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 Mastercard Titanium Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes from Chase at $795/yr; the Mastercard Titanium Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $299/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 ($2,500 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Titanium Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve first; revisit the Mastercard Titanium Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Mastercard Titanium Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $795 | $299 |
| Sign-up bonus | 125,000 points | No public welcome bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,500 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $6,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Barclays (Luxury Card) |
| 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
Mastercard Titanium Card
$299/yr · No public welcome bonus
Editorial take: Mastercard Titanium Card
The entry tier of the Barclays Luxury Card lineup. The $299 AF buys Priority Pass Select and a real metal card, but earning is weak (1x base, 2x on Luxury Card Travel bookings) and the cash-back redemption rate is only 1 cent per point. Better only as a status-and-lounge play for people who do not want to carry a Sapphire Reserve or Venture X.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Mastercard Titanium Card?
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the bigger bonus, 125,000 points, worth roughly $2,500, versus No public welcome bonus (~$0) on the Mastercard Titanium Card.
- Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Titanium Card?
- 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 Mastercard Titanium Card at $299/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Mastercard Titanium Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Barclays (Luxury Card)) 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 Mastercard Titanium Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Reserve: $6,000 spend in 3 months. Mastercard Titanium Card: $0 in 0 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.