and best-in-class travel protections make it easier to use consistently without managing so many credits.
XAVIER LORENZO/GETTY IMAGES
Choose the Amex Platinum if you prioritize:
Unmatched lounge access, including Centurion Lounges
High-end lifestyle statement credits that fit your spending
New cardholders can currently earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth $2,050, according to TPG's June 2026 valuations.
Before applying, remember Chase’s 5/24 rule and Sapphire family restrictions. You can typically earn a bonus on the once in your life. Chase will tell you during the application if you’re eligible for the bonus.
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If the isn’t the right fit, consider these alternatives:
If you want a great mid-tier travel card: The (see rates and fees) has a $95 annual fee and features the same transfer partners as the Sapphire Reserve with strong earnings for beginners. To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you're a big fan of AmericanAirlines: The (see rates and fees) is a compelling choice for American Airlines flyers thanks to its Admirals Club access, American Airlines AAdvantage transfers and excellent earnings on Citi Travel portal bookings. To learn more, check out our full review of the Strata Elite.
The remains one of the most powerful travel rewards cards available, especially for people who enjoy actively earning and redeeming their points and maximizing their card perks.
For me, the combination of top-tier earnings, valuable transfer partners, premium travel protections and useful credits makes it a mainstay in my wallet.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
