We may earn a commission if approved. Always read terms before applying. 21+ years old only.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Giorgio Sarro
The Rich Grad Student
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Secure Application
We may earn a commission when you click on links and apply for credit cards. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, but does not influence our editorial content, ratings, or recommendations.
Learn moreQuick Info
Points Program: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Spend Requirement: Varies
Purchase APR Offer: Varies (See Terms)
Why we opened it!
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers luxury perks that make the card effectively free if used properly. These credits are particularly useful for graduate students and include a $300 annual travel credit, Lyft credits, and DoorDash credits. Cardholders also enjoy complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV access.
You can access airport lounges with friends and family all over the world. By earning 8x points on flights booked through the travel portal, this card remains a top performer in the industry. It also provides expanded customer service, premium insurance, and elite status with select hotel and airline partners.
RGS Value Table
| Category | Points | Value (2cpp)Base travel value | Max Value (7cpp)Optimized redemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signup Bonus | 75,000+ pointsgreat | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Fee | $795 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Credits | $300 | N/A | N/A |
| Net Annual Fee | $495 | N/A | N/A |
| Travel | 8x (on travel portal)rgs wallet | 16% | 56% |
| Grocery | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Gas | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Dining | 3xgood | 6% | 21% |
| Pharmacy | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Other Purchases | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Lounge Benefits | Priority Pass with up to two guests + Chase Lounges + Air Canada Lounges
rgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
| Partner Benefits | Free Global Entry + Free Dashpass with $300 off orders + Free Apple music and Apple TV + IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status + 5x back on Lyft with $120 off + $300 off Open Table+ $300 credit at Sapphire Tables + $300 Stubhub credits + $500 credit at The Edit w/ free breakfast + 10x on Peloton
rgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
| Misc Benefits | 4x on Hotels and Flights outside of the travel portal + No foreign transaction feesrgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
Signup Bonus
Key MetricAnnual Fee
Annual Credits
Net Annual Fee
Key MetricTravel
Key MetricGrocery
Gas
Dining
Key MetricPharmacy
Other Purchases
Lounge Benefits
Partner Benefits
Misc Benefits
Table Key:
*Point valuations shown are example redemptions; actual values vary by route, dates, and availability. Results not typical or guaranteed.
Additional Information
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most recognizable and valuable luxury travel cards currently available. Chase Sapphire lounges are some of the best in the US. An 8x earn rate on airline purchases is remarkably rare in the credit card industry. Partner benefits + credits + expanded insurances are usable by the average graduate student making it worth the annual fee.
Although it requires significant effort, spending $75,000 or more on the card unlocks additional premium benefits. These include A-list status with Southwest Airlines and top-tier status with IHG, which provides complimentary breakfast. Furthermore, the insurance and travel protections are among the most robust in the industry. For example, the medical travel insurance can save travelers hundreds of dollars per trip.
Personal advice only. We are not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Offers change, and banks do not endorse this content. Always read your cardmember agreement and fee schedule before applying or using any card. Use these recommendations at your own risk. You must be 21 years or older, and this website is not intended for undergraduate students. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which may influence how or where these products appear. We only recommend products we genuinely believe benefit graduate students and decline offers that do not align with that goal.
