Back in August, Chase launched a fantastic new card and Amazing 100,000 Sign Up on their Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. I applied and was finally approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. In this post, let’s take a look at the $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases. What’s included and what isn’t?

100K Chase Sapphire Reserve Maximizing Annual Travel Credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has many great benefits:

• Earn 100K bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,500 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel
• 3X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, no foreign transaction fees
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,500 toward travel
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 900+ airport lounges worldwide with complimentary Priority Passâ„¢ Select membership
• Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Preè
• No blackout dates or travel restrictions – as long as there’s a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100K Offer: Travel Protections

In this post, let’s take a look at the $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases such as airfare and hotels charged to your card.

Merchants in the travel category include:

• airlines,
• hotels,
• motels,
• timeshares,
• campgrounds,
• car rental agencies,
• cruise lines,
• travel agencies,
• discount travel sites,
• and operators of passenger trains,
• buses,
• taxis,
• limousines,
• ferries,
• toll bridges and highways,
• and parking lots and garages.

What is Not Included?

Please note that some merchants that provide transportation and travel-related services are not included in this category; for example, real estate agents, websites or owners that rent vacation properties, in-flight goods and services, on-board cruise line goods and services, sightseeing activities, tourist attractions, merchants within airports, and merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling. In addition, the purchasing of points or miles does not qualify in this category.

The $300 Annual Travel Credit is per calendar year, which means you can get $600 in travel refunds in your first cardmembership year with a $300 credit in 2016 and a $300 credit in 2017. This really makes a big impact on the cost of the annual fee ($450.)

You are also entitled to either: one (1) $100 statement credit per account, OR one (1) $85 statement credit per account, every 4 years in connection with the Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® program application fee.

Note that if you have opened 5 or more credit cards in the past 2 years, Chase’s 5/24 rule could make it difficult to get approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Bottom Line

Now that I have received my Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Packet and charged my minimum spend requirement, I am awaiting the credit of my 100k points. I am also looking for ways to get my $300 in travel credit early. How about you, have you been able to pick up the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?