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3. Chase Sapphire Reserve®: One of the most valuable rewards cards on the planet

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212 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

4.1

Rating: 4.1 out of 5.

Great for maximizing flexible travel

Annual Fee: $550

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their Chase Sapphire Reserve® or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $15,380, with $5,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their Chase Sapphire Reserve® or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 711, with 810 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

Member stats

Updated daily

26.5%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

41 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$105,000

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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Big sign-up bonus

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Flexible travel credit

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Competitive travel and dining rewards

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Big annual fee

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Must have good credit

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Bonus rewards rate on travel only kicks in after travel credit has been used

4 things you need to know about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

1. Benefits are worth twice as much as the annual fee

Total Benefit Value: $1,146

Ease of Use: Moderately easy

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has an estimated Total Benefit Value of $1,146 as of May 2022, based on Credit Karma’s calculation.

The Total Benefit Value measures how much a premium rewards card could be worth if you use each benefit once. We found the Chase Sapphire Reserve® pays for itself twice over with travel and lifestyle credits that outweigh the $550 annual fee.

Here are a few of our favorite benefits this card offers.

• $300 travel credit
• Dining and delivery perks
• Airport lounge access

We believe these benefits are practical for most people because they cover common expenses — from travel spending to grocery and dining purchases — that are part of a regular budget.

The benefits are also moderately easy to use. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a flexible travel credit that covers a wide range of expenses — from airfare and hotel stays to rideshares — and kicks in automatically when you make a qualifying purchase. So you should have no problem getting your money’s worth from this card.

2. The sign-up bonus could be worth at least $900 toward travel

You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases during the first 3 months after opening the account.

When redeemed toward travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, that sign-up bonus is worth $900. But if you transfer your sign-up bonus points to one of Chase’s travel partners, they could be worth even more.

That might sound like a lot of value, but we’d encourage you to not fall into the trap of spending more money than you typically do just to earn the sign-up bonus.

You should look at your budget and ask yourself whether you can afford to spend an average of $1,333.34 per month on this card, which is the amount it will take to earn the sign-up bonus.

Don’t spend that much money on a regular basis? You deserve credit for living frugally. If your regular spending isn’t high enough, there could be other ways to qualify for the sign-up bonus. Instead of spending more on everyday purchases, you could use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to pay for an upcoming trip or a big purchase you’re already planning on making.

No matter your choice, the key is to only earn the sign-up bonus without spending beyond your means.

3. The annual travel credit helps offset the annual fee

The card’s $550 annual fee can be a tough pill to swallow.

But the Chase Sapphire Reserve® also features a flexible travel credit of up to $300 that you can use each card anniversary year to pay for flights, hotels and other eligible travel expenses. The benefit is applied automatically as a statement credit, too, so you don’t have to apply for reimbursement.

If you travel often, this brings the annual fee for carrying the Chase Sapphire Reserve® down to a more manageable number. Depending on your spending habits, you may be able to cover — or even exceed — that cost through the card’s other perks and rewards.

4. Competitive travel and dining rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers three points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases after your $300 travel statement credit.

And after your $300 travel statement credit you’ll also get …

• 10 points for every $1 you spend on Lyft rides through March 2025 — that’s 3 points plus an additional 7 points
• 10 points per $1 spent on hotels (excluding The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) and car rentals purchased through Chase
• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠

Cardholders also earn three points per $1 spent on dining purchases, which includes purchases from DoorDash, and 10 points per $1 spent on Chase Dining purchases. These are some of the most lucrative points-earning rates among rewards cards. You’ll receive one point per $1 on all other purchases.

The perks boast hundreds of dollars in potential value — but consider if you’ll use them

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® features some generous benefits that are commonly associated with premium rewards cards — as well as a few unique perks you might have trouble finding elsewhere.

If you think you can use these perks, that’s great. But you should ask yourself whether you’d pay for them if they weren’t free, or if you even have access to some of these services where you live. Depending on your answer, you can determine whether a particular feature provides enough added value for your needs, or if it’s just something that might cause you to change your habits.

DoorDash

If your kitchen is empty or you don’t feel like leaving your home to walk to a restaurant, you might enjoy ordering from the food delivery service DoorDash.

While enrolled in DashPass with your Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you’ll receive a $5 credit each month (through January 2025) to apply to your DoorDash or Caviar order at checkout.

You’ll also receive a complimentary DashPass membership that will be good for at least 12 months when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027. With DashPass, your delivery fee is waived on orders that meet the subtotal minimum displayed in the app.

DashPass customers typically save an average of $4 to $5 on each order, according to DoorDash.

Priority Pass™ lounges

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership after one-time enrollment.

This perk gives you and up to two guests access to more than 1,500 airport lounges around the world where you can relax while you’re waiting for your flight. And you can indulge in a snack while waiting — most lounges provide free food and drinks.

But the program doesn’t only cover lounges. Certain airport restaurants, cafes and markets also participate.

Breeze through airport security checkpoints

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also comes with a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee.

TSA PreCheck helps you move through airport security screening more easily when you’re flying domestically. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck lanes and expedites the customs process for international travelers entering the U.S.

It’s important to note that your Chase Sapphire Reserve® membership has no impact on whether you qualify for one of these airport security programs. But if you pay with your credit card, Chase will credit the charge on your monthly billing statement.

You’re covered when something goes wrong on your trip

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers a full slate of travel insurance.

This includes coverage for trip delay, trip cancellation, lost luggage and emergency evacuation if you’re injured during your vacation.

Travel insurance is one of the most overlooked features of this credit card. You never know when you’ll need it, but it sure could come in handy when you’re stranded at the airport.

Understanding your points and redemption options

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers some of the most valuable points on the market.

Your points are worth 1.5 cents each when you factor in the 50% bonus you receive for redeeming for travel through Chase Travel℠.

You can also transfer your points 1-to-1 to several airline and hotel partners, where you might possibly get more bang for your buck.

Who this card is good for

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is geared toward frequent travelers. Whether you’re taking a vacation or commuting to and from work, you’ll be pampered with points and perks that make your trip more rewarding.

This card could be a popular choice if you like to eat out, frequently find yourself in restaurants or prefer food delivery.

Before you sign up for this premium rewards card though, make sure you’re not afraid to commit to the high $550 annual fee and determine if you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

To get the most benefit from the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you should plan to take advantage of the travel credit, the DoorDash/Caviar credits, the application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, and the Priority Pass Select membership.

You should also plan to use your points for a trip. Whether you redeem them toward flights or hotel stays through Chase Travel℠, or transfer to one of Chase’s travel partners, you’ll get the best value for your rewards when you use them to pay for travel.

Not sure this card is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers great value, but only for those who get a lot of value out of travel and dining perks — and who are willing to commit to a large annual fee. If that’s not you, you might want to check out one of these other cards instead.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
This card is a good fit for budget-conscious travelers who don’t require as many airport perks.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
This card could be a better option for travelers with more business expenses than personal ones.
• Platinum Card® from American Express:
This premium card could be the choice for travelers seeking even more luxury.