Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review 2023: Is It The Best Travel Card?
Advertiser Disclosure

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review 2023: Is It The Best Travel Card?

Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a very large sign-up bonus and many travel perks - but also a high annual fee. We've summarized all you need to know.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

Rewards Plan

1X – 10X 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus

60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Credit Rating

Excellent

Intro APR

N/A

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% – 28.74% variable APR

On Chase’s Secure Website

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

On Chase’s Secure Website

Rewards Plan

1X – 10X 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus

60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Intro APR

N/A

PROS

CONS

APR

21.74% - 28.74% variable APR

Annual Fee

$550

Balance Transfer Fee

$5 or 5%

Credit Requirements

Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is a travel rewards card issued by Chase Bank. This is a premium travel card that offers many benefits that your average reward card does not.

You'll receive 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of opening the card, which is about $750 in travel rewards if booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. In addition, you earn 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases

On the other hand, the main drawback is the highly annual fee which is $550.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve cardis easy to use and understand unlike many competitors in the high-end luxury card market and built for those road warriors who spend much of the year traveling. 

  • Annual Travel Bonus
  • No Blackout Dates
  • Airport Lounge Access
  • TSA Precheck or Global Entry Reimbursement
  • My Chase Plan
  • High Rewards Rate
  • 50% More Ultimate Chase Rewards
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee
  • Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • Multiple Protections
  • Annual Fee
  • Chase Restrictions
  • No Introductory 0% APR
  • Balance Transfer Fee
  • Low Merchandise Rewards

How hard is it to get a Sapphire Reserve card?

It is harder to get this card than some of the other Chase credit cards. However, if you have a credit score of at least 720 then you will be in with a good chance of getting approval.

What purchases don't earn cash back?

All purchases will earn you cashback with this card. This means that it can be nice and predictable when you are using it for everyday purchases.

What are the top reasons NOT to get it?

You do not travel a lot or you don’t want to pay the large annual fee. Those people who travel a lot can earn some stunning rewards from these types of cards.

In This Review..

Benefits

Let’s take a look at the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.

You can earn  in annual travel credit for any travel costs used with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This annual reward can help offset the annual fee. The $300 bonus is easy to get, all you have to do is spend $300 on travel.

This can include airlines, hotels, Airbnbs, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rentals, cruises, buses, trains, Uber and Lyft rides, and parking costs. 

There are no dates when the points cannot be redeemed. They can be redeemed at any time of the year. There is also no expiration or use limits.

You can have access to exclusive airport lounges with the Priority Pass Select membership that comes along with being a Chase Sapphire Reserve card holder. This membership is a $399 annual value.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card will reimburse your application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry once every four years. This cost is usually around $85 to $100.

Break up Chase card purchases into budget-friendly payments with no interest. However, you'll pay a fixed monthly fee.

Earn 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Your points go further when you book through Ultimate Chase Rewards. These rewards include all things travel-related, such as flights, hotels, cruises, and car rentals.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has no transaction fee while traveling in other countries. Many other cards have fees when you make purchases outside of the United States.

Cardholders Take advantage of exclusive benefits at a variety of hand-picked top hotels and resorts around the world, such as complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out.

Chase Sapphire Reserve card has zero liability, purchase protection, chip-enabled security, and an auto rental collision damage waiver. It also has travel insurance that covers canceled flights and baggage delay insurance for lost luggage reimbursement. 

This card also has roadside assistance, emergency transportation, and emergency medical coverage. These features help give you peace of mind while traveling at home and abroad.

Drawbacks

Here are the most important cons you should consider before applying:

Chase Sapphire Reserve has a high $550 annual fee. Many other credit cards do not have annual fees. This fee can be offset with the annual travel reward bonuses. There is a annual fee for each authorized user.

Chase Bank has a well-known rule that does not allow customers to sign up for multiple cards and receive multiple sign-up bonuses within a 24-month period. 

That means some who want to apply for the large sign-up bonus may not be eligible if they have received another Chase card with a sign-up bonus previously.

This card does not offer an introductory rate like many other credit cards do.

Along with not offering an introductory APR, Chase Sapphire Reserve has a large balance transfer fee of $5 or 5%.

If you are looking to use some of your reward points on merchandise, be aware that the conversion of points to reward for merchandise is low. The rewards should be used on travel.

Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?

The best way to see if the Chase Reserve Card is the right choice for your needs, is to calculate the amount of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn. 

Keep in mind that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your own consumer preferences and spending habits.

Spend Per Category
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
15,000 points
$5,000 – Restaurants
15,000 points
$4,000 – Hotels
40,000 points
$3,000 – Airline
15,000 points
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 points
Total Points
89,000 points
Estimated Redemption Value
1 point ~ 1 – 1.5 cents
Estimated Annual Value
$890 – $1,335

What Can I Do With Chase Points?

Chase offers the Ultimate Rewards program, through which you can redeem your card rewards. Each point has a monetary value of up to $0.015. You can use your points to get:

  • Travel benefits. You can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform to get low prices on travel products such as hotel stays and flights.
  • Gift cards: Chase offers a wide range of gift card options, including those for dining, entertainment, and shopping.
  • Statement credit or direct deposit: There is no minimum for redeeming your rewards in this manner, and direct deposits are accepted by the majority of US checking and savings accounts.

Simply log into your credit card portal or card app and select the appropriate option to claim your rewards. There will be instructions to follow in order to finish the process.

Make the Most of Your Reserve Card

The Reserve card is not a cheap card, but it offers a bunch of premium benefits for cardholders. Therefore, make sure you do your best to make the most of it:

  • Insurance Benefits: There is no need to obtain separate travel insurance because this card already provides that coverage. One of the best credit cards for rental car insurance is the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
  • Use your card to pay for your flights and travel tickets: If you pay for your tickets with your card, you can get lost luggage and delay reimbursement. You can also get statement credit for travel purchases, which can provide travel reassurance while also adding up to decent rewards.
  • Understand all of the card's features – as a luxury card, the Reserve card provides some unique and premium benefits that are not available on other cards. Make sure you are aware of them and can use them at the appropriate time based on your requirements.

How To Apply For Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card?

Visit the Chase Sapphire Reserve home page, and click on “Apply as a guest”. 

This takes you to a page where you can fill in your personal details. 

You hen choose your statement and communication delivery preference, whether you want it by mail or online. 

Next, take your time to read through the E-sign disclosure and the pricing & terms. Lastly read the certifications, tick the box, and then click “Submit.” 

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Right for You?

Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best travel reward cards for those with excellent credit.

If you spend much of your time traveling and eating out, this is an excellent card offering the best travel rewards in the market. Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a very large sign-up bonus and many travel perks. 

The large annual fee may scare off some consumers and this may not be the right travel reward card for those who travel only a couple of times a year. This card is for consumers who do a lot of traveling and that want to maximize rewards.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is a good option if you have:

  • Travel Frequently: If you travel frequently, you may be able to justify the high annual fee. This is due to the fact that you are eligible for some spectacular rewards.
  • If you like to travel in style: cardholders have access to over 1,000 VIP airport lounges around the world. You also get free credits for things like TSA Precheck and Global Entry every year.
  • Want Generous Rewards: By using this card for certain types of purchases, you can earn significant rewards. These benefits can quickly add up.

Compare The Alternatives

There a couple of travel premium cards that can be considered as an alternative to the Chase Reserve card. You may want to explore them before applying:

amex platinum

citi_premier_card

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Citi Premier® Card
Annual Fee
$550
$95
Rewards
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
1X – 10X 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases
1X – 3X 3X points per dollar on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel and other hotels purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
60,000 points 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
None
Purchase APR
20.99% – 28.99% APR Variable
21.74% – 28.74% variable APR
20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)

FAQ

Yes, you can get car rental insurance with this card if you decline the collision cover of the rental company and pay for the entire cost of the rental car with this card. Please review the terms and conditions before to make sure you're covered.

There are no transparent income requirements, but it is usually expected that your annual income is at least $60,000 and you may be asked for proof of income.

There is no sort of limit in place how much cash back or rewards that you can earn when you are using this card over time.

You can redeem your points in a variety of ways through the Chase credit card reward portal. Some of the perks you can get include cash, travel credit, statement credit, and gift cards.

Review Travel Credit Cards

Review Chase Credit Cards

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.