Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Last week, Chase introduced the much-anticipated Sapphire Reserve Card, and I was fortunate enough to receive my card a couple days later. The perks are absolutely fantastic (we detail them here), and include a $300 travel credit issued each calendar year.Unlike with competing premium travel rewards cards, however, the Reserve card’s $300 credit applies to any travel purchase, so I decided to take it for a spin with United’s “award accelerator” option. I ended up purchasing 45,000 United miles for $900 (a reasonable 2 cents per mile), which I could end up using toward a redemption in United’s soon-to-be-released Polaris business class (pictured above).Much to my surprise, the credit posted instantly — as in, it hit my account the very same day the $900 purchase posted. That means you won’t need to make an eligible purchase and pay it off only to get the credit a few weeks later. And while a potential delay wouldn’t be a “make it or break it” detail, it’s certainly better to have your credit sooner than later.Have a question about the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card? Check out our Q&A. See these posts for more:Chase Sapphire Reserve Review and Application LinkQuestions and Answers About the Chase Sapphire Reserve CardEverything You Need to Know About Chase Sapphire Reserve PerksChase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Benefits, Coverage & MoreHow have you used your $300 annual travel credit?Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.
