Should I Use Chase Sapphire Reserve for Everyday Spending?
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TPG reader Rodrigo sent me a message on Facebook to ask about maximizing points on spending:
"Should the Sapphire Reserve be my new go-to card for everything, or should I still try to make the $30,000 spending goal for my Aviator Silver companion tickets?"
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has been a hit since it was first released in August. Some of the card's widespread popularity is due to its large sign-up bonus and premium perks (like lounge access and travel credits). However, one of the benefits I've been most excited about is the 3x spending bonus, which offers huge value to cardholders, and might cause you to rethink your credit card strategy for everyday spending.
Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, with no foreign transaction fees. Because I value Ultimate Rewards points highly, I think those earning rates make Sapphire Reserve the best option for spending in those categories, at least in most cases. The exceptions would be certain airfare purchases — where The Platinum Card® from American Express now has the edge — and cards with rotating bonuses that occasionally offer even more rewards.
That said, I don't think it's the best choice for non-bonus spending. There are other cards that offer a greater return on purchases like groceries, gas and office supplies. Even if you don't have a card that offers a bonus for spending in those categories, you could use the Chase Freedom Unlimited to earn a consistent 1.5% cash back (1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar). That's better than the 1 point per dollar that Sapphire Reserve earns on non-bonus purchases, so the two cards make a pretty good combination.
In comparison, I don't think the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card is a good option for spending. The bonus categories aren't particularly rewarding, and AAdvantage miles are worth less than Ultimate Rewards points, so there's an opportunity cost to using it for everyday purchases. Spending $30,000 on the Aviator card in non-bonus categories will get you 30,000 AAdvantage miles (worth $450 based on my my most recent valuations). Alternatively, you could earn 45,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $945) by using the Freedom Unlimited card — that's a pretty substantial difference.
I keep the Aviator card mostly to earn bonus Elite Qualifying Miles and maintain my Executive Platinum status. The companion certificate is a nice perk, but it's limited to domestic economy travel, and you have to cover certain taxes and fees, so the final cost ends up being higher than $99 per person. If the EQMs don't mean much to you, then you'll really have to maximize the companion fares in order to get the same return from your spending.
For more on earning Ultimate Rewards and maximizing purchases in general, check out these posts:
- How to Pick a Credit Card for Everyday Non-Bonus Purchases
- The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Each Bonus Category
- Is Chase Freedom Unlimited Good for Non-Bonus Spending?
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
Featured image courtesy of Shutterstock.
TPG featured card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees