Full transparency: I have an affiliate link for this, and I’m recommending it because I’ve genuinely used the Chase Sapphire Reserve for years and have barely paid out-of-pocket for an international flight in almost a decade. I earn bonus points if you apply through my link (which helps me keep this site going!).

The new Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus is 150,000 points after $6,000 spend in three months. My sign-up bonus was 100K, so this is legitimately the highest public offer they’ve done.

But here’s the thing: The Chase travel booking portal itself isn’t where the real value is. If you’re redeeming points through their site (especially now that they devalued them), you’re leaving money on the table. The real play?

Transfer your points to airline partners. That’s where the magic happens.

How I’ve Actually Used This

I transfer points to airlines like United, Flying Blue, Virgin, etc. One transfer of 12K–50K points can easily net me 2-4 economy international tickets depending on the partner and when I book. I’ve been doing this for years, and the only reason I can take the amount of trips I do is because of accumulated points.

150K points right now? You can stretch that to 10+ international flights without draining your checking account—usually can find flights with a nominal additional cash fee.

The Honest Tradeoff

The annual fee is $795. I won’t pretend that’s small. But the card comes with statement credits that basically cancel it out:

  • $300 travel credit (flights, hotels, rental cars, Uber)
  • $300 dining credit (split into $150 twice a year)
  • $300 StubHub credit (split $150 twice a year)

That’s already $900 in credits against a $795 fee. So you’re actually ahead, even before you touch points. Check out all the perks here. (Note there’s the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which I have, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred.)

I will say, the complimentary Priority Pass lounge access that I used to love? I barely use it anymore. I can never find ones convenient and open these days, or they’re already full.

Who This Is Actually For

  • You travel internationally at least once a year (or want to).
  • You’ll be spending $6,000 over the next three months anyways.
  • You’re down to transfer points to other reward programs and watch for transfer bonuses instead of just redeeming blindly (this is not a cash back card—waste of the value!)
    • Note: I usually forget and don’t time out my point transfers with the bonuses, and it’s still well worth it for me.
  • You won’t panic-spend on something because you have a credit card with a high limit.
  • You’ll use the travel, dining, stay, and/or other credits.

Who Should Skip It

  • You carry a balance. The fee + interest math doesn’t work.
  • You never leave the country and domestic flights don’t need this much value.
  • You can’t trust yourself with another card. Seriously, don’t force it.

The Real Move

Watch for transfer bonuses. Sometimes Chase partners (United, Virgin, Flying Blue, Hyatt, etc.) give you bonus miles when you transfer from your Chase points. I’ve seen 25% bonuses pop up — that means 150K points becomes 187K when you transfer. If you can time your transfers, fabulous—but I’d recommend holding off until you’re ready or about ready to book a trip. Because once you transfer them, you can’t transfer them back.

This is not financial advice, but I will never recommend something I don’t like and use myself. I’m sure this offer won’t last—sign-up bonuses like this plateau and drop—but don’t rush into anything you’re not comfortable with of course. If you’ve been on the fence and you’re a frequent flyer, this is the time.

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