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Can a credit card make travel more enjoyable? With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, we think so

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our review

Let's face it: travel isn't always glamorous. Delayed flights, crowded airports, and the general stress of getting from A to B can take the shine off even the most exciting trip. But what if a credit card could actually make your travel experience more enjoyable? Enter the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

At the heart of this card's travel-enhancing powers is its Priority Pass Select membership. This benefit alone can transform your airport experience from a necessary evil to a genuinely pleasant part of your journey. With access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, you can say goodbye to fighting for a seat at the gate or settling for overpriced airport food. Instead, picture yourself relaxing in a comfortable lounge, enjoying complimentary refreshments, and maybe even getting some work done in peace. It's like having a first-class ticket, even if you're flying economy.

But the lounge access is just the beginning. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has long been hailed as one of the ultimate travel credit cards, and for good reason. Despite fierce competition in the premium card space, we believe it still holds its ground as one of the best options for frequent travelers who want to inject a bit more comfort and luxury into their journeys.

You might balk at the hefty annual fee, but hear us out: the Reserve's benefits can quickly outweigh its cost if you travel even a modest amount.

The earning structure is where the Reserve really shines: earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly, 3x on dining worldwide, and 1x on all other purchases — plus even more when you book through Chase Travel.

Chase's customer service is top-notch, and the Ultimate Rewards program offers flexibility with its 1:1 point transfers to 13 travel partners.

Is the Reserve perfect? No card is. If you're not a frequent traveler or big spender, you might find it harder to justify the annual fee. In that case, you might want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers similar benefits with a lower annual fee and a still-impressive 2X points on travel and 3X on dining.

Is it worth it?

For frequent travelers who can take advantage of the lounge access, travel credit, and robust earning structure, the Chase Sapphire Reserve can provide exceptional value and genuinely enhance your travel experience. However, if you're unsure about justifying the annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a great alternative with many of the same perks at a lower cost. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your travel habits and spending patterns, and how much you value those extra comforts when you're on the road.

Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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All information about Chase cards (excluding the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card, United Club℠ Card, & United℠ Business Card) has been collected independently by Pointhound.

*Suggested credit score ranges are not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.