Does the Chase 5/24 rule apply to the Sapphire Reserve?

Yes, which means you're unlikely to be approved if you've opened five or more credit cards across any issuer in the past 24 months. This is one of the most important eligibility factors to check before applying, since Chase typically declines applications automatically if you're over the limit regardless of your credit score or income.

How does the $300 travel credit work?

The $300 annual travel credit automatically applies as a statement credit to your first $300 in travel purchases each year. It's one of the most flexible credits in the industry. Chase defines "travel" broadly, so it covers everything from flights, hotels, and rental cars to Uber, parking, tolls, and even some transit purchases. It resets every cardmember anniversary year (not the calendar year), and because it's automatic, you don't need to enroll or submit anything — just use your card on any travel purchase. For most cardholders, this goes a long way toward justifying the $550 annual fee.

What does the Sapphire Reserve's primary car rental insurance cover?

It covers theft and collision damage up to the actual cash value of most rentals. You'll just pay with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver. Coverage applies for rentals up to 31 days in most countries, but doesn't extend to liability, personal belongings, or specialty vehicles. Unlike most cards, coverage is primary, meaning it’ll pay out before your personal auto insurance.

Can I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?

Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at 1:1 to over a dozen airline and hotel partners, with popular options like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott. Most transfers are instant and irreversible, so research before transferring. The most popular transfer for value is World of Hyatt, where points can stretch well beyond the baseline 1.5 cents per point you'd get booking through Chase directly.

Chase

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is built for frequent travelers and high-end spenders who want premium travel protections, elevated reward rates on direct bookings, and extensive lifestyle credits. It functions as a flagship travel card that balances strong points earning with airport lounge access and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points

Annual Fee

$795

Rec. Credit Score

Excellent

Good For

Frequent luxury travelers

Learn More Estimate your value

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Overview

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® worth it?

This card is great for...

Direct flight and hotel bookings

Premium airport lounge access

Worldwide dining and entertainment

With a $795 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve requires a traveler who actively uses its credits to justify the upfront cost. Frequent flyers who spend heavily on direct airline and hotel purchases will quickly generate value through elevated points earning, while credits for curated hotel stays, dining, StubHub, and rideshares can offset much of the recurring fee. The card also delivers outstanding built-in travel protections, including primary auto rental coverage and trip delay reimbursement, making it a reliable companion for frequent trips. However, if you do not travel multiple times a year or prefer not to track specialized statement credits, the steep fee is difficult to justify, and lower-fee travel cards may offer a better fit.

MaxRewards Verdict

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers exceptional value for frequent travelers who naturally clear its annual credits, though the $795 annual fee is too steep for casual spenders.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points

after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Est. Value

$1,500

Required Spend

$6,000

Time Frame

3 Months

Est. Value

$1,500

Required Spend

$6,000

Time Frame

3 Months

Earning

Rewards

Earning flexible Ultimate Rewards points, this card favors direct travel bookings and dining while granting bonus value when redeeming through Chase.

CategoryRate

Purchases (Chase Travel), The Edit (Chase Travel)

12%

Flights (Booked Direct), Hotels (Booked Direct)

Dining (Worldwide)

4.5%

All Other Purchases

1.5%

Rewards percent based on a valuation of 1.5¢ per Ultimate Rewards point

Annual Credits & Perks

Benefits

A broad suite of annual statement credits, airport lounge access, and travel protections help balance the card's upfront annual fee.

BenefitAnnual value

$1,000

$500

$300

$250

$155.88

$120

$96

$30

$10

Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Automatically track your credits with MaxRewards

Our app automatically tracks valuable credits so you don't miss any rewards.

Get the app

Reserve Annual Statement Credit for SWA

Autotracked

of $500Every 12 months

Benefits

Insurance

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

If you or a covered traveler are injured or become sick during a trip 100 miles or more from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.

Return Protection

You can be reimbursed for eligible items that the store won’t accept within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item, $1,000 per 12-month period.

Roadside Assistance

If you have a roadside emergency, you can call for a tow, battery assistance, tire change, locksmith, or gas. You’re covered up to $50 per incident 4 times a year.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per covered traveler.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad.

Benefits

Status & Access

Complimentary DashPass Membership

With DashPass, save on delivery fees on eligible orders from DoorDash and Caviar after activating by 12/31/29.

IHG Diamond Elite Status Reserve

Get IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status after you spend $75,000 with your Reserve card each calendar year.

IHG Platinum Base Status

Get complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status with your Reserve card through December 31, 2027..

Hyatt Explorist Status Reserve

Get World of Hyatt Explorist status after you spend $75,000 with your Reserve card each calendar year.

SWA A-List Status Reserve

Get Southwest A-List status after you spend $75,000 with your Reserve card each calendar year.

Benefits

Other

The Reserve Suites at LGA

Chase Sapphire Reserve®, J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers and authorized users can relax and indulge privately before their flight in a Reserve Suite in the Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport Terminal B.

Reserve 75K Benefit

Spend $75,000 each calendar year and unlock additional benefits for the remainder of the year through the next calendar year.

The Edit by Chase Travel

Enjoy special benefits at a variety of hand-selected top hotels and resorts worldwide, such as: complimentary room upgrades, complimentary meals for you and a guest, early check-in and late check-out, special discounts and credits, extra amenities, gifts and more.

Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables

Access Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables to get primetime reservations at hard-to-book restaurants on OpenTable.

Eligibility

Recommended Minimum Credit

Min: Excellent

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Excellent credit or higher is recommended for this card.

Credit approval is not guaranteed. Meeting the recommended credit range does not ensure approval, and applicants with lower scores may still be considered.

Pricing

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$795

Purchase APR

19.74% - 28.24%

Variable

Transfer APR

19.74% - 28.24%

Variable

Cash Advance APR

28.74%

Variable

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer

Cash Advance

$10

Late Payment

None

For rates and fees of Chase Sapphire Reserve®, please visit the Chase website.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are MaxRewards' alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

Recognition

Featured in

Other cards from Chase

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Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

Limited Time Offer

Earn 200,000 bonus points

Worth $3,000

After you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.

12%Airline Tickets (Chase Travel), Hotels (Including The Edit) (Chase Travel), Car Rentals (Chase Travel), Cruises (Chase Travel), Activities and Tours (Chase Travel)
7.5%Lyft Rides
6%Flights (Booked Direct), Hotels (Booked Direct)

Annual Fee

$795

Rec. Credit

Good

View card details