20 Important Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® You Didn’t Know About
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is often celebrated for its headline-grabbing perks, such as generous travel credits and expansive lounge access. However, this premium travel credit card harbors a trove of lesser-known benefits that can dramatically enhance your spending efficiency and overall travel experience. This article delves into 20 obscure advantages of holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
From unique insurance options to exclusive access to events and services, these hidden gems provide value that can easily justify the card’s annual fee, especially for savvy travelers and discerning consumers. Join us as we uncover the under-the-radar perks that make the Chase Sapphire Reserve® a status symbol and a powerful tool for those in the know.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Est. Value
$900
Annual Fee
$550
APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Credit Req’d
Excellent
Rewards: Chase offers triple points per dollar spent on restaurants and travel and single points per dollar spent on all other categories.
20 Surprising Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
More than five years ago, I applied and was approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. I remember that at the time, the big up-front welcome offer attracted me to the card, and after it showed up in the mail, it was cool that the card was made of metal. I’d never owned a credit card made of metal, and I will admit that I find myself tapping it on things to hear the sound before I use it.
In addition to the welcome offer, the card offers many other important benefits, and if you’re a frequent traveler, I bet you’ll use them more often than you think. Here are 20 important benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
1. Flexible Redemption Options
Cardholders can use their points for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform. Additionally, points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, providing greater flexibility and potential value for travel-related redemptions.
2. Transfer Partners
When accumulating points on your purchases, you can transfer the Ultimate Rewards points at 1:1 to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. This feature greatly enhances travel flexibility and potential value, enabling users to take advantage of the sweet spots within frequent flyer and hotel reward programs for potentially more lucrative redemptions.
3. Priority Pass Select
The Priority Pass Select membership with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, providing a peaceful retreat from crowded airport terminals. This benefit includes free Wi-Fi, snacks, and beverages, allowing travelers to relax or work comfortably before their flights.
4. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee Credit
Statement credits are provided to cardholders for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee every four years. This perk expedites the screening process at airports, allowing cardholders to enjoy smoother transitions through security and customs, significantly enhancing the travel experience.
Even though I have access to this benefit, I’ve never used it and still give a side eye to people who work their way through security much faster than I do.
5. No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees! Foreign transaction fees typically add about 3% to each purchase abroad, which can quickly increase, especially on a long vacation. This benefit saves money for cardholders who travel internationally or purchase in foreign currencies, making it an essential feature for global travelers.
6. Travel Protections
You’ll find a lot of travel protections with this card. These include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which reimburses non-refundable travel expenses if a trip is canceled or cut short due to covered situations like illness or severe weather.
In addition, the card provides an auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance, and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, ensuring comprehensive protection against common travel risks.
7. Purchase Protections
Purchase protection is included, which covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year. This benefit provides peace of mind, allowing cardholders to shop confidently, knowing their eligible purchases are safeguarded during this period.
8. Luxury Hotel Benefits
Cardmembers can access the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, which offers exclusive benefits at over 1,000 premier hotels worldwide. Cardholders can enjoy complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out, daily breakfast for two, and special amenities like spa credits or dining vouchers, enhancing every stay with additional luxury and comfort.
9. Dining Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides exclusive access to the Chase Dining program, which offers special culinary experiences and premium reservations at some of the world’s top restaurants. Cardholders can enjoy unique dining events such as chef-led dinners and cooking classes, making every culinary adventure unforgettable.
10. Rental Car Privileges
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers superior rental car benefits, including a primary auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW). Cardholders can decline the rental company’s collision insurance and be covered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve for damage due to theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles.
Be Careful with Rental Car Coverage!
I once rented from Hertz and declined the insurance waiver because I used Chase Sapphire Reserve to book the reservation. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of renting a pick-up truck (no cars were available).
As luck would have it, the parking garage post was unkind to the truck I rented (probably my fault when I drove into it). When I returned it, I was told that the $3,700 cost to fix the truck would be my responsibility, as the CDW only covers sedans.
11. Travel Emergency Assistance
Travel emergency service is a huge benefit you hope you never need. This card offers cardholders 24/7 medical and legal referral assistance while traveling. This service can coordinate emergency evacuations, provide information on local medical facilities, and assist with other urgent travel needs, ensuring that cardholders have support in critical situations anywhere in the world.
12. Special Event Access
Exclusive access to special events through Chase Experiences is offered to members, which includes highly sought-after tickets to sports, entertainment, and cultural events. This benefit allows users to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as VIP seating at concerts, premier sporting events, and private art viewings, enhancing the lifestyle benefits of the card.
13. DoorDash Benefits
Included with this card is a complimentary DashPass benefit from DoorDash. When activated, this perk offers free deliveries and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year. This perk enhances the dining experience by making it more convenient and cost-effective and adds value to the cardholder’s everyday conveniences, whether at home or on the road.
14. Lyft Partnership
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® enhances ridesharing experiences by offering elevated rewards on Lyft rides and a complimentary Lyft Pink membership, which includes 15% off rides, priority airport pickups, and more. This partnership not only maximizes the value of each ride but also provides additional comfort and convenience for cardholders using Lyft frequently.
15. Chase Dining
Chase Dining provides special reservations and culinary experiences at renowned restaurants and events. Cardholders can enjoy priority booking, unique gourmet events, and private dining experiences that elevate the culinary aspect of the card’s benefits through this program.
16. Peloton Membership Credits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a valuable benefit for fitness enthusiasts with statement credits for Peloton Digital and All-Access memberships. These credits help reduce the cost of membership, providing access to thousands of on-demand fitness classes, ranging from cycling and running to yoga and strength training, directly enhancing your wellness routines.
17. Return Protection
A Return Protection benefit can come in handy if a store doesn’t accept a return. Here’s a summary of how it works for this card:
- Coverage Amount: You can be reimbursed for items that the store won’t take back, up to $500 per item.
- Maximum Limit: The total limit is $1,000 per year.
- Time Frame: The coverage is applicable for items purchased within 90 days.
- Eligible Items: Most personal items are covered, but exceptions exist, such as computer software, items intended for resale, and perishables.
18. Visa Infinite Benefits
The Visa Infinite program offers premium benefits and services, including a global concierge service that assists with travel planning, dining reservations, and event tickets. Additionally, Visa Infinite provides enhanced travel protections, luxury hotel benefits, and exclusive access to special offers and upgrades, elevating cardholders’ overall luxury and convenience.
19. Year-End Summary
All cardholders receive a year-end summary that categorizes and itemizes all annual spending. This comprehensive report is invaluable for budgeting and financial planning, offering insights into spending habits and helping users make informed decisions about their finances.
20. Increased Purchase Limits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® typically gives cardholders increased purchase limits, reflecting its status as a premium credit offering. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who travel frequently or make large transactions regularly, as it offers greater flexibility and the ability to handle higher spending needs without the hassle of pre-approval.
Three of the Best Known Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
As terrific as the additional perks and benefits are, the three strongest benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are the best advertised.
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
This initial influx of points can significantly offset the card’s annual fee by providing immediate high value when redeemed for travel, dining, or transfers to airline and hotel partners. The welcome offer is designed to entice frequent travelers who can immediately maximize the benefits and rewards the card offers.
Travel Credit: Included is an annual travel credit that significantly reduces the cost of travel expenses by automatically crediting up to $300 each year for purchases in travel categories. This credit applies to a wide range of travel-related expenses, including airfare, hotels, car rentals, and even some tolls and transit fees, making it easy for cardholders to redeem and benefit from it.
The simplicity and breadth of this travel credit are standout features that effectively lower the net annual fee of the card, providing substantial value to those who travel occasionally.
Point Value Increase: This credit card enhances the value of its Ultimate Rewards points when redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal, offering a 50% bonus on point value. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents when used to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more through Chase, compared to the standard 1 cent per point with other redemption options.
This increased point value effectively makes travel redemptions through Chase significantly more lucrative, allowing cardholders to stretch their points further and get more out of their rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel credit unique compared to other premium credit cards?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a straightforward, flexible $300 annual travel credit that automatically applies to travel-related purchases. This includes everything from airfare and hotels to tolls and parking fees, which sets it apart from other premium cards that may have more restrictions on what qualifies as a travel purchase.
The simplicity of this credit makes it easy for cardholders to utilize it fully each year without needing to enroll or select specific categories.
How does the Priority Pass Select membership provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® benefit travelers?
Priority Pass Select membership, included with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This benefit significantly enhances the travel experience by providing a quiet and comfortable space to relax or work in before flights, often with complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. It’s a valuable perk for frequent travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of busy airport terminals.
Can you explain the Chase Sapphire Reserve® point system and its advantages for redeeming travel?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns Ultimate Rewards points with enhanced earning rates for travel and dining expenditures. These exceptionally versatile points can be redeemed at 1.5 cents per point for travel booked through Chase’s travel portal, representing a 50% increase in value over the standard redemption rate.
Additionally, points can be transferred 1:1 to various airline and hotel partners, allowing cardholders to potentially get even more value by leveraging these partners’ reward programs for expensive flights or stays. This flexibility and increased value make the card’s points system especially advantageous for travelers.
Final Thought on the Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Exploring the lesser-known benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® reveals that this premium offering is more than its upfront allure. Beyond the travel credits and lounge access, the card provides a comprehensive suite of perks that cater to various needs—from travel protections to exclusive culinary experiences.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a casual traveler, the hidden features of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ensure that cardholders receive exceptional value, making the cost of ownership a worthwhile investment. With this knowledge, savvy card users can maximize every dollar spent, ensuring their travel, dining, and everyday purchases deliver the richest possible returns.
