Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review: Best Card for Frequent Travelers

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Need a great travel rewards card with tons of perks? If you’re a frequent traveler, the card_name may be the best travel rewards credit card available.

For starters, this card belongs to our favorite travel rewards program, Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points are super valuable, especially when transferred at a 1:1 ratio to more than a dozen partner loyalty programs. (Think travel companies like Hyatt, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Marriott, IHG, and more.)

Even better, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a massive signup bonus for those who meet the minimum spending requirements. The card also provides a whole host of fantastic benefits and credits that frequent travelers will love.

On the flip side, it also comes with a pretty hefty annual fee, so it’s definitely not the right rewards card for everybody.

In this Chase Sapphire Reserve review, we’ll explore whether the card’s benefits outweigh the fees for your particular situation. Let’s take a closer look!

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Highlights

There’s no denying that the card_name has some of the best travel benefits of any card around. Here’s a snapshot of what makes it so special:

• Huge Signup Bonus: This card offers a 60,000 point signup bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. You can redeem those points through the Chase portal for $900 in travel. (See more below!)
• $300 Annual Travel Credit: This is one of my favorite benefits of the card. Each year, you’ll get a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases on your card. The benefit renews every year on your cardmember anniversary. Through December 2021, you can also use this credit toward gas station and grocery store purchases.
• Earn Up to 10x Points on Spending: Get 10x points on hotels and rental cars and 5x points on air travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the $300 credit has been earned. You’ll also get 3x points on dining and other travel spending while receiving 1x points on everything else.
• 10x Points on Lyft: You’ll earn 10x points on Lyft rides when using your card to pay for the ride. You also get a complimentary one-year Lyft Pink membership which provides 15% off Lyft rides and other benefits.
• 50% More Value Through Chase Portal: As a Chase Sapphire Reserve Card holder, your points will stretch 50% further when redeeming them through the Chase portal. There are also no blackout dates or restrictions when using the portal to book.
• Free Airport Lounge Access: You’ll receive a free Priority Pass™ Select membership, giving you access to more than 1,400 airport lounges throughout the world.
• $100 Credit Toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck: This card offers a $100 credit toward enrollment fees for Global Entry and TSA Precheck. Just pay the fee with your card to receive the reimbursement.
• Free DoorDash Delivery (Orders $12+): You also get a complimentary DashPass membership which provides $0 delivery fees on DoorDash orders over $12.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Like with any decent travel card, the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

As you can see, this card has some massive benefits – especially if you love to travel. Although it doesn’t come free, frequent travelers should get more than enough use from the card to justify the annual fee.

>> Learn How to Apply Here

Where It Shines

As somebody who travels about once a month, I absolutely love this card. It does come with a hefty $550 annual fee, but – even if you only travel a few times a year – paying the fee may still be worth it for you. Personally, I find that it saves me a ton of time, hassle, and even money.

For starters, the Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits include a whopping 60,000 point signup bonus when you spend at least $4,000 on the card in the first 3 months. That is a ton of points to help you save money on travel. In fact, when redeemed through the Chase portal, that equals $900 in travel rewards just for enrolling and meeting minimum spending requirements.

You also get an annual travel credit of $300 that renews each year on your cardmember anniversary. (Editor’s Note: Due to the pandemic, you can also use this credit towar gas station and grocery store purchases through 2021.) So, between the signup bonus and the travel credit, you’ve more than made up for the annual fee during your first year.

Additionally, this card offers 10x points on hotels and rental car spending and 5x points on air travel when you book through Chase Ultimate rewards (after first $300 in travel spending). You also earn 3x points on dining and other travel spending. Like its sister card the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can also transfer your points to more than a dozen loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.

When redeemed through the Chase portal, you’ll receive 50% more value on your points than you do with other cards. So, if you earn points with one of Chase’s cash back cards and transfer them to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account, those points will stretch 50% further.

And, let’s not forget the other credits. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you’ll receive a free Priority Pass™ Select membership – getting you into more than 1,400 airport lounges around the world at no charge. (If you’ve never spent a layover in an airport lounge, it is a bazillion times more comfortable than waiting for hours by the gate!) You also get a complimentary DoorDash DashPass (no delivery fees on orders over $12), 10x points on Lyft rides, and a complimentary one-year Lyft Pink membership (15% off Lyft rides). That’s a ton of value!

Finally, the card also offers a $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck fees. That should take care of your entire application fee. I love using these programs, and they can save you a lot of time while going through immigration or security.

>> Learn How to Apply Here

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Card

To make the card really work for you, it’s important to take advantage of all its benefits. First off, be sure to complete the free Priority Pass™ Select membership application so you can take advantage of the program’s available airport lounges. You’ll also want to use the card’s $300 annual travel credit.

You can get even more value from your card by pairing it with one of Chase’s cash back cards.

The card_name is a great option because it provides 5% cash back on many purchases – including travel purchased through the Chase portal and on the first $1,500 spent every quarter in categories that rotate. This card also earns 3% cash back at restaurants and drug stores.

After earning the points, you can transfer them to your Sapphire Reserve account. There, your points will stretch 50% further when redeemed through the Chase portal.

It’s a great way to get the best of both worlds. In fact, I keep both cards in my wallet and use them to earn points accordingly!

Read the review | Learn how to apply

If you don’t want to deal with rotating bonus categories, I don’t blame you. Luckily, you do have another option.

The card_name offers many of the same benefits you’ll find on the Chase Freedom Flex. You’ll earn an impressive 5% cash back on travel purchases (using the Chase portal) and 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores. However, this card offers 1.5% cash back across all other categories…and that is unlimited.

Again, you can transfer those points to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account and get 50% more value when redeemed through the Chase portal. To top it off, there is no annual fee.

This card is a great way to get more points for your everyday spending. You can even use all three cards together to get the most value out of your purchases.

Read the review | Learn how to apply

What You Might Not Like

Alright, let’s get to the elephant in the room.

When searching for drawbacks to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you don’t have to look for long before you realize there’s a $550 annual fee staring you right in the face. At first glance, this might seem like a deal breaker. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be.

Yes, $550 is pretty steep. However, if you’re a frequent traveler, the annual card benefits will likely cover the fee.

Remember, you’ll receive a $300 travel credit every year on your cardmember anniversary. You also have free access to Priority Pass™ lounges across the world. Throw in the Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit, and you’ve already made up for the annual fee.

Additionally, by spending $4,000 in the first 3 months you have the card, you’ll also receive a 60,000 point signup bonus. So, if you think you’ll spend enough to meet the bonus, testing out the card for at least a year generally makes sense.

There is also a one-year Lyft Pink membership (minimum value of $199) and a DoorDash DashPass membership. The Lyft Pink membership provides 15% off Lyft rides (among other benefits) while you’ll be charged $0 in delivery fees on orders over $12 with DoorDash. So, if you use either of those companies (and I definitely do), that’s a pretty good deal!

For me, paying the fee is more than worth it. Does it fit your travel needs? Only you can decide.

Alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Don’t think the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is the right fit for you? You still have some other great options.

The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card make it a great travel card in its own right. Although you’ll miss out on the credits offered by the Sapphire Reserve, this card provides a larger signup bonus (60,000 points) but with a significantly smaller annual fee of just $95.

You’ll earn a whopping 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, 2x points on other travel purchases, plus 1x points on everything else. Those points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to the same partner loyalty programs, or you can redeem them through the Chase portal to stretch them even further.

There is also annual $50 statement credit toward purchases of hotel stays made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

This is the first card I recommend to anybody who is new to points and miles or who is intimidated by a large annual fee. It’s also a great card for those who only travel once or twice a year.

Read the review | Learn how to apply

The card_name is another excellent option. Earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which is worth $750 in travel credits. The card also offers up to $300 in travel statement credits for travel purchases booked through the Capital One Travel portal and an additional 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 in travel) – both awarded annually.

The Capital One Venture X Card earns up to 10x miles on travel purchases, and you’ll enjoy access to over 1,400 Priority Pass airport lounges around the world. A $100 credit toward TSA Precheck or Global Entry fees is also included. Most importantly, the annual fee is just $395 – which is considerably less than the annual fee on the Sapphire Reserve.

If you’d rather not mess with loyalty programs and points, this is a great card to try. Just redeem your rewards as a statement credit and you’re good to go!

Read the review | Learn how to apply

card_name is another great option for frequent travelers. This card comes with an annual $200 statement credit on both airline fees and on prepaid bookings at The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts (minimum two-night stay required). There’s also access to their proprietary Global Lounge Collection and complimentary benefits at over 1,100 Fine Hotels & Resorts properties ($550 avg. value). Additionally, you’ll receive a welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards points when you use the card for $6,000 in purchases over the first 6 months.

As if that wasn’t enough, the card also comes with 5x points on airfare that is booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases) and 5x points on hotels booked through their travel portal. Keep in mind, though, the card does have a $695 annual fee. (card_name.)

Again, this card is a solid option for frequent travelers who will take advantage of all its benefits. If you travel less frequently, another card may work better for you. Terms apply.

Read the review | Learn how to apply

Final Thoughts

So, is the Sapphire Reserve the best rewards card option for you? If you travel frequently, there’s a good chance it is!

Offering a whole host of travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is one of the most valuable cards you can carry in your wallet. With access to Priority Pass lounges and a nifty $300 annual travel credit, you won’t just travel in style, you’ll travel for less.

The points you’ll earn are also super valuable, and this card offers a 60,000 point signup bonus when you meet the minimum spending requirements. Sure, the annual fee is pretty steep, but the card benefits generally make up for the fee in quick fashion.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has to be on your radar! It’s definitely a favorite of mine. I think you’ll love it too.

>> Chase Sapphire Reserve – Learn How to Apply Here

To see rates and fees for the American Express Cards mentioned here, please use the following links: American Express Platinum Card: card_name.