Top Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Active Military Personnel

The challenges faced by active-duty military personnel are unparalleled in their intensity. In this demanding role, it's crucial to equip yourself not only with the necessary military gear but also with resources that can simplify your daily life. One of the major sources of stress for me and my family during active duty was the constant travel.

With this in mind, I want to discuss a travel resource I wish had been available in its current form during my service to make that aspect of my life more manageable. I’m referring to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which made a significant impact on the credit card market when it launched in 2016 and remains one of the most rewarding options available today.

Let's explore the card benefits that are particularly advantageous for service members so you can determine if it should be part of your financial toolkit.

No annual fee

On September 20, 2017, Chase implemented a major policy adjustment to adhere to the Military Lending Act (MLA). Due to the 36% MAPR (military annual percentage rate) limit, which includes fees for credit card accounts, Chase opted to waive the $550 annual fee for the Sapphire Reserve for military personnel on any accounts opened from that date forward.

Following the same policy, Chase has eliminated all account fees — with the exception of late payment and insufficient funds fees. This also applies to the $75 authorized-user fees. These benefits extend to military dependents who are primary cardholders, provided they are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

The fee waivers are reportedly being automatically applied to new accounts as Chase verifies Social Security numbers against DOD databases. A letter outlining the MLA benefits is typically sent to military cardholders or their dependents soon after they receive the card. If you don’t receive it, you can always send a secure message through Chase.com or call the Chase military desk at 1-877-469-0110 to request your benefits. Being able to get the card, the sign-up bonus, and all the Chase Sapphire Reserve perks (including the annual $300 travel credit) without the annual fee is an exceptional advantage for military members.

Redeem points for a value of 1.5 cents each or more

Chase Ultimate Rewards are points accumulated through the Sapphire Reserve, which can be transferred to 11 airline and three hotel partners. This opens up opportunities to derive exceptional value from your points, whether by indulging in a stay at a Park Hyatt hotel or securing a seat in international business or first class. While on active duty, you may find it challenging to allocate time or plan ahead to fully utilize these strategies for maximizing your points, but rest assured, these options are available when you're ready.

Explore Chase Travel℠, where you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Sapphire Reserve — or combined from other Ultimate Rewards cards linked to your Sapphire Reserve — at a rate of 1.5 cents each for any travel booked through that platform.

You can use your points to book a flight, hotel, rental car, cruise, or local experience at this fixed rate of 1.5 cents per point.

For instance, if a plane ticket costs $200, it would require 13,333 points when booked through Chase with the Sapphire Reserve. This offers incredible value compared to many other rewards programs. Additionally, bookings made through the portal are generally considered paid tickets by airlines (most of the time), allowing you to earn redeemable and elite-qualifying airline miles on these tickets.

Priority Pass airport lounge membership

As the U.S. military travels extensively around the globe, having access to airport lounges in remote commercial airports can be invaluable. The Priority Pass Lounge membership provides entry to over 1,300 lounges, and as a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you can bring unlimited guests each time you visit a lounge.

While I wouldn’t suggest bringing your whole ship’s crew into the lounge, inviting your entire family should be perfectly fine. Throughout my nine years of military travel, I was delighted to discover a Priority Pass lounge in nearly every airport the Navy required me to visit across Asia and the Middle East.

$300 annual travel credit

Each membership year, you will receive a $300 travel credit that can be applied to almost any purchase that qualifies as travel.

If you're uncertain whether an expense qualifies as "travel," the Chase website provides a clear definition:

"Merchants classified under the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental companies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel websites, as well as operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges, highways, and parking lots and garages."

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

If you're serving in the military, obtaining Global Entry and TSA PreCheck is essential.

If you serve for several years, you're likely to travel internationally, often by commercial airlines. Take advantage of the up to $100 credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck included with your Sapphire Reserve to skip the immigration lines on your return.

You’ll receive reimbursement for the fee once every four years. If you already hold Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can use this waiver to enroll a friend or family member for free. The credit is available for anyone, not just the cardholder.

When is the best time to enroll?

If I were still serving and searching for a credit card, this would be my top choice.

With no annual fee, excellent rewards, and a host of travel perks, this card deserves a prime spot in your wallet. It's also wise to begin with a Chase card to optimize your 5/24 policy status before exploring other issuers.

Regardless of military status, everyone should ensure their credit is healthy before applying and confirm that their family has established clear and consistent financial goals, particularly before a deployment or lengthy travel.

In summary

The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides outstanding travel perks without an annual fee for active-duty military personnel. Be sure to consider additional card benefits, including trip delay insurance, access to the Luxury Hotel & Resort collection, and primary collision damage waiver coverage for rental cars. It's also wise to invest some time in learning how to maximize your Ultimate Rewards points to fully leverage this fantastic offering.