My Chase Sapphire Reserve card definitely gets the most use among any of the travel credit cards in my wallet. I accumulate points really quickly because the card offers 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel & dining purchases.
In 2018, using the Sapphire Reserve for everyday purchases helped me to earn more than 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (worth at least $1,200 in travel). I’ll likely use these points to get at least $3,000 worth of luxurious hotel stays or First Class flights.
One of my favorite Sapphire Reserve perks is the card’s $300 annual credit for travel purchases. This credit is so straightforward. When you use your card for ANY travel purchase (like Airbnb, airfare, hotels, Lyft, Uber, and many others), you will automatically be reimbursed, until you’ve spent a total of $300 on travel. In other words, Chase will pay for the first $300 in travel you spend each year with your card! For new cardmembers, a year is determined based on your card anniversary. I applied for the Sapphire Reserve when it first came out, so I still earn the travel credit based on a calendar year. Either way, it’s still a phenomenal benefit. Note: The 3x points on travel excludes the $300 travel credit.
To me, the $300 travel credit makes paying this card’s $550 annual fee a no-brainer. Because I’m effectively paying $250 ($550 annual fee – $300 travel credit). And the card gets me access to a 3X bonus category along with amazing trip protection benefits.
Apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
I think the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the #1 premium travel credit card. When you apply for the Sapphire Reserve, you can earn 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The sign-up bonus is worth at least $750 when you redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Because points linked to your Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each toward travel through the Chase portal. Plus, you can move points from other Chase Ultimate Rewards point earning credit cards to increase the value of all your points.
My favorite way to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them directly to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, which include Hyatt, Marriott, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, and United Airlines. This strategy helped me secure multiple Business Class seats on an incredible family trip to New Zealand.
Here’s a video highlight of the trip made possible thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards points and the Sapphire Reserve card!
Sapphire Reserve cardholders also get:
- 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel (excluding $300 travel credit) & dining worldwide
- 1X Chase Ultimate Rewards point on all other purchases
- $300 annual credit every cardmember anniversary for travel purchases such as airfare and hotels
- $100 statement credit for Global Entry
- Free Priority Pass Select membership for access to airport lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
- Visa Infinite benefits like $25 food and beverage credit at the Luxury Hotel Collection and complimentary car rental elite status with Silvercar
- Rental car discounts with National Car Rental and Avis
The card has a $550 annual fee, which is NOT waived for the first year. But the annual travel credit and airport lounge access can more than offset the annual fee.
If you shy away from premium credit cards with high annual fees, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card instead, which is our #1 card pick for beginners!
Does a purchase of flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal also count toward the $300 travel credit?
Hi, I just got approved and haven’t actually received the physical card yet. I liked your article but I was hoping you would list what you used the card on that gave you the $300 credit.
For example what are the smaller charges I see on the list above that qualified. I saw one thing that said “gas” / gas stations” qualifies as travel but I have not seen that again.
I was searching for maybe unknown or unusual things that qualify for the travel credit that are not on the site list. A lot of sites, including this one say “many other things” qualify, but I can’t find a list of those many other things… thank you for anything you can tell me.
Hi Jay!
Here’s a link to one of our articles that has a list of items that qualify for the $300 credit:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/chase-sapphire-reserve-annual-travel-credit/
Basically, anything that falls under the travel category which Chase defines as: airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines,travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.
$300 Airline travel credit works? So I can book a flight on delta,american etc and it’ll reimburse me? That is so worth it, they’re basically asking me to fly.
That’s right! The credit works for travel purchases like airfare and hotels 🙂
So pay an annual fee and get $300 back. How is that a big deal?
Instead save the money and invest.
Hi Mike!
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a lot of great perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, primary rental car coverage, and more. You can read more about the perks on our review of the card:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve/
And since the card offers a $300 annual travel credit, you’re essentially receiving a ton of benefits for an effective annual fee of $150. Depending on your travel habits, that could be well worth the fee!
Hi Mike — having this card allows me to invest a lot more than I could without it. The 80,000 points I earned last year on purchases helped to cover travel expenses, including some last-minute unplanned trips. Not having to pay for travel = more money for other expenses or investment opportunities.
Just made final payment on our 18 day cruise cruise – got the $300 travel credit, saving on travel insurance, and will earn over 33000 UR points. Card has saved us a boatload (pun intended) and earned us a lot of points in just over 2 years.
An 18 day cruise sounds awesome! Glad to hear you’re getting a lot of value from your Sapphire Reserve!
and don’t forget the value of the Travel insurance benefit. I recently broke my arm- was unable to travel . I was reimbursed $500 of my non refundable hotel package.
Oh wow — sorry to hear about your arm, but good to see the card benefit came in handy. Hope you’re feeling better!