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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.
Guides
5 things to do once you get your Chase Sapphire Reserve
Daisy is a credit cards editor at TPG. Her expertise spans earning and redeeming rewards across rotating categories on multiple cards.Prior to this, she wrote news stories, how-to guides and tested and reviewed gear for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, Bicycling and Runner's World.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
September 3, 2025 • 8 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.
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Quick summary
The article shares a staff member's strategy for maximizing the value of a premium travel rewards card, focusing on welcome offers and ongoing perks.
Key benefits include substantial statement credits for travel, dining and event tickets, as well as complimentary subscriptions and lounge access.
The author highlights the importance of timing card applications to align with spending needs and maximize bonus opportunities.
Advice is provided on setting up the card for everyday use and leveraging benefits like expedited airport security screening.
What to consider
Some perks, such as new credits and enhanced earning rates, are available immediately to new applicants but may have a delayed start for existing cardholders.
Credits for event tickets and dining are distributed biannually and may require advance planning to use before expiration dates.
To access certain benefits, cardholders must register through the issuer's online portal after account setup.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed walkthrough of how to coordinate spending, enroll in perks and optimize statement credits to maximize the value of a premium travel rewards card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
At TPG, you’ll hear staffers rave about their favorite cards for several reasons.
Some of us love premium travel cards with lucrative welcome offers and generous reward-earning structures. Others prefer low-key, no-annual-fee cards that earn flat rates on all purchases.
And some of us, me included, have a foot firmly planted in both camps.
I spread my purchases across a couple of cards to maximize my spending and earn both cash back and transferable credit card points. Among my go-to's are:
Together, they provide excellent value on everyday purchases I already make regularly, though the Sapphire Reserve remains the standout of the bunch.
I got the Sapphire Reserve in January 2024, and it immediately provided outsize value. In fact, I decided to keep this card even after its annual fee jumped to $795 from $550 in June.
Here’s how I maximized the benefits and perks of my Sapphire Reserve when I received it — and what you should do once you get yours.
Earn the welcome bonus
First, I planned the ideal time to apply for the Sapphire Reserve. My main goal was to earn the welcome bonus without worrying about meeting spending requirements on other new cards at the same time.
Currently, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's June 2026 valuations, the current welcome offer is worth $2,050.
FRESHSPLASH/GETTY IMAGES
With a credit score of over 800 and a solid credit history, I was confident in my ability to get approved for the Reserve card. The notice of approval came instantly, and I moved on to lining up the purchases that would help me reach the spending threshold needed to earn the welcome bonus.
The very first purchase I made with my card was a $250 deposit for a New Year’s Eve family cruise. Because this was a travel purchase, it was covered by the $300 annual travel credit that comes with this card (although this purchase did not earn points as the travel credit isn’t eligible to do so).
I also put my card down for a couple of meals with friends and family, which added up to a few hundred dollars on top of using my Sapphire Reserve for general everyday purchases, including gas, parking and grocery runs.
Maximize perks and earning rates
As a hobby chef, I love to cook and experiment with new recipes and ingredients, but at the end of a long day, I don't always feel like prepping a meal from scratch.
When this happens, I usually order delivery on DoorDash. The up to $35 monthly DoorDash promo credit, in conjunction with a complimentary DashPass subscription that comes with this card through Dec. 31, 2029, saves me a few bucks every time I click “Place order.”
Another perk to maximize is the annual $300 dining credit through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables. The credit is split up into $150 biannually and is a great way to dine at some amazing restaurants with friends and family. Plus, this credit helps reduce the card's big annual fee.
DOORDASH
Another perk of the refreshed Sapphire Reserve is the ability to earn 8 points per dollar spent on hotel reservations and flights booked via Chase Travel℠. The Reserve is also an excellent travel companion since it has no foreign transaction fees.
This card also provides an up to $500 The Edit hotel credit annually for prepaid reservations of two nights or more. I'm excited to use this benefit to help reduce my travel costs when booking stays within The Edit portfolio.
As an existing cardholder, I won't get access to the new credits, perks and reward rates on this card until Oct. 26. New applicants, however, receive immediate access to all of the card's refreshed perks and earning rates.
Add the Sapphire Reserve to apps, websites and your mobile wallet
With the ability to earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct and 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide, the Chase Sapphire Reserve should be one of your top cards for booking travel.
Also consider setting up the Sapphire Reserve as your default card on your Lyft account since you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent through Sept. 30, 2027. This is more than a 10% return on your Lyft purchases based on TPG's August 2025 valuations.
RAFAEL HENRIQUE/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
Not only do you get access to DashPass, but the Reserve card earns 3 points per dollar on dining, as well — whether it’s eating out at a restaurant or ordering delivery. Just don’t forget to make your card the default payment on your account.
To get started with these particular Reserve benefits, do the following:
Log in to your Chase account.
Select “Ultimate Rewards.”
Select your Sapphire Reserve account.
Select “Card Benefits” under the “Use Points” dropdown menu.
From there, you’ll register for each benefit you wish to receive. Some notable examples include
Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription through June 22, 2027 (One-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app required)
Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
As a cardholder, you'll also want to take advantage of the up to $300 annual Stubhub and Viagogo credit (through Dec. 31, 2027). You'll receive this credit as $150 biannually and can use it toward event tickets, such as concerts and sporting events.
I've had my eye on Cage the Elephant tickets, but timing might be tricky since my credit doesn't kick in until Oct. 26 and the band's 2025 tour ends Oct. 30.
Universal Mardi Gras free concert. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Getting through U.S. Customs and Border Protection or airport security is one of the most dreaded parts of modern-day air travel, so use your Chase Sapphire Reserve to apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and make your trek a little easier.
You’ll get the application fee waived, up to $120, when you pay for either program (though I recommend going with Global Entry if you travel abroad frequently since it includes TSA PreCheck).
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Already have Global Entry or PreCheck? You can let a friend or family member benefit from your Chase Sapphire Reserve. Use your card to pay for their application, and the fee will be offset via a statement credit by Chase so long as you haven’t already used it on yourself or someone else.
Because I plan to open more credit cards, I have to think strategically about which ones I apply for and when.
My approach to each card I apply for is essentially the same:
Create a game plan to earn the welcome bonus. This includes deciding if annual fees, earning rates and bonus categories align with my spending habits and travel needs.
Consider how upcoming travel plans can fit into maximizing my spending while also earning valuable points and miles I can put toward future use.
Check if adding an authorized user to help boost my reward-earning power makes sense.
The crown jewel in my daily credit card group is the Sapphire Reserve — even with its hefty $795 annual fee — thanks to its myriad benefits, including generous statement credits, high earning rates on travel bookings and stellar travel protections.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a high annual fee, consider the Sapphire Reserve’s sibling, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see ), which features a modest $95 annual fee and is a TPG staff favorite.
