If you’re looking for the most popular travel card, check out THIS POST about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – it is the card I recommend most often for people new to traveling on points and miles because it’s easy to manage, has a low annual fee of $95 and gives you access to some of the best travel partners available.
If you’ve already earned a welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or you’d prefer a card with more travel perks including lounge access, you can apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card if you’ve never had it before.
If I was limited to just one credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve would be the one I’d choose.
The current welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months – this is the highest offer we’ve ever seen on this card.
You can qualify for this welcome bonus if you have never earned a bonus on the Reserve card before, and you can apply even if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns points as follows:
- 8x points on TRAVEL purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 5x points on LYFT rides
- 4x points on all FLIGHTS booked direct
- 4x points on all HOTELS booked direct
- 3x points on DINING
- 1x point on everything else
Perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card include:
- NO foreign exchange fees
- $300 annual travel credit
- $500 annual The Edit hotel credit in Chase Travel℠
- $250 credit for select hotels in Chase Travel℠ (2026 perk only)
- $300 Stubhub credit
- $300 dining credit at participating restaurants
- $250 Apple TV+ and Music credit
- $25 per month DoorDash credits through December 2027 – details in this post
- Airport lounge access with guest access – details in this post
- $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years
- $120 Lyft credits
- IHG Platinum Status
- Primary car rental insurance
- Travel and purchase protection benefits
- AND MORE!
We’ll look at these credits in more detail below.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE BONUS?
You are able to earn a welcome bonus on both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card once per lifetime, and you can hold both cards at the same time.
If you have never had the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you are eligible for the welcome bonus, even if you have, or still have, a Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Keep in mind that each individual can and should have their own credit card history. If you have had the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but your spouse has not… they are eligible for the welcome bonus.
Chase has implemented a pop-up tool during the application process that will let you know if you are not eligible for a welcome bonus before submitting your application – with no impact on your credit score. This will be the best way to confirm your eligibility.
Your chances of approval are higher if you are under 5/24. Chase will likely not approve you for a new card if you’ve opened 5+ personal cards in the past 24 months. This includes retail cards like Target or Home Depot so choose your new cards wisely! More about 5/24 status.
IS THE ANNUAL FEE WORTH IT?
The annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve is high ($795) but if you use the credits and perks, you easily offset that annual fee year after year.
The welcome bonus is worth at least $1,500 through Chase Travel. If you transfer these points to travel partners (like Hyatt, Southwest, United, Air France, British Airways, etc…), you can easily get $3,000+ in value from the welcome bonus alone.
Hyatt in particular is a sweet spot where you can often get 2-4x more value from your points if you transfer points to stay at Hyatt properties.
HERE IS A POST that walks you through the process of using Chase points to book a FREE Hyatt stay.
Remember, you don’t have to keep a card forever. If after the first year you decide you won’t get enough value from the card, you can downgrade or close it.
Even if I only use the following two credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve would be a keeper card for me:
- $300 Annual Travel Credit – automatically reimburses you for the first $300 of travel you put on the card.
- $300 Stubhub Credit – we go to sporting events, concerts and theatre performances every year so this is easy for us to use.
These two credits alone total $600 which would bring the annual fee down to $195.
I will pay $195 for…
- The best travel protections in the industry
- Airport lounge access while traveling
- 4x points on both flights and hotels
- An excuse to try some fine dining for little to no cost
- The opportunity to stay in luxury hotels at a significant discount (possibly even free)
- Monthly Lyft credits that can come in handy while traveling
- And $25 in DoorDash credits each month that I never let go to waste (that’s $300 a year)
If you’d like me to send you the spreadsheet I created that allows you to input the value of each credit included on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card based on whether you’ll personally use them, send me your email and I’ll get that sent over to you.
DOUBLE-DIP POTENTIAL
Many of the credits included on the Chase Sapphire Reserve are based on a calendar year, so you will be able to use these credits in both 2026 and 2027 while paying just one annual fee – this is often referred to as a “double-dip” or a even a “triple-dip”.
For example, if you apply for the Reserve card now, you can claim $450 in Stubhub credits during your first cardmember year instead of just $300.
- $150 Now – June 2026
- $150 July – Dec 2026
- $150 Jan 2027 – until you decide to either keep, close or downgrade the card.
Same concept applies to the ability to double-dip the $500 hotel credit and $300 dining credit.
CREDIT DETAILS AND TIPS
Let’s chat about some of the credits and benefits included on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
You can find these benefits in your account under: account.chase.com/sapphire/reserve/benefits
Each benefit will indicate whether you need to activate the offer and if you have already redeemed that offer.
In addition to these card benefits you will also have access to additional offers throughout the year. These can be found under “Chase Offers” on your account. All Chase cards have these additional “Chase Offers” you can add to your card, but they do vary by card and cardholder.
You can use as many of these offers as you’d like and they change regularly.
$300 ANNUAL TRAVEL CREDIT:
This is the easiest credit out there. Simply use your card to pay for ANY travel related expense and you will automatically receive a statement credit for the first $300 of travel expenses you put on the card. The $300 credit can be split across multiple transactions – taxis, tolls, flights, car rentals, parking, hotels. Super easy!
LOUNGE ACCESS W/GUEST PRIVILEGES:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has one of the most generous airport lounge programs available.
In addition to having access to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges, Chase Reserve cardholders also have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, which are some of the nicest lounges in the U.S. Cardholders are allowed to bring up to two guests into both Priority Pass lounges and the Chase Sapphire lounges.
If you frequently travel through an airport that has a Chase Sapphire Lounge, I would absolutely recommend considering a card that gives you access.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders will also have access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes when flying on any Star Alliance airline (Air Canada, ANA, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, United and more). This currently includes U.S. lounges in LAX, SFO and LGA.
The Reserve cards also include select Priority Pass experiences like Gameway, XpresSpa, Be Relax and more. Getting a massage before a flight is always a fun treat, and even if you don’t plan to play any video games at Gameway, you can still stop in for your free drink and snack to go.
More information on the best cards for lounge access can be found HERE
$500 CREDIT FOR STAYS WITH THE EDIT IN CHASE TRAVEL℠:
This is received as two separate $250 credits and can be booked for any future stay at an Edit property on Chase Travel. Must be a prepaid stay with a minimum of two nights. Your stay will include additional perks like a property credit, free breakfast and a room upgrade. You can book two back-to-back stays – for example use one $250 credit for Thursday and Friday night and the second $250 stay for Saturday and Sunday night.
Keep in mind that some of these properties may be cheaper booked elsewhere so be sure to double check that you are getting a good deal.
When you search the Chase Travel website, eligible hotels will have “The Edit” logo in the top left corner indicating it qualifies for the $250 Edit credit and additional benefits
We used this credit to stay 3 nights at the Mondrian Singapore Duxton in February.
Cash Price for 3 nights would have been $1,048.95 – we paid $0.
PRO TIP: To further maximize this benefit you can pair the credit with points.
To qualify for the $250 credit I needed to keep my balance due above $250, so I applied 39,947 Chase points to the booking and paid $250.01 with my Chase Reserve card.
This screenshot shows that $250 Edit credit posting within a few days (as well as the $150 dining credit I triggered with a gift card purchase on the last day of the year).
$250 HOTEL CREDIT AT SELECT PROPERTIES (2026 ONLY):
Chase has added an additional $250 hotel credit that can be applied to a qualifying hotel stay booked during 2026. This credit can be combined with the Edit credit above for a total of $500 off a two night stay booked through Chase Travel.
This one-time credit can be used at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts, Montage Hotels & Resorts, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Virgin Hotels, Minor Hotels, and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.
When you search the Chase Travel website, eligible hotels will have a note indicating they qualify for the “$250 select hotel credit”
PRO TIP: To further maximize this benefit you can pair the credit with points.
If a property qualifies for both The Edit credit and the $250 select hotels credit you will see both listed.
If you are stacking these two offers be sure the total amount charged to your Reserve card is above $500. After both $250 credits are applied you can pay nothing out-of-pocket.
Check out THIS WEBSITE which allows you to search for properties that qualify for both The Edit and the Select Hotels credit.
$300 STUBHUB CREDIT:
This is given as two $150 credits. One for Jan-June and the other for July-Dec.
Credit applies to purchases at StubHub and viagogo. I have used this credit to purchase theatre tickets in NYC and a recent concert we attended. We also attend a lot of sporting events so this credit is easy for us to use.
The $150 credit can be split across multiple transactions.
Once the Stubhub credit is activated in your account benefits it will remain active through 12/31/2027.
PRO TIP: Through December 31, 2026 you can earn an additional 10x Chase points when you check out with Paze at select merchants, including Stubhub. This can be stacked with going through a shopping portal like Rakuten for additional rewards. NOTE: Paze is currently only showing up as a checkout option on the Stubhub browser (not in the app). To add your Paze to your digital wallet go to Manage Account ➜ Digital Wallets ➜ Paze.
With a $150 Stubhub purchase you’ll earn:
- $150 Stubhub credit
- 10x Paze bonus
- 1x regular card earnings
- 2x+ shopping portal rewards
$300 DINING CREDIT:
This is given as two $150 credits. One for Jan-June and the other for July-Dec.
Participating restaurants can be found at opentable.com/c/chasedining/ where you will need to link your Reserve card. You do not need to make a reservation to use the credit.
I recommend keeping your receipt and a screenshot of the restaurant being listed on the OpenTable website, just in case the credit isn’t automatically triggered.
New restaurants are regularly being added/removed so be sure to check before dining and pay with your Reserve card.
The $150 semi-annual credit can be split across multiple transactions.
I live in the Seattle area so this is pretty easy for us to use as there are multiple participating restaurants in the area. We used our most recent credit when we were in Orlando earlier this year.
$120 LYFT CREDITS:
Once you set your Reserve as the default payment in your Lyft account, the $10 credit will post automatically in your Lyft account each month. Use it or lose it. Can be stacked with the $10 per month Lyft credit on the Reserve Business card for a total of $20 off a ride.
In addition, you will earn 5x points on any amount above the credit.
Available through 9/30/27
$250 APPLE CREDITS:
Complimentary Apple TV is available through June 22, 2027 – value of $12.99 per month.
Complimentary Apple Music is available through June 22, 2027 – value of $10.99 per month.
This is good for a single Apple Music plan so if you already subscribe to a family plan this may not be useful – although you can gift it to someone by entering someone else’s Apple ID. I recently gifted the FREE Apple Music subscription to my oldest daughter who had been booted off our family plan.
$300 DOORDASH CREDITS AND FREE DASHPASS:
Check out THIS POST for all the details on using and maximizing these $25 monthly DoorDash credits.
$120 GLOBAL ENTRY / TSA PRECHECK CREDIT (EVERY 4 YEARS)
This credit can be used to pay for any purchase made for Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, NEXUS and TSA PreCheck. You’ll receive one credit of up to $120 every four years. You can use this for anyone – grandparents, friends, parents, etc…
Credit will post automatically and can be used every 4 years.
BEST TRAVEL PROTECTIONS
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers some of the best travel protections of any card on the market. Yes, even better than the Amex Platinum card.
Even if you’re flying on points, when you put the taxes and fees on the Reserve card you are covered with its travel insurance and benefits.
When we had a delayed flight in Africa, the travel benefits of the Reserve card provided reimbursement for our Uber rides to/from the airport, a hotel room and all of our meals.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns 4x points on flight and hotels booked direct, so you’re earning fantastic earnings rates and gaining access to valuable travel protections.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve also includes primary car rental insurance.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WITH $75K OF ANNUAL SPEND
If you spend $75,000 on your Chase Reserve card in a calendar year, you will unlock additional “premium” benefits:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status – there are other cards that include this benefit.
- Hyatt Explorist status – increases your chances of a room upgrade and/or late checkout.
- $250 credit to The Shops at Chase – online shopping experience for cardmembers featuring brands like Apple, Maui Jim, Viking, Coach, Thule, Tumi and more. You can pay using your Reserve card or points.
- Southwest Airlines® A-List status – priority boarding, complimentary preferred seats, free checked bag and more.
- $500 Southwest Airlines travel credit – credit must be used in the Chase Travel portal.
I don’t recommend chasing these additional benefits, but if you can reach that theshold easily then enjoy them!
TO NOTE:
➜ I generally don’t recommend adding your spouse or partner as an authorized user on credit cards because they are better off earning a welcome bonus of their own.
➜ Chase points can easily be combined and moved between cards and household members. This makes it easy to maximize your redemption options!
➜ If you are not interested or able to apply for a Sapphire card, I’d be happy to help you figure out the next best card for you based on your travel goals and credit card history. There are a lot of great card options!
IN SUMMARY:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium travel cards available. Not only does it include fantastic travel protections and card benefits, but it also allows you to maximize the rewards you earn on some of your biggest expenses.
- 4x points on all FLIGHTS booked direct
- 4x points on all HOTELS booked direct
- 3x points on DINING
The Chase Sapphire Reserve will require more effort than other cards if you want to utilize all the card benefits and credits, but that effort can unlock some incredible travel opportunities and rewards.
Holly @onpointwithholly is part of an affiliate network and may receive commission when you support her efforts to continue to provide FREE content, resources and guidance. Send me a DM if I can help you along your credit card journey!
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