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.
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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.
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.
July 12, 2025 • 10 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 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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Quick summary
A premium travel rewards card remains a top choice for frequent travelers due to its flexible benefits and valuable statement credits.
The card offers a broad range of airline and hotel transfer partners, making it easy to redeem points for high-value travel experiences.
Recent updates introduced new lifestyle, dining and hotel credits, which can help offset the card's higher annual fee for many users.
Access to an expanding network of airport lounges adds further value, especially for those traveling with family or seeking comfort during layovers.
What to consider
Some offers and benefits mentioned may no longer be available, so it's important to check current terms before applying or renewing.
Maximizing the card's statement credits and transfer partners is key to justifying the higher annual fee compared to other premium options.
Certain credits require activation or specific booking channels, and some benefits are split into biannual periods or have expiration dates.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how to leverage transfer partners, statement credits and lounge access to maximize value from a premium travel card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
My friend flashed me a new credit card and said, “This is the latest one; it’s a must.” It was September 2016 and my first encounter with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). At the time, I only held a cash-back credit card and a cobranded airline credit card, but I took his words to heart.
Nearly a decade later, the Chase Sapphire Reserve still holds a special place in my wallet, as it was my first transferable currency credit card.
Several staffers at TPG have the Sapphire Reserve, but many also have the ever-popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). While there are valid reasons why some people cancel or downgrade their Sapphire Reserve, the idea of getting rid of mine has never crossed my mind. Even after the card's massive refresh with an increased annual fee, new benefits and changes to the earning rates, this card is still my go-to travel card.
This card has provided me with immense value throughout my points and miles journey. Here are all the reasons why I’ll never cancel my Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The annual fee is justified
When I originally applied for the card in 2016, the Sapphire Reserve had a $450 annual fee. At the time, other top-tier cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available for new applicants) had comparable annual fees, but of them all, I found the Reserve’s annual fee to be the easiest to justify given its benefits.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
THE POINTS GUY
Despite the Sapphire Reserve's new annual fee of $795, as an existing cardholder, I have until my renewal date in December before I pay the new fee. Plus, I get access to the card's new perks starting Oct. 26.
I value a credit card’s annual fee in relation to its benefits, and thankfully, the Sapphire Reserve's new statement credits feel less like coupon-book-style statement credits. For existing and new cardholders, both the current and updated credits don't require too much effort. For me, this makes the investment of the annual fee worth it.
The $395 annual fee attached to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card makes the card a more affordable alternative to the Sapphire Reserve, but therestriction on its travel credit and lack of other statement credits can be a turnoff if you value flexibility; this is another reason the Sapphire Reserve is a winner in my book.
The latter has been particularly valuable when traveling in the U.S., saving me thousands of dollars on last-minute bookings. I’ve been able to secure one-way airfare using my Southwest points for as little as 6,000 points between John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Denver International Airport (DEN).
DANYAL AHMED/THE POINTS GUY
Based on my spending habits, the Sapphire Reserve helps me accrue points faster than the Sapphire Preferred — another Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card — and has the same transfer partners.
As a result, in 2024 alone, I redeemed over 300,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, thanks to the ease of earning them and the ability to transfer them to top-notch partners.
Without a doubt, my most utilized transfer partner is Air Canada Aeroplan. The breadth of airlines within Star Alliance — including Turkish Airlines, which was the carrier I flew for one of my favorite redemptions (a trip from the U.S. to Istanbul for 70,000 miles one-way in business class) — coupled with an award chart with several sweet spots makes the program a no-brainer.
On the hotel side, World of Hyatt has arguably some of the best redemption rates, which sweetens the deal on Chase’s great range of transfer partners. With some nightly rates in Europe for Park Hyatt properties costing as much as $1,100, I’ve saved thousands of dollars by booking award nights for 50,000 points a night.
Before the card's refresh, and even now, I find the Chase Sapphire Reserve to be one of the most straightforward credit cards for using benefits. The overwhelming majority of the benefits do not require enrollment, a pain point for Amex cardmembers, and there aren’t a ton of restrictions to worry about.
IZUSEK/GETTY IMAGES
As mentioned earlier, the card's new statement credits feel less like a coupon book than those of the Amex Platinum for several reasons. First, the Amex Platinum offers a range of statement credits, from lifestyle to travel, whereas the Sapphire Reserve's new benefits revolve around travel and entertainment.
Other perks on the card are essentially used by cardmembers simply because they're offered and not because the average person needs that specific benefit.
One of the Sapphire Reserve’s most valuable perks is its $300 statement credit for travel purchases, which is easy to use and essentially covers anything that codes as travel. This credit is a top reason I would never cancel my card. I was excited to learn that the refresh kept this valuable statement credit.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Because Chase has a broad view of what qualifies as a travel expense, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual statement credit automatically gets applied to your account for all sorts of travel purchases. For example, I’ve used my $300 statement credit to cover everything from airfare and hotel charges to train tickets, parking meters and even tolls.
In addition to the card's generous $300 travel credit, the Sapphire Reserve now comes with an up to $500 annual statement credit for reservations made via The Edit by Chase Travel℠. This credit is split into two $250 biannual statement credits for prepaid bookings of at least two nights.
Coupled with the flexible $300 statement credit, if you maximize these perks, you'll recoup your entire annual fee year after year.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. DANYAL AHMED/THE POINTS GUY
Valuable lifestyle and dining credits
The following statement credits are innovative, challenging many of the Sapphire Reserve's rivals in their tailored quality and easiness to redeem.
These benefits include:
StubHub or Viagogo credit: An up to $300 annual statement credit for concert and event tickets through Dec. 2027 (split into two $150 biannual credits; activation required).
Dining credit: Up to $300 annual dining credit and primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables through OpenTable (split into two $150 biannual credits automatically applied within the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program).
Apple TV+ and Apple Music benefit: Valued up to $250, an Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription through June 22, 2027 (one-time activation per service is required through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app).
Having complimentary access to lounges streamlines my travel
For me, the ability to access lounges is a great way to pass the time at airports around the world, as it lets me fill up in a comfortable setting for no additional cost. This is especially true when I travel with my family because ordering food for multiple people from an airport restaurant can be a slow, cumbersome process.
As of March 2025, Chase has eight Sapphire lounges globally, including the recently opened Sapphire Lounge by The Club at PHL in Philadelphia. With two more openings already in the pipeline, Chase’s rapidly growing lounge presence is another reason to keep the card open.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Historically, I’ve had limited chances to experience Chase’s Sapphire lounges outside of a recent trip to Hong Kong since I’m based on the West Coast. But with a new opening at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and another planned for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I’m looking forward to maximizing this benefit more — with two complimentary guests in tow — on future trips.
As a happy Sapphire Reserve cardholder for nearly a decade, I don’t see myself downgrading or canceling my card anytime soon, even after the refresh and annual fee increase. The flexible annual travel statement credit, new easy-to-redeem statement credits, impressive roster of transfer partners and growing Sapphire lounge network keep the card a must-have for my wallet, even with its $795 annual fee.
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.
