Overview
The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has undergone significant changes, including a higher annual fee and a range of new benefits and credits. Key earning and redemption structures have shifted, impacting both current and new cardholders.
Changes to Points Earning
- Earn 8x points on all travel bookings through Chase Travel, including flights, hotels, cars, cruises, and activities.
- Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines or hotels.
- 3x points on dining worldwide remains unchanged.
- Discontinued: 5x on flights and 10x on hotels through Chase Travel; 3x on broad travel (e.g., Uber, parking) is also removed.
- Broad travel now earns only 1x point unless booked through specified channels.
Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
- $300 annual travel credit retained, usable on a wide range of travel expenses.
- New $500 Edit Hotel credit, split into two $250 segments annually, for luxury hotels booked via Chase with two-night minimum.
- Cardholders receive IHG1 Rewards Platinum status through 2027 and access to Reserve Travel Designers (concierge service).
- TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry $120 credit and Sapphire/priority lounge access remain unchanged.
- Travel insurance and protections stay the same.
New Lifestyle Credits
- $300 annual dining credit for Reserve-exclusive restaurants, split into two $150 segments.
- $300 annual StubHub credit, also split into two $150 segments.
- Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (~$250 value) via activation.
- $120 Peloton credit ($10/month).
- $120 Lyft credit and $300 DoorDash credit (structure unchanged); DashPass remains.
High-Spender Perks
- Spend $75,000/year for IHG Diamond and Southwest A-List statuses, $500 Southwest credit, and $250 Chase-curated shop credit.
Points Redemption Updates
- Points redemption through Chase Travel Portal no longer offers a flat 1.5 cents/point; instead, "Points Boost" provides up to 2 cents/point on select bookings.
- 1 cent/point for cashback and partner transfers still available.
- Points Boost available June 23, 2025; existing holders can use old rates for points earned before October 26, 2025 until October 26, 2027.
Annual Fee and Cardholder Timing
- New annual fee: $795.
- Existing cardholders before June 23, 2025, keep old fee until next renewal after October 26, 2025, but gain new benefits on that date.
- New applicants from June 23, 2025, pay the $795 fee immediately with new benefits active.
Considerations and Trade-Offs
- Benefits and credits are more specific, "store credit"-type offers that require use at Chase-selected partners.
- Effective value of the card depends on use of travel and lifestyle credits.
- Card is shifting focus from broad travel/reward coverage to luxury and lifestyle benefits.