Travel Rewards Credit Cards That Beat Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a preeminent travel rewards credit card option that many travelers aspire to eventually have. However, it has two key sticking points that don't jive with many consumers. For starters, a strong credit score is generally required for approval, with data suggesting that at least 740 or better is necessary, per The Points Guy. With the average U.S. credit score just 713 in 2025 (via Experian), most consumers will find themselves outside the approval window. Similarly, the yearly $795 fee is more expensive than many card users are willing or able to pay annually. A high annual fee can contribute to rolling balances that ultimately eat into the rewards you accumulate, which is a major downside to rewards credit cards. 

The Sapphire Reserve card comes with a wealth of travel and other benefits that reload every year to the tune of a $3,000 value. It also delivers valuable point multipliers (including 4x points on hotels and flights booked directly with providers and 3x points on global dining expenses). However, if you can't bring yourself to part with nearly $800 for the privilege, or you need to continue raising your credit score for approval, there are some solid alternatives. A few standout cards worth considering include the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Venture X Rewards cards. There are also even less expensive options that still provide solid travel rewards points, including Wells Fargo's Autograph Journey and U.S. Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature. All are similar to the Sapphire Reserve, but come with a lower barrier to entry and a lower annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card was rated NerdWallet's best all-purpose travel rewards credit card for 2026, and features a similar introductory offer as the Sapphire Reserve (75,000 points after $5,000 spent compared to the Reserve's 100,000 after $6,000 spent, both in the first three months). The Preferred card also features the same 3x points on dining out while offering 2x points on travel expenses and 3x on gas and EV charging costs. It comes with a recommended credit score for approval as low as 690, meaning the card's $95 annual fee and approval threshold are both more attainable for average consumers.

Another option is Capital One's Venture X Rewards card. This card has a recommended credit score threshold of 720, placing it between the Sapphire Reserve and the average consumer's score. It features a $395 annual fee that can sting, but you can earn a bonus of 75,000 miles (equivalent to $750 in travel costs) when you spend $4,000 in the first three months — a similar redemption offer to the Sapphire Reserve but at a lower spending threshold. The baseline earning figure is 2x miles compared to the Reserve's 1x on uncategorized spending. The Venture X card also offers 10x miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capitol One's travel portal — outpacing Chase's 8x points via its own travel portal. You'll also get up to $300 in annual credit for bookings made through the portal and 10,000 bonus miles at each anniversary, effectively offsetting the annual fee.

Another option is the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card. It features a $95 annual fee and a 690 recommended credit score (with a $4,000 spend required to get an introductory 60,000 bonus points). This makes it more attainable for the average consumer while also requiring a smaller initial spend than the Sapphire Reserve. It provides 5x points when booking hotels directly, 4x on airline expenses, and 3x when paying for restaurant meals and other travel expenses, largely mirroring the point multipliers and categories of the more expensive Chase alternative. This option also comes with a $50 annual statement credit on airline purchases.

Consumers might also consider the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card. This is a solid rewards card that delivers numerous high point multiplier categories, including 4x points on miscellaneous travel expenses, 5x points on rental cars and hotels booked through U.S. Bank's travel center, and 4x points on the first $1,000 spent each quarter on gas or EV charging costs. It promises a low introductory APR that can make it a valuable balance transfer card, too (a good way to consolidate credit card debt). You'll also bank 2x points on payments to streaming services, grocery expenses, and restaurant bills, and it comes with a 20,000 point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. You'll also get a statement credit of up to $100 on TSA PreCheck or Global Entry alongside four free annual entries into participating airport lounges.