Chase Sapphire Reserve

A premium travel card with a very high fee. It pays off only for people who travel often and use its credits.

Who it's for

This card is for you if you travel often, spend heavily on flights, hotels and dining, and will actually use the yearly perks. The annual fee is $795, so the math matters. You earn 8x on travel booked through Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, 3x on dining and 1x on everything else, and there is a $300 travel credit each year. If you already spend thousands a year on travel, those rates plus the credit can cover a large part of the fee.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you travel once or twice a year. The fee is hard to justify unless you use the travel credit and earn a lot of bonus points, and the Sapphire Preferred gives you similar categories for $95. Skip it too if you ever carry a balance, because interest at the regular APR will cost more than any rewards. Like most premium cards, it generally needs excellent credit.

How to get the most from it

Use the $300 travel credit early in your card year so you don't forget it; ordinary travel purchases count toward it. Book through Chase Travel when the price matches, since 8x is the top rate. For flights and hotels you book directly with the airline or hotel, the card still earns 4x. Put restaurant spending here too. Before you renew each year, add up the credits you actually used and the points you earned, and compare that number to the fee. If it comes up short, asking Chase about a move to a lower-fee card can keep your account history intact.

Pros

• High earning on travel and dining
• $300 yearly travel credit
• Points can go toward travel or move to airline and hotel partners
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• $795 annual fee
• Only worth it if you travel a lot and use the credits
• 1x on everyday spending outside the bonus categories
• High regular APR if you carry a balance

Frequently asked questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth $795 a year?

Only if you travel often. Start with the $300 travel credit, then add the value of the points you would earn in a typical year. If that total is well below $795, the Sapphire Preferred or a no-fee card is a better fit.

What is the difference between the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Preferred?

The Reserve has a much higher fee ($795 vs $95), higher earning rates on travel, and a $300 travel credit. The Preferred is the better value for most people who travel only a few times a year.

Does the Sapphire Reserve charge foreign transaction fees?

No. You can use it abroad without an added fee on each purchase.

What credit score do you need for the Sapphire Reserve?

Chase doesn't publish a minimum, but expect to need excellent credit and a solid history with other cards.