If you rent cars even a few times a year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) offer excellent benefits.

Both cards earn bonus points on rental cars booked through Chase Travel℠, and cardholders can take advantage of an annual $300 travel credit and excellent insurance coverage.

Here’s what makes a Sapphire Reserve card the best premium card for rental cars, how you can maximize its benefits and what fine print to keep in mind.

Why Sapphire Reserve cards are great for renting cars

There are three key benefits that make either of the Sapphire Reserve cards an excellent choice for rental cars. These include:

• Earning 8 points per dollar spent when you book a car via Chase Travel
• Having access to primary rental car insurance when you decline an agency’s collision damage waiver
• Discounts and perks with Avis, Hertz or National when booking directly

Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car

Book through Chase Travel for maximum bonus points

Both Sapphire Reserve cards earn 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel purchases, including rental cars.

In my experience, Chase Travel car rental prices are competitive, sometimes lower than booking directly with rental agencies. Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuations, you’ll get an approximate 16% return.

For example, when searching for a rental car in Charlotte, Chase offers an intermediate car through Hertz for around $100 a day. You’d earn 2,382 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from this booking, worth about $49 based on TPG’s valuations.

If I book directly with Hertz, the prepaid rate is about $97 a day. However, the rate to pay at the counter is $130 a day. Chase Travel is slightly cheaper, and, most importantly, it offers free cancellation up to 72 hours before the reservation starts, whereas the direct booking is nonrefundable after 24 hours.

Before booking with Chase Travel or directly with the rental agency, review the cancellation policies and any elite status perks available to you. That can help you determine which channel to book through.

I prefer booking through Chase Travel because the earning rate of 8 points per dollar is excellent. Not to mention, the Sapphire Reserve only earns 1 point per dollar spent on all other travel (outside of direct airline or hotel purchases).

Maximize the $300 travel credit

Both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business also offer an annual $300 travel credit. Unlike travel credits from other issuers, Chase’s broad definition of travel makes the credit applicable to any travel purchase, even those outside of Chase Travel.

A few years ago, I booked a rental car directly with Enterprise in Hawaii, and a couple of days later, I received my travel credit.

Just note that you won’t earn bonus points on any amount covered by the $300 travel credit.

Related: How long does it take to receive statement credits from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?

Stay protected with rental car insurance

Chase offers primary rental car insurance to cardholders of both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business. You must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver/loss damage waiver to use the benefit, and coverage only applies to rentals for up to 31 consecutive days.

If the car rental agency requires it, you can request a letter of coverage — which is proof of your auto rental coverage — through chasecardbenefits.com.

Having previously purchased rental agency insurance, this benefit saves me between $35 and $60 per day.

Both Sapphire Reserve cards will reimburse up to $75,000 for damage to a rental car caused by theft or collision, and coverage is worldwide. Note that this covers the rental vehicle and won’t cover personal injuries or damages to other vehicles or objects. Both Sapphire Reserve cards’ primary car insurance policies have the same list of excluded cars and motorized vehicles, and coverage does not extend to off-road driving or if you are under the influence of an intoxicant.

The cards differ in how the insurance protection benefit is applied. With the Sapphire Reserve for Business, primary car rental insurance applies only to car rentals for commercial or business purposes. If it’s for personal use, the coverage is secondary to any other insurance the primary driver may possess. However, the coverage acts as primary if the driver has no other insurance.

As a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, your car rental is covered regardless of whether it is for personal or business use. For New York residents, when renting within the U.S., the coverage is primary unless you have personal car insurance, in which case it’s excess coverage.

Related: How to rent a car without a credit card

Take advantage of Visa Infinite privileges

Both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business come with the Visa Infinite designation, giving cardholders additional perks with rental car agencies. These benefits include:

Considering the Visa Infinite perks for rental cars, booking directly can be enticing. I’ve activated my benefits as a Sapphire Reserve cardholder and have elite status with Avis and National. Both Sapphire Reserve cards offer a range of perks, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons.

Although you’ll get a discount with one of the agencies, compare the price to Chase Travel. If you’re saving significant money and can receive an upgrade, a return grace period or other ancillary benefits, then go for it.

I prefer earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, so if the price difference is negligible, I would rather earn 8 points per dollar than 1 point per dollar.

Related: Hitting the road on your vacation? Everything you need to know about rental car elite status

Bottom line

Both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business offer high earning rates on rental car bookings, the ability to use a travel credit to offset its cost and industry-leading primary insurance coverage.

If you book rental cars often, consider one of these cards to help you earn bonus points along the way.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business