The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cards come with premium benefits—but also premium annual fees of $795. Among the many perks, one that stands out is the $500 annual hotel credit toward stays in The Edit, Chase’s curated collection of luxury hotels and resorts.
This credit can help offset the high annual fee—if you know how to use it right. Here’s how the benefit works, who it’s best for, and what to watch out for.
💡 What Is “The Edit”?
The Edit is Chase’s luxury hotel program, available to eligible Sapphire Reserve cardholders through the Chase Travel portal. It includes more than 1,100 upscale properties worldwide and offers perks similar to those found with AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Perks at The Edit Hotels Include:
-
Daily breakfast for two
-
$100 property credit (can be used toward dining, spa, or other on-site services)
-
Complimentary room upgrade at check-in (if available)
-
Early check-in and late checkout (if available)
-
Free Wi-Fi
⚠️ Important: These perks are not guaranteed for every property. Always check the fine print for what’s actually included with your booking.
💵 How the $500 The Edit Credit Works
Chase offers up to $500 per calendar year, split into two $250 credits. Initially, these were tied to specific halves of the year, but starting in 2026, they’ll be applied to the first two eligible bookings made in the calendar year—regardless of when you travel.
Key Rules:
-
Bookings must be prepaid stays of at least two nights
-
Credit is based on the booking date, not travel date
-
Rates must be booked directly through Chase Travel using the Sapphire Reserve card
-
Credits do not roll over year to year
-
You can combine points and cash when booking
-
Authorized users share the same $500 annual cap
Example:
Book a two-night stay in January 2026 at an Edit hotel and pay $600. You’ll automatically get a $250 credit for that reservation. Later, you book another qualifying stay and get the second $250 credit—no additional steps required.
👍 What We Like About the Edit Credit
✅ Easy to Use
No codes, forms, or extra steps. Just book through Chase Travel and pay with your Sapphire Reserve card. Chase typically applies the credit within days, even though it may take up to 6–8 weeks officially.
✅ Works with Points + Cash
You can pay with a mix of points and cash. If you’re using Chase’s Points Boost feature (which gives Sapphire Reserve cardholders 2 cents per point at Edit properties), this is a great way to stretch your rewards further.
Example: A $681 stay at the St. Regis Bangkok could be paid using:
-
21,569 points (worth $431.38)
-
$250 (which is covered by your Edit credit)
✅ Covers Resort Fees (Usually)
Unlike many other programs, Chase’s prepaid rates typically include taxes and resort fees. That means you can cover the entire cost, including those annoying resort fees, using your credit or points.
📝 Note: Chase’s booking portal sometimes lists resort fees as “taxes,” and if you have hotel elite status that waives those fees, you could end up paying more than necessary.
✅ Credits Apply When You Book
You don’t need to complete your stay in the same calendar year—just book it. For example, a November 2025 booking for a stay in April 2026 would count toward your 2025 credits.
✅ Back-to-Back Bookings Work
Want to use both $250 credits in one trip? Just split your four-night stay into two bookings of two nights each. Hotels will often merge the reservations at check-in so you don’t have to switch rooms.
👎 Drawbacks to Watch Out For
❌ $250 Doesn’t Go Far
After reviewing over 50 Edit properties, the average nightly rate was $929, and the median rate was $669. That means the $250 credit won’t even cover one night, and you need at least two nights to use the credit at all.
❌ You Might Pay More Through Chase
In comparisons between Chase Travel, AmEx Travel, and direct hotel booking sites:
-
Chase had the lowest price only once
-
Competing options were $10+ cheaper than Chase’s price in over half of the cases
While Chase includes some perks, you may be paying a premium for them. If you’re effectively “paying more to save,” the credit’s value drops.
❌ No Credit on Points Portion
Even though you earn 8X points on Chase Travel purchases, you’ll only earn points on the amount after the $250 credit is applied. That’s similar to how the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 general travel credit works.
❌ Two-Night Minimum
This limits flexibility and makes it harder to use for shorter getaways or budget travel. If you’re someone who prefers one-night stays, this benefit likely won’t be useful to you.
🧠 Tips to Maximize The Edit Credit
-
Use It Early in the Year – Since the credit is triggered by the booking date, using it early locks in value before you forget.
-
Combine with Points – Take advantage of the 2¢ per point valuation for maximum value.
-
Look for Lower-Cost Properties – Some Edit hotels are under $500/night. Use filters in the Chase portal to target these.
-
Double Up Credits – Book back-to-back two-night stays to use both $250 credits in one trip.
-
Compare Rates Elsewhere – Always cross-check with hotel websites and AmEx Travel to ensure you’re not overpaying.
📌 Final Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offer a lot of value for frequent travelers—but only if you use the benefits strategically. The $500 Edit credit is valuable for those who already stay in luxury hotels, but its limitations (high minimum spend, two-night stay requirement, inflated rates) make it less appealing for budget-conscious travelers.
If you’re going to spend big on hotels anyway, this benefit can significantly offset your costs. But if luxury stays aren’t your norm, you may find more flexible value from other card perks or even alternative travel cards.
