5 things to do once you get your Chase Sapphire Reserve

At TPG, you’ll hear staffers rave about their favorite cards for several reasons.

Some of us love premium travel cards with lucrative welcome offers and generous reward-earning structures. Others prefer low-key, no-annual-fee cards that earn flat rates on all purchases.

And some of us, me included, have a foot firmly planted in both camps.

I spread my purchases across a couple of cards to maximize my spending and earn both cash back and transferable credit card points. Among my go-to’s are:

Together, they provide excellent value on everyday purchases I already make regularly, though the Sapphire Reserve remains the standout of the bunch.

I got the Sapphire Reserve in January 2024, and it immediately provided outsize value. In fact, I decided to keep this card even after its annual fee jumped to $795 from $550 in June.

Here’s how I maximized the benefits and perks of my Sapphire Reserve when I received it — and what you should do once you get yours.

Earn the welcome bonus

First, I planned the ideal time to apply for the Sapphire Reserve. My main goal was to earn the welcome bonus without worrying about meeting spending requirements on other new cards at the same time.

Currently, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn 125,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations, the current welcome offer is worth $2,563.

With a credit score of over 800 and a solid credit history, I was confident in my ability to get approved for the Reserve card. The notice of approval came instantly, and I moved on to lining up the purchases that would help me reach the spending threshold needed to earn the welcome bonus.

The very first purchase I made with my card was a $250 deposit for a New Year’s Eve family cruise. Because this was a travel purchase, it was covered by the $300 annual travel credit that comes with this card (although this purchase did not earn points as the travel credit isn’t eligible to do so).

I also put my card down for a couple of meals with friends and family, which added up to a few hundred dollars on top of using my Sapphire Reserve for general everyday purchases, including gas, parking and grocery runs.

Maximize perks and earning rates

As a hobby chef, I love to cook and experiment with new recipes and ingredients, but at the end of a long day, I don’t always feel like prepping a meal from scratch.

When this happens, I usually order delivery on DoorDash. The $5 monthly DoorDash credit, in conjunction with a complimentary DashPass subscription that comes with this card through Dec. 31, 2027, saves me a few bucks every time I click “Place order.”

Another perk to maximize is the annual $300 dining credit through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables. The credit is split up into $150 biannually and is a great way to dine at some amazing restaurants with friends and family. Plus, this credit helps reduce the card’s big annual fee.

Another perk of the refreshed Sapphire Reserve is the ability to earn 8 points per dollar spent on hotel reservations and flights booked via Chase Travel℠. The Reserve is also an excellent travel companion since it has no foreign transaction fees.

This card also provides an up to $500 The Edit hotel credit annually for prepaid reservations of two nights or more. I’m excited to use this benefit to help reduce my travel costs when booking stays within The Edit portfolio.

As an existing cardholder, I won’t get access to the new credits, perks and reward rates on this card until Oct. 26. New applicants, however, receive immediate access to all of the card’s refreshed perks and earning rates.

Add the Sapphire Reserve to apps, websites and your mobile wallet

With the ability to earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct and 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide, the Chase Sapphire Reserve should be one of your top cards for booking travel.

Also consider setting up the Sapphire Reserve as your default card on your Lyft account since you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent through Sept. 30, 2027. This is more than a 10% return on your Lyft purchases based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations.

Not only do you get access to DashPass, but the Reserve card earns 3 points per dollar on dining, as well — whether it’s eating out at a restaurant or ordering delivery. Just don’t forget to make your card the default payment on your account.

Related: How to earn 10 points per dollar on select dining with Chase Sapphire

Take advantage of additional benefits

To get started with these particular Reserve benefits, do the following:

• Log in to your Chase account.
• Select “Ultimate Rewards.”
• Select your Sapphire Reserve account.
• Select “Card Benefits” under the “Use Points” dropdown menu.

From there, you’ll register for each benefit you wish to receive. Some notable examples include

• Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription through June 22, 2027 (One-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app required)
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership

As a cardholder, you’ll also want to take advantage of the up to $300 annual Stubhub and Viagogo credit (through Dec. 31, 2027). You’ll receive this credit as $150 biannually and can use it toward event tickets, such as concerts and sporting events.

I’ve had my eye on Cage the Elephant tickets, but timing might be tricky since my credit doesn’t kick in until Oct. 26 and the band’s 2025 tour ends Oct. 30.

Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?

Sign up for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck

Getting through U.S. Customs and Border Protection or airport security is one of the most dreaded parts of modern-day air travel, so use your Chase Sapphire Reserve to apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and make your trek a little easier.

You’ll get the application fee waived, up to $120, when you pay for either program (though I recommend going with Global Entry if you travel abroad frequently since it includes TSA PreCheck).

Already have Global Entry or PreCheck? You can let a friend or family member benefit from your Chase Sapphire Reserve. Use your card to pay for their application, and the fee will be offset via a statement credit by Chase so long as you haven’t already used it on yourself or someone else.

Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is more beneficial?

Bottom line

Because I plan to open more credit cards, I have to think strategically about which ones I apply for and when.

My approach to each card I apply for is essentially the same:

• Create a game plan to earn the welcome bonus. This includes deciding if annual fees, earning rates and bonus categories align with my spending habits and travel needs.
• Consider how upcoming travel plans can fit into maximizing my spending while also earning valuable points and miles I can put toward future use.
• Check if adding an authorized user to help boost my reward-earning power makes sense.
• Enroll in the card’s benefits and perks.

The crown jewel in my daily credit card group is the Sapphire Reserve — even with its hefty $795 annual fee — thanks to its myriad benefits, including generous statement credits, high earning rates on travel bookings and stellar travel protections.

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a high annual fee, consider the Sapphire Reserve’s sibling, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which features a modest $95 annual fee and is a TPG staff favorite.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Sapphire Reserve