About the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of Chase’s premier travel
rewards credit cards, designed for frequent travellers who want premium perks
and flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn points on travel and dining,
enjoy access to airport lounges through Priority Pass™, and benefit from strong
travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption coverage and rental
car insurance. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or
transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners for added value.
Quick Overview
- Sign-Up
Bonus: New applicants can earn a 125,000 Ultimate Rewards® points
bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months of
account opening.
- Referral
Bonus: Referring friends—when they are approved for a Chase Sapphire
card—earns you 15,000 bonus points per referral, up to an annual
cap.
What's New (2025 Refresh Highlights)
- Annual
Fee Bump: The card’s annual fee is now $795, a significant
increase from prior years.
- Boosted
Perks & Credits:
- $300
annual travel credit.
- Access
to Points Boost (up to 2¢ per point on select travel bookings).
- Automatic
IHG Platinum Elite status (through 2027).
- Statement
credits for Apple services, Peloton, Lyft, food delivery, and
more—including split-use credits like hotel and dining perks.
Eligibility Notes
- If
you’ve previously held the Sapphire Reserve (or Preferred), you may not be
eligible for the new signup bonus.
- As of June 2025, you can hold both Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred at the same time, though bonus eligibility still depends on prior card history.
Should You Apply?
1. The Value of the Signup Bonus
A 125,000-point bonus is among the most generous we’ve seen
on this card—worth roughly $2,500–$2,600 depending on how you redeem
your points.
2. Weighing Against the $795 Annual Fee
While steep, the annual fee can be offset by:
- $300
travel credit,
- Multiple
lifestyle and travel credits (Apple, Lyft, Peloton, etc.),
- Lounge
access, elite hotel status, and comprehensive travel protections.
For frequent travellers, these perks can easily outweigh the
cost.
3. Are You Eligible and Likely to Use the Benefits?
- If
you're new to Sapphire Reserve and can meet the spending requirement, the
bonus is extremely compelling.
- If
your lifestyle doesn’t align with travel and dining categories, or you
won’t use the credits, the fee may not be worth it.
- Chase will indicate during the application process if you’re not eligible for the bonus.
Review
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is offering a massive 125,000-point signup bonus plus a 15,000-point referral bonus. For travellers who can take full advantage of its perks, the offer can provide tremendous value despite the higher annual fee.
- Solid Yes if:
- You’re eligible for the bonus,
- You’ll meet the spending threshold,
- You frequently travel and maximize credits.
- Less appealing if:
- You’re not eligible,
- You can’t offset the $795 fee,
- You prefer simpler, lower-fee cards.