Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Really great all-around card for the frequent traveler. Despite the $795 annual fee, if you travel frequently, this is a great card to consider for the many benefits. In addition to the generous points bonus, this card also comes with a one-time $500 Chase Travel℠ credit to be used within the first year of card membership. Add to that a $300 annual Chase Travel credit and an additional $500 annual The Edit by Chase Travel credit (offered bi-annually in two $250 increments for stays 2 nights or more) and you're looking at $1,300 in travel credit value in the first year. You'll also receive Priority Pass Select lounge access, up to a $120 fee credit towards Global Entry, Nexus or TSA PreCheck®, primary auto rental coverage, strong travel protection benefits and no foreign transaction fees. 

NOTE: The $500 Chase Travel credit that you receive with this welcome offer is a single-use credit, so if your booking is under $500, the leftover amount is forfeited. If any part of your trip is canceled by the provider, Chase will reissue a new credit for the canceled portion.)

After the Chase Travel portal credits are used, this card earns 8x points total on ALL travel purchases booked through Chase Travel and 4x points on flights and hotel booked directly.

Important Update on Eligibility (June 2025): Chase has updated its application rules for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Eligibility for the welcome bonus is now less predictable. Previously, you couldn’t get a Sapphire bonus if you had any Sapphire card (Reserve or Preferred) or received a bonus in the last 48 months. Now, while you still can’t get the bonus if you currently hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve, the old 48-month rule is gone, and the Sapphire Reserve and Preferred are no longer part of a “family.” Most importantly, Chase now uses language like “may not be available,” and many applicants are seeing different outcomes—even some who previously had the card or bonus. The good news: you’ll be told if you’re eligible for the bonus before any credit check happens.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Application Rules Update (6/30/25): Chase made a splash with a big new offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve but the rollout of new application rules has been bumpy at best. In theory, the changes allow applicants to hold both a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and a personal Sapphire Reserve card, and introduce a pop-up to warn users if they’re ineligible for a welcome bonus.

In practice? Things aren’t going smoothly. It’s been frustrating and confusing — especially since Chase’s new rules seem to conflict with real-world outcomes.​​ With the personal Sapphire Reserve’s high annual fee and lack of clarity around who qualifies for what, it’s probably best to wait another week until Chase irons out these issues. 

Here’s what we know so far:

⚬ If you’ve had the Chase Sapphire Reserve in the past (at any point in time), you won’t qualify for the current welcome offer.

⚬ If you currently have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your best move is to downgrade it to a no-annual-fee option (Chase Freedom Unlimited®) before going after the Sapphire Reserve.

⚬ The good news? These restrictions don’t apply to the Sapphire Reserve for Business — aside from the standard 5/24 rule where you must be below 5/24 to apply for the card but the card will not count against your 5/24.

We’ll keep watching for updates, but for now, it’s wise to proceed with caution.

Additionally, as of 6/23/25, Chase is phasing out the guaranteed 50% boost (1.5 cents per point) on all travel booked through Chase Travel and introducing Points Boost. With Points Boost, you can get up to 2 cents per point on select flights and hotels through Chase Travel. If there’s no boost, points will redeem at a standard 1 cent per point.

Points earned prior to October 26, 2025 by Sapphire Reserve cardholders who applied prior to June 23, 2025 can be redeemed at 1.5x on Chase Travel until October 26, 2027. For points earned prior to October 26, 2025, cardmembers will automatically receive the best offer available, whether it’s Points Boost or 1.5x on Chase Travel.