Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) charges a hefty $795 annual fee — so is it worth adding to your wallet? For travelers who value luxury perks, it's likely worth it.

The Sapphire Reserve delivers exceptional value to those ready to maximize its benefits. However, budget-minded travelers may not appreciate what the card has to offer.

Right now, new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth up to $2,563 per TPG's July 2025 valuations of Chase points, and is an excellent way to collect a chunk of points upfront.

Here's who might — and might not — want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to their wallet.

Who should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Let's explore why you may want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to your wallet.

You spend a lot on travel

The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is very flexible and automatically applies to the first $300 spent on travel with the card.

Travel is a broadly defined category on the Sapphire Reserve, so it's easy for frequent travelers to use.

You value lounge access

The Sapphire Reserve grants access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and more than 1,700 Priority Pass lounges for cardholders and up to two guests at no charge. When traveling with a Star Alliance airline, cardholders also receive access to more than 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.

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If you fly frequently in or out of an airport with a Chase lounge or value Priority Pass membership, this card is the ticket.

You want luxury hotel perks

Sapphire cardholders also receive access to The Edit by Chase Travel, Chase's luxury hotel collection. This program is only open to those who hold a Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve® Card.

The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you don't have elite status with popular programs such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors — or you want to stay at boutique properties outside of these programs and still receive perks — The Edit properties provide comparable benefits like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late checkout and complimentary upgrades (when available). Plus, the Sapphire Reserve offers up to $500 annually in The Edit credits.

If you enjoy staying at IHG properties, this card also provides automatic IHG One Platinum elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027).

You want to maximize redeeming your points

Sapphire Reserve cardholders are eligible to redeem Chase points through the Chase Travel portal with the Points Boost accelerator. With Points Boost, you can redeem your Chase points for select hotel bookings and flights through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point. (This depends on the redemption you choose; see your rewards program agreement for full details.)

With Points Boost, we've seen hotels near Disneyland for just 17,000 Chase points a night — instead of 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

You're willing to book through a portal to earn double the points

If you're open to booking with the Sapphire Reserve through the Chase Travel portal, you'll earn 8 points per dollar on those purchases. This is double the return you'd receive with the card on flight or hotel bookings made directly with the airline or property (4 points per dollar spent).

If you don't have elite status or loyalty to a particular airline or hotel, booking with the portal could help you earn more on your booking.

You have a Chase card that earns cash back

Pairing the Sapphire Reserve with a Chase cash-back card is a smart way to boost your rewards.

That's because you'll be able to transfer your points to one of Chase's 14 loyalty program partners when you also hold the Sapphire Reserve. Transferring to partners allows you to unlock the value of Chase points at 2.05 cents per point, per TPG's July 2025 valuations.

If you have a Chase cash-back card — but not one that allows you to transfer Chase points to transfer partners such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — adding the Sapphire Reserve could be a good option.

The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Some cards that pair well with the Sapphire Reserve are:

• Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees)
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)

The information for the Ink Business Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You value strong travel protections

The Sapphire Reserve is an excellent card for travel and shopping protections. The card provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Related: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations

Who shouldn't get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great choice for many travelers, but it isn't for everyone. Here are some reasons this card may not be ideal for you.

You rarely travel

The Sapphire Reserve is designed for frequent travelers. Its flexible annual travel credit and multiple statement credits toward travel-related purchases are geared toward them. Plus, if you don't need airport lounge access because you aren't flying much, the Sapphire Reserve likely isn't the card for you.

You prefer cash back

The Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points for spending. If you'd prefer cash-back rewards, apply for a card that earns cash back instead.

You won't maximize most of the statement credits

The Sapphire Reserve comes with a long list of statement credits for multiple types of spending. This includes up to $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credits through Dec. 31, 2027 ($150 biannually), up to $300 in annual dining credits with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables and up to $300 in annual promos with DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2027.

Maximizing these credits is a sure-fire way to get the full value out of the card in exchange for its high $795 annual fee. However, if you aren't interested in keeping track of statement credits or want a simpler card, the Sapphire Reserve may not be for you.

You currently hold the Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card does not cancel out the Sapphire Reserve by any means, since the cards are quite different. The Sapphire Preferred doesn't offer lounge access and the Sapphire Reserve no longer has a general travel bonus category, so it may make sense to hold both cards in some circumstances.

The reason you may not want the Sapphire Reserve if you already hold the Sapphire Preferred is the welcome bonus. Due to Chase's updated welcome bonus eligibility requirements, you're unlikely to earn the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus if you currently hold the Sapphire Preferred.

This could mean missing out on a significant part of the Sapphire Reserve's overall value, so you may want to skip the premium card if you're happy with your Sapphire Preferred.

If you're thinking of upgrading to the Sapphire Reserve from the Sapphire Preferred, you'll gain more from Points Boost redemptions — but you'd lose out on the general travel bonus category. Consider what you'd gain and what you'd lose before making the decision.

You've applied for 5 or more cards in the last 24 months

Chase's famous 5/24 rule restricts those who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months from being approved for one of its cards.

If you're over 5/24, you may want to consider another premium card until you're back under the threshold. The Platinum Card® from American Express or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be good options in its place — or you could wait to submit your Sapphire Reserve application.

As with most premium cards, you may also have trouble qualifying if you're new to credit entirely.

Bottom line

Despite its high $795 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could make an excellent addition to the luxury traveler's wallet. This is especially true if you're a frequent traveler who values lounge access, wants to maximize their points redemptions and would book through the Chase Travel portal often.

Occasional travelers, budget-conscious consumers and those who prefer cash-back rewards would be better with another option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve