Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Your Secret Weapon or a Costly Mistake? Find Out Who Truly Benefits!
Is shelling out $795 a year for a credit card really worth it? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® doesn’t exactly come cheap, yet for those who fancy a taste of the finer things while jet-setting across the globe, it might just be the golden ticket. I’ve seen plenty of travelers get wrapped up in the perks and wonder if the card truly delivers on its promise. From lounge access that feels like your personal VIP club to an array of credits that can soften the blow of that steep annual fee, the Sapphire Reserve has a way of making you question how you ever traveled without it. But, here’s the kicker — it’s not for everyone. If you’re pinching pennies or counting every point, this card could feel more like a burden than a boon. So, who exactly should and shouldn’t be carrying this piece of plastic in their wallet? Let’s unravel the mystery and see if the Sapphire Reserve earns its keep on your travels. LEARN MORE
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 offers.
Here’s who might — and might not — want to add the Sapphire Reserve to their wallet.
Key Sapphire Reserve benefits
The Sapphire Reserve is currently offering a stellar welcome bonus to new cardholders.
Right now, new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth $3,075 per TPG’s May 2026 valuations of Chase points, and is an excellent way to earn a substantial amount of points upfront.
When you consider the Sapphire Reserve’s numerous statement credits and perks, it may be easier to justify the high annual fee, especially if you can easily maximize many of them. These include:
- Annual $300 travel credit
- Chase Sapphire Lounge access
- Complimentary subscriptions for Apple TV and Apple Music (through June 22, 2027)
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027)
- DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
- The Edit hotel credit
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit every four years
- Lyft in-app credits (earned monthly; through Sept. 30, 2027)
- OpenTable credit (no prepayment, payment or reservation through OpenTable required)
- Peloton membership credits (through Dec. 31, 2027)
- Priority Pass Select membership
- Spending-incentivized credits, including IHG, Hyatt and Southwest Airlines status and credits with Southwest Airlines and The Shops at Chase
- StubHub and Viagogo credit (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
- Travel and purchase protections
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And, the card comes with high earning rates to create ongoing value, including:
- 10 points per dollar spent on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through Dec. 31, 2027)
- 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel℠ purchases
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases worldwide
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Purchases that qualify for the annual $300 travel credit will not earn points.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve 150,000-point bonus: Your frequent questions answered
Who should get the Sapphire Reserve?
Let’s explore why you may want to add the Sapphire Reserve to your wallet.
People who spend a lot on travel
The Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual travel credit is very flexible and automatically applies to the first $300 in travel purchases made with the card.
Travel is a broadly defined category on the Sapphire Reserve, so it’s easy for frequent travelers to use. However, it’s worth noting that you won’t earn points on purchases that qualify for the statement credit.
People who value airport lounge access
The Sapphire Reserve grants access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and over 1,300 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 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.
If you fly frequently in or out of an airport with a Chase lounge or value a Priority Pass membership, this card is the ticket.
People who want luxury hotel perks
Sapphire Reserve 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, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) 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 per calendar year in The Edit credits for stays of two nights or more (split into two up-to-$250 credits that can be used at any time, but not combined).
Cardholders also receive a separate one-time credit of up to $250 for select hotels booked through Chase Travel in 2026.
If you enjoy staying at IHG properties, this card also provides automatic IHG One Platinum elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027). And, if you put $75,000 in spending on the card in a calendar year, you’ll receive IHG One Diamond elite status and World of Hyatt Explorist status.
People who want to maximize point redemptions
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; a select number of luxury hotels unlock up to 2.5 cents per point in value. (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.
People willing to book through Chase Travel to earn more points
If you’re open to booking with the Sapphire Reserve through the Chase Travel portal, you’ll earn 8 points per dollar spent 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.
People who 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 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 valuations.
If you have a Chase cash-back card — but not one that allows you to transfer Chase points to transfer partners — adding the Sapphire Reserve could be a good option.
These are the other cards that allow you to transfer Chase points to transfer partners:
If you don’t have one of these, it may be a good idea to add the Sapphire Reserve.
Some cards that pair well with the Sapphire Reserve are:
People who 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 Sapphire Reserve?
The 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.
People who 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.
People who 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.
People who won’t maximize most of the statement credits
The Sapphire Reserve offers a long list of statement credits for various types of spending. This includes up to $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credits through Dec. 31, 2027 (up to $150 biannually), up to $300 in annual dining credits with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (up to $150 biannually) and up to $300 in annual promos with DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2027 (up to $25 in monthly promos).
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 tracking statement credits or prefer a simpler card, the Sapphire Reserve may not be for you.
People who have applied for 5 or more cards in the last 24 months
Chase’s 5/24 rule prevents those who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months from being approved for a Chase card.
If you’re over 5/24, you may want to consider another premium card until you’re back under the threshold. The American Express Platinum Card® or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be good options instead — 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 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 your points redemptions and plans to book through the Chase Travel portal regularly.
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 Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
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