Chase Sapphire Reserve

This only makes sense if you'll burn through the annual travel credit and use Priority Pass lounges; otherwise the $550 fee (as of 2026) makes the Preferred the smarter pick. Subtract the ~$300 travel credit and the real cost is closer to $250, which a frequent flyer recovers fast through 1.5 cents-per-point redemptions in Chase's portal. Don't carry it for the status alone, and check chase.com for the current credit structure since Chase has reshuffled it before.

Chase Sapphire Reserve at a glance

Rewards & perks

• $300 travel credit posted each year
• Get into Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounges
• Reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Points worth 50% more booked through Chase Travel

Pros

• Lets you into airport lounges
• The yearly travel credit takes a big bite out of the fee
• Top-tier travel insurance included

Cons

• Steep annual fee
• Only pays off if you travel often

Who should apply

• An excellent credit score
• Counts against the Chase 5/24 rule
• Typically expects a higher income

Before you apply: card terms change often. Confirm the current annual fee, APR, welcome offer and rewards on the official Chase site. CreditCardCompare is an independent comparison resource, not the card issuer, and this is not financial advice.