Travelr Magazine March 2024
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Review
By Nomadic MattThe upgraded version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of my favorite premium cards. It offers a lot of fantastic perks for avid travelers.
While The Platinum Card® from American Express gets all the fanfare in terms of luxury rewards cards, I personally prefer the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It comes with better points-earning bonus categories; more practical, everyday perks (which I’ll get into below); and more comprehensive travel insurance.
Today, I want to share a bit more about this card so you can determine whether it’s the right card for you.
What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (often referred to as CSR) is a travel rewards card issued by Chase. The card comes with a $550 USD annual fee and a host of benefits like lounge access, travel insurance, and an array of statement credits. When used right, these benefits can be worth much more than the annual fee.
One of those benefits is a $300 USD annual travel credit that is very easy to get, effectively reducing the annual fee to a more reasonable $250 USD. You don’t need to do anything extreme to receive this benefit either; the first $300 USD per year that you spend on travel is simply erased from your statement.
Chase also has a very broad definition of what it classifies as travel, making it easy to take advantage of this credit (even parking garages count towards it). According to Chase, they classify travel purchases as including:
“airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.”
So, the first $300 USD of purchases you make in any of these categories will be removed from your statement, and after that, you’ll earn 3x points on these purchases.
And that’s just one benefit of the card. With this card, you can earn:
- 60,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months)
- $300 annual travel credit
- 3x points on travel (earned after earning your $300 annual travel credit)
- 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout
- 5x points on flights when booked through Chase Travel(SM)
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars when booked through Chase Travel(SM)
- 10x points on Lyft + 2-year Lyft Pink membership
- Priority Pass Membership and access to Sapphire Lounges by The Club
- $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years
- 1 year of complimentary Instacart+ membership (includes up to $15 in statement credits each month through July 2024)
- Complimentary DashPass membership (includes $5 in DoorDash credits each month)
- Travel insurance including emergency med-
ical and dental coverage, emergency evacuation insurance, trip delay coverage, primary car rental insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers the most comprehensive travel insurance out of any credit card and is one of the only ones to include any kind of medical insurance. It’s my top pick as the best credit card for travel insurance.
As a Visa Infinite® card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel insurance includes the following:
- Primary car rental insurance up to $75,000 USD
- Travel accident insurance up to $1,000,000 USD
- Trip cancelation/interruption coverage up to $10,000 USD per person and $20,000 USD per trip
- Trip delay coverage of $500 USD after delays of six hours or more
- Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 USD
- $100 per day for up to five days if your baggage is delayed
- Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $2,500 USD for treatment (minus a $50 USD deductible)
- Emergency evacuation insurance up to $100,000 USD
While I always recommend purchasing a separate travel insurance policy, having coverage
through your credit card is an added benefit that you get at no additional cost.
Using Your Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points
With this card, you’ll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. You can use those points like you would any other rewards program: to get cash back, book travel directly, or transfer them to travel partners. You can also redeem them for Amazon or Apple purchases, but these are bad redemption values and I would not recommend using points this way.
The easiest option is to redeem your points for travel in the Chase Travel portal, which works like booking through Expedia or any other online travel agency. When you do this, you’re basically using your points as cash, at a value of 1.5 cents per point. So, for exam ple, if you have 50,000 points, they’ll be worth 75,000 points when redeemed through the portal. This is a better value than if you simply redeem your points directly as cash, as you’ll only get a value of 1 cent per point that way.
what you should be doing with your points).
Taking Advantage of Chase’s Transfer Partners
The ability to transfer to its partners is what makes Chase Ultimate Rewards® points so valuable. You can usually find airline and hotel redemptions where you can get much more than 1.5 cents per point. While the actual value you can get varies greatly based on flight or hotel, a good benchmark is The Points Guy’s monthly valuation chart, which values Chase Ultimate Rewards® points at over 2 cents per used as transferable points.
Using your points in the Chase Travel portal is very straightforward, making it an attractive option for points and miles newbies. If this is the only way that you’ll use your points, then using them is better than letting them sit around!
Just know that there are pros and cons to using the travel portal. Namely, you can usually get more for your points when you transfer them to Chase’s 14 transfer partners (which is
To give a real-life example, the 50,000 points from the example above could be an off-peak, round-trip economy fare from to Paris when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal. But if you transfer points to one of Chase’s partner airlines, you can take advantage of flash deals and saver space, potentially finding the same fare for up to 50% less points. Unless it’s a super cheap flight or hotel room (less than $150 USD), I always transfer points to their travel partners, especially when booking business class flights or fancy hotel rooms. You just get more bang for your buck.
Transferring to airline and hotel partners is a bit more work than using the portal, but there are more tools than ever to help you maximize your points. For example, you can use point. me for finding flights with points and Awayz for finding award hotel stays.
Chase’s current transfer partners are:
- Airline Transfer Partners:
- Aer Lingus, AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Emirates Skywards®
- Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
- United MileagePlus®
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Hotel Travel Partners:
- IHG® Rewards Club
- Marriott Bonvoy®
- World of Hyatt®
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
By this point, you might be wondering what makes this card different from its sibling, the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Both cards currently have the same welcome offer: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Both also earn 3x points on dining. You also get travel insurance with both cards, though the insurance offered with the Reserve is much more comprehen sive.
Given all that, is the Reserve really worth the higher annual fee?
Ultimately, that’s up to you to decide based on your spending, travel habits, and whether you value the Reserve’s extra perks and benefits. But keep in mind that the real difference in cost between these two cards is only $155 USD per year. Sure, that’s considering the $300 USD annual travel credit on the Reserve, but I’m guessing that anyone thinking of getting a travel rewards card spends at least $300 USD on travel per year. And if you do, you’re likely to come out ahead with the Chase Sapphire Reserve due to the ability to earn points faster, use statement credits, and take advantage of luxury perks like airport lounge access.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the main differences:
Pros of the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Great rewards-earning rates
- Large welcome offer
- $300 USD travel credit
- 14 fantastic transfer partners
- Excellent travel insurance
- Statement credits for Global Entry/TSA Precheck (every 4 years)
- Airport lounge access through Priority Pass membership and access to Sapphire lounges
- Complimentary memberships (including Lyft Pink, DashPass, InstaCart)
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons of the Chase Sapphire Reserve :
- Large annual fee ($550 USD per year)
- $75 USD authorized user fee
Who Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve For?
This card is best for frequent travelers. If you get this card, you’ll want to be able to take advantage of the card’s accelerated earning rates on travel and dining, travel statement credits, and other travel-specific benefits. You’ll get even more out of this card if you value perks like airport lounge access and expediting your airport experience through Global Entry/TSA Precheck, and will transfer your points to one of Chase’s transfer partners.
If you’re only a semi-regular traveler, you might be better served by the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This comprehensive review has everything you need to know about that card.
Around the World
With Emilee Blakemore
NRio de Janeiro
“In the world, there are hardly a handful of iconic attractions so closely connected to the destination. Christ the Redeemer is one of them. Even people who have never thought of visiting Brazil know the statue overlooking the bay and guarding the city and can correctly place that the statue is in Rio de Janeiro. I think I won’t be exaggerating when claiming that the statue of Christ the Redeemer is not only as a symbol of Rio de Janeiro but also a symbol of Brazil in many people’s minds. Standing on the top of Corcovado Mountain, the statue became the must-visit spot while in Rio, not only for the Christ itself but chiefly because of the views from the top.”
o r w a y Paris
“Seeing the Northern lights was such a surreal moment, it was such a cool experience.”
“Paris is a city I could (and will) visit for the rest of my life and never get sick of it. There is so much to do and see. I love walking around the city, exploring new parts and finding good food spots. Its such an iconic city, and it holds a special place in my travel heart.”
“I had the opportunity to fly Lufthansa first class from Los Angeles to Frankfurt on a non-stop flight that I booked using points.”
F i r s t
“The first class seat was so spacious and comfortable. Being able to lay flat on a long haul flight like this is so nice.”
“The food and drinks served in the first class cabin were definitely not like the typical airplane food, it was honestly pretty good.”
C l a s s
“The first class experience was unmatched. Lufthansa service is already great but first class was next level. I wish I never had to fly economy again!”
Victoria Falls
one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Victoria Falls Zimbabwe is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is known as one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet. It is located on the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The
waterfall is 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high. The spray of the falls rises up to 400 meters above the drop and can be seen from up to 30 kilometers away. This mist is the reason that the local people call Victoria Falls the “Smoke that Thunders”. The mist creates a smoke like effect and you can’t believe the thunderous noise the waterfall makes until you hear it.
Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million
visitors each year making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern Africa.
Victoria Falls is a town that has grown to meet the tourism levels for visitors. It is a decent little town and there are a number of cafes, restaurants and bars and a wide range of accommodation options. Here are some things to see and do after you’ve spent your day at Victoria Falls.
Antigua Blue Waters Resort Review
By Chris Travel BlogIvisited Antigua, the bigger island of Antigua & Barbuda, recently when I hopped the Caribbean islands. There are many resorts on the island and after some research I booked the Blue Waters Resort & Spa Antigua. I stayed 4 nights on an all-inclusive basis and I had a great time at this secluded resort. My experience, I share with you in this hotel review and I’m sure you will want to stay too.
The hotel
Blue Waters Resort & Spa is on the northern tip of Antigua on a small hillside directly at the Caribbean Sea. When I arrived at the airport from Miami the driver was already waiting for me and 15 minutes later I was at the resort. Check-in is fast in the spacious open lobby. A cold towel and welcome drink were provided. I stayed in one of the villa rooms, so I was brought there by buggy. It’s just a minute or two walking but with luggage it’s much more convenient to get there by buggy.
The resort buildings are laid out conveniently along the three beaches in a garden setting. Restaurants are located around the pools but the classier one at the end of the resort at the top of a cliff. I really enjoyed the tranquility when walking around the resort. It has just over 100 rooms and was occupied almost completely but it was not crowded at all. One thing that really stood out about the friendly staff is that they greeted everyone by name. They truly care about the guest and make their stay unforgettable.
The rooms at Blue Waters Resort
Blue Waters Hotel & Spa Antigua has two parts. One part near the lobby has the deluxe rooms and junior suites. The second part is the villas. I highly recommend booking a suite in one of the Cove villas. Each villa has 5 rooms with their own garden and pool. That pool is just for the residents of that villa and I had it just for me most of the time.
My room, 1G, was a corner suite on the ground floor with direct access to the garden and pool. It’s a spacious suite with a large king bed and sitting area with couch and comfortable seats. The mini bar is well stocked (free for all-inclusive), Wi-Fi is fast and there are two televisions. The bathroom is as spacious as the room itself and features a free-standing bath. I enjoyed the bath with open (sliding) doors with a view into the garden and the Caribbean Sea behind it. Bathroom amenities are of high quality which is a necessity for me
as I normally don’t carry any shampoo and body wash.
When I wasn’t out exploring Antigua or relaxing at the pools I had a comfortable time. A cold beer in the evening on the terrace looking out into the darkness over the ocean really cleared my mind. Something I did every evening.
Facilities at Blue Waters Hotel
The Blue Waters Resort & Spa Antigua has so many facilities that I don’t know where to start. I will highlight those that I think are a must do. Of course, the hotel offers all the regular facilities such as laundry, business facilities too. All activity schedules are on the leaflet you get at check-in.
I highly recommend going to the rum tasting. It’s the local spirit but not just spirit. There are many varieties and those that are aged for sure can compete with a whiskey or cognac. Mixology class is awesome too as you get to make a variety of cocktails yourself. If you love wine, then the wine tasting session is something for you. Each session is fun and led by one of the knowledgeable staff of the Blue Waters Hotel.
Water activities are plentiful. There are three beaches and three pools (not counting the private ones) so space is enough. It won’t get
crowded and there is always a sunbed free. You can take sailing lessons, go peddling or take a snorkel tour. The snorkeling is great, and you might be able to spot a shark, stingray, or turtle.
A luxury resort isn’t complete without a spa. I went for a short 30-minute treatment just before I had to fly to St. Lucia. It was good and my muscles fully relaxed. The spa staff is friendly and very professional. Make sure to stop by!
Overall, there were too many facilities and activities at the Blue Waters Hotel & Spa Antigua. I could not take part in all of them as I also went out exploring Antigua. Other activities include: fishing, garden walk, yoga lessons and much more. If you stay 4 nights like me or two weeks you won’t get bored. I’m sure of that.
Dining & Drinking at Blue Waters Resort
Blue Waters Resort & Spa Antigua has 6 restaurants and bars. That’s a lot! I booked my stay with the all-inclusive option which isn’t something I regularly do. My idea with all-inclusive is always those loud tourists drinking alcohol all day and a buffet for food that’s there all day. At Blue Waters Resort however it’s different with 3 restaurants serving a-la-carte dinner! Cove Restaurant serves high quality dishes and is the must go to place to have dinner on the days it’s open. Bartley’s is the 2nd a la carte restaurant, different dishes, same high-quality food. Palm Restaurant is the all-
day dining restaurant which is partly a la carte and partly buffet. Make sure to do the BBQ evening too! My favorites? Tuna tartar is great, and the steak is perfect!
The lobby bar is called Pelican Bar and is open all day till late. In the evening bands play live music. The perfect place to have a late-night cocktail. Except some vintage liquors everything is included of which I recommend trying the old-fashioned rum punch. Veronica’s is the bar at the main pool and Carolyn’s the bar at the second pool. During the day they serve salads and flatbreads. Their flatbreads are amazing!
With all these options to dine at I could vary every single night which is perfect. The only other time I had food elsewhere on the island was at the Yacht Club. They serve the local 2SIX8 craft beer and their tuna poke is delicious. Who knows, maybe Blue Waters Resort will serve craft beer in the future too. They already started aging their own rum!
Conclusion
I had a lovely stay at Blue Waters Resort & Spa Antigua. Its location is perfect, not far from St. Johns and the airport and the English Harbor in the south is easily reached on a day trip. Antigua is small and can be explored in two-days as you can read in my Caribbean island-hopping itinerary to Antigua. The other days you don’t have to be worried to get bored as Blue Waters Hotel offers so many activities you can spend 10 days there without doing any twice. With 3 restaurants, BBQ’s, and other special events there is a huge choice for dinner. Three bars will keep you hydrated during the day too. The villas are comfortable with huge rooms and private swimming pools. I had a great stay and wished that I could have stayed longer to enjoy more of the pools and beaches.
For more hotel information and booking options, visit the website of Blue Waters Resort or subscribe to the Facebook page of Blue Waters Resort to receive the latest hotel news.
Photo Gallery
Dont miss an edition