chase sapphire reserve travel insurance missed connection

How Chase Sapphire travel insurance saved my family over $1,500

Planning a dream vacation is always exciting. But no matter how carefully you plot out the details, sometimes life throws a wrench in the works.

Unfortunately, that's what happened on a recent trip that I took with my family earlier this year. Luckily, my Chase Sapphire Reserve® and its travel protections came to the rescue right when we needed them, saving us over $1,500 all told.

Here's what happened and how we were able to leverage my card's benefits to avoid losing a lot of money.

Planning our dream vacation ... then canceling it

In February, my husband, our son and I were all set for an incredible safari adventure. We were going to stay at the Retreats at Sayari in Tanzania, where lions, cheetahs and elephants are often spotted roaming freely around the area. After that, we planned to end the trip with a few days of relaxation at Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels and Resorts — a luxury hotel on the Seychelles' largest island , Mahe.

We had been planning our trip for months, figuring out the logistics and how to save the most money on such a grand journey. We booked our flights using my Chase Sapphire Reserve® card and redeemed some of our Ultimate Rewards points to reduce the cost of the trip.

Redeeming the points directly through Chase Travel℠ at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece completely covered the cost of our three tickets on a Kenya Airways hopper flight from Nairobi to the Seychelles.

We also transferred some of our leftover points to Qatar Airways Avios and used them to book a portion of our trip in the airline's luxurious business-class QSuites ; we paid the balance on the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Despite using points for part of the journey, the out-of-pocket expense was still several thousand dollars.

With everything squared away, we eagerly counted down the months and days until our trip. However, just one day before our departure, our son came down with the flu. Traveling with our sick child was out of the question, especially on a complicated itinerary like this, where we may not be able to seek medical care easily if we needed it.

So, with heavy hearts, we canceled the entire trip. While we managed to get our money and points back for the flights, the airlines hit us with cancellation fees. We had to pay $327 to Kenya Airways and $1,080 for two tickets on Qatar Airways, totaling just over $1,500 in fees. The third Qatar Airways ticket was booked on another card and it was fully refundable, so we didn't have to worry. Still, ouch.

Benefits of Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel insurance

Feeling the sting of those fees, I decided to explore the travel insurance benefits provided by my Chase Sapphire Reserve . This card offers a plethora of protections that many cardholders, myself included, often overlook. But they can come in handy for situations like mine, and that's exactly what they're intended for.

Here are some of the travel protections of the Chase Sapphire Reserve , specifically.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

This benefit covers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to sickness, severe weather and other covered situations. As with any type of insurance, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure that your trip and circumstances will be eligible.

Trip delay reimbursement

This covers expenses like meals and lodging if your travel is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay for a covered reason.

Baggage delay insurance

This type of insurance reimburses you for essential purchases such as clothes or toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than six hours.

Lost luggage reimbursement

This protection will reimburse you up to $3,000 per person per covered trip if your luggage is lost or damaged. Note that certain items like electronics and jewelry are not covered.

Travel and emergency assistance services

This service provides legal and medical referrals or other travel assistance when you encounter problems away from home. This service does not cover the cost of these services, but you will have help finding them.

Emergency medical and dental benefit

This benefit reimburses travelers up to $2,500 for medical expenses if you or an immediate family member get sick or injured 100 miles or more from home.

My experience filing a Chase Sapphire travel insurance claim

After brushing up on these benefits, I figured my situation should be eligible for the card's trip interruption and cancellation benefit. I decided to file a claim for the $1,500 in airline cancellation fees.

Filing a trip interruption and cancellation claim with Chase was straightforward in my case, but it required patience, persistence and diligence (and we have had reports of issues dealing with Eclaims from readers in the past).

I used the online form available through the Eclaims Line website . The form asked for detailed information about our trip, including:

• The reason for the cancellation
• Our flight itineraries
• Medical records
• Receipts of expenses
• The airlines' cancellation clauses for our tickets

After submitting my initial claim, I had several back-and-forth calls and emails with Chase; the company requested additional documents and clarifications, such as written proof of the airlines' cancellation policies, documentation of the cancellation fees I had paid and more. While this part of the process was time-consuming, I knew it was important to be thorough and responsive to expedite the approval.

And just remember that there are time limits on when you can submit a claim. With Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip interruption and cancellation insurance, you have to contact Eclaims within 20 days of your trip cancellation to have the chance of being covered.

Finally, after a couple of months of providing the necessary documentation and answering follow-up questions, we received approval for our claim. In the meantime, we covered the cancellation fees by putting them on our Chase Sapphire Reserve.

I started the claim process around Feb. 15. In the first week of May, about 78 days later, $1,507 was directly deposited into our bank account. The relief was immense. Knowing that we had this safety net gave us peace of mind and softened the blow of our canceled trip.

Key takeaways for travelers

Here's what I learned from my experience using the Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip interruption and cancellation coverage and what other travelers should remember in case they ever need to invoke it.

Know your benefits

Familiarize yourself with your credit card's travel protections . Many premium credit cards , like the Chase Sapphire Reserve , come with robust insurance benefits that can save you significant money if things go wrong.

Keep documentation handy

When planning a trip, save all receipts, itineraries and correspondence. This will make filing a claim smoother and ensure you have all the documentation you're likely to need handy.

Be patient and persistent

The claims process can be lengthy and require multiple documentation submissions. Stay organized and respond promptly to any requests from the insurance provider.

Start your claim as soon as possible

If you encounter an issue that your card's travel insurance might cover, file a claim quickly. The potential savings can be substantial, and you don't want to lose out on any money by missing the claim submission time window.

Bottom line

While we were disappointed to miss our safari and Seychelles getaway, the silver lining was discovering just how valuable the Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel insurance can be. It saved us more than $1,500 and provided a safety net that turned a potentially major financial hit into a manageable situation.

So, next time you're booking a trip, consider the peace of mind that comes with knowing a reliable travel insurance policy protects you.

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What You Need to Know About Chase’s Trip Delay Insurance

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Table of Contents

1. What does Chase trip delay insurance cover?

2. which chase cards include trip delay insurance, 3. who is covered, 4. how to file a claim for trip delay reimbursement, 5. is this different than trip cancellation/interruption insurance, the bottom line.

A delayed trip can cause headaches, especially if it means missing a connecting flight to your next destination. When a delay happens, having the right credit card can make all the difference in keeping your trip moving along as smoothly as possible.

Chase offers trip delay reimbursement coverage with some of its top travel credit card options. Having this benefit means you could be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses if your trip gets held up. Here's what you need to know.

Chase trip delay insurance offers reimbursement for expenses you pay if your trip is delayed, including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.

You can use this coverage if:

Your trip is delayed for more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay (with two exceptions; see below).

The trip is away from your city of residence and is less than 365 days in length.

You purchased the fare for your trip with an eligible Chase card or rewards earned with an eligible Chase card.

Chase trip delay insurance covers you up to $500 per ticket, per trip. You're covered for delayed flights, as well as other types of travel that are classified as a “common carrier.” For example, you could still be reimbursed for delays if you booked travel by bus, cruise ship or train (but not taxi or commuter rail/bus).

Note that these benefits kick in after you've exhausted any other trip delay reimbursement benefits you might have through your frequent flyer program or third-party travel insurance coverage.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

The good news is there are several Chase cards that come with built-in trip delay reimbursement.

on Chase's website

You're also covered if you have any of these cards:

United℠ Business Card .

United Club℠ Infinite Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card .

Again, most of these cards specify that a delay last 12 hours or more or require you to stay overnight before your reimbursement coverage kicks in. The exception is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which only requires a six-hour or more delay to use your coverage.

» Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve review: A first-class premium travel card

As the cardholder, you're covered — but your coverage can also extend to the people traveling with you. Chase will cover your spouse or partner and any dependent children under the age of 26. The same $500 reimbursement limit per ticket, per trip applies to everyone on your booking.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

Filing a claim means first making sure you have eligible expenses. If you're traveling under a known hazard alert, such as a hurricane warning, then Chase may deny your claim. And prepaid expenses are never covered by trip delay reimbursement.

As the cardholder, you must notify a Chase Benefit Administrator within 60 days following the date of the delay to file a claim. You'll be sent a claim form that you'll need to fill out detailing the circumstances of the delay and your expenses. You have up to within 100 days of the date of the delay to return this form, along with copies of receipts or other supporting documentation.

The good news is all of this can be done online through a third-party company called Card Benefit Services . Once you've filled out the form and uploaded your documents, a representative will review your claim. If asked for any additional documents or if you have questions, you can email them to [email protected] .

Required documents for submitting a trip delay claim include:

Copy of monthly billing statement.

Copy of both the original and updated travel itineraries showing the date and time of both flights and the total amount charged.

Copy of the statement from the common carrier to verify the reason the flight was delayed.

Here is how to verify your flight delay, broken down by airline.

Chase trip delay insurance is different than cancellation/interruption insurance.

Trip delay coverage applies to instances when your trip still happens, just on a different timeline than you were originally anticipating.

Trip cancellation or interruption insurance, conversely, provides reimbursement for covered travel expenses when you have to cancel a trip entirely or end it early.

Some Chase credit cards have both trip delay and trip cancellation/interruption coverage, while others only have one or the other. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers both, whereas the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card only offers delay coverage. The World of Hyatt Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card , meanwhile, only have trip cancellation/interruption coverage.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase trip cancellation insurance

Ideally, you always arrive on time when traveling, but when a delay happens, having a Chase credit card could save the day. If you're not a Chase cardmember yet, consider applying for a card to take advantage of trip delay reimbursement when you need it.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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How to Submit a Chase Trip Delay Claim + My Experiences

August 26, 2019

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We’ve written before about credit cards that offer Trip Delay Protection , which can reimburse you for expenses in case you experience a long delay while traveling. Today, we’re going to do a deep dive on what this protection looks like for Chase credit cards. Here’s how to know if you have this coverage, and what you need to do to use it.

What is Trip Delay Protection?

As with all credit card benefits, the best place to start is the credit card’s “Guide to Benefits”. Chase calls their coverage “Trip Delay Reimbursement”, and here’s what you’ll find if you look that up in the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits guide (underlining added):

Trip Delay Reimbursement covers up to a maximum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars for each purchased ticket for reasonable expenses, on a one-time-basis, incurred if your Covered Trip is delayed by a Covered Hazard for more than twelve (12) hours or requires an overnight stay . To be eligible for this coverage, you need to purchase either a portion or the entire cost of your Common Carrier fare using your Account. Coverage is in excess of any expenses paid by any other party, including applicable insurance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual Fee: $95

A Covered Trip  is a period of travel that doesn’t exceed three hundred and sixty-five (365) days away from your residence to a destination other than your city of residence. A Covered Hazard  includes equipment failure, inclement weather, labor strikes, and hijacking or skyjacking. A Common Carrier  is any land, water, or air conveyance that operates under a valid license to transport passengers for hire and requires purchasing a ticket before travel begins. It does not include taxis, limousine services, commuter rail or bus lines, or rental vehicles.

Pro tip: Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Ritz-Carlton (no longer available for application) are eligible for reimbursement after a 6-hour delay instead of 12 hours.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points

after you spend $4,000 in 3 months

Annual Fee: $550

Which Chase Cards Offer Trip Delay Protection?

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• The Ritz-Carlton Card
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Who is covered?

You (the cardholder), your spouse, and any dependent children under age 22.

What expenses does it reimburse?

Chase is pretty vague on this: they say you can be reimbursed for   “ reasonable additional expenses, including but not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items that you encounter due to a Covered Hazard delay.” Keep in mind they’re the ones who decide what’s reasonable, so don’t go too overboard!

An important note: this protection does not  cover prepaid expenses – for example, if you paid in advance for a hotel room and you aren’t able to use it because you arrived at your destination a day late, you can’t get reimbursed for the unused hotel night.

How do I request reimbursement?

Claims management for Chase card benefits is managed by a third-party company called Card Benefit Services . Start a claim by going to their website.

Click on the ‘New Claim’ button, then enter your name and credit card number. They’ll use this to identify which card you have and show you the different types of claims you can file.

This is the list that appears for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders – if you have a different credit card, you’ll see different options. Select “Trip Delay,” then click Next.

Enter your name and contact information, then click Continue.

Next, you’ll need to enter your flight details and explain the reason for the delay.

Once you’ve provided this information, you’ll be taken to a screen full of upload buttons to provide documentation.

It may seem overwhelming, but keep in mind that not everything listed will apply to every claim. (On the other hand, you might also be asked for additional documents not listed on this screen.)

You’ll definitely need to provide the following:

• A copy of your itinerary, from the airline or travel agency you booked through .
• A statement from the airline (or other common carrier) about why your flight was delayed or canceled.  If you can, ask for this at the gate – often this is referred to as a “Military Excuse.” If you aren’t able to get this on the day of travel, reach out to your airline’s customer service department through their website or social media and ask for a statement.
• A charge receipt showing that at least part of the trip was charged to your eligible Chase credit card. (It’s probably worth submitting both your airline receipt and your credit card statement showing the charge, just to be safe).
• Receipts for your expenses . Everything you want to get reimbursed for will require a receipt. Try to get itemized receipts whenever possible rather than just credit card charge slips (though they will accept charge slips for meals, as long as it’s under $50 per person.)

It’s okay if you don’t have all those documents ready when opening your claim – you can return to the website anytime to upload more documents. You can also send documents via email to [email protected]  – just make sure to include your claim number.

Chase will accept charge slips for meals, as long as it’s under $50 per person.

What happens next?

After you submit your claim, a claims examiner will review the documents you’ve submitted (theoretically within 5 business days, but expect to wait a couple of weeks). You’ll then receive a letter (typically via both email and US mail) explaining what additional information they need, if any.

Once they’ve received everything to their satisfaction, you’ll get a message saying your claim has been approved and directing you to a website to select whether you want to receive your reimbursement via paper check or direct deposit. After you’ve made that selection, it should only take a few days to receive your reimbursement.

My Experiences

I travel quite a bit, and I always make sure to book my flights with a card that offers trip delay coverage — usually my Chase Sapphire Reserve®. In the past year, between myself and my parents, I’ve submitted four trip delay claims. Here’s a little detail on how they all worked out.

• Missed connection causing overnight in Philadelphia (PHL) — My mom’s flight from Madrid to Philadelphia was delayed, so she missed her connection back to Detroit (DTW) and had to spend the night in Philly. The only charge was the night at the hotel. This claim was easily approved.
• Diverted flight to Indianapolis (IND) — My parents were flying back from New Orleans (MSY) to Grand Rapids (GRR) via Chicago Midway (MDW) on Southwest. Their flight diverted to Indianapolis. It’s not that far of a drive from Indianapolis to Michigan, so they decided to rent a car and drive home instead of fly to Chicago, spend the night there, and then fly to Grand Rapids the following day. This claim was easily approved.
• Canceled flight due to Boeing737 MAX groundings — My dad was due to and from Colorado to visit me right around the time all B737 MAXs were grounded, and his return flight was canceled. He was rebooked onto a later flight the same day but was delayed by over six hours. We had additional meal expenses, but not much else. This claim is still pending with Chase because they are having trouble verifying that his flight was actually canceled, so I need to request another letter from Southwest.
• Missed connection causing a double overnight in two different locations — This is by far the most complicated trip delay claim I’ve ever submitted. I was on a delayed flight that caused me to miss my first connection. The flight from my second connection only operates twice per week, so by missing my first flight, there was no way to actually make it to my destination for 3 days via air. Instead, I was flown into the nearest airport, about 6 hours by train from my destination. I had to spend one night in London and one night in Algiers. I also had meal expenses, needed to get a new shirt since my clothes were checked, and pay for some transportation. Overall, the total spent was a little over $500, but Chase did reimburse up to $500 as stated in their terms. I had to call them in order to explain in detail why I was asking for reimbursement for two hotel nights.

Bottom Line

Just for my family, booking our travel on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has saved us around $1,400 in delayed travel expenses over the past year. Even if you’re not on board with paying a high annual fee like the Sapphire Reserve has, it makes sense to get a card that offers trip delay coverage if you travel. Having a card cover these expenses takes the sting out of a travel day not going as planned.

New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.

With a bonus of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!

Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — How To Use the $300 Travel Credit

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Table of Contents

Chase sapphire reserve card, how does the $300 travel credit work, what counts as travel for the credit, how to determine if you’ve used the credit, is the $300 annual travel credit worth it, final thoughts.

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If you travel, a premium travel rewards card can be an essential tool for earning rewards, having flexible redemption options, and accessing premium travel benefits.

Unfortunately, premium travel rewards cards come with high annual fees. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , you can quickly help offset that fee with an easy-to-use benefit.

The $300 yearly travel credit automatically reimburses your qualifying travel purchases with a statement credit.

We’ll get into the details of how the credit works, which purchases count, and how to track your progress, but first, here’s a quick overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Key Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The $300 travel credit is just one of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card . It also has a strong earning structure and flexible redemption options. Several protections and benefits can also provide peace of mind when traveling and save you money.

Here are some additional benefits that make the card one of the best premium travel rewards cards:

• A generous welcome bonus offer that can be worth over $1,000 in travel
• 5x points on flights via Chase Travel and 10x points on hotels and rental cars via Chase Travel (after the $300 in purchases that qualify for the travel credit)
• 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 3x points on travel and dining
• Points redeemable for 1.5 cents each via Chase Travel or transferable to airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value
• Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide
• Global Entry , TSA PreCheck , or NEXUS , fee reimbursement, up to $100
• Premium travel insurance , including primary car rental insurance; trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; emergency evacuation; and $2,500 incidental medical and dental

Using the $300 travel credit couldn’t be easier. Make a travel purchase with your card and receive an automatic statement credit for the exact amount, up to $300.

There is no need to preregister or enroll your card before making a purchase.

Statement credits are typically applied immediately as purchases are processed in your card account.

A partial credit is applied if a qualifying travel purchase exceeds the remaining unused credit. For example, if your travel purchase is $40 and you have $25 remaining credit, you receive the $25 credit.

It’s important to note that travel purchases qualifying for the travel credit do not earn Ultimate Rewards points. After the $300 credit is used, you earn the regular rates of 5x points on flights via Chase Travel, 10x points on hotels and car rentals via Chase Travel, 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2025, and 3x on general travel purchases.

The $300 travel credit is applied immediately to qualifying travel purchases. No preregistering or card enrollment is necessary. You do not earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points on purchases that qualify for the credit, and once the credit is exhausted, you continue to receive the applicable bonus earnings.

Timing Is Important

When you’re initially approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, your $300 travel credit is immediately available. Any travel purchases made qualify for the statement credit.

Once used, the $300 travel credit will be available again after your card renewal anniversary . Any travel purchases made once your card renewal date has passed and the statement has closed count toward the credit.

For example, in the previous screenshot, the card renewal date was January 10. Every travel purchase after that date counted toward the credit.

Cardholders who have older cards (over 7 years) may have a calendar year period to utilize their travel credit.

New Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders may use the $300 travel credit immediately. The credit resets annually after the card anniversary statement closes.

Any purchase that codes as travel counts for the $300 travel statement credit. Here are examples of purchases that could qualify.

• Airline incidental fees
• Bus or train tickets
• Campground fees
• Car rental agencies
• Flights purchased from an airline or Chase Travel
• Travel agencies

This list is not all-inclusive, as any purchase that posts to your account as a travel purchase is eligible.

Chase has one of the broadest definitions of what counts as a travel purchase. Any purchase that posts to your account that codes as a travel purchase receives the credit.

Tracking your progress to ensure you’ve used the entire $300 credit is easy. Log in to your online Chase Sapphire Reserve card account. After accessing your account, select the Redeem option or select Benefits from the More drop-down box. Either will take you to Chase Travel.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see your tracker. It shows how much credit you’ve used and when the annual credit will be available again.

Utilizing the $300 annual travel credit easily helps offset the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s annual fee. While the annual fee is $550 , the credit effectively brings it down to a net $250 .

The card has several valuable benefits, but the annual travel credit is simple to use and provides immediate value . Unlike other premium travel rewards cards where only airline incidental fees qualify for travel statement credits, any travel purchase triggers the Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel credit.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides a stellar earning structure for travelers, outsized redemptions, and premium travel protections and benefits.

The $300 travel credit is one of the unique benefits that results in immediate economic value to the cardholder.

Selecting the Chase Sapphire Reserve card just for the travel credit may not make sense, but if you’ll use even 1 or 2 of the other benefits, you can come out ahead. Priority Pass Select membership, flexible transferable points, 1.5 cents in value for point redemptions via Chase Travel, and premium travel benefits make the card a strong travel rewards card choice.

Here’s our take on the best travel rewards cards for a broader view of the available travel credit cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i use the chase sapphire reserve $300 travel credit.

The $300 travel credit is applied as a statement credit for any travel purchases made with the card immediately following card approval or after each card renewal anniversary. Any purchase that codes as travel is reimbursed up to $300 each card anniversary year.

Will I earn Ultimate Rewards points on my travel purchases that count for the Chase $300 travel credit?

No. You do not earn Ultimate Rewards points on travel purchases that qualify for the $300 travel credit. After $300 in travel purchases have been reimbursed with statement credits, you earn 5x points on flights booked via Chase Travel, 10x points for hotels and car rentals via Chase Travel, and 3x points on all other travel.

What counts as travel for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card $300 travel credit?

Any purchase that codes as travel receives the statement credit, up to $300 each card anniversary year. Examples of purchases that can count include airfare, Chase Travel, car rentals, cruises, transit, hotels, and tour companies.

When does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card $300 travel credit reset?

The $300 travel credit resets after the card anniversary statement closing. You can check the month and year your credit resets in the tracker in your online card account. For those cardholders who have older cards, the qualifying year may be a calendar year. Accessing the tracker confirms the actual reset date.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

What does travel insurance cover, what does credit card travel insurance cover, what travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for, choosing the right travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions, understanding what travel insurance covers.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex℠. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
• Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
• When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

• Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
• Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
• Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex, for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed.

Travel sometimes comes with unexpected hiccups and adjustments to your schedule, including when a flight has been cancelled or delayed. This can happen for a number of reasons, from severe weather to logistical or mechanical problems, and can put a wrench in your plans. Thankfully, there are a few ways to help navigate a cancelled or delayed flight.

Below, we will review:

How to find out if your flight has been canceled or delayed

• When you should arrive at the airport if your flight is delayed

What to do if your flight is delayed

What to do if your flight is canceled, how to get a refund if your flight has been canceled.

Depending on your airline and how you’ve booked your tickets, you can check the status of your flight by using the airline’s mobile application. Usually there is a way to review your trip itinerary and check the flight status to see if it is on time, delayed or canceled.

You can also go to the airline’s website and search for your specific trip to look for updates. If you’re in the airport, you may see your flight listed along with its status alongside other departures. There are third-party flight trackers you can download and use as well.

When should I arrive at the airport if my flight is delayed?

Just because a flight is delayed doesn’t necessarily mean you should arrive there later than you were planning. Even if there is a delay, you'll still want to arrive at the airport well ahead of your new departure time. This is because the status of your flight can change unexpectedly, and delays may be cut short. Regardless of your flight’s status, always build in extra time for airport arrival.

If your flight has been delayed, whether by an hour or a few hours, still plan to arrive early, as there are many variables when traveling. Check your mobile device for up-to-date news on your flight. Be sure to check for updates regularly, as there may be last-minute or sudden changes to your flight, including gate changes.

While you initially may feel stressed or bummed about a delayed flight, try to make the most of your wait. Enjoy the amenities of the terminal. You can use this extra time to charge your phone, grab a bite to eat, rest and read while you await your flight.

A canceled flight can be a little more complicated, as it entails rescheduling and sometimes finding a place to stay. Below are some key steps to take if your flight has been canceled.

Rebook your flight

It’s likely the cancelation happens while you’re already at the airport. Depending on your airline, you might be able to use a self-serve kiosk to review options for rebooking your flight. Otherwise, head over to the airline agent's front desk and discuss options with the representative on duty. Try to get there as soon as possible, as rebooking flights usually run on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Finally, just as you can use the airline’s mobile app for updates, you may be able to use it to make adjustments for your new flight. Use the app to track the flight status if there’s been a rescheduled flight or look for potential connecting flights.

Check airport hotels

You'll need a place to stay if your new flight has been rescheduled to the following day. Not only that, but you will most likely want to rest up when you can during these travel hiccups. The good news is that if your flight is pushed to the next day and you require overnight accommodation, airlines are required to compensate you for this stay, with some exceptions. Try booking a hotel either through your mobile app or by speaking with a representative at the agent’s desk. You can also see about hotels in surrounding areas if no rooms are available at airport hotels.

If you have a friend or relative who lives in the area, consider reaching out to them to see if you can stay for a night and receive a ride to the airport the next day. Wherever you end up staying, be sure to check your next flight status and arrive early to the airport for the new flight departure.

If you’re no longer planning to travel due to the cancelation, a refund might be available. Note that this can be a lengthy process and doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive a refund for all expenses and fees (unless you have travel insurance). It’s possible you may be offered a voucher but review these carefully; they may come with blackout dates or other limitations.

If neither refunds nor vouchers are offered, you might want to contact the customer service department of your airline and explain the details of your specific situation to obtain satisfaction.

Traveling isn’t always a seamless, easy process, but with preparation and organization, you can pivot and adjust your plans accordingly. If your flight has been canceled or delayed, do your best to remain calm and collected as you make arrangements for your new departure.

• card travel tips
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What to read next

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Chase Sapphire Reserve - Travel Insurance Question

Post by czaj » Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:24 am

Trips must occur while the insurance is in-force to be eligible for this benefit.

For Trip Cancellation: Coverage begins on the initial deposit or booking date of the Trip and ends at the point and time of departure on Your Scheduled Departure Date.

Coverage will not be provided if the Cardholder’s Account is closed before the Baggage Delay occurs. In no event will the Cardholder’s cancellation of his or her Account invalidate or reduce any otherwise valid claim that has already been submitted.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve - Travel Insurance Question

Post by chessknt » Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:34 am

Post by TravelGeek » Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:38 am

Post by czaj » Sat Jan 11, 2020 1:35 am

Post by czaj » Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:43 am

That said, some benefits (including trip delay protection on the Chase Sapphire cards) still apply even after changes are made to your account. I confirmed with Chase benefit administrators that you remain covered so long as the benefit was available at the time of purchase and you adhered to the other relevant guidelines. That’s true even if you’ve downgraded your account or closed it entirely (but not if the account is closed or suspended by Chase). Make sure you understand the terms of your benefits before you give up on filing a claim — you may be eligible even if you think you’re not!

chessknt wrote: ↑ Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:34 am Your options could be to eat the fee (depending travel benefits it nearly pays for itself even with minimal travel), downgrade to another card tier that still has trip insurance , or buy an insurance policy now out of pocket.

Post by Oleanmike » Sat Jan 11, 2020 3:25 am

Post by TravelGeek » Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:06 pm

czaj wrote: ↑ Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:43 am This is an old [2017] article from The Points Guy: Downgrading My Card Cost Me $1,000 — Reader Mistake Story Any thoughts on the legitimacy of the statement below from the article? Has the language in the benefits book since then? If not, I may reach out to check. ... If I downgraded to the CSP, I would keep the trip insurance under the CSP terms? Do you know if there is any documentation on that?

Post by czaj » Wed Jan 15, 2020 10:49 pm

Post by hachiko » Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:15 pm

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Why I’m switching back to the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Eric Rosenberg

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

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Recently, I got an email thanking me for signing up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card five years ago. It prompted me to call and speak with a friendly customer service representative at the bank who helped me end my time with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, at least for now. Once again, I’m a proud holder of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

I hold over a dozen credit cards, so I’m constantly weighing annual fees against benefits. After looking at the Sapphire Reserve’s benefits vs. the cost and considering other cards in my wallet, I said goodbye to the ultra-premium $550-annual-fee rewards card. Here’s a look at my decision and what I plan to do going forward.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card details

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Why I wanted a Chase Sapphire Reserve

When the Chase Sapphire Reserve card was released, it stood out for its vast value compared to other rewards cards. While it had a steep annual fee compared to any other card I had, the Priority Pass Select lounge access upon enrollment, the up to $300 annual travel statement credit and high rewards on dining and travel clearly outweighed the cost for me.

Aside from the two annual visits to a United Club lounge my United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers, access to premium lounges was a huge draw, particularly as I travel quite a bit both for work and fun. It seemed like a great deal after considering the value of the annual travel credit and other benefits.

However, over time, Chase increased the perks on the $95-annual-fee Sapphire Preferred, making it a more valuable card than it had been in the past. That led me to reevaluate the cost vs benefits I was getting from my Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Small price, mighty benefits: Here are 11 benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card

Chase Sapphire Reserve cost vs. benefits

When I sat down to review my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I started by looking at the benefits I actually used every year.

• $300 annual travel credit: The most significant benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is arguably the $300 annual travel credit, which makes the annual fee effectively just $250 provided you spend at least that much on travel every year. I always used this credit, and it was one of the biggest reasons I considered keeping the card.
• Elevated rewards on travel and dining: My favorite rewards points are Chase Ultimate Rewards® . I get a ton of value from the elevated rewards rate on travel and dining, but after considering what I can get from the Sapphire Preferred (see below), I decided this wasn’t enough to justify the high annual fee.
• 50% more value when redeeming rewards through Chase for travel: I certainly like this upgraded value when booking through Chase Travel℠, but I often transfer points to travel partners , and the Sapphire Preferred still offers elevated value, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me to lose this perk.
• Lounge access… sort of: I love Priority Pass lounge access, but I often can’t find a lounge or restaurant that takes my pass at the airport. Furthermore, Chase announced that the restaurant dining credit wouldn’t be included anymore starting in July 2024, which was the only major differentiator for me compared to The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply), which I also hold. With the loss of the airport restaurant dining perk, I didn’t see a big reason to keep two cards with lounge benefits and steep annual fees. Chase Sapphire lounges look cool, but I have not visited an airport with one since they launched the program.
• Trusted traveler credit: The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit always comes in handy, but for an average of $20 per year and getting the same benefit from other cards, it wasn’t a huge differentiator.
• DoorDash benefits: I occasionally took advantage of the DoorDash subscription and credit benefits, but not every month. I find DoorDash is not nearly as good as GrubHub or Uber Eats most of the time, so this wasn’t enough of a benefit to keep me around.

The extensive travel insurance and purchase protection benefits are of tremendous value. Still, when comparing them to the Sapphire Preferred, the difference is again not enough for me to justify paying hundreds of dollars per year more.

Big value from the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card still has an annual fee, but at $95 per year, it’s much less than the Reserve’s annual fee, which increased to $550 — up from its original annual price tag of $450. And the Preferred packs a ton of value into a lucrative package.

Here are some of the most significant benefits that drew me back to one of my first travel rewards cards:

• $50 statement credit for hotels booked through Chase: I pay for a hotel stay at least once per year, so this benefit effectively cuts the annual fee in half.
• Elevated rewards on dining and online grocery purchases: This gets me the same rewards rate at restaurants, and as my wife does much of our grocery shopping online, this could also replace our American Express® Gold Card that we use for grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, saving us the $250 annual fee (terms apply, rates & fees ).
• High rewards on eligible streaming services: This is an upgrade for us. We had been earning minimal rewards in this category with my Chase Freedom Unlimited® or my wife’s Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• Still a great rewards rate on travel: While the 1 point less for travel purchases is a drawback compared to the Sapphire Reserve, the difference doesn’t justify the much higher annual fee.
• 10% anniversary points bonus: Not offered through the Sapphire Reserve, the Sapphire Preferred gives you a bonus on the points you earned the previous year. So $25,000 in spending on the Sapphire Preferred equals 2,500 annual bonus points.
• 25% more value when redeeming points through Chase Travel: While the redemption value is 1.25 cents per point instead of 1.50 cents per point with the Reserve, the difference doesn’t add up to enough for me to keep the more expensive card. And for the points I transfer to partners, I get the same value and options.

Travel and purchase benefits are very similar, so I wasn’t worried about losing the great value and service Chase offers from those account perks. 

For a sub-$100 annual fee, get top-notch car rental coverage: These are the Chase Sapphire car rental benefits

My go-forward travel rewards card combo

So, what does my family’s miles-and-points-earning credit card setup look like now? Here’s the updated plan:

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase points are still my favorite, and most cards come with bonuses or high rewards in certain categories.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred : For dining, travel, and online grocery shopping.
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : For quarterly rotating elevated bonus categories.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : For personal purchases where I can’t get a bonus elsewhere.
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : For eligible bonus categories for my business.
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : For all other business purchases.

American Express Membership Rewards®

Just because I like Chase points most doesn’t mean I don’t get a ton of value from the American Express Membership Rewards program . I don’t earn there as quickly, but I still have a few Amex cards in my family’s rewards card stash.

• American Express Platinum: For luxury travel benefits and perks, such as lounge access, elevated hotel status, CLEAR ® Plus membership and more. But outside of eligible travel bookings it earns minimal rewards, so I don’t use it much for spending. However, the card comes with a $695 annual fee (terms apply, rates & fees ).
• American Express® Gold Card : My wife has an Amex Gold card we use for most grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets, plus other valuable benefits.
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : I used to have a $95-annual-fee Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) but downgraded it to the no-annual-fee Everyday card. I admittedly don’t use it often and just keep it to maintain my credit score .
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express * The information for the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : I downgraded from The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. to the Business Green card because I realized I didn’t get enough value from holding two Platinum cards, particularly when I can’t take my family into an Amex lounge without paying guest fees. I may end up closing this when the next annual fee comes around. Terms apply.

All information about Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Capital One miles

• Capital One Venture: My wife’s “everything else” card is the Capital One Venture. With many improvements to the Capital One miles program , we may eventually focus more there, and I’m considering applying for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .

I also have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply). Each gives me a free Marriott night, worth up to 35,000 Bonvoy points, and with both, I’m well on my way to earning Platinum status at my favorite hotel chain every year. The free night credits are enough for me to justify the cards.

The only other card I use regularly is the Amazon Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which gives us 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 5% back on travel booked through Chase, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases — all with no annual fee.

Keeping cards in line with your goals

While I don’t mind spending four figures every year on credit card annual fees, I want to know that I’m getting far more than that back from rewards and benefits. After bulking up my credit cards over the last few years, I decided to cut back on annual fees, close a couple of unused accounts and streamline my family’s miles and points earning strategy. Switching my Sapphire Reserve to a Sapphire Preferred was part of that strategy.

The miles and points hobby can be lucrative, and I love a good lounge visit. But spending too much on cards that don’t give you the maximum value isn’t the best plan. Now, I’m confidently back on track to get the most out of every dollar I spend on annual fees, and I still have plenty of opportunities to earn free and discounted flights and hotel nights.

Which one is right for you? We compare the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Chase Sapphire Reserve .

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

*The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, Prime Visa, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Eric Rosenberg is a financial writer, speaker, and consultant based in Ventura, California. He is an expert in topics including banking, credit cards, investing, cryptocurrency, insurance, real estate, and business finance. He has professional experience as a bank manager and nearly a decade in corporate finance and accounting. His work has appeared in many online publications, including Business Insider, Nerdwallet, Investopedia, and U.S. News & World Report.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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