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Labeling any card the “ultimate card” for a specific use is a tough call. But when traveling with a family, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees) stands above the crowd — and for good reason.
On balance, the Sapphire Reserve can make travel more affordable, frequent, and comfortable. We also consider it an excellent option for families who are serious about travel.
Here are five reasons why we think the Sapphire Reserve is the ultimate family travel card.
Page Contents
$300 Annual Travel Credit
If there's one metric that separates a premium travel card from a non-premium one, it's the annual fee.
With the recent overhaul of the Sapphire Reserve’s benefits, the annual fee has increased to $795, but the card’s standout perk, a $300 annual travel credit, still helps offset a significant part of that cost right out of the gate.
The Sapphire Reserve‘s annual $300 travel credit is awarded each year that you carry the card, and it's ready to put to use as soon as you open your new account. The credit is simple to use, and there's nothing to activate. When you use the card on a purchase that codes as “travel,” you'll see a reimbursement within a few days. This process continues until you've used the entirety of the $300 credit.
Of course, “travel” is a broad category, but that's part of what makes the perk great. From airfare to toll bridges, sightseeing to tourist attractions, there's a high chance it counts as travel.
Family travel isn't cheap, but $300 can go a long way, depending on how you use it. The only downside with this perk is that there's a great chance you'll start using it before you know it, since so many things count as “travel.” Plus, you don't earn bonus points on travel purchases that are offset by this credit.
Cardholders also get up to $500 in annual credits for prepaid stays at The Edit, Chase’s luxury hotel collection. The benefit is split into two $250 credits — one valid from January through June, and another from July through December — and applies to prepaid bookings of two nights or more. This can add significant value for families planning trips during school breaks or summer travel.
Related: Premium Credit Card Perks That Are Great for Families
Earn Valuable Ultimate Rewards
One of the greatest strengths of flexible rewards points is their versatility, and Chase Ultimate Rewards are among the most flexible and valuable options available.
Ultimate Rewards showcase their value and versatility through the long list of Chase transfer partners. No matter what your family travel goals are, there's a strong chance you can make them happen with Chase points.
Chase partners with 11 airlines and three hotel loyalty programs, and you can move your Ultimate Rewards points to one of these partners at a 1:1 ratio. If you're lucky, you can take advantage of a transfer bonus and receive a higher return on your points transfers, meaning more travel for fewer points. And most transfers to Chase's partners are instant.
Booking award travel for a family might sound like a dauntingly expensive task, but it doesn't have to be. There are many practical airline award sweet spots for families, and you aren't confined solely to domestic flights to enjoy them.
Chase makes it easy to turn points into airline miles with these transfer partners:
And the hotel loyalty programs can offer fantastic value as well.
Related: Do Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Expire?
Accrue Points Faster With Bonus Categories
An integral piece of any credit card strategy is carrying cards that reward your spending in the best way possible. The more points you earn, the more you can travel with your family; it's as simple as that.
For travel- and food-loving families, the Sapphire Reserve is an incredibly valuable companion. Cardholders earn 8X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 4X on flights and hotels booked directly. You’ll also earn 3X on dining at restaurants and through eligible food delivery services. If your family regularly spends in these categories, it’s easy to build a strong points balance toward your next trip.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Sapphire Reserve earns just 1X Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on purchases outside of its bonus categories. To get more value from your everyday spending, it’s worth pairing this card with another Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points in categories where the Sapphire Reserve doesn’t shine.
This way, you can take full advantage of all the leading benefits the Sapphire Reserve offers and avoid settling for a poor return on all non-bonused spending.
Related: Accumulate Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Quickly by Building a Credit Card Combo
Relax at a Chase Sapphire Lounge or Priority Pass Airport Lounge
If there's a better way to kick off a family vacation than spending quality time in an amenity-filled airport lounge, we'd love to hear it. Sapphire Reserve cardholders can access 1,300+ Priority Pass airport lounges, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge, so you can relax before the runway at an incredible number of locations.
There are also now eight Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club open worldwide, and they're truly stunning. You'll find locations at Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Washington Dulles (IAD), LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and Hong Kong (HKG).
Chase has also announced new lounges coming to Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in 2025. Families can enjoy spacious lounges with kid-friendly zones, snack bars, and unique local touches, making travel a little more relaxing, especially during busy airport days.
Unlike the Sapphire lounges, Priority Pass lounges are a dime a dozen. Priority Pass Select requires a one-time activation. Immediately after completion, you can access brand-affiliated lounges, restaurants, and cafes.
If you're the Sapphire Reserve‘s primary cardholder, you and your authorized users can enjoy complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges with a maximum of two accompanying guests each. Additional guests will incur a $27 charge, which will be charged to your Sapphire Reserve.
Many credit cards offer Priority Pass lounge access, so you might take the line about “access may be denied if the lounge is at capacity” in the Sapphire Reserve‘s terms and conditions to heart. To improve your odds of getting into a lounge, you might consider traveling at off-peak hours. While it's not a perfect science, it could help your chances of getting in when lounges are less busy.
Enjoy Extensive Travel and Shopping Protections
Although they aren't the flashiest of benefits, the Sapphire Reserve‘s shopping coverage and travel protections are second to none. When you use the card, you can rest easy knowing you're covered before, during, and after your family trip.
Shopping protections
The Sapphire Reserve‘s expansive shopping protections make it a clear choice for booking trips and paying for expenses while on the road. Here's a snapshot of some of the shopping protections you'll enjoy when you swipe the card:
- Return protection
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Zero liability protection
- No foreign transaction fees
Travel coverage
Traveling with family can be unpredictable, but the Sapphire Reserve offers strong protection when things don’t go as planned. From lost luggage to rental car mishaps or a sudden illness before your trip, this card includes a wide range of coverage that can help you recover costs and avoid added stress.
Here's the complete list of travel coverage offered by the Sapphire Reserve.
- Primary coverage via an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Travel accident insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Baggage delay insurance
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
- Roadside assistance
- Emergency medical and dental benefits
- Travel and emergency assistance services
However, as with all insurance benefits, be sure to read the guide to benefits before assuming a specific incident will be covered.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Chase Sapphire Reserve® Insurance Benefits
Final Thoughts
Many cards come with eye-catching bonuses and flashy perks, but the best options for family travel offer more than short-term rewards. They combine meaningful travel benefits, strong purchase protections, and comprehensive insurance, all backed by generous earning potential.
The Sapphire Reserve delivers on all fronts. With valuable credits, built-in protections, and high bonus rates on travel and dining, it’s a top-tier option for families who travel often and want to make their points go further.
If your family is serious about travel, it's worth a look into the Sapphire Reserve. It could be the next great member of your travel group.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
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