How do I use the TSA Precheck benefit on Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The only surefire way to get the $550 Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee waived is if you’re an active servicemember and you check that box on the application. As long as Chase can confirm your active duty status, they won’t charge you any fees. Otherwise, your odds of getting a Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee waiver are next to none. ... read full answerChase Sapphire Preferred Card also has a $95 annual fee. But it’s not like Chase will penalize you for asking for a fee waiver, so why not give it a shot?

There are a few details you should be aware of before calling and asking for a fee waiver, though. And in the likely event that you don’t get one, you’ll need to know what perks are available to determine whether Sapphire Reserve is worth it.

Here’s what you should know about Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee waivers:

• If you’re in the armed forces full-time, you’re eligible to have all Sapphire Reserve fees waived, except for the returned check fee. You can get this benefit by indicating your service on the application (there’s a box to check off) or by calling Chase customer service at 1-800-432-3117. Chase will have to verify your status.
• If you want to try for a fee waiver or reduction, you can call the number on the back of your card or the general Chase customer service line: 1-800-432-3117.
• According to people who’ve had luck with fee waivers on other credit cards, having a high income and spending a lot can help. Since the issuer is already making a lot of money from the fees it charges merchants when you make purchases, the thinking goes, they might be more willing to give you a break.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve initial bonus is worth $900 in travel through Chase, which covers more than a year and a half of annual fees. And if you’re a frequent traveler, you should always get more than $450 in value per year, between the $300 annual travel credit, free airport lounge access, 3 points per $1 spent on travel and more benefits.

While it’s unlikely that you’ll get the Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fee waived, you might as well try. The worst that can happen is Chase will say “no.” But if you do have to pay $550 every year, just make sure you take advantage of the card’s huge list of benefits in order to get your money’s worth. That or get one of the many credit cards with no annual fee.

Your Chase Sapphire Reserve approval odds are decent if you have a credit score of 750 or higher, which is considered excellent credit. Chase doesn’t publicly disclose their exact approval criteria. But they will definitely look at income level and current debt load as well as credit history.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Approval Odds Info... read full answer

• Chase Sapphire Reserve requires excellent credit for a strong chance of approval, which means a score over 750. Many people consider a score of 720 or above to be excellent, but WalletHub has found that 750 is really where the odds begin to tip in your favor.
• The average person’s Chase Sapphire Reserve approval odds aren’t so hot. The average credit score is just 695, according to the latest WalletHub data.
• Chase considers monthly housing payments, home ownership status, annual income and the source of that income, in addition to pulling credit reports.
• The odds of approval will be slim for people who have opened several new credit card accounts in a short timeframe. It’s better to allow at least six months between applications.

To have the best Chase Sapphire Reserve approval odds, your credit score must be in top shape. If you need to improve your score, WalletHub’s free credit analysis can tell you what steps to take. And you can track your progress with WalletHub’s free daily credit score updates.