Travel Credits Post Instantly With Chase Sapphire Reserve
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Last week, Chase introduced the much-anticipated Sapphire Reserve Card, and I was fortunate enough to receive my card a couple days later. The perks are absolutely fantastic (we detail them here), and include a $300 travel credit issued each calendar year.
Unlike with competing premium travel rewards cards, however, the Reserve card's $300 credit applies to any travel purchase, so I decided to take it for a spin with United's "award accelerator" option. I ended up purchasing 45,000 United miles for $900 (a reasonable 2 cents per mile), which I could end up using toward a redemption in United's soon-to-be-released Polaris business class (pictured above).
Much to my surprise, the credit posted instantly — as in, it hit my account the very same day the $900 purchase posted. That means you won't need to make an eligible purchase and pay it off only to get the credit a few weeks later. And while a potential delay wouldn't be a "make it or break it" detail, it's certainly better to have your credit sooner than later.
Have a question about the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card? Check out our Q&A. See these posts for more:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Review and Application Link
- Questions and Answers About the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Everything You Need to Know About Chase Sapphire Reserve Perks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Benefits, Coverage & More
How have you used your $300 annual travel credit?
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app