The Chase Sapphire Reserve added benefits in 2024 that expand travel protections and lounge access

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel card with an annual fee of $550. In 2024, Chase expanded the card's benefits package, primarily by broadening which airport lounges cardholders can access and adding new travel insurance protections. If you already hold this card, some benefits became available automatically; others require you to enroll or set up them through your Chase account.

The changes matter most if you travel frequently or want more flexibility in how you spend your card's travel credits. The new benefits do not change the card's core earning structure — you still earn 3X points on travel and dining, and 1X on everything else — but they do change what you get for holding the card beyond the points themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders now have access to more airport lounges through both Priority Pass and a new partnership with Amex Centurion lounges in select cities.
  • The card added trip cancellation and interruption insurance that covers prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason.
  • Emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling internationally is now included, covering treatment up to certain limits.
  • The $300 annual travel credit can now be used more flexibly, including on baggage fees, parking, and tolls in addition to flights and hotels.
  • You may need to register for some benefits through your Chase account or contact customer service to set up lounge access.

Expanded Airport Lounge Access

The most visible change is lounge access. Sapphire Reserve cardholders have always received Priority Pass Select, which grants entry to thousands of airport lounges worldwide. Chase expanded this benefit by adding access to certain American Express Centurion lounges in major U.S. airports, even though this is a Chase card. As of 2024, this includes lounges in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco, though the list varies and may expand.

Priority Pass access itself remains unchanged — you get unlimited visits to participating lounges globally, and you can bring one guest free. The Amex Centurion lounge access is an addition on top of that. Both require you to have the Priority Pass app or card activated through your Chase account. If you have not yet set this up, log into your Chase account online or call the number on the back of your card to request your Priority Pass membership.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Chase added trip cancellation and interruption insurance to the Sapphire Reserve benefit package. This covers prepaid, non-refundable trip costs — such as flights, hotels, and tours — if you need to cancel or cut short a trip for a covered reason. Covered reasons typically include sudden illness or injury to you or a family member, death of a family member, or job loss.

The insurance reimburses you for the prepaid costs you cannot recover from the travel provider or another source. Coverage limits and specific exclusions vary, so you should review the full terms in your benefits guide (available through your Chase account or by calling customer service) before relying on this for a trip. You do not need to register for this benefit — it is automatic — but you do need to have charged the trip to your Sapphire Reserve card.

International Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage

The card now includes emergency medical and dental coverage while you are traveling outside the United States. If you need urgent dental work or medical treatment while abroad, this benefit covers the cost up to a stated limit. The coverage is secondary, meaning it pays after your health insurance, so it functions as a safety net if you are traveling without coverage or if your regular insurance does not cover international care.

This benefit is automatic and requires no enrollment. However, you should notify your health insurance provider before traveling internationally to understand what they cover abroad, so you know whether this card benefit will be your primary or secondary coverage. Keep receipts and documentation of any treatment you receive, as you will need to submit a claim to Chase to be reimbursed.

Broader Use of the $300 Travel Credit

The Sapphire Reserve includes a $300 annual travel credit that offsets the card's $550 annual fee. Previously, this credit applied mainly to flights, hotels, and rental cars booked through Chase's travel portal or directly with travel providers. Chase expanded the definition of may be able to access purchases to include baggage fees, parking, tolls, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.

The credit still does not cover meals, entertainment, or general shopping while traveling — only transportation-related costs. The credit posts automatically when you make an may be able to access purchase; you do not need to register or claim it. If you do not use the full $300 in a calendar year, the unused amount does not roll over to the next year.

How to set up and Use These New Benefits

Most of these benefits are automatic once you have the card. However, Priority Pass lounge access requires set up. Log into your Chase account online, navigate to your Sapphire Reserve benefits, and request your Priority Pass membership. You will receive a membership number and can read the Priority Pass app to find lounges and check in.

For trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical coverage, no action is required — these are built into your card. For the expanded travel credit, straightforward use your card for may be able to access purchases and the credit will explore automatically at checkout or on your statement.

If you have questions about any benefit, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Chase customer service can confirm which benefits are active on your account, help you enroll in Priority Pass if you have not already, and explain the terms of insurance coverage before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to use the Priority Pass lounges?

No. Priority Pass membership is included with the Sapphire Reserve at no additional cost beyond the card's annual fee. You may be charged a fee if you bring more than one guest, depending on the lounge's policy, but your own entry is free.

Can I use the $300 travel credit on a cruise?

Cruise fares themselves are typically covered if you book through a travel provider or directly with the cruise line. However, onboard expenses and shore excursions are not covered. Check your specific cruise booking to see whether the initial fare qualifies.

What happens if I cancel my trip but don't claim the insurance?

The insurance does not pay out automatically. You must file a claim with Chase, providing documentation of the covered reason for cancellation and proof of the prepaid costs. Chase will then reimburse you up to the benefit limit. Keep all receipts and cancellation confirmations.

Does the emergency medical coverage work if I already have travel insurance?

Yes. The card's coverage is secondary, meaning it pays after your primary insurance. If you have a travel insurance policy, that policy pays first, and the card benefit covers any remaining costs up to its limit.

Can I use the travel credit on gas or car rentals?

Car rentals are covered. Gas purchases are not, unless you are paying at a rental car company's fuel station as part of a rental agreement. Parking and tolls are covered as of 2024.