Ten years with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Editor's Note
I provided the exclusive launch coverage for the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) in 2016, and now the card is celebrating a milestone anniversary — 10 years!
As I look back, it's been an amazing journey over the last decade for me both personally and professionally as I've watched both my company and my family grow, and there's been some pretty awesome memories made (usually with the help of my Sapphire Reserve and Chase Ultimate Rewards points).
Points Boost-maxxing
It's no secret that I'm a Points Boost maniac to the core — I think this is one of the best perks Chase has ever rolled out for cardmembers — and I've been able to take some pretty amazing trips because of it. Not only do I earn more points when booking through Chase Travel℠, but Points Boost gives me access to luxury hotels that are not traditional points hotels and usually at a 1.5 to 2 cent per point value.
My Chase Sapphire Reserve also includes up to $500 in statement credits annually for The Edit hotels, making it a no-brainer to book through the Chase Travel portal. Plus, I can use the flexible $300 annual travel credit for any of my travel purchases, including purchases through the portal, so I can use it to help cover some amazing hotel stays.
Valuable transfer partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards points have become a huge part of my lifestyle. Beyond just Points Boost, I love the option to transfer my points to over a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners like Air France-KLM Flying Blue (especially when there's a transfer bonus of 20% or more) so I can book lie-flat business-class seats to Europe.
Hyatt is another transfer partner that I love, and with the Sapphire Reserve, cardmembers can transfer Chase points 1:1 to World of Hyatt. The Park Hyatt Sydney is one of my absolute favorite hotels in the world — you can't beat the iconic Sydney Harbour views, and the service is phenomenal. Redemptions start at 35,000 Hyatt points a night for a hotel that costs $1,200 per night. This is the value that points can provide.
A total lifestyle card
The Sapphire Reserve received a refresh before its tenth anniversary. Now cardmembers can get over $2,700 in total annual value, which includes $1,500 in annual lifestyle value with statement credits for StubHub, Apple Music, Apple TV and DoorDash. To me, this is a no-brainer, as the benefits clearly offset the card's annual fee.
My Sapphire Reserve has always been a card that just fits my lifestyle, and the benefits make it easier for me to travel for a living ... from the travel credits to the lounge access. I'm a hotel snob and love trying out new luxury properties to share with TPG readers.
Airport experiences are seamless now, thanks to the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit (up to $120 every four years) and Sapphire Lounge access.
The Sapphire Lounges are fabulous when traveling — I almost exclusively fly out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — both have amazing lounges and amenities, plus a beautiful lounge at LaGuardia International Airport (LGA).
Soon, I'll be taking Dean to the Paw Patrol movie premiere, and we'll breeze through TSA and fly United, all on Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and we'll be hitting a Sapphire Lounge on the way. One of my favorite perks of being a Sapphire Reserve card member is being able to relax in a Sapphire Lounge whenever I'm flying that day, whether I'm traveling on United or another airline.
Eating out is also a given during my travels, and receiving up to $300 in dining credits each year for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables provides opportunities to try new and exciting restaurants.
I'm not kidding when I say this is a card that pays for itself many times over.
Bottom line
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my premium go-to card for a decade now, and recent additions to the Sapphire family have only enhanced my ability to earn points. The Sapphire ecosystem is one where I can enjoy card benefits and perks that fit my lifestyle and redeem points easily as I look forward to the next 10 years.