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Are you thinking about getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve® but not sure if it’s worth the $550 annual fee? This Chase Sapphire Reserve review will help you understand why it’s one of the best travel credit cards. It’s a true gem if you travel on a regular basis, though there are also a few perks if you aren’t traveling just yet.
Here are six reasons why you should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve as your next travel credit card.
New Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: 1:1 Ultimate Rewards Point Transfers
What do the following travel loyalty programs have in common?
- Southwest Airlines
- World of Hyatt
- United Airlines
- Aer Lingus
Besides having some of the most affordable award travel options, they are all Chase Ultimate Rewards travel partners, plus additional airline and hotel loyalty programs.
You can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points on a 1:1 basis in 1,000-point increments to any of the Chase Travel℠ partners. Many Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders consider the 1:1 point transfers the most valuable benefit.
Redeeming your points for award travel directly through Chase already makes them worth 1.5 cents each for all award travel. Most travel credit cards only value each point at one cent each.
Another reason to consider the Sapphire Reserve is if you already own the Chase Freedom cash rewards credit card that earns 5% back on rotating bonus categories. Without a Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred credit card, your Chase Freedom points can only be redeemed for cash back rewards.
By owning the Sapphire Reserve, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn with your Freedom are eligible for 1:1 point transfers when you “pool” your points.
Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 Annual Travel Credit
Unlike some of the other travel credit cards that offer an annual travel credit that only applies to incidental airline fees like checked bags and in-flight purchases on one airline, the $300 credit from the Sapphire Reserve can be used for any travel purchase.
If the travel purchase is eligible to earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points, your first $300 in travel expenses each year will be reimbursed as a statement credit.
In addition to this $300 credit, you can also enjoy additional on-site credits when you book a stay at the Luxury Hotel and Resorts Collection and pay for your stay with the Sapphire Reserve. With more than 900 resorts, spas, and lodges, you can enjoy complimentary breakfast, hotel wifi, and room upgrades when available.
This credit alone reduces the annual fee from $550 to $250. As long as you can use some of the other travel benefits, you’ll have no problem maximizing the value of the Sapphire Reserve each year.
Complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership
Frequent flyers stand to benefit the most from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® because of the multiple flight benefits. One of the most valuable is the Priority Pass Select membership which lets you and two others enter for free at the 1,300+ lounge locations that are all over the world!
If you were to buy the comparable Priority Pass Prestige annual membership with unlimited visits, you’d have to pay $399 per year plus $27 for each additional guest. This benefit alone exceeds the annual fee if you visit Priority Pass lounges on a regular basis. Even if you don’t, you have to pay $27 per visit as a basic Priority Pass member plus the $99 annual fee.
Earn Points on Dining and Travel (once eligible)
It doesn’t matter which country you buy lunch in. You’re always going to earn 3x Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent. Chase also waives the foreign transaction fee, so you never have to worry about losing your rewards to sneaky fees.
Cardholders can earn unlimited:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchases through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other travel worldwide (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
- 1x points for all remaining purchases
You will not receive rewards points on your first $300 in annual travel purchases as the annual travel statement credit reimburses these purchases.
Global Entry Application Fee Reimbursement
Have you ever wondered how so many people skip the long security lines when coming back into the United States or hopping onto a domestic flight? It’s because they have a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
While you don’t have to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve to apply for Global Entry, Chase will reimburse the $100 application fee. If you only opt for TSA PreCheck, the $85 application fee is reimbursed too.
You need to reapply for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every five years. While this benefit won’t save you a ton of money, it’s a nice perk that very few credit cards offer. And, it’s not every day that you get $100 back from the credit card company.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It?
Are you going to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve® now? Frequent flyers will benefit the most from the Sapphire Reserve, but the 1:1 point transfers and flexible travel credit also benefit other travelers. If you’re not loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, the Sapphire Reserve lets you earn unlimited bonus points on every travel purchase. You can also save money on some of the other recurring travel expenses you might be paying for already.
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