What’s in My Wallet - Benefits Chase Sapphire Reserve
My well-loved Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Benefits Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
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I have kept a Chase Sapphire card, either the Preferred or Reserve, in my wallet since its introduction in 2016. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the premium travel rewards cards on the market. As a result, it comes with a high annual fee — $795/year as of June 23, 2025. Yes, I know that is steep! The card had recent updates, so I am waiting until I have used them to see if this card will earn a spot in my wallet for the next year when I pay the increased fee. For my lifestyle, it does look promising.
Here’s how the benefits break down — what you get, how to use them, and what to watch out for.
Earning Rewards: Points Structure & Boosts
Earning Rates
8× points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel — this is now the top earning rate in many travel categories. Please note that you have to use Chase Travel to get the 8x points.
4× points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines or hotels (i.e., not through Chase Travel).
3× points per dollar on dining worldwide.
1× point per dollar on all other purchases.
Points Boost / Redemption Enhancements
Chase introduced Points Boost, which allows you to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points at up to 2× value on eligible flights and hotels booked through the portal.
For bookings that don’t qualify, points will be redeemed at standard value (1 cent per point when used for travel) under the new structure.
Plus, you can transfer points 1:1 to travel partners (airlines and hotels), unlocking potentially greater value depending on how you use them. This is one of my favorite benefits. I have done this for years for HUGE savings! You can read more about how to do this here.
Credits, Statement Reimbursements & Perks
A big part of the card’s value comes from the “hidden” benefits and credits. Use them, and you can significantly offset that hefty annual fee.
Annual Travel Credit $300 per year. Automatically reimburses eligible travel purchases.
The Edit Hotel Credit Up to $500. Starting January 1, 2026, cardholders get up to $250 credit per eligible prepaid (2+ night) booking with The Edit by Chase Travel.
Dining Credit (Exclusive Tables)Up to $300/year Statement credit on qualifying dining at select “Exclusive Tables” restaurants; $150 for Jan–Jun, $150 for Jul–Dec.
Ticket / Entertainment Credit up to $300/year. Applies to ticket purchases via StubHub or viagogo (split semiannually)
Apple TV+ / Apple Music~$250/year Complimentary subscription credits; must activate.
Lyft Benefits $120 in credits + bonus pointsUp to $10/month credit + increased points (5×) for Lyft purchases through Sept. 30, 2027
DoorDash / DashPassUp to $300 in credits + free DashPassMonthly credits toward delivery/retail orders + free DashPass membership (activation required)
Peloton Benefit to $120/year + 10× points Statement credits toward Peloton membership + bonus on eligible Peloton purchases
Using as many of these credits as possible is key to maximizing the card’s net benefit.
Travel & Insurance Protections
One of the reasons people choose premium cards is for peace of mind. I have filed 4 claims in 2025 alone. You can read about my experience with Chase Sapphire claims process here and here.
The Sapphire Reserve offers a generous package of protections:
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance — Costs if your trip is canceled or interrupted for covered reasons.
Trip Delay Reimbursement — If your trip is delayed more than a certain number of hours, you’re eligible for reimbursement for necessary expenses.
Lost Luggage / Baggage Delay Insurance — Helps cover costs when your bags are delayed or lost.
Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — You get primary (vs. secondary) coverage for damage or theft of a rental car (when you decline the rental company’s collision coverage).
Emergency Evacuation / Transportation — Helps cover costs for emergency medical evacuation or transport while traveling.
Roadside Assistance — For eligible covered vehicles.
Purchase Protection / Extended Warranty / Return Protection — Covers new purchases against theft or damage (within limits), extends manufacturer warranties, and offers return protection when a merchant won’t accept returns.
These protections reduce the risk of travel mishaps and add tangible value, especially for frequent travelers. Again, I know this all too well. It has saved me thousands in unexpected travel expenses in 2025 alone.
Airport Lounge & Access Perks
A major selling point of premium travel cards is lounge access — and Sapphire Reserve doesn’t disappoint.
Priority Pass Select membership (complimentary) — access to 1,300+ lounges globally.
Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club — a proprietary lounge network for cardholders.
Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges / Cafés — when traveling on Star Alliance / Air Canada flights (under qualifying conditions)
Reserve Suites by Chase — ultra-premium lounge experience (paid access or special eligibility) with top-tier amenities (spa, elevated food & drink, etc.).
If you travel often and value lounge downtime (like I do), these perks alone often justify a large part of the card’s cost. I personally love the Chase Sapphire lounges. I have visited the one in Boston several times. I also took advantage of a pop-up lounge in Vegas last year with special guest Chance the Rapper as DJ.
What Changes / New Aspects to Watch
As I mentioned above, 2025 brought a refresh of the card. I am thinking this will still earn a place in my wallet after the fee increase affects me (I renew in June). Here are the key changes and cautions:
The annual fee rose from its prior level (often cited at $550) to $795 starting June 23, 2025.
Some benefits require activation (e.g., DoorDash, dining credits, Apple benefits) — they don’t always kick in automatically.
The Edit hotel credit is new (or enhanced) — you’ll want to check the rules (e.g. eligible properties, minimum nights) when booking.
The Points Boost redemption is a relatively new twist — check which flights or hotels qualify to get that 2× redemption.
Is It Worth It For You?
It depends heavily on how much you will use its perks. Here’s a quick mental checklist:
Do you travel (flights, hotels, car rentals) often enough to reap value from priority access, lounge perks, and travel protections?
Will you use the credits (travel, dining, ticket, streaming, etc.) on an ongoing basis?
Can you maximize redemption value (e.g. transfers, Points Boost) rather than always redeeming at face value?
Can you reliably pay off your balance each month so interest doesn’t eat into your benefits?
If you do travel frequently (say, multiple trips per year, sometimes international) and are comfortable managing and activating perks, the Sapphire Reserve is among the top-tier cards for premium value.
If your travel is more occasional or you won’t use many of the credits, you should look for a different card to meet your needs. Credit cards are not a one-size-fits-all.
If you are new here, I am Julie. I use points, miles and travel hacks to travel the world for free and cheap. I love to travel and hate wasting money. I am so thankful for the points and miles that help make our love of adventure and travel so affordable! If you enjoy learning about our family travels on points and miles, I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube to stay updated with our journey in leaving no point left behind.
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