The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card that offers a variety of benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit. Many cardholders wonder if this credit can be used on any travel purchase, or if there are restrictions. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the details of the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit and answer the question, “Can the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit be used on any travel purchase?”
Table of Contents
- What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Credit?
- What Qualifies as a Travel Purchase?
- How to Use the Travel Credit
- Maximizing the Value of the Travel Credit
- Conclusion

What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Credit?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel credit card that offers a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is automatically applied to eligible travel purchases made with the card, up to a maximum of $300 per cardmember year. This means that you can use the credit to offset the cost of travel expenses such as airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more.
In addition to the travel credit, the Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers a variety of other benefits, such as 3x points on travel and dining purchases, a Priority Pass lounge membership, and more. These benefits can add up to hundreds of dollars in value each year, making the card a great choice for frequent travelers.
What Qualifies as a Travel Purchase?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit can be used on a wide variety of travel expenses, including:
- Airfare
- Hotels and resorts
- Rental cars
- Cruises
- Taxis and rideshares (such as Uber or Lyft)
- Trains and buses
- Tolls and parking
It’s important to note that not all travel purchases will qualify for the travel credit. For example, purchases such as travel insurance or trip cancellation insurance may not be eligible. Additionally, purchases made with the card outside of the United States may not be eligible for the credit. Always check with Chase to see if a particular purchase will qualify for the credit before making a purchase.
How to Use the Travel Credit
Using the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit is easy. Simply make a travel purchase with your card and the credit will automatically be applied to your account. There’s no need to sign up for the credit or keep track of a separate account – it’s all taken care of for you.
If the cost of your travel purchase is less than the full amount of the travel credit, the unused portion of the credit will carry over to the next cardmember year. For example, if you use $200 of the credit in one year, you’ll still have $100 available to use in the next year.
If the cost of your travel purchase is more than the amount of the travel credit, you’ll simply pay the difference with your card. The credit will be applied to your account before you’re charged, so you can see exactly how much you’re paying and how much of the credit you’re using.
Maximizing the Value of the Travel Credit
To maximize the value of the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit, it’s important to use the credit on eligible travel purchases as much as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the credit:
- Plan your travel expenses in advance: By planning your travel expenses in advance, you can make sure you’re using the credit on eligible purchases before it expires at the end of the cardmember year.
- Use the card for all of your travel expenses: Make sure to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for all of your travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more. This will help you get the most out of the credit.
- Take advantage of bonus categories: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3x points on travel and dining purchases, so make sure to use the card when dining out or traveling to get the most out of these bonus categories.
Conclusion
The Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit is a valuable benefit that can be used on a wide variety of travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more. With an automatic application of the credit to eligible purchases, using the credit is easy and convenient. By using the credit as much as possible, cardholders can maximize the value of the credit and get the most out of their Chase Sapphire Reserve card.