The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has achieved cult status in the points and miles world thanks to an impressive welcome bonus, generous travel perks and top-notch redemption partners. However, the card has undergone some changes over the years that have lessened its appeal. While Chase broadened the card’s category bonuses in 2020, it also increased the annual fee from $450 to $550.

More importantly, the Sapphire Reserve’s loyalty program is no longer the best in class, with competitors like American Express and Capital One offering more transfer options and better benefits.

If you’re in the market to replace this card, here are the best alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is perhaps the closest competitor to the Sapphire Reserve. The card offers a similar welcome bonus at 80,000 points after $6,000 spent within the first six months of card membership. The spending requirement is higher than the Sapphire Reserve, though you get three extra months to complete it.

Beyond the welcome bonus, the Amex Platinum offers category bonuses on travel. They’re not as generous as the Sapphire Reserve’s, but they still cover the basics:

  • 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year)
  • 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel
  • 1X points on all other purchases

Transfer partners

When it comes to redeeming points, the Amex Platinum offers more transfer partners than the Sapphire Reserve. Not only that, but the American Express Membership Rewards program shares ten transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Here’s a look at American Express transfer partners, with the programs shared with Ultimate Rewards in bold. All transfer ratios are 1:1 unless otherwise noted:

  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • AeroMexico Club Premier (1:1.6)
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • All Nippon Airways
  • Avianca Lifemiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • Choice Privileges
  • Delta SkyMiles
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  • Hilton Honors (1:2)
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue TrueBlue (1.25:1)
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Singapore Krisflyer
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

According to recent Bankrate points and miles valuations, American Express Membership Rewards points are worth up to 2.1 cents apiece toward high-value transfer partner travel. For the sake of an example, that would bring the welcome bonus’ value from $800 to $1,680.

Annual statement credits

Both cards come with annual travel credits, though the Sapphire Reserve’s main credit is a bit more broad since it applies to any travel purchase. Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum has more annual credits, though they’re more restrictive:

  • Up to $300 in annual Equinox credits toward in-club or digital membership fees, (enrollment required – see terms for details). Starting in 2023, statement credits for the $300 Equinox Credit benefit will be provided on a calendar year basis of up to $300 per year and will no longer be provided on a monthly basis of up to $25 back per month.
  • $300 credit for a single, eligible SoulCycle At-Home bike purchase through Amex’s provided link
  • Up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits ($20 per month)
  • Up to $200 in annual hotel credits on prepaid hotel bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties via American Express Travel
  • Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits for incidentals with a single airline of your choice
  • Up to $200 in Uber Cash annually for rides and delivery ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December)
  • Up to $189 in annual CLEAR® Plus Credit credits
  • Up to $155 in annual Walmart+ monthly membership credits (subject to auto-renewal)
  • Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits (distributed in $50 increments semi-annually)
  • Up to $100 in credits toward Global Entry or up to $85 TSA PreCheck application fees
  • Up to $100 in annual credits on qualifying hotel purchases of two or more consecutive nights with a brand in The Hotel Collection

Despite a higher annual fee ($695), the Amex Platinum Card offers more statement credits than the Sapphire Reserve — though both are on our list of the best credit cards with annual credits. Assuming you can take advantage of all these credits, the Amex Platinum is a much better option than the Sapphire Reserve.

Lounge benefit

The Amex Platinum Card offers the most comprehensive lounge benefit of any card on this list. Cardmembers get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, Escape, Priority Pass, Lufthansa and Airspace lounges. Centurion lounges, in particular, are exclusive to Amex Platinum cardholders, providing even more incentive to have this card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you want a premium card that mimics the Sapphire Reserve’s travel perks at a lower annual fee, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice. The card’s $395 annual fee is downright reasonable compared to the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 fee. Not only is the annual fee lower, but you can add authorized users free of charge, saving you $75 per user compared to the Sapphire Reserve.

The card offers 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spent within the first three months of account opening as well as 10,000 bonus miles annually after renewal. The Venture X also offers generous rewards categories to help you maximize your daily spending and travel purchases:

  • 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles on all other purchases

Transfer partners

Capital One has 18 transfer partners and six in common with Chase Ultimate Rewards, which is remarkable considering Capital One’s transfer program is relatively new.

With 1:1 transfer partners to valuable frequent flyer programs like Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Capital One makes domestic and international awards attainable. And according to Bankrate valuations, Capital One miles can be worth up to 2 cents apiece toward transfer partner travel.

  • Accor Live Limitless (2:1)
  • Aeromexico Club Premier
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • Avianca LifeMiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Choice Privileges
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5)
  • Finnair Plus
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • TAP Miles&Go
  • Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
  • Virgin Red
  • Wyndham Rewards

Annual statement credits

The Capital One Venture X Card offers a $300 annual travel credit, similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The difference is that the Venture X’s credit is only valid on bookings made through Capital One Travel.

Lounge benefit

Venture X cardholders get pretty comprehensive lounge benefits. The card includes access to the expansive Priority Pass lounge network and Capital One’s proprietary lounges. At the moment, Capital One only has one lounge open at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), with two more in the works at the Denver Airport (DEN) and Dulles International (IAD). Venture X cardholders can enter these lounges free of charge along with two guests.

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Credit Card

With a $400 annual fee, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Credit Card*  is a cheaper alternative to the Sapphire Reserve. However, it also offers a lower welcome bonus and fewer redemption options. The card offers 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening and offers valuable rewards categories:

  • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center
  • 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending

Most merchants nowadays accept mobile wallets, so the 3X earning potential can go a long way in maximizing your spending.

Transfer partners

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card doesn’t offer any transfer partners at the moment. However, you can redeem points at a rate of 1.5 cents each toward travel with Real-Time Rewards. This is a solid redemption rate on par with the Sapphire Reserve’s Ultimate Rewards booking rate.

If you want a simple redemption structure without dealing with transfer partners and complicated loyalty program rules, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card might be a better fit.

Annual statement credits

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card comes with up to $325 in annual credits that you can apply toward dining, takeout and restaurant delivery purchases — meaning you can use this credit in your daily life or when you’re ready to hit the road. This is much broader than the Sapphire Reserve’s credit, which applies only to travel bookings.

Plus, get up to $100 in application credits toward Global Entry or up to $85 TSA PreCheck.

Lounge benefit

Like most cards on this list, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card offers Priority Pass Select membership, so you can access over 1,300 lounges worldwide. If this is the primary appeal of the Sapphire Reserve for you, the Altitude Reserve card is a solid alternative.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may seem like an odd choice, considering it’s a mid-tier card. However, it is a cheaper alternative to the Sapphire Reserve. In fact, many cardholders downgrade to it in order to avoid the steep annual fee — the Sapphire Preferred’s fee is much more reasonable at $95.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a slightly lower welcome bonus than the Sapphire Reserve, at 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. Cardmembers also get a 10 percent anniversary point bonus, as well as access to a slew of useful rewards categories:

  • 5X total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 5X points on Lyft ride through March 2025
  • 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services)
  • 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
  • 3X points on select streaming services
  • 2X points on general travel
  • 1X points on all other purchases

Transfer partners

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same currency as the Sapphire Reserve. As such, you have access to the same Chase transfer partners:

  • Aer Lingus, AerClub
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Iberia Plus
  • IHG Rewards Club
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • United MileagePlus
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • World of Hyatt

The only difference in redemption options is when you use points through Ultimate Rewards Travel — the Sapphire Reserve’s points are worth 1.50 cents each in this circumstance, while the Sapphire Preferred’s are worth 1.25 cents each.

Further, if you decide to transfer your points to a hotel or airline partner, they can be worth up to 2 cents apiece, according to Bankrate valuations.

Annual statement credits

Despite having a $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers its own recurring travel credit. Cardholders receive an annual $50 hotel credit valid on bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards. And though not a statement credit per se, the Preferred offers a free year of DoorDash DashPass, so long as you opt in by Dec. 31, 2024.

Lounge benefit

Unfortunately, the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer any kind of lounge benefit. That’s to be expected for a card with a $95 annual fee.

What’s so great about the Sapphire Reserve?

Now that we’ve taken a look at four alternatives to the Sapphire Reserve, let’s review what this card has to offer for the sake of an easy comparison.

The Sapphire Reserve draws many folks in with a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, but it really shines in its rewards structure:

  • 10X points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards
  • 10X points on hotel stays and car rentals through Ultimate Rewards
  • 10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
  • 5X total points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards
  • 3X points on general travel and restaurant purchases
  • 1X points on everything else

Note, your travel rewards kick in after you’ve earned your $300 travel credit, discussed further below.

Transfer partners

As noted above, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal. While that’s undoubtedly a great way to use points, you can do better by transferring them to one of Chase’s transfer partners to score up to 2 cents per point in value.

Annual statement credits

The Sapphire Reserve comes with $300 in annual travel credits valid on Ultimate Rewards Travel bookings. You can use it for flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars and activities. The Ultimate Rewards Travel portal offers competitive rates on travel bookings, so you should have no problems getting your money’s worth from the $300 credit.

In addition, cardmembers receive up to $100 in credits toward Global Entry or up to TSA PreCheck application fees, plus complimentary Lyft Pink and DoorDash DashPass membership.

Lounge benefit

One of the stand-out features of the Sapphire Reserve is the Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This can save you money on meals and drinks at the airport and offer a comfortable reprieve from busy airport terminals.

The bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve remains an excellent card for those who want a premium card with solid travel perks. But if you’ve had this travel credit card for a while or just don’t consider it a good fit, there are plenty of other options.

Before you make a selection, take the time to review the cards listed above, as well as their reviews, and consider Bankrate’s overall list of the best travel credit cards.

*The information about U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.