Chase Sapphire Reserve bank card overview: Luxurious perks and priceless rewards, now with a 80,000-point bonus
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Card overview
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is among the greatest rewards bank cards of all time. Providing as much as 10 factors per greenback on journey and eating by the Chase portal, this card earns extremely priceless Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to lodge and airline companions or redeemed straight for flights at a charge of 1.5 cents per level. Add in a $300 annual journey credit score, airport lounge entry and a litany of different perks, and this card is assured to improve your journey life-style. Card Score*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Score relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the cardboard that satisfied common shoppers that they might come out forward with a premium bank card even after paying an annual charge of a number of hundred {dollars} a yr.
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In reality, the Sapphire Reserve was so profitable from the second it launched in 2016 (with an preliminary 100,000-point welcome bonus) that Chase quickly ran out of the metallic slabs wanted to provide the playing cards.
There was intense competitors within the premium bank card house in recent times, as issuers proceed to boost annual charges and add new perks akin to meals supply and credit for ride-hailing companies. Chase has adopted this path with the Sapphire Reserve. The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s annual charge elevated to $550 in recent times, however that charge enhance got here with new perks.
And it not too long ago launched an elevated sign-up bonus of 80,000 factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. That is the best publicly-available bonus we have seen in over 5 years, so now is a good time to use.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Reserve with an 80,000-point bonus.
Let’s overview the options that proceed to make the Sapphire Reserve such a gorgeous card — one which has earned a everlasting spot on the prime of my pockets.
Who is that this card for?
Even with its annual charge, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a good card for many vacationers.
First, Chase Final Rewards factors are among the many Most worthy currencies on the market. They’re straightforward to redeem, with a variety of 14 airline and lodge switch companions and a pleasant consumer interface. (Due to Chase’s 5/24 rule, you’ll need to apply for Chase playing cards first earlier than turning to different issuers.)
The Reserve’s $550 annual charge is a legitimate concern, however the $300 annual journey credit score drops your actual out-of-pocket value to $250 earlier than you even think about different perks. Just like the bonus classes, this annual credit score is routinely utilized to a broad vary of journey purchases within the U.S. and overseas.
For these with sticker shock in regards to the $550 annual charge, the little sister of Chase Sapphire Reserve — the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card — is a strong choice. The Sapphire Most popular is our most-recommended first rewards bank card to get, with an annual charge of simply $95 and a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
However the Sapphire Reserve combines robust worth with simplicity and a better-earning construction than the Sapphire Most popular. Chase defines journey and eating broadly for its bonus classes that earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the Sapphire Reserve (versus 2 factors per greenback for journey on the Most popular), so it’s straightforward to reap the complete advantages of your card.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is best for you?
Signal-up bonus: Value $1,600
With a worth of two cents apiece for Final Rewards factors (in accordance with TPG valuations), the present 80,000-point bonus on the Sapphire Reserve is price $1,600. That’s equal to almost three years of the annual charge.
Plus, as talked about earlier, once you issue within the $300 in journey you get annually as a perk, the annual charge is actually solely $250, as a result of it’s not exhausting for many vacationers to spend $300 a yr on airfare, resorts, automotive leases or different journey bills.
Chase has a large description of what counts:
Retailers within the journey class embody airways, resorts, motels, timeshares, automotive rental companies, cruise traces, journey companies, low cost journey websites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking heaps and garages.
Even should you don’t make the most of Chase’s switch companions, Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a worth of 1.5 cents per Final Rewards level when redeeming for journey within the Chase journey portal, making the bonus price $1,200 when redeemed by the portal. Even should you’re a novice within the journey rewards discipline and don’t know maximize switch companions, you’re assured to get your cash’s price in journey from the welcome bonus should you use your factors to ebook journey by the portal.
Keep in mind, too, that any flight you ebook this manner counts as a income reserving. This implies you’ll earn airline miles and elite credit score as nicely, getting you much more worth.
Associated: maximize incomes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Essential advantages
The Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn’t supply fairly as many perks as The Platinum Card® from American Specific, however partnerships with suppliers like DoorDash and Lyft can enchantment to a variety of vacationers. Listed below are the small print:
Annual journey credit score
One of many largest advantages of the cardboard is the $300 annual journey credit score. Chase will routinely credit score your account $300 once you use it to make eligible purchases.
Free DoorDash DashPass subscription
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders qualify for a free DoorDash DashPass subscription by Dec. 31, 2024.
As well as, you’ll obtain $5 per thirty days in DoorDash credit that roll over two months earlier than expiring, which means it can save you as much as $15 to make use of earlier than expiration.
Lyft advantages
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders obtain 10 factors per greenback on Lyft purchases by March 2025. That is akin to getting a whopping 20% return on Lyft rides, since TPG values Chase Final Rewards factors at 2 cents apiece.
Precedence Move lounge entry
Though you received’t have entry to Delta Sky Golf equipment (as you do with The Platinum Card® from American Specific when flying Delta) or American Airways Admirals Golf equipment (as you do with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard®), the Sapphire Reserve does embody a Precedence Move Choose membership, which will get you into greater than 1,300 airport lounges around the globe. As well as, licensed customers obtain a Precedence Move Choose membership of their very own.
Should you pay $75 so as to add every licensed consumer to your CSR account, they’ll be capable of make the most of one of many card’s nicest perks.
The Precedence Move community contains some premium lounges, each within the U.S. and overseas. In recent times, Precedence Move additionally added airport eating places to its community (you possibly can see the complete checklist right here). American Specific lower these eating places from its Precedence Move profit, however Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders will proceed to get free meals (normally ~$28 per individual) in any respect of those areas.
Word that Chase is planning to open its personal, branded lounges in 2023; from now, you’re restricted to Precedence Move areas.
Software charge credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck
Like many different premium playing cards, the Sapphire Reserve will reimburse you once you cost the appliance charge for International Entry or TSA PreCheck to the cardboard. Keep in mind that International Entry contains PreCheck, in order that’s the smarter alternative.
This profit is obtainable to cardholders as soon as each 4 years, and when you’ve got already enrolled, you should use the credit score to cowl the appliance charge for a buddy or member of the family.
Gopuff credit
Cardholders obtain a $10 month-to-month assertion credit score from Gopuff, a supply service providing drinks, snacks and different family necessities. That supply is legitimate by Dec. 31, 2023.
Visa Infinite perks
As a result of the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, you’ll obtain the perks that come together with this system. Highlights embody major rental automotive insurance coverage, journey cancellation and delay protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, a concierge service and entry to the Luxurious Lodge & Resort Assortment.
Incomes factors
In addition to the welcome bonus, the bonus incomes classes can even assist construct your Final Rewards account. Right here’s an summary of what you’ll earn on the cardboard:
- 10 factors per greenback on resorts and automotive leases bought by Chase Journey.
- 10 factors per greenback on eating purchases by Chase Final Rewards.
- 10 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (by March 31, 2025).
- 5 factors per greenback on flights bought by Chase Journey.
- 3 factors per greenback on all different journey (excluding the $300 journey credit score) and eating purchases worldwide.
- 1 level per greenback on all the pieces else.
Word that you simply received’t earn any factors on the primary $300 spent on journey purchases every cardmember yr, as that may set off the cardboard’s $300 journey credit score.
When you issue within the $300 journey credit score, the annual charge distinction between the 2 playing cards is $155 ($250 versus $95). Which means you’d must earn an additional 7,750 Final Rewards factors a yr with the Reserve to return out forward (based mostly on TPG’s valuations and with out contemplating some other perks and advantages). You may hit that mark by spending as little as $650 a month on journey.
Redeeming factors
Along with redeeming with switch companions, you can too ebook journey by the Chase journey portal together with your factors valued at 1.5 cents every. Whereas it’s not all the time the perfect worth, it is a nice choice for boutique resorts that don’t belong to a bigger model akin to Marriott or Hyatt. It’s additionally nice for reserving flights when money costs are low.
Chase did add a brand new redemption choice in 2020 with the Pay Your self Again program. You may at the moment redeem your factors at a worth of 1.5 cents every at choose charities by Dec. 31, 2022.
Should you’re new to Chase Final Rewards, make certain to see our information to redeeming Chase Final Rewards for optimum worth.
Associated: Greatest candy spots with Chase Final Rewards
Which playing cards compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The Sapphire Reserve’s most pure rivals, in addition to the Chase Sapphire Most popular, are different premium playing cards like The Platinum Card® from American Specific.
American Specific Platinum
The Amex Platinum, with its $695 annual charge (see charges and charges), is a robust decide in the case of airfare purchases, because it earns 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback on flights booked straight by airways and with American Specific Journey (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr). You’ll additionally earn 5 factors per greenback on pay as you go resorts booked with American Specific Journey.
Nevertheless, for different journey purchases, in addition to eating spending, you’re getting simply 1 level per greenback, in comparison with the Sapphire Reserve’s 3 factors per greenback.
Nevertheless, the Amex Platinum does supply complimentary Gold elite standing with Hilton and Marriott, together with entry to Amex Nice Inns + Resorts and The Lodge Assortment As well as, cardholders can get pleasure from as much as $200 in annual assertion credit for pay as you go reservations at FHR and THC resorts (the latter of which requires a two-night minimal keep). In the meantime, the Sapphire Reserve solely affords entry to the Luxurious Lodge & Resort Assortment.
That mentioned, the Platinum Card’s annual airline charge credit score of as much as $200 is far much less versatile than the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual journey credit score since you possibly can solely use the Platinum’s with one designated airline and just for particular ancillary charges. It’s not even legitimate for precise airfare — a notable distinction from the credit score on the Sapphire Reserve.
Lastly, it’s price noting that the Amex Platinum has added a slew of further life-style perks over the previous couple of years — together with a month-to-month digital leisure credit score, a month-to-month credit score for Walmart+ and an annual credit score for Clear membership. You may as well entry as much as $200 in annual assertion credit for Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases within the U.S. Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
Learn extra: From personal jets to Walmart credit: What has Amex accomplished to my beloved Platinum card?
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
One other formidable competitor to the Sapphire Reserve is the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards card. The premium rewards card launched in November 2021 and carries an annual charge of $395, a lot decrease than each that of the Reserve and Platinum Amex.
The Enterprise X is at the moment providing a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 inside the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s valuation, this sign-up bonus is price as much as $1,388.
Each the Enterprise X and Sapphire Reserve present utility charge credit score for International Entry or TSA Precheck. And whereas the Sapphire Reserve prices $75 per licensed consumer, the Enterprise X permits for 4 licensed customers at no further value — and provides these vacationers a slew of perks.
Whereas each playing cards supply a $300 journey credit score annually, the Enterprise X limits cardholders to purchases made by Capital One Journey — whereas the Sapphire Reserve will routinely apply its annual credit score to any journey buy charged to the cardboard.
In the case of incomes charges, the Enterprise X additionally incentivizes cardholders to ebook journey by its portal, with similar incomes charges to the Sapphire Reserve (10 miles per greenback on resorts and automotive leases, and 5 miles per greenback on flights booked with Capital One Journey). And whereas the Sapphire Reserve gives bonus factors on journey and eating, the Enterprise X stands out for awarding 2 miles per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Whereas the Enterprise X is a good decide for a premium journey card, there are particular limitations to this decrease annual charge card. Its rigid journey credit score can appear restrictive when in comparison with the Sapphire Reserve. And whereas Capital One has nice switch companions, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment when in comparison with Chase.
Citi Status® Card
There’s additionally the Citi Status Card — although it’s not open to new candidates. The Citi ThankYou Rewards program’s choice of switch companions isn’t as spectacular as Chase’s checklist, however the Status does stand out for its fourth night time free profit.
Sadly, this profit is capped at twice per yr. Even so, should you make paid lodge stays at high-end properties, it could possibly be price utilizing the Citi Status Card for that perk however nonetheless utilizing the Sapphire Reserve for almost all of your journey and eating spending. Additionally, word that Citi lower many of the card’s journey and buy perks as of September 2019.
Different playing cards
Different premium playing cards, such because the Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card are tougher to match as a result of they’re cobranded playing cards that target offering high-end advantages and standing to vacationers inside particular loyalty packages quite than premium perks that aren’t tied to a particular model. Plus, the factors the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns are extra priceless.
The knowledge for the Citi Status and Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
It may be troublesome to get permitted for some Chase playing cards due to the issuer’s restrictive utility necessities — particularly, the 5/24 rule. Whereas not a formally-published coverage, quite a few studies point out that should you’ve opened 5 bank card accounts with any issuer prior to now 24 months, your utility can be routinely declined.
Associated: One of the best methods to make use of your 5/24 slots
Moreover, the Sapphire Reserve just isn’t accessible to both present cardmembers of any Sapphire bank card, neither is it accessible to earlier cardmembers of any Sapphire bank card who acquired a brand new cardmember bonus inside the final 48 months.
Should you at the moment have the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card, you possibly can name Chase to see if you’re eligible to improve to the Sapphire Reserve — although you received’t earn a sign-up bonus for upgrading.
Backside line
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an entire no-brainer bank card for individuals who love journey rewards — particularly for extra frequent vacationers. That is very true with the present sign-up bonus: 80,000 factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Past that, the $300 journey credit score successfully brings the true card’s annual charge down from $550 to $250. This implies the annual charge could be justified even for smaller spenders if the first objective is factors incomes. With 3 factors per greenback on journey and eating classes, industry-leading journey protections, priceless Chase Final Rewards factors, and varied perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered one of our greatest bank cards.
Official utility hyperlink: Chase Sapphire Reserve, with 80,000 factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Extra reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Madison Blancaflor and Christina Ly.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
