Earn 125K Points with the Sapphire Reserve

ICYMI, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is leveling up big time.

And, to make things even sweeter, the Sapphire Reserve has a great offer: Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

But that’s just one piece of the puzzle, since the entire card just got a refresh — we’re talking revamped benefits, updated earning rates, new statement credits, and a higher annual fee.

If you’ve been lying awake at night mulling over a potential Sapphire Reserve application (or considering an upgrade), now’s the time to take another look. Here’s everything you need to know about the updated Sapphire Reserve, how to make the most of it, and whether this refreshed version earns a spot in your credit card lineup.

Why We Love the Sapphire Reserve

Even before this new and shiny version, the Sapphire Reserve was one of our go-to travel cards for several reasons. You’re getting solid value for your points, whether you booked through Chase Travel or transferred to partners.

Plus, you’re getting solid travel protections, including primary rental car coverage, lost baggage, and more. Lounge access is always a given (even for your travel buddies), and you’re earning solid rewards back on travel and dining.

It’s a super powerful card, whether you’re new to the miles and points world or a seasoned pro, and this refresh is only increasing its value.

What Can You Do With 125K Points?

This is where things get fun.

Ultimate Rewards, especially 125,000 of them, can take you a very long way. Depending on how you redeem them, you could:

• More than $2,700 in annual value

• Transfer your points to Hyatt and book up to 20 free nights at Category 1 hotels

• Fly business-class to Europe on partners like Air France or Iberia via Flying Blue or British Airways

• Redeem them for premium economy flights to Asia with Singapore Airlines or ANA

• Or even do a little domestic getaway for two with flights and hotel covered

This isn’t just play money, y’all. Having this many points in your bank can unlock really amazing travel experiences that normally feel out of reach. Just this year, I booked round-trip flights for my husband and me to Ireland for 66,000 Ultimate Rewards (transferred to Avios), and flights for me and my mom to London for just 16,000 Ultimate Rewards (transferred to Virgin Atlantic).

If I had used points from this offer alone, I would have booked two separate round-trip flights for four people total — and still have plenty of Ultimate Rewards left over.

What’s New With the Sapphire Reserve

Chase is throwing the Sapphire Reserve up there with the big boys, but it comes with a price.

The annual fee is increasing from $550 to $795, and authorized users are jumping to $195 from $75, previously. That puts this card inThe Platinum Card® from American Express territory, but not to worry. Chase is counteracting this increase with benefits that far outweigh the cost if you use them well.

New Statement Credits and Perks

You’ll now get access to over $2,700 in credit each year. Deep breath. I know… It’s overwhelming. Some of these credits are fully automatic, while others require a little more planning, but all of them add serious value.

Here’s what’s new (or expanded):

• $300 annual travel credit — applies automatically to just about anything travel-related (flights, hotels, trains, parking, and even tolls) with up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases (purchases that qualify will not earn points)

• $500 annual “The Edit” hotel credit — book through Chase’s curated hotel program (up to $250 in statement credits from January to June and again from July to December for a maximum of $500 annually for prepaid bookings, two-night minimum)

• $100 property credit for The Edit bookings, with daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (if available), and more

• $300 annual dining credit — applies automatically when you eat at Sapphire Reserve Tables, available through OpenTable (up to $150 in statement credits from January to June and again from July to December for a

  maximum of $300 annually)

• $300 annual StubHub credit and viagogo credit (up to $150 in statement credits from January to June and up to $150 in statement credits from July

  to December for a maximum of $300 annually for StubHub and viagogo purchases — activation required)

• $300 DoorDash value and $120 DashPass membership — delivered as monthly promos in your account and stackable with a DashPass membership (up to $25 in monthly promos, which includes a $5 restaurant promo and

  two $10 promos to spend on groceries, beauty, electronics, and more — activate by 12/31/27)

• $250 annual Apple credit — use it for complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions (one-time activation required)

• $120 annual Lyft in-app credit — receive up to $10 per month, plus 5x points on eligible Lyft rides (through 9/30/27)

• $120 annual Peloton credit — use it toward Peloton membership, plus get 10x points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through 12/31/27 — activation required)

• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/NEXUS — up to $120 every four years for the application fee

So yeah… not bad for one single card, especially if these are services you already use.

Updated Rewards Rates

You’ll also earn more points in key travel (and everyday) categories:

• 8x on all Chase Travel purchases, including The Edit, rental cars, cruises, activities, and tours (replacing 5x on flights and 10x on hotels and car rentals)

• 5x on eligible Lyft rides (through 9/30/27)

• 4x on flights and hotels booked directly (replacing 3x on all travel)

• 3x on dining worldwide, including eligible delivery (unchanged)

• 1x on all other purchases

Brand New Points Boost Program

Chase is replacing the old 1.5x travel portal redemption rate with a new program called Points Boost — and it’s pretty awesome.

With Points Boost, you can:

• Get up to two cents per point on select hotels and flights (especially premium cabins)

• Access discounted redemption rates through Chase Travel

• Use Points + Cash for extra flexibility

The catch? It only applies to points earned after October 26, 2025. But it’s a smart way to stretch your rewards even further, especially for higher-end redemptions.

Lounge Access and Travel Perks

The refreshed Sapphire Reserve still includes all the travel goodies we love, and then some:

• Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges (with up to two complimentary guests)

• Priority Pass Select membership

• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access (when you fly Star Alliance)

• Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status (and you can upgrade to Diamond with $75K spend)

• Premium travel protection like primary car rental insurance, trip delay, baggage loss, etc

And yes, there are still zero foreign transaction fees (yay!).

Best Cards to Pair With the Sapphire Reserve

If you want to round out your earning rates across different categories, here are a few card options that play well with the Sapphire Reserve:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® — earns 1.5% back on everything, which can become Ultimate Rewards when paired with the Sapphire Reserve

• American Express® Gold Card — earns 4x back at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x after that), plus monthly dining credits

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — rounds out your lounge access, earns 2x miles on everything, and gives you access to different transfer partners like Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, etc.

Bottom Line

The new Sapphire Reserve is no longer just a premium travel card but a keeper card.

With over $2,700 in potential value, new statement credits, and more, the upgraded version is freaking great. But again, the higher annual fee only makes sense if you’re planning to use the perks.

And if you travel frequently, dine out often, and can use even half of these benefits? You’ll easily come out ahead and possibly find yourself booking that dream trip sooner rather than later.