As a Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholder, I’ve enjoyed premium travel perks – but nothing prepared me for the email inviting me to an exclusive Chase Sapphire Experience. These carefully curated events are among the card’s most extraordinary (and often underrated) benefits, offering access to otherwise impossible opportunities – like driving a McLaren supercar on a professional track.
The day began at 8:30 a.m. at Miami Concours, where two gleaming McLarens stood sentinel – a preview of the automotive excellence to come. After checking in through Chase’s dedicated concierge team, I signed my waivers and ascended to a breakfast that matched the occasion’s luxury. The smoked salmon bar (complete with all the fixings) and omelet station would have been impressive enough, but the real treat was coming: getting behind the wheel of engineering derived from McLaren’s championship-winning Formula 1 technology.
My “classroom” for the safety briefing was a boardroom worthy of a Fortune 500 CEO, where McLaren’s team explained how their road cars share DNA with their F1 fleet. Then came the surreal moment: being fitted for a race helmet and meeting my instructor – an actual McLaren test driver flown in from their UK headquarters. As he demonstrated the course at 100+ mph, the connected helmet comms let me hear exactly what Formula 1 drivers hear from their engineers mid-race.
When it was my turn, the instructor’s guidance transformed what could have been an intimidating experience into pure exhilaration. The automatic transmission (my request!) made it accessible, but the throaty roar of the engine and track-ready handling left no doubt this was a true performance machine.
The adrenaline high lasted through the post-drive Paloma, a behind-the-scenes McLaren brand presentation, and even the walk to my car clutching an exclusive swag bag. Normally, access like this requires professional credentials or six-figure purchases – yet here Chase Sapphire had delivered it as a cardholder benefit.
I’ve since checked my Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal with new appreciation. Between the luxury access, thoughtful details (like those F1-derived earplugs in our goodie bags), and genuine warmth from both brands’ teams, this wasn’t just another VIP event – it was a masterclass in how premium experiences should feel.
Here’s what Miami Race week looks like:
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers have access to exclusive experiences throughout the weekend and the ability to purchase tickets to events through the Ultimate Rewards platform.
Keep your eye out for upcoming Chase Sapphire Reserve exclusive experiences across the U.S. and next year’s Miami Grand Prix—these coveted opportunities tend to sell out rapidly!
This year’s events:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Experience (May 2-4), a dedicated space cardmembers can reserve a spot to visit right next to the podium within the Autodrome. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can access complimentary passed apps by Chef Sebastian Benitez and beverages from a cash bar with one complimentary drink token per person; surprise and delight moments; premium programming from Faena Art, restrooms, air conditioning and more.
- To provide an exceptional cardmember experience from start to finish, cardmembers must book their time slot to attend in advance (due to the popularity of this experience, walk-ins cannot be accommodated).
- Two bookable time slots per day; open daily.
- Friday, May 2 | 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 2 | 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 3 | 10:00AM – 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 3 | 3:30PM – 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 4 | 10:00AM – 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 4 | 3:30PM – 7:30 p.m.
- Onsite cardholder benefits, including the opportunity for Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cardmembers to earn 3X points on dining across concessions as well as 20% off on any purchase at the MIA Shop Presented By Chase for all Chase cardholders.
- Friday VIP Grandstand Packages (Fri, 5/2 – 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Sat + Sun, 5/3 + 5/4 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.), witha Marina Grandstand ticket, access to premium stadium views at the Heineken Highline, and all-day entry to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Experience and merch from the MIA Shop.
- McLaren Track Driving Experience (Wed, 4/30 – 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.), with world-class driving coaches, one 30-minute driving spot on the track, plus an optional guest. The event will also offer VIP hospitality, with a continental breakfast, refreshments and an open bar served throughout the event for two guests.
- 2025 F1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX® Track Preview Experience & Paddock Tour (Thurs, 5/1 – 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.), including afirst look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve Experience, with light bites and complimentary beverages. Cardmembers will also receive pit lane access for one with an exclusive view of the F1 team garages and a $50 gift card redeemable at an exclusive shopping experience at the MIA Retail Shop presented by Chase.
- Delilah at Miami Race Week presented by Chase Sapphire Reserve (Thurs, 5/1 – Sun, 5/2 – availability via OpenTable), which enables cardmembers to secure exclusive reservations at Delilah Miami throughout the weekend. Chase Sapphire Reserve will also host a Cardmember Night on Saturday, May 3 starting at 10:00 p.m., featuring a live performance by the genre-defying duo, Sofi Tukker, plus food, cocktails, and dancing.
- Faena Art Music Concert presented by Chase Sapphire Reserve (Sun, 5/4 – starts at 10:00 p.m.), a concert featuring The Martinez Brothers offered for cardmembers to close out the fun on race week.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see what other Chase Sapphire Experiences might be hiding in my inbox…