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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees) is one of the most benefit-heavy travel credit cards on the market — and also one of the priciest. Deciding whether it’s worth the $795 annual fee isn’t as simple as running the numbers on a single perk. The real question is whether you’ll use enough of its earning bonuses, statement credits, and travel benefits to come out ahead year after year.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key perks of the Sapphire Reserve, show you how they work in practice, and highlight which benefits can deliver the most value depending on your travel and spending habits. That way, you can decide for yourself if it belongs in your wallet — and how to maximize it if you keep it.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 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
Page Contents
- What Benefits Does the Sapphire Reserve Provide?
- How to Value the Sapphire Reserve‘s Perks
- Is the Sapphire Reserve Worth Its Annual Fee?
- Alternatives to the Sapphire Reserve
- Bottom Line
- FAQ
- Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve really worth it?
- How much do I have to spend for Chase Sapphire Reserve to be worth it?
- Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve hard to get?
- Who is the Chase Sapphire Reserve best for?
- Why is the Chase Sapphire Reserve so popular?
- Should I pay off my Chase Sapphire immediately?
- When can I cancel my Chase Sapphire Reserve to avoid an annual fee?
- Does Chase Sapphire increase credit?
What Benefits Does the Sapphire Reserve Provide?
The Sapphire Reserve has a laundry list of perks, many of which just changed during a card refresh. Here's a broad overview of what you can access just by carrying the card in your wallet.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x points on dining worldwide.
- Redeem points for up to 2¢ apiece in the Chase Travel℠ portal with Points Boost.
- Use Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature to redeem the points for 1.25¢–1.5¢ apiece in value for purchases in revolving categories.
Travel perks:
- Priority Pass Select membership for both primary cardholders and authorized users, including two additional guests at most lounges, plus unlimited visits to Sapphire Lounges and select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges when flying a Star Alliance airline.
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.
- Best-in-class trip delay/cancellation and luggage protection benefits.
- Primary rental car insurance coverage.
- Complimentary elite status with Avis and National Car Rental.
- Earn IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, Southwest A-List elite status, $500 in Southwest flight credit, and $250 in credit for The Shops at Chase after you spend $75,000 in a single calendar year.
Statement credits:
- Up to $300 per card member year in travel credits across a broadly defined travel category.
- Up to $500 in credit toward hotels booked with Chase's The Edit program, issued twice per year in $250 increments.
- Up to $300 in Chase Dining credit, issued twice per year in $150 increments.
- Up to $300 in StubHub credit, issued twice per year in $150 increments.
Partner benefits:
- Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through June 22, 2027.
- At least 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass if you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Up to $25 in monthly statement credits for DoorDash purchases through December 31, 2027.
- Up to $10 monthly in Peloton statement credits through December 31, 2027.
You can access and activate your benefits by visiting the “Featured Benefits and Offers” page in the Chase Travel portal.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve Full Review
Earning rates
The Sapphire Reserve has multiple elements to its earning structure:
- 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
The card also earns 10X per $1 on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more. This is valid through December 2027 with a maximum of 50,000 bonus points. Likewise, it earns 5X per $1 spent on Lyft rides through September 2027, which can add up if you use the ridesharing service regularly.
To decide how valuable the Sapphire Reserve earning rates are, have to consider how often you'll use the card to pay for travel. Specifically, consider how often you'll book travel through Chase Travel℠ portal or airfare and hotels directly with the provider.
Spending a lot in these categories (and in the Chase Travel portal) can present a significant opportunity to earn extra points on each purchase. How you can use the card's earning rates will play into whether the Sapphire Reserve is worth it for you.
Related: How Many Points Does My Credit Card Earn?
Sapphire Reserve earnings in practice
Let's assume you spend $2,000 on hotels in a given year. You'd earn 16,000 Chase points by booking through the Chase Travel℠ portal instead of 8,000 when booked directly with the hotel.
Add in renting a car four times a year at an average of $200 per rental. Booking through the portal, you'll earn 8X points per dollar spent. You'd earn just 1X points per $1 if you booked directly with the rental agency. That's an extra 5,600 Ultimate Rewards annually using Chase's travel portal.
Between hotels and rental cars, you'd earn 19,200 points. At a baseline cashout value of 1 cent each, that's at least $192 in rewards from those purchases. However, you can often get significantly more value when you leverage Chase's transfer partners. For example, data from AwardWallet users shows they redeem their Chase points for 1.97¢ apiece, further increasing the value of your earnings.
Consider the value of the card's various statement credits
The card also comes with a variety of statement credits, including:
- $300 Annual Travel Credit: This is valid on anything that codes as travel, including taxi rides, public transportation, flights, hotels, and more.
- Up to $500 in The Edit hotel credit: You can get a $250 statement credit from January through July and another from July through December on prepaid bookings made through Chase's The Edit hotel program. A two-night minimum is required, and hotels may be expensive and likely cost more than the credit.
- $300 Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables credit: This is issued twice per year in $150 increments and can be used at restaurants that participate in Chase's dining program. That said, these are limited in quantity and may be more expensive than your average restaurant. One credit is valid from January through June, and the other July through December.
- DashPass and up to $300 per year in credit: Through December 31, 2027, you'll receive a DashPass membership, $5 per month in restaurant order credit, and two $10 promos for grocery or retail orders.
- Up to $300 in StubHub credit per year: Twice per year, you'll receive a $150 StubHub credit; one valid from January through June and another from July through December. These can be used for StubHub and Viagogo event tickets.
- Up to $120 in Lyft credit per year: Through September 30, 2027, you'll receive $10 per month in Lyft credit.
- Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions: Through June 22, 2027, you'll receive complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions.
- Up to $120 in Peloton credit per year: Get up to $10 monthly in statement credits toward eligible Peloton memberships through December 31, 2027.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS Credit: Get up to $120 every four years for trusted traveler program application fees — pay with the card to receive the credit.
If you plan to travel at least once yearly, you'll surely get face value from the $300 travel credit. This credit can be used for anything from taxi rides and subway fare to hotel bookings and flights — in other words, anything that codes as travel counts.
If you tend to stay at high-end hotels (and pay for them), you may be able to use The Edit credit at near face value.
However, the value of partner perks like DoorDash, StubHub, Lyft, Peloton, and Apple depends on how often you use these services.
These credits are highly subjective based on how you spend money. As a result, you should look through these credits closely and examine your spending habits. You can subtract the fee from the annual fee if you spend regularly with these merchants.
But if you wouldn't already spend the money, you may assign it a lower or no value. For example, some of us wouldn't otherwise eat at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants. Maybe having the credit will make it worth the splurge, but it's not saving you money you'd otherwise have spent.
Airport lounge access
The Sapphire Reserve has access to several airport lounge networks, including Chase's relatively new in-house Sapphire Lounge network. Here's a breakdown of the lounges you can access with the card, alongside any applicable entry requirements:
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges: Access select Maple Leaf lounges in the U.S., Europe, and Canada when flying on Star Alliance carriers, including Air Canada, United, or Lufthansa. You can bring one guest, but you both need to have a same-day boarding passes for a Star Alliance flight.
- Chase Sapphire Lounges: You can access any Sapphire Lounge with up to two guests, but you must bring your Priority Pass card with you. You and your guests can access within three hours of your flight's departure time.
- Priority Pass Select: With the included Priority Pass membership card, you can access over 1,300 airport lounges in the Priority Pass network. You can bring up to two guests with you; additional guests cost $27 per person. Lounges may have restrictions on when you can enter.
The value of airport lounge access depends on your home airport, where you travel, and how often you travel. If your home airport has a Sapphire Lounge and you travel once per month or more, you may recoup the value of the card's annual fee in savings from airport food and beverage alone. Likewise, if you travel to the same city every month for work and it has a Priority Pass lounge, you will likely get good value from this benefit.
Related: Guide to Chase Sapphire Lounges
Bonuses for spending $75,000
The Sapphire Reserve gives you a handful of bonus perks when you spend $75,000 in a single calendar year. These include the following:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond status: This is IHG's highest elite tier, offering benefits like a 100% bonus on points earning, space-available room upgrades, and a dedicated phone support line.
- $250 credit for The Shops at Chase: The Shops at Chase is Chase's new online shop that offers curated products from high-end brands like Breitling and Tumi. You can use this credit toward any product in the shop.
- Southwest A-List elite status: This is the first tier of Southwest elite status that includes benefits like free same-day standby and changes, a free checked bag, and a 25% bonus on points earning.
- $500 Southwest Airlines credit: This can be used towards any Southwest flight booked through Chase Travel.
Whether or not it's worth spending $75,000 on your Sapphire Reserve depends on what you purchase and whether or not you'll use these benefits. Spending a lot on airfare, hotels, and dining could be worthwhile as you'll earn bonus Ultimate Rewards points along the way.
But if you spend money in other categories that would earn more points on another card — for example, gas or groceries — you might lose value by putting spend on the Sapphire Reserve.
You shouldn't spend more money to get these benefits. So, look through what you spend the most on and run the numbers to see if it's worthwhile. Likewise, consider whether or not you'll fly Southwest or stay with IHG enough to get value from these elite tiers.
Sign-up bonus
The sign-up bonus is one of the biggest draws of signing up for a premium credit card. New applicants for the Sapphire Reserve can earn 125,000 bonus points bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
This sign-up bonus can easily offset the annual fee. Thus, trying the Sapphire Reserve for a year is worthwhile. If you're unsure how much value the card’s benefits will provide, you can track your usage throughout the first year. When the annual fee comes due in year two, you can decide whether to keep or cancel the card based on your experience.
If the benefits don't seem worth the higher fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees) offers a solid, lower-cost alternative. But you'll need to carefully navigate Chase's application rules if you plan to apply for this card and cancel your premium one.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 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
Related: Best Rewards Credit Card Sign-up Bonus Offers for This Month
Visa Infinite perks
Visa Infinite is the highest tier of Visa credit cards, offering exclusive perks and privileges. Only a handful of travel credit cards are issued as Visa Infinite products, making them relatively rare.
Key Visa Infinite benefits include:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver and other travel protections
- Visa Infinite rental car privileges with Avis, Hertz, National, and more
- Visa Infinite concierge services
- Access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
Some of these perks are also available with Visa Signature cards; issuers control which features are included. Many Visa Signature cards offer travel insurance, reducing the need to hold a Visa Infinite card specifically. And while Visa Infinite’s benefits are valuable, they may not be essential for your needs.
How to Value the Sapphire Reserve‘s Perks
The value of any card’s benefits varies for everyone. Just because a benefit exists doesn’t mean you’re saving money or getting real value. For instance, if you never use food delivery apps, the DashPass benefit holds no value.
Here’s how to determine the value of the Sapphire Reserve benefits:
- Review your spending habits. Look at your typical monthly expenses in areas where the card’s benefits or bonus categories align with your purchases. The AwardWallet Credit Card Spend Analysis tool is really helpful for this.
- Account for credits. The card offers monthly and annual credits. Identify them and assign them their full (or partial) value based on whether you'd make that purchase if you didn't have a credit for it.
- Calculate bonus points. For benefits that result in extra points, estimate how many more points the Sapphire Reserve earns you over another card in your wallet and calculate the difference in value.
- Ignore unused perks. Don’t assign value to benefits you wouldn’t use if the card wasn’t in your wallet.
Don't have an AwardWallet account yet? Sign up for free and track unlimited rewards programs and travel plans!
Related: How To Evaluate Your Credit Card Portfolio
Is the Sapphire Reserve Worth Its Annual Fee?
The value of the sign-up bonus makes it easy to justify the cost of the Sapphire Reserve in the first year. After that, it’s worth reassessing the benefits you use most and assigning a dollar value based on your habits.
Remember that some perks — like TSA PreCheck credits or lounge access — may overlap with other cards, reducing their overall value.
But all that said, here’s how I evaluate the Sapphire Reserve:
- $300 — Annual travel credit (full value, reimbursed directly)
- $250 — The Edit credit (based on using one of the included credits)
- $400 — Lounge access perks (based on personal usage; your value may vary)
- $75 — Extra value from redeeming 20,000 points annually through the Chase Travel℠
- $30 — Trusted Traveler Program application fee credit ($120 over four years)
- $180 — Estimated savings/points from DashPass, Lyft, and other partners
- $250 — Apple TV+ and Apple Music (I pay for these already)
Total Estimated Value: $1,485
This is a relatively conservative estimate, but many travelers can get more value from the card. However, if you don’t spend much in the card's bonus categories or rarely use the lounge access benefit, the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card may be better options.
Alternatives to the Sapphire Reserve
If the Sapphire Reserve doesn’t quite fit your needs, here are a few alternatives to consider:
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The closest competitor to the Sapphire Reserve is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Like the Sapphire Reserve, it offers a $300 annual travel credit — though you must book through Capital One Travel to use it. The card also includes 10,000 bonus miles annually (worth at least $100) and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
In terms of earnings, the Capital One Venture X provides 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on other eligible purchases, which compares well to the Sapphire Reserve.
However, booking through Capital One Travel can be frustrating, and I typically prefer booking directly with travel providers. The Capital One Venture X falls short when it comes to dining rewards, but allows you to transfer miles to 19 Capital One partners.
The Capital One Venture X offers a similar lounge access perk with Priority Pass and access to Capital One Lounges.
But where the Capital One Venture X stands out most is its lower annual fee of $395, making it a more affordable option while still delivering comparable benefits.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
The Platinum Card® from American Express
For those wanting maximum travel perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express is worth considering. It has a $895 annual fee (Rates & Fees), but various credits help offset the cost.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 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.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- 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.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
If maximized, these benefits (combined) can exceed the annual fee.
And while the earning structure isn’t as strong for everyday purchases, the Amex Platinum excels on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. However, it lacks the flexibility of the Sapphire Reserve‘s 4X earning rate on these categories.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 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.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- 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.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If the Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee feels too high, the Sapphire Preferred is a solid alternative at $95 per year. It earns the same valuable points but without premium perks like lounge access or a big travel credit.
The Sapphire Preferred offers a modest $50 annual hotel credit, but this pales in comparison to the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 broader travel credit. It earns 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases., though it lacks the 8X categories on Chase travel and dining purchases.
When redeeming points through Chase Travel℠, the Sapphire Preferred’s points are worth up to 1.75¢, compared to the up to 2¢ per point with the Sapphire Reserve. This can make a significant difference if you redeem frequently through Chase’s portal.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Bottom Line
Depending on who you are, how you travel, and how you spend your money, the Sapphire Reserve may be worth its $795 — or maybe it won't. No matter what, you should continuously evaluate what's in your wallet to ensure your card works for you and provides tangible value. Otherwise, you're not getting what you're paying for.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 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
FAQ
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve really worth it?
This depends on your unique circumstances. If you can use the card's $300 travel credit each year, then you need to get $495 in additional annual value from the lounge membership, spending credits, and elevated earning rates.
How much do I have to spend for Chase Sapphire Reserve to be worth it?
It depends on your spending categories. If you redeem at least 62,000 points annually in the travel portal (using the elevated redemption rates), this card justifies its higher fee in comparison to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve hard to get?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a Visa Infinite card. This is the highest category of Visa credit cards and typically requires an excellent credit score — considered to be 750 or above. That's not the only factor, though. Proof of income and other application rules also matter.
Who is the Chase Sapphire Reserve best for?
This card is ideal for those who want top-notch perks from their credit card. Think lounge access, multiple spending credits, and elevated earning rates. If you won't take advantage of these, it's hard to justify the annual fee.
Why is the Chase Sapphire Reserve so popular?
It's popular because it offers so much. A $300 annual travel credit covers more than half of the annual fee, plus you get unlimited lounge visits, strong earning rates, and earn valuable points that can be used in multiple ways.
Should I pay off my Chase Sapphire immediately?
As with all credit cards, you should pay your bill in full each month — on or before the due date. If you don't pay your full bill each month, you will accrue interest. This can negate the value of rewards you earn and can lead to debt.
When can I cancel my Chase Sapphire Reserve to avoid an annual fee?
If you decide to cancel your card, do so within 30 days of the annual fee posting to your account. Within this timeframe, Chase typically allows cardholders to close their account and have the fee removed from their final bill.
Does Chase Sapphire increase credit?
It is possible to build your credit score and to get an increased credit line. Using credit cards responsibly can build credit history and improve your credit score. If you use your card responsibly, Chase also may provide an increased credit limit — which could further help your credit score.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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