Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has undergone major enhancements, making it one of the most rewarding premium travel credit cards available.
With over $2,700 in annual cardmember value, the updated card offers significantly more benefits than before, though it comes with a higher annual fee to match.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards Rate
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$795
What’s New in 2025
Chase has significantly enhanced the Chase Sapphire Reserve® with several major improvements:
Enhanced travel benefits
- Simplified earning structure: Now earn 8x points on all Chase Travel℠ purchases (previously 5x on flights and 10x on hotels/car rentals)
- Direct booking bonus: 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly (up from 3x on all travel)
- The Edit℠ credit: New $500 annual credit for a collection of over 1,100 hand-picked hotels and resorts bookable through Chase Travel℠
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status: Complimentary elite status included
New Points Boost program
The standout new feature is Points Boost, which allows cardmembers to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points at up to 2x value on rotating offers through Chase Travel℠.
Note: For purchases not eligible for Points Boost, points are redeemed at 1:1 on Chase Travel℠ (down from the previous 1.5x rate).
For points earned before October 26, 2025, cardmembers who applied prior to June 23, 2025, will automatically receive the best offer available, whether it’s Points Boost or 1.5x on Chase Travel℠, maximizing your rewards value for two years.
Expanded lifestyle credits
The new Sapphire Reserve includes substantial annual credits:
- $300 annual dining credit and primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables, available for booking on OpenTable
- $300 annual StubHub credit for concerts and events
- $250 annual value through Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions
- $300 annually in DoorDash promotions plus a complimentary DashPass membership worth $120 annually
- $120 annual Lyft credits ($10 monthly) plus 5x points on Lyft rides
- Up to $120 annual Peloton credits plus 10x points on Peloton purchases
Premium spending tier benefits
After spending $75,000 annually, cardmembers unlock:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status
- Southwest Airlines A-List Status
- $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel℠
- $250 credit to The Shops at Chase
Enhanced Lounge Access
The Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network continues expanding with locations at:
- Boston Logan International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Future locations include Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles airports.
Cardmembers also retain access to over 1,300 Priority Pass™ Select lounges.
Redeeming Rewards
Chase Travel℠
Points can be redeemed for:
- Flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences
- Statement credits and gift cards
- Partner shopping
The new Points Boost program is the most significant enhancement, offering up to 2x redemption value on rotating offers through Chase Travel℠. This can yield exceptional value on premium travel bookings.
Transfer partners
Chase maintains partnerships with 14 loyalty programs:
- Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
- Hotels: Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Bonvoy
Cashback
Points can still be redeemed for cash at $0.01 per point, though travel redemptions offer much better value.
Continuing Benefits
The enhanced card retains popular existing benefits:
- $300 annual travel credit
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit every four years
- Comprehensive travel protections, including primary rental car insurance
- Reserve Travel Designers for end-to-end travel planning
- 24/7 dedicated customer service
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Over $2,700 in annual value through credits and benefits
- Points Boost program offers exceptional redemption value
- Extensive lifestyle credits beyond travel
- Simplified and enhanced earning structure
- Growing lounge network
- Comprehensive travel protections
Cons
- Significantly higher annual fee
- Base Chase Travel℠ redemption rate decreased from 1.5x to 1:1
- High spending requirements for premium tier benefits
- May be overwhelming for casual travelers
Who Should Get the Refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The updated Chase Sapphire Reserve® is ideal for:
- Frequent travelers who can maximize the $500 The Edit℠ credit and travel benefits
- Those who value lifestyle credits (dining, entertainment, subscriptions)
- Cardmembers who can leverage Points Boost for premium travel
- Travelers who benefit from lounge access and travel protections
- High spenders who can unlock the $75,000 spending tier benefits
Who Shouldn’t Get the Refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The updated card may not be suitable for:
- Casual travelers who won’t use the extensive credits
- Those unwilling to pay the high annual fee
- Cardmembers who prefer simple cashback over travel rewards
- Those who rarely book through Chase Travel℠
Implementation Timeline
Current Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers who applied before June 23, 2025:
- Can redeem points earned before October 26, 2025, at the previous 1.5x rate on Chase Travel℠ until October 26, 2027
- Will receive new benefits starting October 26, 2025
- Will have their annual fee adjusted to $795 on their next anniversary after October 26, 2025
Alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card let you earn insanely valuable Ultimate Rewards® points. However, the annual fee varies quite a bit between the two cards, as do the benefits.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards Rate
- 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. 1x thereafter
- 5x on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 1x on all other spending
Welcome Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$695 (rates and fees)
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the flagship Amex card that offers the most perks. However, it also comes with an eye-watering annual fee. Whether or not the fee is worth it depends on how many of the card’s perks you’ll actually use.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual Fee
$395
Like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers quite a few perks in addition to the sign-up bonus. Plus, it has similar benefits and a significantly lower annual fee. Opt for the Venture X if you’re seeking travel perks without the Reserve’s high fee.
FAQs
Is it worth getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® targets frequent travelers, and its high annual fee is only justified for those who can maximize its benefits. If you don’t travel much, a lower-fee card is more suitable.
How much do you need to spend to make the Chase Sapphire Reserve® worth it?
It’s not about how much you need to spend, but rather a question of your ability to use all of the perks of the card. If you value lounge access and travel frequently, you should be able to get enough value from the card.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® hard to get?
Approval for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card requires having a solid income. Additionally, you must not have applied for five personal credit cards within the last 24 months to be approved.
Bottom Line
The enhanced Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a significant evolution in premium credit cards. While the $795 annual fee is substantial, the over $2,700 in annual value through credits and benefits can more than justify the cost for frequent travelers and those who value luxury lifestyle perks.
Whether you transfer points to Chase’s 14 transfer partners or use the new Points Boost, you’re guaranteed to extract a lot of value out of your points on premium travel bookings. Plus, you get expanded lifestyle credits and an enhanced earning structure.
However, the higher fee means this card is even more specialized for frequent travelers and high spenders. If you can’t maximize the extensive benefits package, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or other alternatives with lower fees.
For those who travel frequently, value premium experiences, and can leverage the comprehensive benefits package, the enhanced Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers exceptional value despite its premium price point.
Learn With Erika
- Free Travel Secrets Workshop
- Learn how to use the fine print to book your next vacation practically for free with Erika's step-by-step system
- Free 5 Day Investing Challenge
- Learn how to get started as a beginner investor and make your first $10,000
- Free 5 Day Savings Challenge
- Discover how you can save $1,000 without penny pinching or making major life sacrifices
- Join Erika Kullberg Insiders
- Ask investing questions, share successes and participate in monthly challenges and expert workshops
Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the 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.
