Is it worth it?
The news is out!
With the June 23 launch of the redesigned Chase Sapphire Reserve and the brand-new Sapphire Reserve for Business, Chase has re-entered the premium credit card arena with some serious revamps, including a $795 annual fee. That price point is undeniably steep, especially for those used to the older rates. But when you break down what’s offered, and who these cards are really for, the value starts to not only make sense, but just maybe, surpass expectations.
The Pros
Let’s start with the basics: Chase estimates over $2,700 in annual value from the personal Sapphire Reserve and more than $2,500 for the business card.
In theory, that alone would more than triple your return on the annual fee, BUT you only reap those rewards by using the benefits. For frequent travelers, diners, or business owners with recurring expenses, using those benefits to the max may not a hard to do. But for the average consumer? It may be a different story.
Both cards now offer 8x points on Chase Travel purchases, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, and Points Boost, a new redemption feature allowing Sapphire Reserve cardmembers to redeem Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of up to 2x on rotating offers through Chase Travel.
Additional core benefits for the personal card include:
$500 annual credit for Chase’s hotel collection “The Edit”
$300 annual travel credit (still the most flexible of its kind)
$300 in dining credits at curated restaurants through OpenTable
$300 in StubHub credits for concerts and events
$250 in Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions
$120 in DoorDash promos and complimentary DashPass
Comprehensive lounge access, including Chase Sapphire Lounges, Priority Pass, and select Air Canada lounges
Travel protections, including primary car rental insurance and trip cancellation
For business cardholders, the perks are equally enticing, with some added workplace credits:
$400 in ZipRecruiter credit
$200 toward Google Workspace
$100 at Giftcards.com for employee appreciation
3x points on digital advertising purchases
Both cards unlock further status and retail credits when certain spend thresholds are hit. If you spend $75,000 annually for consumers and $120,000 for business owners, you’ll receive Southwest A-List Status, IHG Diamond Elite, and $500 credits to The Shops at Chase, a curated e-commerce platform.
If you add all that together it’s not too shabby, but what are the cons?
The Cons
Of course, there are trade-offs. The $795 annual fee is among the highest on the market, and Chase also charges $195 for each authorized user. If you’re not regularly traveling, dining out, or using lifestyle services like StubHub or DoorDash, you won’t get the full value or even recoup your annual fee.
Another potential downside is the complexity. With so many rotating offers, partner benefits, and redemption multipliers, cardholders need to be proactive to fully leverage what’s available. This is not a set-it-and-forget-it kind of card. If you’re someone who doesn’t track categories or isn’t interested in chasing value, simpler cards may be better suited.
The Bottom Line
If you’re someone who travels regularly, enjoys premium service, and spends meaningfully in lifestyle categories like dining, entertainment, and tech, the new Chase Sapphire Reserve or its business counterpart more than justifies its fees. The raw math adds up, but more importantly, the benefits are genuinely helpful, not just theoretical perks that look good on a brochure.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
