Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Editor's Note
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
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:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
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:
- Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees)
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
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
Frequently asked questions
You are eligible for the Sapphire Reserve as long as you are under 5/24 and don't have a Sapphire Reserve currently open. You more than likely will not be eligible for the card's welcome bonus if you have previously earned a bonus on the Sapphire Reserve or if you have previously had a Sapphire Reserve (even if you didn't earn a bonus on that card).
If you can maximize the Sapphire Reserve's multiple perks, including lounge access, lifestyle credits, dining perks and travel benefits, you may be able to come out ahead of the card's high annual fee. In that case, the card would be worth the annual fee. If you can't maximize the benefits, you may be better off applying for a card with a lower annual fee.
The Sapphire Reserve is the premium counterpart to the Sapphire Preferred, offering numerous more statement credits and perks (such as airport lounge access) for a much higher annual fee. The Sapphire Preferred is better for occasional travelers and beginners, while the Sapphire Reserve is best for frequent travelers and luxury enthusiasts.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.