Best ways to use Chase Sapphire Reserve points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Here's how to use them well — transfer partners, sweet spots, and when it's worth holding the card.
Card snapshot
Issuer
Chase
Program
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Annual fee
$550
Earning rates
- 10× on hotels and car rentals via Chase Travel
- 10× on Chase Dining via Chase Travel
- 5× on flights via Chase Travel
- 3× on dining
- 3× on other travel
- 1× on everything else
Top benefits
- $300 annual travel credit (offsets annual fee effectively to $250)
- Priority Pass lounge access + Sapphire Lounges
- 50% bonus when redeeming through Chase Travel portal (1.5¢ per point)
- Primary rental car CDW
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years
Best ways to use the points
- Same transfer partners as Sapphire Preferred — Virgin Atlantic, United, Iberia for award sweet spots
- 5× on flights through Chase Travel is unusually rich for direct bookings
- Priority Pass at major airports saves $40+ per visit vs. day passes
- Pair with Ink Business Preferred for business-category earning (3× on categories up to $150K/yr)
Transfer partners
Chase Sapphire Reserve points transfer to:
Drawbacks
- $550 annual fee is steep if you don't travel heavily
- Priority Pass restaurants were dropped in 2023 — lounge-only access now
Our verdict
Best for travelers who spend $10K+/yr on travel and dining and use lounges. After the $300 travel credit, net fee is $250 — arguably worth it for the 50% portal bonus and Priority Pass alone. If you don't use lounges, Sapphire Preferred is the better value.
Find award availability before you transfer
Points transfers are almost always non-reversible. Use AwardLocker to confirm saver space first, then move your Chase Ultimate Rewards points only when you're ready to book.
Check availability →