My pal flashed me a brand new bank card and mentioned, “That is the most recent one; it is a should.” It was September 2016 and my first encounter with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). On the time, I solely held a cash-back credit card and a cobranded airline credit card, however I took his phrases to coronary heart. Almost a decade later, the Chase Sapphire Reserve nonetheless holds a particular place in my pockets, because it was my first transferable currency credit card.
A number of staffers at TPG have the Sapphire Reserve, however many even have the ever-popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). Whereas there are legitimate the explanation why some individuals cancel or downgrade their Sapphire Reserve, the concept of eliminating mine has by no means crossed my thoughts.
The worth this card has offered me all through my factors and miles journey is immense. Listed here are all of the the explanation why I am going to by no means cancel my Chase Sapphire Reserve.
It has an affordable annual charge
Once I initially utilized for the cardboard in 2016, the Sapphire Reserve had a $450 annual charge. On the time, different top-tier playing cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Citi Prestige® Card (not accessible for brand new candidates) had comparable annual charges, however of all of them, I discovered the Reserve’s annual charge to be the simplest to justify given its advantages.
The knowledge for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Regardless of the Sapphire Reserve’s present annual charge of $550, it’s nonetheless cheaper than the Amex Platinum’s hefty $695 annual charge (see rates and fees).
I worth a bank card’s annual charge in relation to its advantages, and, fortunately, the Sapphire Reserve avoids coupon-book-style assertion credit that require some effort to maximise, making you are feeling as in case your annual charge funding is value it.
The $395 annual charge connected to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has made that card a real competitor of the Sapphire Reserve, however the restriction on its travel credit is usually a level of rivalry and another excuse the Sapphire Reserve is a winner for me.
Associated: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?
Day by day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
The switch companions are extraordinarily helpful
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a number of airline and lodge companions, together with many throughout the three airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance), plus home packages like Southwest Rapid Rewards. The latter has been significantly invaluable when touring within the U.S., saving me 1000’s of {dollars} on last-minute bookings. I have been capable of safe one-way airfare utilizing my Southwest factors for as little as 6,000 factors between John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN).
Primarily based on my spending habits, the Sapphire Reserve helps me accrue factors quicker than the Sapphire Preferred — one other Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning possibility — and has the identical switch companions. In consequence, in 2024 alone, I redeemed over 300,000 Chase Final Rewards factors, because of the benefit of incomes them and the flexibility to switch them to top-notch companions.
Certainly, my most utilized switch associate is Air Canada Aeroplan. The breadth of airways inside Star Alliance — together with Turkish Airlines, which was the service I flew for certainly one of my favourite redemptions (a visit from the U.S. to Istanbul for 70,000 miles one-way in enterprise class) — coupled with an award chart with a number of sweet spots makes this system a no brainer.
I additionally love the number of Avios switch companions with the Sapphire Reserve. Due to British Airways and Qatar Airways each utilizing Avios, I reap the benefits of my linked accounts to transfer Avios. This helps me fly Qatar Airways’ impressive Qsuite between the U.S. and the Center East for under 75,000 Avios, which might ordinarily price someplace between $4,000-$9,000.
On the lodge facet, World of Hyatt has arguably among the finest redemption rates, which sweetens the deal on Chase’s nice vary of switch companions. With some nightly charges in Europe for Park Hyatt properties costing as a lot as $1,100, I’ve saved 1000’s of {dollars} by reserving award nights for 50,000 factors an evening.
Associated: Who are the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners? Everything to know
It provides advantages which might be straightforward to get pleasure from
I discover the Chase Sapphire Reserve to be some of the easy bank cards for utilizing advantages. There is not any have to enroll to reap the benefits of your advantages, a ache level for Amex cardmembers, and there aren’t a ton of restrictions to fret about.
Versatile journey assertion credit score
The Sapphire Reserve‘s most beneficial perk is presumably its $300 assertion credit score for journey purchases, which is extensively and simply accessible, making it a high motive I’d by no means cancel my card.
As a result of Chase has a broad view of what qualifies as a travel expense, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual assertion credit score routinely will get utilized to your account for all types of journey purchases. For instance, I’ve used my $300 assertion credit score to cowl the whole lot from airfare and lodge expenses to coach tickets, parking meters and even tolls.
Associated: How to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 annual travel credit to save on travel
DoorDash assertion credit
As a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, I obtain a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership. Plus as much as $25 in month-to-month credit towards DoorDash orders by a mixture of $5 credit score for restaurant orders and two, separate, as much as $10 reductions on non-restaurant orders.
Once I’m on the lookout for a fast chunk to eat on a busy day or want some last-minute grocery gadgets, the DoorDash credit have turn out to be useful. They’re easy to make use of and solely require including the Sapphire Reserve as a fee possibility in DoorDash’s cell app.
By charging no less than $25 of DoorDash orders I am already making to my Sapphire Reserve every month, I will save a minimal of $300 a 12 months in meals bills.
Having complimentary entry to lounges streamlines my journey
For me, the flexibility to entry lounges is an effective way to go the time at airports all over the world, because it lets me replenish in a snug setting for no further price. That is very true after I journey with my household as a result of ordering meals for a number of individuals from an airport restaurant is usually a gradual, cumbersome course of.
Whereas most premium bank cards these days embrace a Priority Pass membership, which is nice to have, the most recent development is for card issuers to offer access to their own lounges. Chase has not solely joined this development however has shortly develop into a powerful competitor on this space.
As of March 2025, Chase has eight Sapphire lounges globally, together with the lately opened Sapphire Lounge by The Club at PHL in Philadelphia. With two extra openings already within the pipeline, Chase’s quickly rising lounge presence is another excuse to maintain the cardboard open.
Traditionally, I’ve had restricted probabilities to expertise Chase’s Sapphire lounges outdoors of a latest journey to Hong Kong since I am primarily based on the West Coast. However with a new opening at San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN) and another planned for Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX), I am wanting ahead to maximizing this profit extra — with two complimentary visitors in tow — on future journeys.
Associated: How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access
Backside line
As a cheerful Sapphire Reserve cardholder for almost a decade, I do not see myself downgrading or canceling my card anytime quickly. The versatile annual journey assertion credit score, spectacular roster of switch companions and rising Sapphire lounge community maintain the cardboard essential for my pockets, even with its $550 annual charge.
For extra data, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on here.
Trending Merchandise
