When Chase added Apple subscriptions as a benefit of the refreshed *chase sapphire reserve* earlier this summer, it didn’t make big headlines. But for many cardholders – especially those already paying for Apple services – it could mean easy monthly savings with almost zero effort.
The perk is simple: If you’ve got the Sapphire Reserve, you can get Apple Music (individual plan only) and Apple TV+ for “free” by linking your Chase account to your Apple ID and activating the benefit.
But as always with credit card perks, the devil is in the details. And depending on how you currently pay for Apple services, this could either be a no-brainer money-saver or a perk you can’t really use without changing your setup.
Let's dig in.
Related Reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Hikes Annual Fee, Adds Tons of Perks
How The New Apple Benefit Works
Unlike many card benefits where you’re charged and then reimbursed, the Chase Apple perk works more like an auto-waiver. Once you activate the offer in your Chase account, and then connect your Chase and Apple accounts, Chase just covers the cost. You never see a charge on your statement.
It’s good for:
- Apple Music (individual plan only – $10.99/month)
- Apple TV+ subscription (a value of $9.99/month)
It would be nice if Chase provided a credit towards an Apple Music family plan or a discount from the $16.99 monthly cost – even if it didn't cover the full amount. Otherwise, this benefit provides little value to those looking to share access with others.
These benefits are currently set to run through June 22, 2027, but it’s likely that it could be extended if the partnership proves fruitful for both parties.
My Experience: Unbundling Apple One
Personally, I had been paying for Apple One Premier – Apple's bundle with Apple Music (family), Apple TV+, Arcade, Fitness+, News+, and 2 TB of iCloud storage for a monthly price of $37.95.
Once Chase added these new Apple benefits, I realized I could drop the TV+ subscription entirely from my own bill. That meant unbundling my Apple One plan, since my Sapphire Reserve now covered the TV+ piece. I also decided to remove Arcade, Fitness+, and News+, as I almost never use any of those.
That meant I was keeping only:
- Apple Music family plan — which is not covered by Chase ($16.99 per month)
- 2 TB of iCloud storage ($9.99/month)
It’s not a huge savings, but it was worth streamlining my Apple subscriptions so I wasn’t double-paying for something I could now get for “free.”
Should You Change Your Apple Setup?
If you’re already on an individual Apple Music plan and/or pay for Apple TV+, this perk is a win and can help you offset some of the $795 annual fee on the Sapphire Reserve. Just activate it and link your Apple and Chase accounts, and the monthly charge is waived.
If you’re on a family Apple Music plan like me, though, it’s a tougher call. Downgrading to the individual plan just to use this perk likely won't be worth it, as that would mean other members of my household would lose access.
For Apple One users, it comes down to simple math:
- If Apple TV+ or Apple Music is a small piece of your bundle, you might not save much (or at all) by unbundling.
- But if you can drop enough services to pay à la carte like I did, it could be worth it. I don't use Apple Arcade, News+, or Fitness+, so that was an easy call for me.
How to Activate the Apple Benefits on the Sapphire Reserve
Getting set up is pretty straightforward:
- Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
- Navigate to the Benefits section for your Sapphire Reserve.
- Find the Apple Music / Apple TV+ offer and click Activate.
- You'll be directed to Apple Music / Apple TV+ to connect your account.
- Start streaming – Chase will cover the bill automatically.
Bottom Line
The Sapphire Reserve’s Apple perk is one of those small benefits that can potentially save you money every month. If you’re already paying for Apple Music (individual) or Apple TV+, it’s a no-brainer.
If you’re on a family plan or bundled with Apple One, it might take a little rethinking — and maybe some unbundling — to make it work for you. But even then, it’s worth running the numbers.
I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and there is no option to activate Apple TV+ or Apple Music in the Benefits section of the card website. I do not have an existing subscription to either of these services. So far Chase have not been abel to help with this. Does anyone else have this problem?
I think the new benefits are only for new cardholders. I believe existing users do not get the new/modified benefits until October 26.
If you had a reserve card before the new benefits were announced you won’t get the option to add apple subscriptions for free until end of October when the new benefits go live to old/existing cardholders.