chase reserve international travel

• Airport lounges
• Dining & experiences
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Explore all the benefits of Sapphire Reserve

Rewards to inspire your next adventure.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card makes every purchase rewarding. Make your journey memorable with travel perks, private dinners, and VIP access at sought-after events. Explore your complete Guide to Benefits or learn more about your benefits below.

01          Travel

Get closer to your happy place

Earn points as you seek out new destinations. Book a hotel, make the most of airfare, hail rides around town and more.

$300 Travel Credit

Get reimbursed for up to $300 in travel purchases you make with your Sapphire Reserve card 1 each year. Each year, your first $300 in travel purchases will not earn rewards points. 2

Book through The Edit SM

Experience distinct benefits at a curated collection of hotels and resorts when you book through The Edit by Chase Travel SM , an exclusive benefit for Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. 7

10x on hotels through Chase Travel

Earn 10x total points on hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. 1

5x points on flights through Chase Travel

Earn 5x total points on flights purchased travel through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. 1

3x points on travel

Enjoy the trip even more with bonus points on travel purchases like airfare and hotels. 1

Unlimited points

There is no limit to the number of points you can earn. Points don’t expire as long as your account is open. 1

Enjoy more premium travel rewards

When you travel with Sapphire, plan on benefits ranging from generous statement credits to access to luxury properties worldwide.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®  or NEXUS fee credit

Receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your Sapphire Reserve card. 5

No blackout dates or restrictions

Book travel through Chase Travel and if a seat’s available, it’s yours.

No foreign transaction fees

Pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card outside the United States. 6 For example, if you spend $5,000 internationally, you would avoid $150 in foreign transaction fees.

Elite hotel benefits at Relais & Châteaux

Enjoy great benefits like a VIP welcome and complimentary breakfast daily at select properties with Relais & Châteaux, a prestigious collection of luxury properties in over 60 countries. Call the Visa Infinite Concierge at 1-877-660-0905 for more details and to book your stay. 8

Special car rental privileges

Enroll in leading car rental rewards programs from National Car Rental, Avis and Silvercar. Log in to Chase Travel to access the special car rental privileges section of your travel benefits page to book with your card. Enjoy enhanced benefits, such as upgrades and car rental discounts, savings on luxury and premium rental car rates, plus promotions and other offers. 9

Ennismore hotel benefits

Your card gets you VIP access to benefits at Delano, Hyde, Mondrian, Morgans Originals and SLS hotels and resorts around the world. Cardmembers can stay a little longer with a complimentary 4th night, receive room upgrades and late check outs, along with priority access to cabana reservations, a $30 food and beverage credit and much more. 10

Free Lyft Pink

Get 2 complimentary years of Lyft Pink All Access when activated by Dec 31, 2024—a value of $199/year. 3 This includes member-exclusive pricing, free Priority Pickup upgrades, discounts on bikeshare and more. Membership auto-renews.

Don't forget as a Sapphire Reserve cardmember you'll still earn 10x total points on Lyft rides through March 2025. 4 That’s 7x points in addition to the 3x points you already earn on travel. That’s 7x points in addition to the 3x points you already earn on travel. Activate Lyft Pink All Access

02          Dining

Indulge in worldwide dining experiences

Whether visiting your local bistro or a restaurant on your bucket list, there are always special dining rewards with Sapphire Reserve.

Private dining series

Sit down for a memorable meal at some of the most sought-after restaurants in the country.

3x points on dining

Earn triple the points at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services with your Sapphire Reserve card. 1 From Sunday brunch to a birthday dinner, meals out mean more rewards.

DoorDash & Caviar benefits

Takeout tastes even better with a complimentary DashPass membership on both DoorDash and Caviar. You’ll pay no delivery fee and lower service fees on eligible orders for a minimum of one year. Activate by Dec. 31, 2024 12 . Plus, as a DashPass member get a $5 monthly DoorDash credit automatically applied at checkout 13 .

Instacart benefits from Sapphire

Skip the trip and have your groceries delivered to your doorstep with 1 year of complimentary Instacart+. 14 In addition, Instacart+ members earn up to $15 in statement credits each month through July 2024. 15 Membership auto-renews. Terms apply.

03           Ultimate Rewards ®

Get the most from your rewards

Enjoy the flexibility of booking airfare, hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel or transfer points to other travel programs.

More value with travel redemption

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruise lines through Chase Travel—our easy-to-use portal that helps you maximize your travel spending. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. 16

Worldwide travel assistance

Whether you need help booking travel or modifying a reservation count on the full-service support of the Chase Travel team.

1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs

Transfer points to participating frequent travel programs at a full 1:1 value—that means 1,000 points equals 1,000 partner miles/points.

No travel restrictions or blackout dates on airline tickets booked through Chase Travel.

1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

In addition to earning 3 points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on all your other purchases. 1

Flexibility

You can book airfare, hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel using your Sapphire Reserve card, your points or a combination of both—it's up to you.

More ways to get the most from your rewards

Redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards or choose from other flexible ways to make your points work for you.

Shop through Chase ®

Shop online with brands you already love. Earn 1x–15x bonus points at more than 450 popular retailers with Shop through Chase. 16

25% more value with Pay Yourself Back ®

Redeem points for statement credits toward your annual fee and eligible purchases for gas, wholesale clubs, and pet supplies & services by June 31, 2024.

Choose from a selection of over 150 gift cards from some of your favorite retailers and more.

Pay with points

Use your points to pay for all or part of your purchases with popular brands like Apple ® 19 and Amazon.com. 20

04          Lounges

Relax with airport lounge access

With access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club and Priority Pass lounges, each trip becomes an invitation to indulge before you get there.

Enjoy complimentary Priority Pass TM Select membership

Departing for your destination is more relaxing with access to 1,300+ Priority Pass airport lounges in 600+ cities around the world, plus every Sapphire Lounge by The Club, after a one- time enrollment in Priority Pass Select.

Visit Sapphire Lounge by The Club

Relax and refresh at a Sapphire Lounge and enjoy locally inspired menus, a curated selection of beverages, an atmosphere to remember and more. Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, ensure you're enrolled in your complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for lounge access.

The Reserve Suites by Chase

Reserve cardmembers, treat yourself to The Reserve Suites at Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport in Terminal B. Enjoy caviar service on arrival, specially curated wine lists by Parcelle, exclusive menus by Jeffrey's Grocery, private bathrooms with spa showers and more. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can book a suite for a fee up to 72 hours prior to flight departure. Find details on the Chase Mobile ® app in Benefits & Travel. The Reserve Suites are limited and subject to availability.

05          Protection

Travel with peace of mind 22

When you take to the air or hit the road, we make security a priority. Here are some of the protection services built into your Sapphire Reserve card benefits.

Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance

If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours and hotels.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

If you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.

Travel Accident Insurance

When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $1,000,000.

Baggage Delay Insurance

Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over 6 hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 5 days.

Roadside Assistance

If you have a roadside emergency, you can call for a tow, jumpstart, tire change, locksmith or gas. You’re covered up to $50 per incident 4 times a year.

Sapphire Reserve Benefits Guide

These are just some of the protection services built into your Sapphire Reserve card benefits. Your Guide to Benefits has more of what you need to know about your travel and purchase protection benefits.

Account security and protection

Your Sapphire Reserve card is equipped with the enhanced account and purchase protection you deserve.

Zero Liability Protection 23

Zero Liability Protection means you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information. If you see an unauthorized charge, simply call the number on the back of your card.

Fraud protection

We help safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring. We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card.

Fraud alerts

We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card. 24 Please sign in to chase.com and review your personal details to ensure your mailing address, phone and/or email are up to date.

Return Protection

You can be reimbursed for eligible items that the store won’t take back within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item, $1,000 per year. 22

Extended Warranty Protection

Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less. 22

Chip-enabled for enhanced security and wider acceptance

A credit card with an embedded chip provides enhanced security and wider acceptance when you make purchases at chip-enabled card readers in the U.S. and abroad.

Purchase Protection

Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year. 22

06          Events

Exclusive access to events and experiences

Sapphire cardmembers enjoy priority ticketing and the best seats in the house for a wide range of events.

Reserved by Sapphire SM 

Explore one-of-a-kind experiences from private dinners hosted by award-winning chefs to VIP access at the most sought after events. See where your Sapphire Reserve card can take you.

Events and experiences lounges

Enjoy comfortable seating at Chase Sapphire events in prime locations, complimentary food and drinks, plus a range of amenities, such as a dining concierge, charging stations, Wi-Fi and more.

Early-access tickets

Beat the crowds. Get your tickets to concerts and sporting events before they sell out.

Priority seating

Get up close to the court or the stage. Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can experience events from the best seats in the house.

07          Wellness

Earn 10x total points on Peloton

Work out your way — from HIIT rides to walks and hikes to strength training, and more: Get 10x total points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 with a max earn of 50,000 points. Shop Peloton Bikes, Tread, Guide, or Row. Offer ends Mar. 31, 2025. 25

Shop Peloton

08          Services

Personalized assistance for Sapphire cardmembers

Turn to Sapphire for help coordinating travel, restaurant reservations, access to entertainment and more complimentary assistance and referrals.

24/7 access to customer service

Talk to a dedicated specialist whenever you need assistance. Simply call the number on the back of your card.

Visa Infinite Concierge Service 26

Contact Visa Infinite Concierge at 1-877-660-0905 for help with dinner reservations or Broadway, music and sporting event tickets.

Travel and emergency assistance

If you run into a problem away from home, call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)

Easily get more from your Sapphire experience

From mobile account access to contactless payment, cardmembers can enjoy many safe and convenient features.

Manage your account with ease

Create an account on chase.com and download the Chase Mobile ® app 27 to check account and points balances, pay bills and more.

Tap-to-pay contactless checkout

Simply tap to pay with your contactless Chase Sapphire card. Just look for the Contactless Symbol at checkout, then tap your contactless card on the checkout terminal. It's fast, easy and secure!

Add an authorized user

Maximize your reward earning potential by adding an authorized user to your account. 28

Go paperless

Get your statement online. Safely access up to 6 years of statements online. It's secure, convenient and reduces clutter.

Convenient ways to pay

Load your card into a digital wallet for a quick and secure way to pay with your mobile device and receive all the benefits and rewards of using your Sapphire Reserve card.

Earn points automatically

Grow your points balance by using your card as the primary payment method for:

• Online checkout Add your card to your favorite shopping apps and online merchants to conveniently build up your points balance.
• Monthly bills Use your card to make auto payments for monthly bills (e.g., cell phone and utility bills). 29

Redeem for travel

Use points toward your next getaway—they’re worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Travel.

Pay Yourself Back ®

Your points have more value when you redeem them for statement credits after making eligible purchases on gas, wholesale clubs, and pet supplies & services by June 31, 2024.

Chase Dining SM

Order takeout at popular eateries around town or make reservations at restaurants, wineries and bars across the country.

There's so much for you

More Sapphire Offers

There’s so much more to make yours—top benefits, offers and experiences for Sapphire Reserve cardmembers.  

Reserved by Sapphire SM

Your Sapphire Reserve card opens new doors to more flavors, sights and sounds. Explore the extraordinary lineup of experiences—including culinary, sports, music and entertainment.  

Refer-A-Friend

Earn up to 75,000 bonus points per year by referring friends to either Chase Sapphire ® card.  

Already a Sapphire cardmember?

Sign in to view your account, access exclusive content and take advantage of your Sapphire benefits.

Not a Sapphire cardmember yet?

We’re glad you’re here. Learn more about getting a Sapphire card.

Es posible que esta comunicación contenga información acerca de usted o su cuenta. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor, llame al número que aparece en el reverso de su tarjeta.

View the details of the Sapphire Reserve benefits offered on this page.

©2024 JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

Introducing Chase Travel

Seamlessly book your best trip yet. Choose from coveted hotels and convenient flights, then add car rental and must-do local experiences at the reimagined chasetravel.com .

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Chase sapphire reserve review: a premium travel card with luxury perks and flexible rewards.

With its $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might seem pricey at first glance — but this card holds tremendous value for frequent travelers.

Its welcome bonus, travel credits, eye-popping earning rates, and luxury travel perks could easily help offset the card’s annual cost. Its travel protections and airport lounge access also provide peace of mind and added comfort when you travel.

That said, this card isn’t for everyone. Here’s what you need to know about the Chase Sapphire Reserve , its pros and cons, and who it’s best for.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee : $550

Welcome offer : Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months

10x points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel

10x points on Chase Dining purchases

10x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

10x points on Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)

5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel

3x points at restaurants and on travel

1x points on all other purchases

More details : $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, and 50% higher redemption value when you use your points to book travel through Chase.

This credit card has a variable annual percentage rate (APR) ranging from 22.49% to 29.49%.

Sapphire Reserve cardholders pay a $550 annual fee. While this is fairly high, frequent travelers can easily offset this by using the card’s many benefits.

Welcome offer

Given the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s high annual fee, you might expect a large welcome offer. Currently, new cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 90 days.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be a lucrative rewards currency if used strategically. Points you earn with this card are worth 50% more (1.5 cents apiece) when used to book travel in the Chase portal.

If you redeem your bonus points by booking a trip through Chase Travel, the welcome offer is worth up to $900. You could potentially squeeze even more value from your points by transferring them directly to an airline or hotel partner, depending on your booking.

Intro offer

With this card, you won’t get a 0% introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers. Instead, the standard APR applies right away.

Rewards rate

Because there’s a $300 annual travel credit with this card, you won’t earn rewards on the first $300 you spend on travel booked through Chase or elsewhere.

How to earn rewards

You can maximize your rewards with the Sapphire Reserve by making frequent rental car, hotel, or flight purchases through Chase Travel. These purchases could earn you between 5x and 10x points. For a limited time, you can also earn 10x points on purchases with Chase partners like Peloton and Lyft.

Travel bookings made elsewhere will earn 3x points, as will restaurant purchases. While this isn’t the highest possible reward rate with this card, it’s still fairly generous. Plus, it gives you some flexibility if you find a better deal outside of the Chase portal.

All other eligible purchases with this card will net you 1x points. You won’t earn rewards on any credits, cash advances, or balance transfers.

How to redeem rewards

With this card, you have several options for redeeming rewards. As mentioned, you can use your points to book travel through Chase or transfer them to an airline or hotel partner. Chase currently has over a dozen travel partners, including British Airways, JetBlue, Southwest , United Airlines, Marriott Bonvoy , and Hyatt.

Besides redeeming with partner transfers or through Chase Travel, you can also use your rewards for:

General statement credits

Credits for certain qualifying purchases

Amazon and Apple purchases

Bookings through Chase Experiences or Chase Dining

Additional benefits

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve , you'll get a $300 annual travel credit, which offsets the card’s annual fee considerably. Cardmembers can also get up to $100 in statement credits every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck , or NEXUS application fees.

Airport lounge access

You’ll also receive a free Priority Pass Select membership as a cardholder, giving you free access to over 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide. You can also bring along up to two guests, though additional charges may apply.

Additionally, your card gives you free access to Sapphire Lounges, though these relaxing spaces are only available at a few airports.

Travel protections

No premium travel card would be complete without sufficient protections and insurance coverage for your adventures. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can access several types of travel safeguards, including:

Auto rental collision damage waiver

Baggage delay insurance

Lost luggage reimbursement

Emergency evacuation and transportation

Emergency medical and dental treatment

Trip cancellation or interruption insurance

Travel accident insurance

Cardholders get up to $75,000 of primary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance for a covered event. Credit cards offering this benefit typically have secondary coverage , meaning you need to file a claim with your car insurance company before the secondary coverage kicks in. Filing a claim with your insurer could increase your premiums, so primary coverage is valuable.

Partner benefits

Your card also comes with partner benefits, including two free years of Lyft Pink when activated by December 31, 2024. With this membership, you’ll get special upgrades, exclusive rates, and discounts on bike-sharing.

Cardholders also get these partner perks:

Free DashPass membership for Doordash and Caviar for at least a year (when activated by December 31, 2024.) Benefits include discounted delivery fees and a $5 monthly Doordash credit.

Free year of Instacart+ membership and up to $15 in monthly statement credits for eligible purchases made through July 2024.

Who is the Chase Sapphire Reserve best for?

The Sapphire Reserve could be an excellent option for frequent travelers. Because its annual fee is high, this card generally only makes sense for those who can take advantage of its travel credits, high earnings rates, and ample partner benefits.

To really maximize the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve, cardholders should be comfortable booking travel or dining experiences through the Chase portal. Not only can doing so net you up to 10x points on your purchases, but redeeming your existing points by booking with Chase Travel can also maximize your redemption value, too.

If you’re an occasional traveler or will struggle to use the card’s many partner perks, a travel rewards card with a lower fee may be a better choice.

Learn more: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve pros

Substantial annual travel credit

Flexible rewards

Multiple travel protections

Complimentary lounge access

No foreign transaction fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve cons

High annual fee

Complicated rewards structure

Excellent credit may be required

Where can you use Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is part of the Visa credit card network, so you can use it worldwide wherever Visa cards are accepted.

How to make a Chase Sapphire Reserve payment

Online via the Chase website

Through the Chase mobile app

By phone: 1-800-436-7958

By mail: Cardmember Services P.O. Box 6294 Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

By Western Union (code city WALNUT)

In-person at a Chase ATM or branch

Chase Sapphire Reserve customer service info

You can reach Chase’s credit card customer service team by calling 1-800-432-3117 or messaging them through X, Instagram, or Facebook.

Alternative cards to consider

If the Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn’t sound like the best travel card for your wallet, the following lower-annual-fee alternatives could fit the bill.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Why we like it : Like its big sister, the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a host of perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit. New cardholders can also earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Your points are worth 25% more when you use them to book trips in Chase Travel.

With this card, you’ll also earn 5x points on qualifying purchases through Chase Travel; 3x points on dining out, at online grocery stores, and on select streaming services; 2x points on other travel purchases; and 1x points on everything else. Its annual fee is just $95.

Learn more: Which is the best Chase credit card?

Capital One Venture X Rewards Card

Why we like it : The Venture X Rewards Card from Capital One has a $395 annual fee, but cardmembers benefit from a $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One. Maxing out this credit will significantly offset your annual fee.

Besides that, this card comes with a generous welcome bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months. Cardmembers can also earn 10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One, 5x miles on flights purchased through Capital One, and 2x miles on everything else.

American Express® Gold Card

Why we like it : The American Express Gold Card lets you earn big rewards in popular spending categories. You’ll get 4x points on restaurant and U.S. grocery store purchases, 3x points on flights booked through Amex Travel or with airlines, and 1x points on everything else.

This card also offers a lucrative welcome bonus. As a new cardholder, you can earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. This card offers several opportunities to earn statement credits, and its annual fee is $295. (See rates and fees . Terms apply.)

This article was edited by Alicia Hahn

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers.

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This One Perk Makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve the Best Travel Credit Card for New Yorkers

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Get Unlimited Access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport

Inside the chase sapphire lounge at lga, why the chase sapphire lounge comes out on top for new yorkers, other card benefits that make the annual fee worth it, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you live in New York and travel often for work or leisure, I’d argue there’s one credit card that is a cut above the rest — and that’s the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® .

This card is packed with a long list of premium perks that may easily be worth the $550 annual fee, depending on your travel habits. If you’re in the market for a new card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the right choice for this reason alone.

Here’s my take on why.

Once billed as a “Third World” airport by President Joe Biden, Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is a stunner after major renovations wrapped up in January 2022. Now a shared space for airlines including Air Canada , American , JetBlue , United , Southwest , and most recently, Frontier , LaGuardia is easily one of the best airports (if not the best) in the country.

What’s more exciting than a brand-new airport, though, is the opportunity for brand-new airport lounges to enter the landscape, replacing tired spaces made for business travel with a reimagined experience for many different passengers.

At the beginning of the year, Chase opened doors to its very first Sapphire Lounge in the New York metro area. Directly next to the competing American Express Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia , the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club makes the lounge experience about the journey rather than just your next destination.

While I didn’t get the chance to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I finally got to visit the lounge on an early Monday evening — between waves of consultants heading home from a workday in New York and families checking out for spring break.

Stepping into the lounge nearly 3 months after the initial fanfare felt like a great time to check out the space for myself, incognito among other travelers. While there was a line forming outside the Centurion lounge next door, I walked down a quiet hallway and took the elevator 4 flights down to the baggage claim level.

The elegant Chase Sapphire lounge at LGA was tucked just behind a corner — no wait to be found.

I had only planned to be at the lounge for an hour, just enough time to grab a bite and see the space. But after several flight delays, I found myself spending more than a few hours until it was closing time.

Beyond the delicious tapas dishes (Korean fried chicken bites and pistachio grilled cheese, anyone?), you could order made-to-order menu items from classic New York restaurants.

The waitlist will be long on any given day, but you might be lucky enough to get a 30-minute facial appointment at the spa desk or even score time in the dedicated snooze rooms.

I found myself plenty entertained and can easily say it was the best domestic lounge I’ve been to — ranking higher above the Capital One Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth or any Amex Centurion Lounge in the country, in my opinion.

While the lounge experience was quite amazing and felt almost over the top, the major downside is that the Chase Sapphire lounge footprint is quite limited at this time:

• Boston (BOS)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• New York (JFK) — In partnership with Etihad Airways
• Philadelphia (PHL) — Coming soon
• Phoenix (PHX) — Coming soon
• San Diego (SAN) — Coming soon
• Washington-Dulles (IAD) — In collaboration with Etihad Airways

The Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin (AUS) is also open, but it’s mostly an outdoor terrace with drinks and grab-and-go food.

For general travelers looking for a card with lounge access , the Chase Sapphire Reserve card isn’t necessarily compelling enough just yet, although the issuer is working on plenty of lounge openings. (While the card comes with Priority Pass access , its domestic network is … just all right, and nothing worth writing home about.)

Now that the Chase Sapphire lounge is open at LaGuardia — and at the biggest terminal at the airport, serving 6 different airlines — most New Yorkers pass through Terminal B on their travels. Not to mention, LaGuardia is the easiest (and quickest) airport to reach from many parts of the city via ride-share or taxi.

As it stands, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has one of the most friendly guest policies we’ve seen — cardholders can bring up to 2 guests at no extra charge.

The major exception, of course, is Delta Air Lines, which has an amazing new Sky Club at its own Terminal C and dozens more across the country. For access to any Delta Sky Club, though, you need a same-day Delta ticket and a card like the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card , The Platinum Card ® from American Express , or The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express .

However, Amex has taken several steps recently to cut off lounge access and guest passes:

• Effective February 1, 2025, Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Effective February 1, 2025, Delta Reserve cardmembers receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders will be charged a $50 fee for each guest (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age). Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders may qualify for unlimited guest access to Amex Centurion lounges for up to 2 travelers per visit after spending $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on the account in a calendar year.

But if you’re indifferent to the airline you fly, Terminal B at LaGuardia has far more to choose from — which is why many would prefer the Chase Sapphire Lounge.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes out on top for New Yorkers who travel domestically often , so having this card at your disposal is a no-brainer.

While it’s certainly possible that Chase could take measures to limit lounge access in the future, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card currently has one of the most generous access policies. However, it’s worth noting that a Capital One lounge is coming to LaGuardia’s Terminal B in the near future, too, so we’ll have to see the space to compare the 2 effectively.

That’s just 1 perk that I think most New Yorkers who travel frequently will find useful when traveling out of LaGuardia. I realize that’s a niche benefit, but with millions of people living in the city, I know many are looking to access to this world-class lounge.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

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
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 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, 60,000 points are worth $900 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

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card certainly doesn’t come cheap, but there are certainly other rewards and benefits that luxury travelers should find worthwhile:

• $300 annual statement credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card
• 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights when purchased through Chase Travel; 3x points on other travel and dining; 1x points on all other purchases
• Points are worth 1.5 cents apiece for flights, hotels, and more through Chase Travel . You can also transfer Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs like Southwest, United, Hyatt, Marriott, and more.
• Up to $100 application fee credit every 4 years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck

The new Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia is worth going out of your way for on your next trip out of the city. It’s a steep price to pay but could potentially be worth it, depending on how often you frequent the airport and whether want to bring your family and friends along with you.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card, click here .

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About Stella Shon

With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.

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Credit Cards

Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my first ever rewards card

Sarah Li Cain

Robin Saks Frankel

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

Grace Pilling

Published 6:03 a.m. UTC April 15, 2024

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DaLiu, Getty Images

I first started learning about the world of rewards credit cards from friends and bloggers and knew I wanted in. The challenge was that it took me a long time to build my credit , and I wanted to be sure I picked the right card. After some research, I landed on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as my first rewards credit card. Yes, there are other cards with lower (or no) annual fees, but I have squeezed a ton of value from this credit card.

Here are the reasons why I landed on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 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 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 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, 60,000 points are worth $750 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

1. I wanted flexible redemption options

Learning about travel rewards and how to redeem points as a beginner all those years ago felt extremely intimidating. I wanted to earn rewards that offered plenty of redemption options and where I could learn at a pace that felt accessible to me. Initially, I ignored the airline and hotel transfer partners and decided I would focus on how I would use my Ultimate Rewards® points through the Chase Travel℠ portal. 

Taking this route eased my fears about how to book flights and hotels using rewards. I was also happy that I didn’t have to feel loyal to one airline or hotel chain like I would have with a cobranded rewards card. After booking a few trips through the Chase travel site, I took the time to learn about the issuer’s travel loyalty transfer partners (there are 14 in total). But I still liked choosing which method — booking through Chase Travel or transferring points — was better for me to squeeze the most out of my points. 

Some travel rewards redemptions offer more value than others. Here’s some of the best ways to use Chase points .

2. The annual fee is accessible, even for occasional travelers

When I opened the Sapphire Preferred card, my family wasn’t traveling much. We were still settling into our new home, my husband had started a new job and I was juggling taking care of my young child with my freelance career. I aimed to earn enough rewards from the card to nab heavily discounted hotels and the occasional flight when we visited family once or twice a year.

At $95, the annual fee felt affordable to us. A pricier card with lounge access wasn’t important, because we didn’t fly enough to feel that feature would be worth it. However, the Sapphire Preferred’s $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit was, since we stop and stay overnight on our cross-country drives during the summer. 

3. I was able to earn the welcome bonus easily

My family and I mostly used credit cards to pay for bills like utilities and groceries. Looking over our expenses, we could easily spend thousands of dollars over a span of several months. The minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome bonus — 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening — was well within our reach. Plus, I paid off my credit cards each month, meaning we didn’t pay any interest and our rewards earnings didn’t cost us extra. 

The minimum spend is higher than some rewards cards, though lower than luxury ones — my family and I were able to hit the minimum spend in a little over two months. Considering I earned $750 worth of travel if I booked through Chase Travel (which I was mostly doing in the beginning anyway), it was well worth it.

4. There are no foreign transaction fees

My mom and sister live in Canada where I grew up, so I make the annual trek with my family to visit them along with several other close friends. I knew that whatever credit card I signed up for, I wanted no foreign transaction fees when using it in another country. My last credit card did charge fees for transactions overseas, and though they may not seem like much on their own, they do add up.

This benefit alone didn’t convince me to sign up for the Sapphire Preferred but it was certainly a welcome benefit in addition to all the others. 

5. Why I keep the Sapphire Preferred even years later

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has stayed in my wallet for the last six years and I don’t plan on canceling it anytime soon. The initial signup bonus earned my family several hotel nights when we visited family and friends. In subsequent years we took advantage of the $50 annual hotel credit and other benefits, such as primary rental car insurance , to make the annual fee worth it. 

Over the years I’ve added two other Chase cards to the mix — the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business 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. . I pool the points I earn from these two credit cards with my Sapphire Preferred because the Preferred offers a 25% points boost when booking travel through Chase. Since I have a family of three to book travel for, I want to use all the advantages I can get. 

Considering a rewards card? Here’s how to choose the right credit card for you.

*The information for the Ink Business 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.

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.

Sarah Li Cain is a finance and small business writer currently based in Jacksonville, Florida whose articles have been published with outlets such as Fortune, CNBC Select, the Financial Planning Association and Zillow.

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.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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How to book travel (and save points) with Chase Travel

Editor's note : This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the best flexible rewards currencies available, and you can get some incredible value from your Ultimate Rewards points .

Generally, we recommend transferring Chase points to the program's airline and hotel partners for award bookings. However, sometimes redeeming Ultimate Rewards points for paid travel through Chase Travel℠ is more advantageous. This option can save you money, particularly when traditional award space is unavailable, as you can book almost any available flight or hotel through Chase Travel.

Here's what you need to know about Chase Travel.

What is Chase Travel

To maximize your Ultimate Rewards points, it's often best to transfer them to partner programs like United MileagePlus , World of Hyatt or British Airways Executive Club for award reservations. However, it's important to compare the points needed for a direct booking through Chase Travel l to those required for an award booking. Sometimes, booking through the portal can be more advantageous, as the points price is tied to the cash cost of the flight or hotel stay, potentially resulting in lower point requirements.

However, before using Chase Travel, you need to have some Chase points. If you're not already familiar with Chase's most popular cards and welcome offers, here are a few current ones to be aware of.

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is a TPG favorite. It currently comes with one of the highest sign-up bonuses from Chase or on any business credit card — 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Based on our valuations , the bonus points alone are worth $2,000. However, you can redeem these points through Chase Travel for a fixed value of 1.25 cents apiece.

Read more: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review: A great all-around business card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is another fantastic addition to your wallet. You'll earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The bonus is worth $1,200 based on TPG valuations .

Like the Ink Business Preferred, you'll get a value of 1.25 cents per point when booking directly through Chase Travel with the Sapphire Preferred. You'll also earn 5 points per dollar on paid travel purchased through Chase (excluding the first $50 in hotel purchases that qualify for the card's annual hotel credit ).

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card review: 60,000-point bonus for a top travel card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card's bigger brother, the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, which is worth $1,200 based on TPG valuations.

This card includes additional perks, like a PreCheck or Global Entry credit , Priority Pass lounge access , a $300 annual travel credit and other perks. This card also boosts your portal redemption rate to 1.5 cents per point, giving you 0.25 cents per point in additional purchase power over the Sapphire Preferred. And when you book travel through Chase with the Sapphire Reserve, you'll earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar on flights (excluding purchases that qualify for the $300 travel credit).

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review: Luxury perks and valuable rewards, plus a 60,000-point bonus

Cash-back cards

Chase also issues a number of cash-back credit cards — including the Chase Freedom Unlimited , Ink Business Cash Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card . The rewards you earn on these cards are worth 1 cent apiece toward travel in Chase Travel. However, Chase allows you to combine your earnings into a single account . This means that you can effectively convert these cash-back rewards into fully transferrable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred.

How to use Chase Travel

You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and other travel through Chase Travel, and it's relatively simple to access. First, you'll need to log in to your Chase account, then navigate to the right side of the page, where you'll see a little box with your total Ultimate Rewards balance.

Click that box and it will bring you to the Ultimate Rewards dashboard, which looks like this:

Click "Travel" to access the travel homepage and search for airfare, hotels or vacation rentals.

Remember that when you book hotels through the portal with Ultimate Rewards points, you typically will not earn hotel points and elite credits and may not receive elite status perks because it's considered a third-party booking.

However, flights booked through the portal will typically earn frequent flyer miles and qualify for elite status.

How to book flights using Chase Travel

Booking your flights is a straightforward process once you've navigated to the portal's travel page. Type in your arrival and departure airports and travel dates then hit the search button. For this search, I looked for a one-way flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

You'll then see the available flight options. When you find a flight you like, select the fare type you want to book and click the blue "Choose flight" button.

Once you've selected your preferred flights, you'll be taken to the next page to review your flight information and look over any upgrades you'd like to make.

Then, you'll be directed to the checkout page, where you can pay with cash, points or a combination of the two. Again, points linked to a Chase Sapphire Reserve account are worth 1.5 cents each. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card , points are worth 1.25 cents each.

Finally, you'll be directed to a page where you will enter the traveler's information and finalize your flights.

How to book hotels using Chase Travel

Booking hotels is similar to booking flights on the travel portal. This can be advantageous if you're looking at hotels outside of major chains that partner with Ultimate Rewards ( Hyatt , IHG and Marriott ). Regardless of how you book your hotel, compare the award rates required by these hotel loyalty programs to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Also, if you have an eligible card, you can access the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection , which gives you perks at around 1,000 luxury properties worldwide. Participating cards include the Chase Sapphire Reserve , United Explorer Card , United Club Infinite Card , United Quest Card and United Business Card .

Here's a sample search for hotels in Olso, Norway, which hosts mostly boutique hotels.

Once you've selected your desired property, room and rate, you can specify how many points you want to use on the checkout page.

Then, run through the on-screen prompts to finalize your booking, and you'll get an email confirmation.

Remember, you'll receive up to $50 in statement credits every year for hotel reservations made through Chase Travel as a Sapphire Preferred cardholder.

Related: The best ways to book hotels through online travel agencies and bank portals

How to book car rentals, cruises and other travel using Chase Travel

Using Chase Travel, you can rent cars, pay with points and still receive the excellent primary car rental insurance offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card .

The process of renting cars is similar to booking flights and hotels. Navigate to the "Cars" header from the main landing page and type in your itinerary, even if it's a one-way rental. Then, select "Search," and the results page will pop up. Once you choose your car, you'll be prompted to select add-ons.

When you've finished selecting, you'll head to the booking page, where you'll input your personal information and choose how many points you'd like to spend. Remember that to qualify for rental car insurance, you must decline the car rental company's collision damage waiver and ensure that anyone driving the car is on the rental agreement.

You can also book activities and cruises through Chase. In the case of activities, you can use your points to book some fantastic tours like a Washington, D.C. night monument tour or Singapore heritage food tour at 1.25 or 1.5 cents each. This can be an excellent way to make a vacation free, instead of just your hotels and flights.

Cruises are also available, though you'll have to call to book those.

Related: The top 3 easiest ways to save on rental cars

More things to consider about Chase Travel

Here's some general guidance to maximize your experience with the portal.

We recommend comparing the points needed through Chase Travel with those required for partner transfers, factoring in taxes and fees. If you have or want hotel elite status, avoid booking hotels through the portal. These stays generally won't count toward status or qualify for hotel elite status benefits.

Booking through Chase Travel with cash can earn you extra points, with Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Preferred cardholders earning 5 points per dollar on all travel and Sapphire Reserve cardholders earning 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and rental cars. While you might find better rates by booking directly with the travel provider, if your plans are firm and rates are comparable, booking through the portal can be worthwhile for earning extra points.

However, remember that booking through third-party sites may result in issues if you change your plans. Travel providers are more likely to assist you if you've booked directly with them.

Related: Should I book through the Chase portal if I'm not redeeming points?

Bottom line

Chase Travel lets you use your points to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and activities. If award flights aren't available or you find a cheap fare that requires fewer points, booking through the portal can be a good option.

Similarly, for hotels, it can be a good deal if you find a cheap rate or book a boutique property, but keep in mind that you may not earn hotel points or receive elite benefits. Whether booking rental cars, activities or cruises, always compare the options to see if using the portal or transferring to partners for an award is more advantageous.

Additional reporting by Ryan Patterson, Andrew Kunesh and Victoria Walker.

Citi, Chase Will Cover Steeper Global Entry Fees for Premium Cardholders

Elizabeth Casolo , Skift

April 16th, 2024 at 2:04 PM EDT

Citi and Chase plan to chase the rising Global Entry fees, allowing cardholders to still access Global Entry.

Elizabeth Casolo

Starting October 1, 2024, Citi and Chase will cover higher Global Entry fees for certain cardholders.

The news comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decided to drive up Global Entry fees by 20% — from $100 from $120 — by October, despite wiping application fees for minors. Global Entry permits pre-approved travelers a speedier entrance into the U.S.

Chase and Citi are among the credit card companies that subsidize Global Entry fees for some clients.

According to spokespeople from the two companies, members with these cards will receive up to $120 every four years to cover Global Entry renewal:

• Citi/AAdvantage Executive
• Citi Prestige
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• United Explorer
• United Club Visa Infinite
• United Quest
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
• Aeroplan Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
• J.P. Morgan Reserve

Chase said cardholders could also use the credit for NEXUS , another CBP program that eases travel between the U.S. and Canada. NEXUS now costs $120, too. 

The higher Global Entry fees have no impact on TSA PreCheck . Still, Chase and Citi Cardholders could apply the credit to this program, as well.

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Tags: airline credit cards , chase , citi , credit , credit cards , customs , global entry , jp morgan chase , nexus , travel credit card , tsa , tsa precheck , u.s. customs and border protection

Photo credit: Some of the Chase Sapphire credit cards used for booking travel and other things. Source: Chase.

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The Guide to Chase’s Travel Portal

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Table of Contents

Who can use the portal?

Benefits of booking travel in the portal, is chase's travel portal worth using, does chase's travel portal price match, how to use chase's travel portal, what else you need to know, chase travel portal tips, recapped.

Chase's travel portal is one of the best features of having a Chase credit card. Earning Ultimate Rewards® with credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® can deliver big value if you know how to navigate Chase's travel portal.

Much like third-party booking sites like Orbitz or Expedia , you can use Chase's travel portal to book flights, hotels and cruises, among other things. You can redeem points to offset the cost of the trip or pay in cash. You won’t have to worry about blackout dates or award inventory caps like you may find when using airline miles or hotel points for the same trip since you are essentially buying travel with cash.

Within the portal, you can also redeem points for merchandise or transfer them to other travel loyalty programs if you are short on miles and points there. In short, having a flexible points currency like Chase Ultimate Rewards® is one of the smartest routes you can take in the miles and points game. Booking travel through Chase's travel portal is simple. Here’s what you need to know about the portal.

» Learn more: Chase Ultimate Rewards®: How to earn and use them

Not all Chase cards have the same benefits. Only some cards earn Ultimate Rewards® points; others may earn loyalty miles and points with an affiliated partner. For example, the United℠ Explorer Card earns United MileagePlus miles.

These are examples of cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® and give access to Chase's travel portal:

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Freedom Unlimited® .

Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card .

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card .

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card .

on Chase's website

• 5 points per $1 on travel booked through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 2 points per $1 on other travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

Point value in the travel portal: 1.25 cents apiece.

• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.

Point value in the travel portal: 1.5 cents apiece.

• In the first year, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 4.5% cash back on drugstores and restaurants, and 3% on all other purchases on up to $20,000 in spending.

• After that, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% cash back at drugstores and restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Point value in the travel portal: 1 cent apiece.

Point value in Chase travel portal: 1 cent apiece.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Earn points on paid reservations

The primary reason you may want to book travel via Chase's travel portal is that you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® on paid reservations. You can earn 5x points on airfare booked within the portal and 10x points on hotels and car rentals.

That can really add up, but beware that when booking hotels with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you are not eligible to earn points with the hotel loyalty program or reap elite status benefits since it is using a third-party service. The tradeoff can vary by property, but using Chase's travel portal is especially helpful when booking unaffiliated hotels or hotel brands where you usually do not collect points or have elite status. In those instances, you are less likely to be passing up the perks of points earning and elite status.

Earn points on airfare even for redemptions

When booking airfare through Chase, you do earn miles no matter if you pay with cash or points. This makes using points for airfare via the travel portal more beneficial than redeeming for a hotel.

Earn bonus points for restaurant bookings

You can even earn bonus points when making restaurant bookings through the portal. This can be a great way to enhance your trips with great dining in advance rather than chatting with your hotel concierge.

Shop for the best value redemption

Since the value per Chase Ultimate Rewards® points is relatively constant, using the travel portal may not always be the best option. You may be able to spend fewer points if you book the same trip with the specific airline or hotel's points instead of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. This is more common with itineraries with high cash prices, like a hotel night that's particularly expensive. Always compare the cost of using traditional miles and points over using Chase points to see which offers better value. In some cases, you may want to transfer Chase points to partner programs to squeeze more value from them.

One example where that could be exceptional value is for expensive business class tickets that also have award availability. Let’s say you’re looking for a United business class ticket between Newark and London. If the cash cost of a one-way ticket is $2,505, that will cost you 250,500 Ultimate Rewards® points when redeeming at a value of one penny per point. In this example, it may be worth redeeming MileagePlus miles instead.

For this flight, the one-way mileage cost is 91,700 miles. Even if you don’t have enough United miles, you could transfer that amount from Chase Ultimate Rewards® (since they are partners), and save yourself a nice chunk of Chase points in the process. It is always best to compare the cash cost with the redemption cost using both Chase and the airline or hotel’s own loyalty program.

» Learn more: The best Chase transfer partners — and the ones to avoid

Chase's travel portal can be worth using in specific scenarios.

Redemptions: You hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and want to make a redemption. The first two cards get an elevated point value of 1.5 cents apiece when redeeming points and booking travel in the portal; the latter gets 1.25 cents apiece.

Bookings. You hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and want to earn bonus points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® typically earn 5x points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase's travel portal, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 5-10 points per $1 spent on Chase Dining, hotel stays, rental cars and air travel purchased through Chase's travel portal.

Otherwise, you might be wise to book travel directly with the airline, hotel or rental car company, which can simplify cancellations or changes to your bookings. You can do this with cash, card or by transferring points to one of Chase's transfer partners.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase transfer partners

Despite being powered by Expedia — an online travel agency that includes a Price Match Promise — Chase's travel portal does not offer customers a price matching benefit.

Capital One Travel has price drop protection that will advise you when to buy and refund you if the price of your flight drops by a certain amount after purchase.

Once logged into your Chase account, you’ll find a sidebar on the right of the page with your Chase Ultimate Rewards® balance. Once you click on it, it brings up a variety of options for how to spend your points. Choose “travel” to take you to the standard booking page where you can enter your plans for flights, cruises, rental cars, hotels or other activities.

Depending on the card you have, your points are worth between 1-1.5 cents per point. The best value card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which offers 1.5 cents in value per point to redeem through the portal, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited® only values points at a penny per point. This means that Chase determines the number of points you’ll need to redeem for an award based on the cash cost of the travel you are trying to book.

It’s easy to search for the travel you want. Chase has partnered with Expedia to run the search engine, but this has limited the search function a bit with some low-cost airlines no longer appearing. Be mindful of this when making a reservation (perhaps check to see if the airfare is similar to the basic economy or main cabin price on the airline’s website first).

The advanced options button lets you sort by airline and class of service.

Much like other online booking engines, once you find the travel plans you like, you enter your personal details. The best part of using the travel portal is that you can pay in full with points, cash or use a mix of points and cash. You can adjust the amount of points you want to spend for your trip and the website will display how much remaining cash you owe. If you need more points, you can transfer them from other Chase Ultimate Rewards® earning accounts you may have to boost your balance.

The process for booking hotels or car rentals is similar to reserving a flight, giving you the option to use a mix of cash or points.

To book a cruise with points, however, you’ll have to call Chase directly.

Another exception is when making a reservation at Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection properties, you can only make a cash reservation (you pay upon checkout) and cannot redeem Ultimate Rewards® points. You may still want to reserve through the portal, though, since it means you are eligible for additional perks like daily breakfast for two and a special amenity that varies by the hotel.

You can also reserve activities at home or your destination and pay for them in cash or with points. These include tours, museum visits and other local experiences.

Chase may charge a service fee on certain reservations. You will want to weigh whether this small charge is worth the benefit in Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you may use.

Many hotel companies offer member-only rates to entice you to book directly with them rather than through a third party. You’ll want to weigh whether earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® points is more valuable than the difference in the lowest rate booked directly with the hotel company.

When making any reservation through Chase's travel portal, you will be at the mercy of its own policies when it comes to changing or canceling a ticket. You will have to contact Chase directly to adjust your plans since you made it independently of the airline or hotel company. This can make it especially difficult with last-minute travel plan changes.

» Learn more: Advanced tips for redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards

With a little comparison shopping for your travel plans, you can squeeze exceptional value from points via the Chasee's travel portal. They can be redeemed like cash for travel, but always be sure to compare a reservation using Chase points to the cost of using hotel or airline points.

Sometimes, it may be less advantageous to use Chase points since you will lose out on travel-related perks. Other times, you’ll come out ahead since you can save cash using points, which is helpful when there is no award availability for your preferred travel plans.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

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.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

A crash course in how to use Chase Sapphire rental car insurance

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Just imagine that you’re driving through paradise, it’s the golden hour, the sun is setting on the horizon and you pull off the side of the road to catch that once-in-a-lifetime Instagram worthy pic. Just then you hear a loud screech, and a boulder on the side of the road digs into the side of your car, ripping the metal to shreds. Any moment of zen or happiness is lost as you start to worry about whether or not you’re on the hook for this car repair and your vacation is ruined. 

This was the exact scenario that happened to me on a recent trip to Hawaii. Having a Chase Sapphire credit card in my wallet not only saved me from the stress of dealing with the car rental company, I was able to get a replacement car and be on my way and enjoy the rest of my vacation with peace of mind.

How to get Chase Sapphire rental car insurance

The great part about rental car insurance with the Chase Sapphire family of cards is that there’s nothing special that you have to do in order to receive this benefit. The benefit is a part of the very wide suite of benefits that you get by being a cardholder. It’s included, along with all the other travel protections, in your annual fee.

Holding either the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is only the first step in activating this powerful perk.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

Intro bonus.

Rewards Rates

• 5x 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit)
• 3x 3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 2x 2x points on travel purchases not booked through Chase
• 1x 1x points on other purchases
• 5x 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel)
• Valuable welcome bonus
• Extensive list of transfer partners
• Extra value on travel redemptions
• No premium travel perks
• Has an annual fee
• Additional perks: $50 annual hotel credit, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with quarterly Instacart+ credits
• Foreign transaction fee: None

How do I activate Chase Sapphire’s Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver?

While there is no extra fee involved with the insurance, you do have to make sure that you complete two very simple steps in order to qualify.

First, you’ve got to charge the full amount of the rental car with your Sapphire card. If you end up making the transaction with a different card, you won’t be covered. Holding the card isn’t enough, you’ve gotta make sure to pay for it with the same card. However, making an award booking using points from a Sapphire card does count. 

Second, you’ve got to decline the rental car company’s collision waiver, commonly called a CDW or LDW. If you accept their coverage, you will nullify the free coverage provided by Chase.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• 10x 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 5x 5x points on flights through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 3x 3x points on other travel and dining immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 1x 1x point on all other purchases
• Generous rewards on travel and dining
• Annual travel credit
• High annual fee
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule
• Additional perks: Airport lounge access, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, cell phone protection, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with monthly Instacart+ credits

What kind of insurance do Chase Sapphire cards offer?

The insurance is very similar between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but the limits are a bit different. The first thing to know is that Chase Sapphire’s insurance is primary, meaning you won’t have to go through your insurance company first if you have a claim. That’s a huge hassle-saver.

The auto rental insurance (officially called Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver) covers reimbursement for theft or collision damage to your rental car. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’re covered up to the actual cash value of the car. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the limit is much higher, for a total of $75,000. You’ll be covered for:

• Valid loss of use charges
• Administrative fees
• Towing charges to the nearest facility

How do I file a claim with the Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance?

Assuming your car is driveable and you manage to make it back to the rental car facility, there are a few things you’ll need to ask for from the rental car company. Keep hold of these, because the Chase team will be asking for them later.

• Copy of the accident report
• Copy of the front and back of the entire rental agreement
• Copy of the repair bill including itemizations
• A minimum of 2 photos of the damaged car
• A police report, if you filed one
• Copy of the demand letter prepared from the rental car company

Once you’ve got all of these, you’ve got to call the benefit administrator within 100 days from the date of the incident. In other words, don’t feel like you’ve got to call the credit card company while the smoke is coming out of the engine. You’ll be able to get home, relax, gather your documents, and then call.

The benefit administrator will make sure to tell you everything else that you need, but you’ll need your credit card statement and a completed form that they’ll send you as well. Hate talking to people on the phone? Never fear, an online claims process has been established. You can start and finish your claim online via this link .

Are there any special limitations?

Don’t think you’re going to be able to become a speed demon in a Lamborghini and crash it into the side of the highway. If you’ve got the Chase Sapphire Preferred, some of the brands not covered by this policy include Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Maserati, Porsche and Tesla. The Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn’t have this limitation, but the $75,000 limit still applies.

You might also think you’re covered if you’ve made other common rentals like passenger vans or other trucks like U-Hauls, but you would be mistaken. Similarly, mopeds, motorcycles, motorbikes and RVs aren’t covered.

There are a few other things to keep in mind about this rental car insurance, considering that it is only meant to cover the cost of the vehicle and its associated costs:

• Theft to your personal property is not included
• Liability insurance is not a part of this benefit
• Injury to you or anyone else is not covered
• If you’re found to be intoxicated or otherwise incapacitated, that voids your coverage
• If you head off roading, you’ll cancel your coverage
• If you rent the car for longer than 31 days, you won’t be covered

How I used Chase Sapphire’s Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

My adventure with Chase Sapphire’s rental car insurance started with an abrupt stop in Maui. After I realized I had smashed into a boulder and had a miniature freak out, it became clear that the car was undriveable. I called the number for the rental car company and told them I had an accident. The tire was flat and the wheel well was bent to a point that I couldn’t drive it if I wanted to. They dispatched a tow truck for us, so we had plenty of time to just chill out and enjoy the sunset.

We were towed back to the airport where we dropped off the car and filed out all their accident reports. Since we still had two more days left in our vacation, we picked up a new car and promised that we wouldn’t run into any more boulders.

Once we got back home, the calls started pretty frequently from the rental car facility, wondering who would be paying for the car. I told them that I was contacting my insurance company, in this case Chase, and would get back in touch with them. I called the benefit administrator on the phone and the process couldn’t have been easier. I uploaded the documents and was assured that they would take care of everything.

Magically, that was the end of my interactions with the rental car company. The benefit administrator took care of everything. I wasn’t on any sort of black list with the rental car company since the car was paid off and they got what they needed.

Are the Chase Sapphire cards worth it?

Many people wonder if the annual fee is worth it on credit cards, and often seek out low or no annual fee credit cards. Considering the cost to replace a new car would have been multiple tens of thousands of dollars, it’s safe to say that the $95 we pay every year for the Chase Sapphire Preferred was well worth it. While the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a higher fee, the other benefits can outweigh the fee as well if you consider all the other benefits that you get with the card, including Ultimate Rewards and other travel protections, the annual fee seems like an easy pill to swallow.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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Higher for Longer After All? Investors See Fed Rates Falling More Slowly.

Investors went into 2024 expecting the Federal Reserve to cut rates sharply. Stubborn inflation and quick growth call that into question.

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By Jeanna Smialek

Investors were betting big on Federal Reserve rate cuts at the start of 2024, wagering that central bankers would lower interest rates to around 4 percent by the end of the year. But after months of stubborn inflation and strong economic growth, the outlook is starting to look much less dramatic.

Market pricing now suggests that rates will end the year in the neighborhood of 4.75 percent. That would mean Fed officials had cut rates two or three times from their current 5.3 percent.

Policymakers are trying to strike a delicate balance as they contemplate how to respond to the economic moment. Central bankers do not want to risk tanking the job market and causing a recession by keeping interest rates too high for too long. But they also want to avoid cutting borrowing costs too early or too much, which could prod the economy to re-accelerate and inflation to take even firmer root. So far, officials have maintained their forecast for 2024 rate cuts while making it clear that they are in no hurry to lower them.

Here’s what policymakers are looking at as they think about what to do with interest rates, how the incoming data might reshape the path ahead, and what that will mean for markets and the economy.

What ‘higher for longer’ means.

When people say they expect rates to be “higher for longer,” they often mean one or both of two things. Sometimes, the phrase refers to the near term: The Fed might take longer to start cutting borrowing costs and proceed with those reductions more slowly this year. Other times, it means that interest rates will remain notably higher in the years to come than was normal in the decade leading up to the 2020 pandemic.

When it comes to 2024, top Fed officials have been very clear that they are primarily focused on what is happening with inflation as they debate when to lower interest rates. If policymakers believe that price increases are going to return to their 2 percent goal, they could feel comfortable cutting even in a strong economy.

When it comes to the longer term, Fed officials are likely to be more influenced by factors like labor force growth and productivity. If the economy has more momentum than it used to, perhaps because government infrastructure investment and new technologies like artificial intelligence are kicking growth into higher gear, it might be the case that rates need to stay a little bit higher to keep the economy operating on an even keel.

In an economy with sustained vigor, the rock-bottom interest rates that prevailed during the 2010s might prove too low. To use the economics term, the “neutral” rate setting that neither heats up nor cools down the economy might be higher than it was before Covid.

For 2024, sticky inflation is the concern.

A few Fed officials have argued recently that interest rates could remain higher this year than the central bank’s forecasts have suggested.

Policymakers projected in March that they were still likely to lower borrowing costs three times in 2024. But Neel Kashkari, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, suggested during a virtual event last week that he could imagine a scenario in which the Fed did not lower interest rates at all this year. And Raphael Bostic, the Atlanta Fed president, said he didn’t foresee a rate cut until November or December.

The caution comes after inflation — which came down steadily throughout 2023 — has moved sideways in recent months. And with new strains surfacing, including a pickup in gas prices, mild pressure on supply chains after a bridge collapse in Baltimore and housing price pressures that are taking longer than expected to fade from official data, there’s a risk that the stagnation could continue.

Still, many economists think that it is too early to fret about inflation’s stalling out. While price increases were quicker in January and February than many economists had expected, that could have owed partly to seasonal quirks, and it came after meaningful progress.

The Consumer Price Index inflation measure, which is set for release on Wednesday, is expected to cool to 3.7 percent in March after volatile food and fuel costs are stripped out. That is down from an annual reading of 3.8 percent in February and far below a 6.6 percent peak in 2022.

“Our view is that inflation is not getting stuck,” said Laura Rosner-Warburton, senior economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives. “Some areas are sticky, but I think they’re isolated.”

The recent inflation data do not “materially change the overall picture,” Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, said during a speech last week , even as he signaled that the Fed would be patient before cutting rates.

The longer run is also in focus.

Some economists — and, increasingly, investors — think that interest rates could stay higher in coming years than Fed officials have predicted. Central bankers forecast in March that rates will be down to 3.1 percent by the end of 2026, and 2.6 percent in the longer run.

William Dudley, a former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is among those who think that rates could remain more elevated. He noted that the economy had been expanding quickly despite high rates, suggesting that it can handle higher borrowing costs.

“If monetary policy is as tight as Chair Powell is arguing, then why is the economy still growing at a rapid pace?” Mr. Dudley said.

And Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, wrote in a shareholder letter this week that big societal changes — including the green transition, supply chain restructuring, rising health-care costs and increased military spending in response to geopolitical tensions — could “lead to stickier inflation and higher rates than markets expect.”

He said the bank was prepared for “a very broad range of interest rates, from 2 percent to 8 percent or even more.”

Borrowing would be pricier.

If the Fed does leave interest rates higher this year and in years to come, it will mean that the cheap mortgage rates like those that prevailed in the 2010s are not coming back. Likewise, credit card rates and other borrowing costs would most likely remain higher.

As long as inflation is not stuck, that could be a good sign: Superlow rates were an emergency tool that the Fed was using to try to revive a flailing economy. If they don’t come back because growth has more momentum, that would be a testament to a more robust economy.

But for would-be homeowners or entrepreneurs who have been waiting for the cost of borrowing to come down, that could provide limited comfort.

“If we are talking about interest rates that are higher for longer than consumers were expecting, I think consumers would be disappointed,” said Ernie Tedeschi, a research scholar at Yale Law School who recently left the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Jeanna Smialek covers the Federal Reserve and the economy for The Times from Washington. More about Jeanna Smialek

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Do i need to notify a credit card company when traveling.

If you have planned travel coming up, alerting your credit card issuers about your vacation plans can help to ensure that your charges aren't declined when you arrive. Here's how you can prepare yourself and your credit card for your next trip.

What is a credit card travel notice?

A travel notice is an alert to your credit card issuer that you'll be going on a trip to a different location. By giving this notice in advance, you're letting your credit card company know that you may be making charges from a different state or country.

Why should you notify your credit card company  of travel?

Credit card companies check cardholders' accounts for any unusual or suspicious activity when a transaction occurs. If your company sees a charge from a location away from home, your issuer may think this is suspicious activity and decline the charge. If you're visiting a country or location where fraudulent charges occur more often, the chances of your credit card getting declined are higher when you don't alert your credit card issuer about your travel.

Do you need to notify your credit card  company?

You're not required to notify your credit card company when you're going away on vacation, but it is highly recommended. By letting your credit card company know where you're going and for how long, your company will know that any card transactions from that location were likely authorized by you. Check with your credit card issuer to see if they have travel notification capabilities.

Traveling outside your city

If you're traveling to an area not far from home, it's unlikely that any credit card charges will be declined, so setting a travel notification may not be a necessity.

Traveling outside your state

As you travel further from home, the chance of charges being declined is higher. If you're visiting another state, you can notify your credit card company that you're going away to avoid any hassles as you travel.

Traveling outside your country

You should definitely consider filing a travel notice for every trip outside your country. If you don't file a travel alert with your card issuer, your credit card may get declined and you might need to contact your credit card company to approve your transactions. If you're in a different country you may have trouble with making an international call, an inconvenience that can prevent you from authorizing your charge and enjoying your trip.

Which credit cards require a travel notice?

Not all credit card companies recommend that you set a travel notice before you go away, including those with EMV chips that may provide added security when you travel. If your credit card doesn't have an EMV chip, you should contact your bank before you leave to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Multiple credit cards

If you own multiple credit cards, you should set travel notifications for each of the cards you plan to use on vacation. Even if you plan to use one of the cards only in case of emergency, set a travel alert for it just in case.

Risks of not filing a credit card travel notice

If you don't give your credit card issuer a travel notice, the company won't know that you'll be making purchases in a new location. If the company starts to see charges on your credit card from a different state or country, it may flag these transactions as fraud. The credit card issuer may then put your account on hold and prevent you from making any purchases until you can authorize the charges.

Once a credit card is declined, the cardholder has to call the issuer or provide an app verification in order to prove that the purchase made was authorized. You may have difficulties contacting your bank for various reasons, such as if your vacation spot has bad cell service or if you didn't set up international calling for your phone plan. Notifying your credit card company before you leave on vacation will help you avoid this hassle.

How to notify your credit card company of travel

You can notify your credit card issuer about your vacation over the phone, online, through a mobile app or in person. You can also contact your credit card issuer to get a better understanding of how to set a travel notice.

Setting your travel notice online or through a mobile app

Setting your travel notification online or through an app can be easier than speaking with customer service, depending on your preferences. Log into your account on your credit card company's website or app and search for “travel notice" options. If you're unable to find where to set your travel notice, get in contact with your credit card issuer.

Setting your travel notice over the phone or in-person

To set a travel alert for your credit card over the phone, call the number on the back of your card to get in touch with your bank. The customer service line will either let you speak to a representative on the phone or work with an automated system. If you have any questions or concerns about your travel notice, calling your credit card company is a good method to set the notification.

If you want to set your travel notice in person, go to your nearest branch to meet with a representative. Meeting face-to-face gives you the chance to ask any questions you might have.

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