Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is Still One of the Best Premium Travel Cards
When it comes to premium credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® continues to stand out. Yes, it has a high annual fee — but the perks, points, and travel benefits can easily outweigh it for frequent travelers.
Here’s why this card is worth considering:
1. Generous Sign-Up Bonus
Chase often offers a big welcome bonus (August 21, 2025: Earn up to 100K bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months). Those points can easily cover a round-trip flight or several hotel nights when redeemed smartly.
2. $300 Annual Travel Credit
Every year, you automatically get $300 back on travel purchases (airfare, hotels, car rentals, even tolls and parking). This credit is effortless to use, and it immediately offsets most of the annual fee.
3. Earn Points Faster
The Sapphire Reserve is all about accelerated earning rates:
- 10X points on hotels & car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 10X points on Chase Dining (booked through Ultimate Rewards)
- 5X points on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3X points on other travel worldwide (outside the $300 credit)
- 3X points on dining (worldwide)
- 1X on everything else
4. Premium Travel Benefits
This is where CSR shines:
- Priority Pass™ Select Membership → lounge access at 1,300+ airports worldwide (you + 2 guests).
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry credit every 4 years.
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection perks (room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout).
5. Strong Travel & Purchase Protections
- Trip Delay Insurance → up to $500 per ticket if your trip is delayed 6+ hours.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance → up to $10,000 per person.
- Primary Rental Car Coverage → no need for extra rental insurance.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement.
This is one of the best cards for protecting your trips.
6. Best Use of Points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve makes your points worth more:
- 50% more value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal.
- Transfer to 14+ partners (like United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and Singapore Airlines).
- This is where the card shines — turning points into business class flights or luxury hotels.
7. Annual Fee & Why It’s Worth It
- Annual Fee: $550
- But after the $300 travel credit, it’s effectively $250.
- Add in Priority Pass, travel protections, and high-value points, and the math works out for anyone who travels a few times a year.
👉 APPLY HERE*
✅ Quick Tips Before Applying:
- You need excellent credit (740+) for the best approval odds.
- Chase’s 5/24 rule applies — if you’ve opened 5+ credit cards in the last 24 months, you’ll likely be denied.
- If you’re just starting out, it’s usually smarter to start with Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred® before jumping straight to Reserve.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is not just a credit card — it’s a travel companion. If you travel at least once or twice a year, the credits and perks often outweigh the annual fee. And if you love luxury travel, lounge access, and maximizing points, this is a card that deserves serious consideration.
👉 Ready to upgrade your travel game? APPLY HERE*
💡 Pro tip: Pairing the Chase Sapphire Reserve® with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ (which earns 5% in rotating categories) is a killer combo. You can combine points and then redeem them for outsized travel value through the Reserve.
*Disclosure: Some of the credit card offers on this page are referral links. I may receive a bonus if you apply and are approved, which helps keep this site running. These are cards I personally recommend based on their features and benefits.
