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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) has lengthy been a top-tier journey card for factors lovers, prized for its versatile rewards, beneficiant journey protections and broad switch accomplice community. However with a set of current modifications, together with a considerably greater annual price and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders are actually reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the appropriate match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual price has elevated from $550 to $795, making it some of the costly shopper journey playing cards available on the market. Approved consumer charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption enhance (when utilizing factors via Chase Journey℠) with the brand new Factors Increase program, although current cardholders will obtain a two-year grace interval earlier than that swap takes impact.
Throughout this grace interval (till Oct. 26, 2027), current cardholders will routinely obtain the perfect worth between Factors Increase and their 50% redemption enhance.
Not all the pieces is altering, although: fashionable advantages just like the $300 annual journey credit score, World Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit score, Precedence Go lounge entry and best-in-class journey protections are staying put.
For some vacationers, these new advantages could add significant worth. However for others, significantly those that do not spend closely sufficient to set off new perks or redeem primarily via Chase Journey, the maths could not work within the Reserve’s favor.
When you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed below are 5 sturdy options which will higher fit your wants and spending type.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve modifications: New incomes charges, extra assertion credit for the next annual price
If you wish to stick with Chase
When you’re not prepared to depart the Chase ecosystem, you possibly can nonetheless entry Chase’s worthwhile switch companions with out the hefty annual price.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Annual price: $95
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When you nonetheless need entry to Chase Final Rewards however however cannot justify the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 price ticket, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) is a implausible various, and one among our favourite total journey playing cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I take advantage of most in my pockets — thanks, partly, to its lack of international transaction charges — and the one I personally advocate most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an affordable annual price.
With the Sapphire Most well-liked, you will earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked via Chase Journey, 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey and 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Whereas it lacks some luxurious perks like lounge entry, it nonetheless delivers a ton of worth for the worth, making it superb for vacationers who need to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. When you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing less expensive, this card is really arduous to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to carry each the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and Reserve?
Easy methods to downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to swap from the Sapphire Most well-liked to a different Chase card, you possibly can request a product change by calling the quantity on the again of your card or sending a safe message via your Chase account.
Common downgrade choices embody the aforementioned Sapphire Most well-liked (which retains level switch capabilities) and the Chase Freedom Limitless® (see charges and costs), a no-annual-fee choice that earns 1.5% money again and retains your factors alive.
It is typically beneficial to downgrade slightly than cancel to protect your account age, keep away from a possible dip in your credit score rating and preserve entry to your factors. Simply be sure that your account is at the least 12 months previous, as Chase typically would not enable product modifications sooner than that.
Associated: When are you able to downgrade your bank card?
If you’d like a premium journey card
When you’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 value level — these different premium journey playing cards could provide higher worth. Each include sturdy protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Annual price: $695 (see charges and costs)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Categorical is now inexpensive, and nonetheless loaded with luxurious perks.
You may get entry to Amex’s World Lounge Assortment, $200 in annual airline price credit for a qualifying airline of your alternative, $200 in Uber Money for U.S. Uber purchases* and as much as $199 in Clear Plus credit, together with 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or American Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr). Simply be aware: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual price: $395
When you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra easy, cost-effective choice, you may need to contemplate the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X affords airport lounge entry (together with Precedence Go, Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), together with a $300 annual journey credit score for journey bookings via Capital One Journey. With a decrease annual price and simpler factors incomes construction, the Enterprise X gives a extra streamlined journey rewards expertise.
It is essential to notice, nevertheless, that beginning Feb 1, 2026, further Enterprise X cardholders (together with licensed customers and account managers) will not obtain complimentary lounge entry. Main cardholders can add lounge entry to further cardholder accounts by paying $125 per card.
By comparability, the Sapphire Reserve permits cardholders to convey as much as two company without spending a dime into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Go lounges, with further company incurring a $27 price per go to. This provides the Reserve a slight edge with regards to lounge entry, particularly for those who regularly journey with others.
In terms of incomes charges, whereas the Sapphire Reserve earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey and eating, the Enterprise X delivers 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, plus a powerful 10 miles per greenback spent on accommodations and rental automobiles booked via Capital One Journey.
Add in 10,000 bonus miles yearly (obtainable through the Capital One portal) and no-annual-fee licensed customers, and the Enterprise X packs unimaginable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual price. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are value roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual price, the Enterprise X is a horny various for many who need a less complicated, premium journey card that also delivers stable worth.
Associated: The most effective premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
If you’d like premium lodge advantages
The Sapphire Reserve has lengthy been a go-to for vacationers searching for broad journey rewards, airport lounge entry and versatile redemptions. However with a rising annual price and plenty of of its greatest perks leaning closely towards normal journey slightly than hotel-specific advantages, you is likely to be in search of extra focused worth, particularly for those who constantly stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Categorical® Aspire Card
Annual price: $550
So far as premium lodge playing cards go, there’s a lot to love concerning the Hilton Aspire Amex. Whereas diverging from the Sapphire Reserve by way of versatile factors earned, it affords concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you should utilize yearly, particularly if Hilton accommodations are already a part of your journey routine (or may very well be).
The cardboard affords computerized Hilton’s top-tier Diamond standing a Free Night time Reward yearly (plus a second one after spending $30,000) and as much as $400 in Hilton resort assertion credit yearly. That alone can offset the price for those who keep at Hilton properties even simply a couple of times a yr.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire consists of Precedence Go Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental price credit, giving it some journey perks past accommodations. However its actual worth is evident if lodge standing and luxurious keep perks matter extra to you than transferable factors or versatile redemptions.
Associated: Greatest lodge bank cards
If you’d like prime rewards on eating
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s eating advantages have been a serious draw for you, I’ve excellent news: there’s one other card that does it even higher.
American Categorical Gold Card
Annual price: $325 (see charges and costs)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, due to its incomes 3 factors per greenback spent on eating. However the American Categorical® Gold Card card one-ups it with 4 factors per greenback spent on eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply, as much as $50,000 per yr, then 1 level per greenback after) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per yr, then 1 level per greenback after).
With the Amex Gold, you will additionally earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with the airline or via amextravel.com (a pleasant nod to journey spend), as much as $120 in eating credit and as much as $120 in Uber Money yearly for U.S. Uber purchases* (each eating and Uber Money are disbursed as as much as $10/month assertion credit) (enrollment required for choose advantages; phrases apply). It is a prime choose for anybody whose spending is targeted extra on eating out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Greatest eating bank cards of July 2025
Backside line
Whether or not you are trying to keep loyal to Chase, swap to a extra reasonably priced premium card or go for one thing higher suited to your journey or eating habits, there is no scarcity of sturdy options. The most effective card is the one which delivers probably the most worth for you, and with these modifications to the Sapphire Reserve, now is likely to be a good time to search out the right match.
Associated: Why I am retaining my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual price
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, please click on right here.
