Travelers who use high-end credit cards to upgrade their hotel experiences will have something to look out for in 2026: Chase has officially begun to roll out significant changes to the hotel benefits on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cards. These changes mean more choice for cardholders, quicker access to credits, and additional ways to reduce out-of-pocket hotel expenditure.

Effective January 1, 2026, Chase has reworked how its luxury hotel credits work and added an entirely new benefit for select hotel brands. Taken together, these moves make the already attractive Sapphire Reserve lineup even more so for frequent travelers booking hotels through Chase Travel.

Below, find everything you need to know: how the new credits work; how to maximize the value of those credits throughout the year; and more.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Hotel Benefits Enter a New Era

Chase Sapphire Reserve cards have long been heralded for offering strong travel perks, though their hotel credits were previously somewhat hamstrung by timing restrictions. The value was there, though flexibility often wasn't.

With the 2026 updates, Chase unquestionably readjusted itself towards usability: Cardholders can use their hotel credits earlier in the year and more strategically across a wider swath of properties. Changes affect two major areas:

• $500 annual credit towards The Edit by Chase Travel
• A new $250 annual hotel credit for select Chase Travel partners

Both benefits are now active and can be utilized.

Understanding Edit by Chase Travel Collection

Before jumping into what has changed, it helps to first understand what The Edit by Chase Travel actually is. The Edit is Chase's curated luxury hotel program; it includes access to high-end properties around the world. The typical hotels that are usually included are premium brands and independent luxury resorts known for offering exceptional service.

Bookings through The Edit include many high-value on-property extras, such as

• Daily breakfast for two
• Property credits-usually towards dinner or spa usage
• Room upgrades upon availability
• Early check-in or late check-out, if possible

These are, in fact, the points that make The Edit especially appealing to travelers who enjoy luxury stays but prefer not to incur added charges for special privileges.

How $500 The Edit Credit Works in 2026

The annual credit of $500 for The Edit used to be divided into two installments of $250, renewable every six months. This guaranteed the consumption to be steady throughout the year, but restricted flexibility.

As of January 1, 2026 that restriction has been removed.

Now, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve Business cardmembers can receive up to $250 per pre-paid The Edit booking, up to $500 total in a calendar year. There is no longer a waiting period between credits.

This means that travelers can:

• Use both $250 credits back-to-back.
• Book two stays separately early in the year
• Fully utilize the $500 credit without waiting six months.

When you book an eligible, prepaid booking through Chase Travel, the credit is applied automatically.

What this flexibility means for travelers

The new structure greatly simplifies trip planning: Travelers do not have to artificially extend luxury stays just so they can maximize their credit. Instead, bookings can actually align with real travel needs.

For example,

• Here, a $500 credit would pay for a weekend in January and another one in February.
• Two stays on consecutive days at different properties can both be qualified as luxury hotel stays.
• Early-year travel planners can extract maximum value immediately

There is one important limitation to keep in mind, however. If you book consecutive nights at the same hotel under separate reservations, you will only receive one set of on-property benefits. Chase prevents the stacking of benefits for back-to-back stays at the same property.

Even with this rule, added flexibility makes the credit far more practical for the majority of travelers.

Who can access the edit credit?

Access to The Edit by Chase Travel is available to the following:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cardmembers
• Cardmembers of the J.P. Morgan Reserve

With any one of these cards, you can book an eligible property through Chase Travel and receive the annual credit in addition to the luxury benefits associated with The Edit.

Introducing the New $250 Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Along with renewing the $500 luxury credit, Chase revealed a new $250 annual hotel credit that started in 2026. This benefit allows savings beyond luxury properties and applies to select hotel brands booked through Chase Travel.

• To qualify, bookings must:
• Be pre-paid
• Including a two-night stay minimum
• Be made through Chase Travel

Once these conditions are met, cardholders will receive a $250 statement credit.

Eligible Hotel Brands for $250 Credit

This new credit applies to a handpicked selection of hotel brands that masterfully balance comfort with style and premium experiences. Partners include:

• IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Montage Hotels & Resorts
• Pendry Hotels & Resorts
• Omni Hotels & Resorts
• Virgin Hotels
• Minor Hotels

PAN PACIFIC HOTELS AND RESORTS

This is a varied list, from lifestyle-oriented city hotels to five-star resorts in hip destinations.

Earning Points on top of credit

One of the most important features about this new benefit is that it does not replace points earnings. Cardholders continue earning:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the portion of the reservation not covered by the credit
• Hotel loyalty points for the whole stay, if applicable

This enables the traveler to stack rewards and savings in one instance. The credit brings down your cost, while the points continue to build up to future travel.

For frequent travelers, this combination adds a great deal to the overall value of the Sapphire Reserve cards.

How these credits help to offset the annual fee

Most premium travel cards, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve is no exception, usually boast high annual fees. But if used well, hotel credits will offset a lot of its cost.

By 2026, those eligible cardholders can access:

• Up to $500 in The Edit hotel credits
• Additional $250 in select Chase Travel hotel credits

That's a potential total of $750 in hotel statement credits per year, not considering the other Sapphire Reserve benefits related to travel credits, lounge access, or bonus points.

These credits, if used fully, more than justify the card's annual fee for regular travelers booking hotels.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Chase Sapphire Reserve hotel benefits are without a doubt huge for cardholders. First, increased flexibility with the $500 The Edit by Chase Travel credit, along with the addition of a new $250 hotel credit, opens avenues for more savings, earnings, and ways to enjoy premium stays. In fact, these changes make it easier than ever for travelers who book hotels through Chase Travel to realize real value in the card.

With thoughtful planning, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can convert hotel credits into memorable experiences while significantly reducing travel costs.