The offer mentioned below for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is no longer available.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
A long-awaited overhaul to the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has officially arrived — and with a limited-time, best-ever welcome offer: New Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 100,000 points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Notably, the annual fee has also increased to $795 (previously $550). There are new statement credits and perks, along with changes to the earning structure that will affect how you can get the most value out of your card. Plus, a refreshed card design.
With its updated benefits, the revamped Sapphire Reserve is said to offer more than $2,700 in annual value — ideally offsetting the high annual fee, if you use all the credits and benefits. Let's dive into all the details on the Sapphire Reserve's overhaul.
Limited-time welcome bonus
For a limited time, new Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can earn 100,000 points and a $500 Chase Travel credit after spending $5,000 in the first three months. The Sapphire Reserve first launched in 2016 with a 100K-point welcome offer, but the $500 travel credit is a big addition and definitely makes the card worth it.
Annual and authorized user fees
The overhauled Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee is $795, up from $550.
Authorized users can be added for $195 per person, up from $75 each, and will also receive complimentary access to the Priority Pass lounges, a feature that other cards have been removing.
The card changes are active for new cardholders who apply and are approved on or after June 23. Sapphire Reserve cardholders pre-June 23 will be charged the new annual fee on their next card renewal on or after Oct. 26, 2025.
Statement credits
The revamp of the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a bunch more statement credits, plus perks like complimentary hotel elite status — notably all at the cost of a $245 increase in the annual fee.
What's new
- Up to $500 annual credit for stays with The Edit by Chase Travel, a selection of luxury hotels and resorts (split biannually)
- Up to $300 annual StubHub and viagogo credit for concerts or events (split biannually)
- Up to $300 annual dining credit and reservations via Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (split biannually)
- Up to $300 annual DoorDash value through promos*
- Up to $250 annual value through complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (must be activated separately)
- Up to $120 annual credit for Peloton memberships through Dec. 31, 2027
- Up to $120 as a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
- Up to $120 annual Lyft in-app credits
- Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
When using your credit at The Edit properties, cardmembers who stay at least two nights will also get complimentary benefits like a $100 property credit, daily breakfast and room upgrades when available. Purchases that qualify will not earn points.
With the refreshed Sapphire Reserve, new perks that cardholders can unlock after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year include:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status
- Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Status
- $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel (for Southwest Airlines flights booked through Chase Travel each calendar year)
- $250 credit for The Shops at Chase, a new online shopping experience for cardholders that includes brands such as Dyson, Sony and Tumi
*DashPass members get access to up to $25 in monthly promos, which includes a $5 restaurant promo and two $10 promos to spend on groceries, beauty, electronics and more. These promos must be applied at checkout when placing an order on DoorDash with the use of a Sapphire Reserve card enrolled in DashPass. If a promo is not used (applied to an order) each month, it will not carry over to the next month.
What's staying the same
- $300 annual travel credit
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus credit every four years
- Complimentary airport lounge access with up to two complimentary guests
- Comprehensive travel protections, including trip delay reimbursement and auto rental coverage
- Complimentary access to Reserve Travel Designers, an end-to-end travel planning service
Earning rates and Points Boost
Chase has adjusted how cardholders earn points while spending on their Chase Sapphire Reserve.
New bonus earning rates
- Earn 8X points on flights, hotels and rental cars booked through Chase Travel (previously 5X points, 10X points and 10X points, respectively)
- Earn 4X points on flights and rooms booked directly with airlines and hotels (previously 3X points)
- Earn 1X points on all other travel, including transit, vacation rentals and cruises (previously 3X points)
We're loving the first two changes, but the third came as a bit of a shock. Previously, the 3X points on all travel purchases had great flexibility as it included spending on subways, parking costs, road tolls, vacation homes, cruises and more.
Bonus earning rates staying the same
- Earn 3X points on dining
- Earn 5X points on eligible Lyft rides
- Earn 10X points on eligible Peloton purchases
Points Boost
Replacing the 50% redemption boost through the Chase Travel portal is a new points accelerator program called Points Boost.
Points Boost will allow eligible cardmembers to redeem their Ultimate Rewards® points for up to 2X value when booking select airlines and hotels through Chase Travel. Otherwise, it's a fixed 1 cent per point.
If you were a Sapphire Reserve cardholder before June 23, any points earned prior to Oct. 26, 2025, can still be redeemed for either 1.5 cents per point or for 2 cents per point through Points Boost, up to two years (Oct. 26, 2027).
Alternative travel cards to consider
Beyond the Chase Sapphire Reserve, other premium travel cards on the market include those from Amex and Capital One.
If you enjoy statement credits but are looking for different partner benefits or transfer partners, The American Express Platinum Card® could be a good fit. The card comes with over $3,500 in value through partnerships with Uber, Resy, Walmart+ and more. There's an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).
The card comes with elevated hotel status for both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, along with access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, with more than 1,550 airport lounges.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
- Not as rewarding for purchases as other lower-fee travel cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with a $395 annual fee, which is on the lower end for a premium credit card. The Venture X offers some similar benefits to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, with a $300 travel credit for purchases made through Capital One Travel and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The card grants access to both Capital One and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, plus you'll earn 2X miles on all purchases outside of the card's bonus spending categories.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
- Annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles after every card anniversary
- Unlimited complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations
- Long list of valuable travel and shopping protections, including return protection, rental car coverage and trip delay reimbursement (Benefit(s) only available to accounts approved for the Visa Infinite card. Terms apply.)
- Limited bonus spending categories compared to other premium credit cards
- High annual fee
- High credit score requirement (excellent credit)
Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
$0
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
