Since its release the Chase, Sapphire Reserved has shaken the world as one of the best travel credit cards on the market. The high annual fee might be off-putting at first. However, once you start to exploring the all the rewards the credit card offers it is plain to see that the benefits greatly outweigh that imposing $450 annual fee.
Now, I think it is important to note that this post is NOT sponsored by Chase, I don’t receive any commission from this post. This Chase Sapphire Reserve post is 100% my views and experiences. Hands down, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has become my favorite card and is the best travel credit card you can get. Important Note: You need excellent credit to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It your credit is a work in progress I would suggest starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. So what are the rewards of this card? What about it has those of us who play the miles game buzzing with excitement? Let’s dive right into this Chase Sapphire Reserve Review and take an in-depth look at this remarkable Credit Card.
Chase Sapphire RESERVE Review
Is this the best travel credit card?
Even before the Reserve, Chase is a company that has an excellent reputation for Travel Credit Cards. Personally, I started building my credit with the ” Chase Sapphire Preferred” which is a good place to start if you are new mileage cards. The Preferred is nothing compared to the Reserve.
Chase Sapphire
– The Good
So what are the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve? Huge bonus – At the time of writing this post the Chase Sapphire Reserve 100,000 sign up bonus when spending more than $4000 in 3 months.Really that $1,000 turns into $1,500 but we will talk about that later. Up to $300 a year in travel Credit – This takes a max of $300 off your bill when you charge flights or hotels on your credit card. I used the card a to book $700 flight a few weeks ago. A couple of days later this credit of $300 was applied to my card. Yep, in a couple of days that $700 flight was reduced to $400. Select Priority Pass – This pass gives you access to 900+ airport lounges all over the world. Most of them having free wifi, snacks, and even booze. This pass is free with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and carries a $350 value.
OTHER TRAVEL PERKS
OF THE CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE
Can it get any better? Earn 3x the Miles- The Chase Sapphire Reserve gives 3 points for every dollar you spend on travel related purchases. 3x the miles on restaurant and dining purchases. This is huge! Spending $100 on eating out is 300 miles. However, it there is a straightforward to get 50% more out of your miles. (Which we will talk about in “The Elite” section below) 1x points on every other purchase. No foreign transaction fees Use your card when renting a car from National Car Rental, Avis, and Silvercar, and you get special privileges. .
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE Review
– The Bad
The Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn’t have many bad sides. In fact, there are only two things that could be considered “bad” about the card. The first is the $450 annual fee. However, with the $300 in annual credit it takes the annual fee down to an affordable $150. Note: The annual fee for each card you add for a spouse or a family member is $75 a year. Another downside is that even though the card works wonders when redeeming miles. However, if you are redeeming points for merchandise at online retailers, then this is not the greatest card. .
Chase Sapphire RESERVE
– The ELite
Above we covered some of the highlights of the card. However, here are my favorite things my the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers.
50% BONUS WHEN BOOKING TRAVEL THROUGH CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS.
Exclusive to the Chase Sapphire this perk is huge. When booking through the chase portal, you get 50% more for your miles. Take the sign up bonus of 100,000 miles which is worth $1,000 in travel. Use those miles in the Sapphire Reserve Ultimate Rewards portal and get 50% more. Making it worth $1,500 in travel. Here is the amazing thing. Transferring points from other Chase cards to the Reserve still gives you 50% more. For example, I had 60,000 miles ($600) on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card. I transferred those points to Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Instantly that $600 worth of points turned into $900. If you are travel hacker, every Chase Card bonus just got bigger.
MORE ELITE PERKS
Get reimbursed the $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.-This allows your to get through the airport faster and customs faster. Also make sure you know the rules. Like can you bring a lighter on a plane. Note: You get one pass for each person on your account. Travel and Purchase Protection. – I spend over a $1000 a year of travel insurance. Not anymore. When booking a trip through the card, I get to travel insurance which covers everything from lost luggage to medical evacuation.
Chase Sapphire RESERVE Review
the Verdict
Behold the best travel credit card I have ever seen.
LET’S JUST ADD UP THE VALUE I HAVE SEEN USING THIS CARD FOR JUST 3 MONTHS.
Select Pass – Arguably worth $350 Annual Travel Credit – $300 Saving on Travel Insurance – $1,000 Sign up Bonus – $1,500 Pre-TSA Check- $100 Transferring Miles from Chase Preferred Card – Turned $600 into $900. Total : $,3550. Incredible, right!? I am getting almost 10x the value of the $450 annual fee. Overall this credit card is fantastic! I have saved way more than the high $450 yearly fee, and the rewards just keep coming.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE REVIEW? IS THIS A CREDIT CARD YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET?
This Chase Sapphire Reserve Review was originally published on my new blog the Disorganized Traveler ( which is a work in progress)
Stephen Schreck is a passoniate traveler who has been wandering the world and sharing his tips and experinces for over 6 years. Learn more about me here.