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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.
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How to maximize earning with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Joseph Hostetler is a credit cards writer who also covers helpful miles and points tricks. He previously authored and edited for Million Mile Secrets. He most enjoys a vagabonding approach to travel and loves to share any tips he finds along the way to save both points and money. He generally gravitates toward more nature-oriented activities, like climbing the Haiku Stairs in Hawaii, hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and swimming in Mexican cenotes. You can follow him on Instagram @johostetler.
Favorite city: Jerusalem
Where to next: Seattle
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 9, 2025 • 7 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
A top-tier travel rewards card offers standout perks like lounge access and high earning rates at select travel and dining merchants.
Booking travel through the card's portal can yield elevated rewards, especially for hotels, activities and car rentals, though direct bookings may offer more flexibility.
Dining worldwide and select ride-hailing services also provide strong earning opportunities, with additional credits and benefits available for food delivery and rideshare platforms.
Pairing this card with a complementary product can help maximize rewards on everyday purchases not covered by bonus categories.
What to consider
Booking directly with airlines or hotels may provide better customer service, but earns fewer rewards than portal bookings.
Travel credits and monthly ride-hailing credits are available, but some are use-it-or-lose-it and do not roll over.
Some benefits and earning rates are time-limited, such as elevated rewards and credits for specific services ending September 30, 2027.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for combining products and maximizing redemptions through the travel portal and transfer partners.
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.
Many of the card's perks, such as lounge access, make it stand out from the pack — but the card's earning rates also shine.
Let's examine how you can maximize this card's earning rates to ensure you're earning the most points.
Earn a welcome bonus
Right now is a great time to apply for the Sapphire Reserve. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
XAVIER LORENZO/GETTY IMAGES
According to TPG's June 2026 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $2,050. And it's possible to get even more value if you're familiar with Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots.
Use it to book travel and activities through Chase Travel
You can book activities, car rentals, cruises, flights and hotels through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Earning 8 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases is an excellent way to build up your Ultimate Rewards points. Although booking a hotel through Chase comes with pros and cons (as we'll touch on later), you'll earn over 16% back on those purchases (based on our June 2026 valuations).
If you usually book accommodation through online travel agencies like Orbitz and Priceline, you should check pricing through Chase Travel because you'll earn more points that way. And you can pair that with one of the two up to $250 (up to $500 per year) The Edit credits you'll receive for booking participating luxury hotels (two-night minimum).
This earning rate on rental cars also works well in tandem with the card's already generous primary rental car insurance.
WOLFGANG KAEHLER/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
The Chase Travel portal also allows other bookings, including activities and tours. You'll earn 8 points per dollar on both types of purchases. If you were going to make these bookings anyway through a tour operator or third-party website like Viator, it's smart to check Chase Travel first.
Use it to book flights and hotels directly
There are several reasons why booking flights or hotels directly is more beneficial. If you're worried about losing out on 8 points per dollar through the portal, the Sapphire Reserve still has you covered, as cardholders earn 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly.
Although it's half of what you could earn when booking through Chase Travel, the peace of mind you'll get when dealing with a hotel or airline's customer service versus the portal may be worth it to some.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
And you'll receive a reimbursement of $300 in travel purchases each anniversary year, helping offset the high $795 annual fee. Since Chase defines travel quite broadly, your credit will automatically trigger for expenses like car rentals, cruises and Ubers. (Just keep in mind that you won't earn bonus points on the first $300 spent on travel.)
And there are two additional reasons the Sapphire Reserve is at the top of the list when it comes to booking flights:
Baggage delay insurance: You and your immediate family are entitled to up to $100 per day for up to five days for necessary expenses like clothes and toiletries. This benefit kicks in when your bags are delayed more than six hours.
Trip delay insurance: You are covered for up to $500 per covered traveler when your flight is delayed six hours or more or overnight.
Use it for dining
The Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide. That's a solid 6.2% back on purchases, according to TPG's June 2026 valuations.
If you're like some of us at TPG, you might be spending thousands per year on dining out. It's not difficult to rack up 10,000 points per year from dining alone, especially considering the 3 points per dollar bonus category includes delivery services like DoorDash.
This is former TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed's favorite earning rate. He earns bonus points on a wide range of purchases that code as dining, including coffee shops, cafes, food trucks and sit-down restaurants.
ANDRIJA NIKOLIC/GETTY IMAGES
And this earning rate works well with the card's other benefits:
Two monthly $10 non-restaurant and one $15 restaurant promos (up to $420 annually) with DoorDash and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year (must activate by Dec. 31, 2029)
Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) and a $10 monthly in-app credit (up to $120 annually; through Sept. 30, 2027).
Unfortunately, the credits don't carry over month to month, and it's a use-it-or-lose-it situation. With such benefits, the preferred ride-hailing service for Sapphire Reserve cardholders should be Lyft.
Pair with another Chase card
While the Sapphire Reserve is strong on travel and dining, it earns just 1 point per dollar on non-bonus spending. That’s where pairing it with another Chase card can boost your earnings:
Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see ): Earns 3 points per dollar on drugstore purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on most other purchases. By putting everyday spending like groceries, streaming or gas on this card, you’ll consistently earn more than the flat 1 point per dollar the Sapphire Reserve offers.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card(see ): Earns 3 points per dollar on a wide range of popular business categories, including travel purchases that may not qualify for Sapphire Reserve bonuses, such as Airbnb stays and taxis.
8 points per dollar on bookings through Chase Travel
4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly
5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
3 points per dollar worldwide on dining
Then, cover your other spending with a complementary Chase card like the Freedom Unlimited or Ink Business Preferred to avoid settling for just 1 point per dollar. By pairing cards strategically and funneling all rewards into Ultimate Rewards, you’ll maximize every purchase and unlock outsized value through travel redemptions.
