6 ways the Sapphire Reserve cards make international travel even better
Traveling is a great way to explore the world and experience a variety of cultures, but international travel can require a lot of planning. From finding the best flights to deciding on where to stay and navigating the actual travel journey to your destination, there's a lot to consider.
Thankfully, there are two popular travel rewards credit cards with many features to make this process easier, more rewarding and more luxurious: the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees).
Recently, Colby Kirkpatrick, our senior marketing manager here at TPG, added the Sapphire Reserve to his wallet, while I opened the Sapphire Reserve for Business for my limited liability company. Shortly afterward, we both had the chance to experience these benefits firsthand on a trip to Milan — and it demonstrated how powerful both cards are when traveling abroad.
The most flexible travel credit
The first benefit of holding these cards is perhaps the easiest one to use on any travel card: a $300 travel credit. Each card membership year, holders of either the Sapphire Reserve or the Sapphire Reserve for Business receive a statement credit for the first $300 in travel expenses charged to the card. This covers virtually any travel purchase, including flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, vacation rentals and even airport parking.
There's no need to activate it, and you're not restricted to a single airline or required to book through a specific site. Simply swipe the card at any eligible travel provider, and the credit should appear in as soon as a day or two.
Both Colby and I used our annual credits before our Milan trip. Mine took $300 off a Hyatt stay during a business trip to New York in July, and the statement credit posted the same day as the charge.
Simply put, the flexibility of this benefit is unparalleled.
Valuable redemption options
When it comes to booking your travels, both cards also feature some incredible redemption options that can significantly extend the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The first (and newest) option is Points Boost. This feature allows cardmembers of both Sapphire Reserve cards to redeem points for up to 2 cents each through Chase Travel℠ for premium-cabin flights on select airlines and stays at a variety of luxury hotels.
And finding these options is very straightforward. When you search for flights or hotels through Chase Travel, simply toggle on the "Points Boost" option on the results page. This will filter to only those options that offer this enhanced value for your rewards.
Even better? Any flight you book through Chase Travel counts as a revenue ticket, which means you should be able to earn points or miles and leverage any elite status perks (depending on the fare you purchase).
Note that for hotels, this applies to all properties in The Edit — Chase's curated collection of luxury hotels and resorts (which we'll cover a bit later) — and you can even earn loyalty rewards at many properties. Just look for the "Points Boost" icon to see which properties are eligible.
Beyond Points Boost, you also have access to Chase's valuable slate of airline and hotel transfer partners as a Sapphire Reserve cardmember. Your Ultimate Rewards points transfer to all of these programs at a 1:1 ratio, and almost all of them will process instantly.
I used this option for my flight to Milan, as I transferred 70,000 points to my Air Canada Aeroplan account and booked a one-way, business-class flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) via Frankfurt Airport (FRA). This ticket only incurred $102.46 in taxes and fees.
But booking a flight is just the first part of international travel, and the Sapphire cards enhance your journey once you arrive at the airport, too.
Premium airport experience
Both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business include some notable features that transform your experience at the airport, both on departure and upon arrival back in the U.S. Each one gives you up to $120 in statement credits every four years when you charge the membership fee for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to the card. I opted for Global Entry since it includes TSA PreCheck and gives me access to expedited lanes for reentering the country after an international trip.
Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is more beneficial?
I was through security at Terminal C of MCO in just 30 seconds thanks to TSA PreCheck, and when I arrived back from Milan at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), I used the Global Entry kiosk with facial recognition to quickly clear border patrol without even taking out my passport. This allowed me to quickly catch a ride to the city and start enjoying the weekend with my family.
But another key part of the airport experience is lounge access, and the Sapphire Reserve cards excel in this area, too.
Each one includes access to all Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club, with eight locations currently open and three more planned for the near future. And the best part is that you're allowed two complimentary guests — a notable enhancement over other premium cards that either charge a fee for all guests or will start doing so in 2026.
Colby checked out the Sapphire Lounge at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) as part of his trip. There, he enjoyed craft cocktails, individually plated gourmet food and made-to-order items sent directly to his seat.
I've personally visited many of these lounges, including locations at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and San Diego International Airport (SAN), since they first opened — and I can attest that they're among the nicest ones I've ever experienced.
Beyond that, you also enjoy Priority Pass Select membership, which can be helpful at airports without a Chase Sapphire lounge and also includes two guests.
Luxury hotel perks (and statement credits)
The luxurious benefits of the Sapphire Reserve cards don't end at the airport. You also have access to multiple hotel-related perks that greatly enhance your accommodation options — beginning with The Edit, Chase's curated collection of luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Whenever you book a stay at an eligible property, you'll enjoy the following benefits:
- Daily breakfast for two
- A $100 property credit
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- A room upgrade at check-in (if available)
- Early check-in and late checkout (if available)
Plus, both cards give you up to $500 in statement credits when you book prepaid stays of at least two nights at The Edit properties through Chase Travel ($250 from January to June and $250 from July to December). Chase even recently announced additional flexibility with this perk starting in 2026, where you can use these two credits any time during the year.
I had the chance to experience these benefits on my trip to Milan at the Palazzo Touring Club Milan, A Radisson Collection Hotel. I was upgraded to a junior suite with a balcony overlooking the city, and the room had some lovely amenities — including a live orchid and a welcome box of chocolate truffles.
The property had an extensive breakfast, with a buffet and a la carte items for order (the avocado toast was a particular standout). And the location was fantastic, just a nine-minute walk to the Duomo.
But the perks don't end there.
Cardmembers of both Sapphire Reserve cards receive automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027), which confers perks like bonus points, discounts on award nights and space-available room upgrades. Additionally, starting in 2026, Sapphire Reserve cards will come with a brand-new perk: At select brands like IHG, Montage, Omni, Pendry and Virgin, cardholders will enjoy up to $250 toward prepaid hotel bookings made via Chase Travel.
Lucrative bonus categories (with no foreign transaction fees)
Both cards also help you quickly rack up points in everyday spending categories. For starters, you'll earn 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel purchases with either card — and this stacks with all the aforementioned perks. In other words, you could book a prepaid stay at an Edit property, enjoy all of those on-property benefits, receive the first $250 statement credit and take home 8 points per dollar spent on the rest of the purchase. The earning rate alone yields over a 16% return on these purchases, based on TPG's November 2025 valuations.
Beyond that, both cards give you 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) and 4 points per dollar spent on direct bookings with airlines and hotels. Then, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business gives you 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising.
The best part is that these bonus rates are uncapped, once again a key differentiator between these cards and competitor products in the market.
Finally, both Sapphire Reserve cards waive foreign transaction fees, so you won't have to worry about additional costs when traveling abroad and swiping your card — and you'll still enjoy those bonus categories.
Extensive travel protections
The final set of benefits on both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business gives you valuable peace of mind when traveling internationally — even if you never need to use them. Here, I'm referring to the extensive suite of travel protections you unlock just by charging an eligible flight to your card. This includes:
- Trip delay reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging (up to $500 per covered traveler).*
- Trip cancellation and 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 covered traveler and $20,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours and hotels.*
- Auto rental coverage: Decline the rental company's collision insurance, and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement (up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage) for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad.**
- Baggage delay insurance: Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over six hours.*
*Travel and purchase protection: These benefits are available when you use your card. Restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Most benefits are provided by unaffiliated companies that are solely responsible for the administration and claims. There are specific time limits and documentation requirements. For full coverage details, cardmembers can refer to their Guide to Benefits, provided after account opening, or call the number on the back of their card for assistance.
**Specific limitations apply to New York residents. For inside the United States, auto rental coverage is secondary to your personal automobile insurance.
I did miss my connection to Milan after a delay on my Frankfurt flight, but I still landed less than four hours behind schedule, so I thankfully didn't have to use any of these benefits. Nevertheless, I love having them at my disposal on the off chance that things go wrong.
Related: 6 lesser-known Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits that pay off big
Bottom line
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business were built with travelers in mind, and they really shine when you book an international trip.
With an array of statement credits, lucrative redemption options, plenty of opportunities to earn points and extensive travel protections, either one of these cards could be your best companion the next time you're looking to travel abroad.