For last couple of years, there has been a debate among miles enthusiasts on which travel card was the really “best”, with the answer fluctuating between a few select cards.
However, the miles world was recently lit up in a storm when Chase launched its newest card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. I’ve gotten quite a few messages asking me about the card, so I’ve decided to break down all the card benefits and whether you should apply. (The answer is a resounding yes!)
Here are the major benefits of the card:
Amazing Bonus Category Spend
Earn 3x Chase UR points on all travel and dining expenses worldwide. This is incredibly generous as the travel category is quite broad, covering everything from airfare to your Uber ride.
Complimentary Priority Pass Membership
Receive complimentary Priority Pass membership as long as you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. If you travel a lot, especially abroad, Priority Pass membership grants you free lounge access to over 600 airport lounges worldwide. This is a huge benefit, especially if you fly in coach quite often.
Even better, you’re currently allowed to guest in your traveling companions, with no current limit to the number of guests.
Priority Pass Lounge in Singapore
$100 Global Entry Credit
If you apply for Global Entry, Chase will refund the $100 application cost. If you are approved for Global Entry, you will automatically receive TSA PreCheck, which allows access to expedited security lines. 
Skip the lines with TSA PreCheck
Roadside Assistance
Receive free roadside assistance for calls up to $50, four times a year.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently one of two Visa Infinite cards offered by Chase. This means you also receive a slew of other benefits. Here are some of my favorite ones:
Purchase Protection
If you purchase any item with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and happen to have that item stolen, broken, or even lost within 4 months, the cost to repair or purchase a new item will be fully reimbursed, up to $10,000 for each claim (up to $50,000 per year), which is 20 times higher compared to other high end cards.
Extended Warranty Protection
Card holders also receive complimentary extended warranty protection which allows you to add a year on all warranties less than three years. We all probably know someone who had their portable electronic malfunction right after the 2 year mark, so this allows you to be worry free for another year. Even better, the maximum amount per claim is a very generous $10,000.
There are quite a few other ancillary benefits, which Chase has posted online.
Annual Fee:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card does have a hefty $450 annual fee. However, this is offset by the $300 annual travel fee credit, which can be used for anything from flights to hotel rooms. This also means you’ll receive $600 in travel credits before your annual fee is due, as the $300 travel credit resets at the beginning of each calendar year.
View Point Reward Cards Offers Here
What can Chase UR Points get me?
A round trip domestic ticket in coach will cost typically cost 25,000 miles through United, while a domestic first class ticket will run you 50,000 miles.
Here are some of the other potential aspirational trips that you can redeem on Chase’s travel partners:
Singapore Suites from US to Europe: 57,500 miles one way
United Business Class to Europe: 57,500 miles one way
Short haul flights for as low as 7,500 miles through British Avios
Korean Air First Class from US to Asia: 80,000 miles one way
You could also use your points for stays at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels through the Hyatt program, including the Park Hyatt Maldives, which is 25,000 points a night.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to the hassle of searching for award space, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can convert their Chase UR points to receive 1.5 cents per mile when booking flights through Chase. For example if you had 100,000 Chase UR points, this would be equivalent to $1500 in travel credit.
Verdict: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is currently the best high end travel rewards card on the market. If you are eligible for the card, I’d highly recommend this card to be one of your first applications.
