Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Recently revamped with over $3,000 in annual credits and perks. If you travel three or more times a year and live near an airport with a Sapphire lounge, this card is a smart choice.
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Side-by-side
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Discover it Miles
Both are travel travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes from Chase at $795/yr; the Discover it Miles from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($2,050 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Miles's. Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve first; revisit the Discover it Miles after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Discover it Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $795 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 125,000 points | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,500 | $450 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $6,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Discover |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Chase_travel) | 8x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$795/yr · 125,000 points
Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Discover it Miles?
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the bigger bonus, 125,000 points, worth roughly $2,500, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
- Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Miles?
- Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $795+ of those credits, the math works. The Discover it Miles at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Discover it Miles?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Discover it Miles first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Reserve: $6,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Miles: $0 in 12 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.