Chase recently shook up the travel world by quietly rebranding its luxury hotel collection. It’s now called The Edit by Chase, and honestly, it’s a lot more than just a name change. If you’ve got a Sapphire Reserve card tucked in your wallet, you probably already knew about the "Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection." But that felt old. Stuffy. The Edit is clearly Chase's attempt to go head-to-head with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, and it’s honestly about time.
Let's be real. When you’re paying a $550 annual fee, you want to feel like a VIP when you check in. You want the free breakfast. You want the room upgrade that makes you feel like you’ve actually "made it."
The list of The Edit hotels Chase provides is curated. It’s not just every Marriott or Hilton on the block. We’re talking about properties like the Aman New York, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and boutique spots in Europe that you’ve probably seen on your Instagram feed. But here’s the kicker: not all "luxury" hotels make the cut, and that’s actually a good thing for us.
What is The Edit by Chase, anyway?
Basically, it's a hand-picked portfolio of roughly 1,000 properties worldwide. Think of it as a "best-of" list. If a hotel is on this list, Chase has basically vetted it to ensure it meets a certain standard of service and aesthetic. You can't just book these through Expedia and get the perks. You have to use the Chase Travel portal.
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Wait. I know.
Usually, "booking through a portal" is a dirty phrase in the points and miles community. Why? Because you usually lose out on hotel elite status earnings. If you book a Hyatt through a portal, Hyatt generally won't give you those precious qualifying nights. However, The Edit is a bit different. Because these are considered "luxury" bookings, many users report that they still receive on-site benefits and sometimes even loyalty points, though it’s never 100% guaranteed. It’s a gamble, but often a winning one.
The perks are the real reason people hunt down the list of The Edit hotels Chase offers. Every single booking comes with a suite of "standard" benefits:
- Daily breakfast for two (usually a $60-$100 value at these places).
- A property credit worth at least $100 (for spa treatments or dinner).
- Room upgrades, but only if they have space.
- Early check-in and late check-out (again, based on availability).
The Heavy Hitters on the List
If you’re looking for where to actually spend your money or points, you have to look at the flagship properties. In London, you’ve got The Savoy. It’s iconic. It’s expensive. Using The Edit here is a massive win because that $100 credit goes a long way toward a round of cocktails at the American Bar.
Then there’s the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. It’s one of the most exclusive hotels in the United States. If you can find it on the Chase portal, you’re getting a level of service that’s hard to find elsewhere.
What's interesting is how Chase has balanced the list. It’s not just $1,000-a-night behemoths. You’ll find "approachable" luxury like certain Kimpton properties or Thompson Hotels. These are great because the $100 credit represents a much larger percentage of your total stay cost. If the room is $300 and you get $100 back in food plus free breakfast, you’re basically staying for half price.
Why the "Boutique" Focus Matters
Amex has always been the king of the "Big Box" luxury hotel. Think Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. Chase seems to be pivoting slightly toward the design-forward, boutique experience. They want the traveler who cares about the thread count but also wants a cool rooftop bar where the DJ doesn't suck.
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For example, look at the inclusion of 1 Hotels. The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai is on the list. It’s stunning. It’s sustainable. It’s exactly the kind of place a Sapphire Reserve cardholder wants to be seen. By focusing on these lifestyle brands, Chase is carving out a niche that feels younger and more "in the know" than the traditional platinum-card crowd.
The Strategy: When to Use The Edit vs. Direct Booking
This is where people get tripped up.
If you are a Hyatt Globalist, you might be better off booking directly. Why? Because your Globalist perks already include breakfast and upgrades. Using The Edit might be redundant.
But!
If you don’t have status—or if you’re staying at a non-chain boutique hotel—The Edit is a goldmine. Imagine you’re going to a small luxury hotel in Tuscany. You have zero status. You book through The Edit, and suddenly you’re the person getting the $100 credit for a wine tasting and a free breakfast spread that would have cost you 40 Euros a person.
The math almost always favors The Edit for short, 1-2 night stays. For longer stays, you have to weigh the portal price against the direct price. Sometimes the portal is $20 more expensive per night. Is $40 worth $100 in credit and free breakfast? Usually, yes.
Common Misconceptions About the List
One big myth is that you can only use points. Nope. You can pay with your card and still get all the perks. In fact, many pro travelers prefer to pay cash (well, credit) for these stays to earn 3x or even 10x points on the purchase, then use those points later for high-value airline transfers.
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Another misconception? That the "upgrades" are guaranteed. They aren't. Don’t walk into the Four Seasons expecting the Presidential Suite because you booked through Chase. You'll likely get a "better view" or a room on a higher floor. If you want a suite, buy a suite.
How to Find the Full List
Chase doesn’t make it incredibly easy to see a static PDF of every hotel. The list is dynamic. It changes based on contracts and availability. To see the current list of The Edit hotels Chase has active, you have to log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, navigate to the Travel section, and look specifically for "The Edit" badge.
It’s worth noting that this is currently limited to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. If you have the Sapphire Preferred, you’re mostly out of luck here. Chase uses this program as a "velvet rope" to keep people paying that higher annual fee.
Hidden Gems to Watch For
- Hotel de Russie, Rome: Absolute legend. The garden is world-class.
- The Miami Beach EDITION: Perfect for that specific blend of party and luxury.
- Auberge Resorts: Almost any Auberge property on the list is going to be a home run. They are consistently high-quality and the $100 credit often covers a high-end activity like a guided hike or a private tasting.
The Reality Check
Is it perfect? No. The Chase portal can sometimes be glitchy. Customer service through the portal isn't always as smooth as calling a hotel directly. If you need to cancel a trip, dealing with a third-party (which the portal technically is) can be a headache.
But for the traveler who wants the perks without the "grind" of earning elite status through 60 nights a year at a Marriott, this is the ultimate shortcut. It’s about buying your way into the "cool kids" club for the weekend.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Check the Price Gap: Always open two tabs. One with the hotel's direct website and one with the Chase Travel portal. If the price difference is less than $50, book through The Edit. The breakfast and credit will more than cover the gap.
- Call the Hotel After Booking: About 48 hours after you book through the portal, call the hotel’s front desk. Confirm they see your "The Edit" (or LHRC) benefits attached to the reservation. This prevents "clueless front desk" syndrome upon arrival.
- Use the Credit Early: Don’t wait until the last night to use your $100 property credit. Use it on day one for lunch or a spa appointment. If there’s an issue with the credit appearing on your bill, it’s much easier to fix while you still have a few days left in your stay.
- Leverage Your 10x Points: Remember that Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn 10x total points on hotels booked through Chase Travel. On a $1,200 weekend stay, that’s 12,000 points—enough for a one-way domestic flight or a cheap Hyatt night later.
- Look for "Special Offers": Often, the list will include "3rd night free" or "4th night free" deals. This is where the real value lives. These deals can bring the effective nightly rate down significantly, making luxury properties cheaper than mid-tier hotels.