My pleasure concerning the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) refresh was barely stifled by the information that holding it’s getting way more costly. The Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 annual charge will make it one of many priciest premium journey rewards playing cards in the marketplace.
Nonetheless, this growth hasn’t deterred me from holding the cardboard in my pockets for not less than the subsequent 12 months. Here is why — plus what you need to take into account if you happen to’re presently holding the cardboard or eager about making use of.
Associated: The entire information to Chase Final Rewards: The way to earn, redeem and switch factors
New credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve
One of many high components I take into account earlier than making use of for a brand new bank card or renewing the annual charge on an current one is whether or not the assertion credit make sense for my particular life-style, spending behaviors and journey wants.
I pay for a number of subscriptions month-to-month, however the one I exploit each day is Apple Music. I used to be thrilled to see that the refreshed Sapphire Reserve is providing as much as $250 yearly in subscriptions for Apple TV+ and Apple Music.
One other new addition to the Sapphire Reserve’s advantages lineup is a $300 annual StubHub credit- rise up to $150 in assertion credit from January by means of June and once more from July by means of December for a most of $300 yearly by means of Dec. 31, 2027. Activation is required. That is an particularly thrilling prospect for me since going to exhibits is considered one of my favourite pastimes. In actual fact, I’ve booked cross-country journeys to see my favourite band, Milky Probability, greater than as soon as.
Then there’s the brand new annual $500 The Edit by Chase Journey℠ credit score that I am unable to wait to make use of. The $500 is cut up up into two $250 biannual assertion credit for use between January and June, after which once more from July by means of December for pay as you go bookings. (Two-night minimal is required)
The Edit is Chase’s curated assortment of properties unique to Sapphire Reserve cardholders. Whenever you ebook a keep through The Edit, you get complimentary perks, together with each day breakfast for 2, room upgrades as they’re out there and a $100 property credit score you should utilize for issues like eating and spa companies.
I lately stayed at The Fifth Avenue Lodge, a New York property inside The Edit assortment, and am searching for any excuse to return. All the pieces from the comfortable consolation of my room and the extremely attentive workers to the peerlessly blended cocktails at The Portrait Bar and breakfast at Cafe Carmellini actually made it a world-class expertise.
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The annual $500 The Edit assertion credit score will shave not less than $250 off my subsequent keep.
The Apple Music, StubHub and The Edit credit — together with current credit that the Sapphire Reserve is holding, just like the $300 annual journey credit score — are properly suited to my life-style and journey wants. Since I do know I will use them, these perks offset the cardboard’s large annual charge, making it a helpful product for me to maintain in my pockets relatively than cancelling or downgrading.
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Acquainted Chase Sapphire Reserve credit
As talked about above, the Sapphire Reserve is holding its versatile $300 journey credit score. As a result of Chase broadly defines “journey,” this credit score mechanically applies to a variety of purchases, together with ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, cruise traces, Airbnb leases and subway fares.
This journey credit score is considered one of my favourite perks supplied by any card as a result of I can use it in full if I need to, and it applies mechanically. Earlier this 12 months, I used to be in a position to make use of the credit score for an extended weekend in Puerto Rico, the place my accomplice and I stayed at a stunning Airbnb lower than a five-minute stroll from the seaside for less than $88 out of pocket.
The journey credit score is designed to be easy and simple to make use of, which I recognize. It is one much less factor I’ve to actively take into consideration and monitor on a month-to-month, quarterly or annual foundation.
Associated: Month-to-month guidelines: Bank card perks and advantages you ought to be utilizing
The $120 International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus assertion credit score you get each 4 years as a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmember is one other returning credit score that I will proceed to maximise.
Sapphire Reserve advantages suited to my life-style
Chase is making waves within the airport lounge area with its assortment of Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership places. Fortunate for me, considered one of these lounges opened at considered one of my residence airports, Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL), in February 2025.
As a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, I obtain entry to this lounge and get to deliver as much as two company with me to calm down and luxuriate in a drink, snacks, a meal and even a facial earlier than a flight.
And in case your travels take you to an IHG property, the Sapphire Reserve now confers IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing mechanically.
That is one step down from IHG’s top-tier Diamond Elite standing. Although it might not transfer to needle for some, I see it as a pleasant bonus perk that’ll elevate my stays at IHG properties.
Choices like a welcome amenity at check-in, complimentary room upgrades (if out there) and early check-in and late checkout (if out there) will make the lengthy weekend journey I am planning on the Kimpton Epic Lodge in Miami that significantly better.
Associated: IHG elite standing: What it’s and how you can earn it
One vital word for current Sapphire Reserve cardholders like me: We won’t get entry to the brand new advantages outlined on this information till Oct. 26. New candidates, nevertheless, will obtain instant entry to the brand new advantages.
Importantly, the brand new $795 annual charge will kick in for current cardholders throughout your upcoming cardmember anniversary. Mine, for instance, is in early January; so whereas I paid the $550 annual charge in January 2025, I will be paying the $795 annual charge in January 2026.
Though I will not get entry to the upgraded perks on the Sapphire Reserve till late October, I like that I will have a few months to check drive the cardboard’s new advantages earlier than the brand new annual charge kicks in.
New Chase Sapphire Reserve incomes charges
Lastly, the Sapphire Reserve earns one of the vital helpful reward currencies in the marketplace: Chase Final Rewards factors, which TPG’s June 2025 valuations peg at 2.05 cents apiece. This incomes energy, coupled with Chase’s stellar switch companions, makes the cardboard that rather more helpful.
Associated: How a lot are Chase Final Rewards factors value?
As a part of the revamp, Chase up to date the Sapphire Reserve’s bonus class incomes charges. The most important adjustments fall below the journey umbrella (assume: motels, rental vehicles and flights), whereas eating purchases stay at a stable incomes price of three factors per greenback spent.
Whereas some classes benefited from elevated reward charges, others took successful and moved in the wrong way. Here is a abstract of the adjustments:
| Class | Earlier reward price |
New reward price |
|---|---|---|
| Motels booked through Chase Journey | Was: 10 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 8 factors per greenback spent |
| Rental vehicles booked through Chase Journey | Was: 10 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 8 factors per greenback spent |
| Flights booked through Chase Journey | Was: 5 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 8 factors per greenback spent |
| Flights booked immediately | Was: 3 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 4 factors per greenback spent |
| Motels booked immediately | Was: 3 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 4 factors per greenback spent |
| All different journey (together with cruises, trip leases and transit purchases) | Was: 3 factors per greenback spent | Is now: 1 level per greenback spent |
For me, the brand new charges aren’t a make-or-break state of affairs since I do not often use Chase Journey for my reservations. The one sort of reservation I do sometimes make by means of Chase Journey occurs to be worldwide flights, which now earn a wholesome 8 factors per greenback spent.
Since I extra typically reserve flights and lodging outdoors of Chase Journey, the brand new 4 factors per greenback spent in these particular classes is a pleasant increase for my private reward-earning technique.
Backside line
Being a Sapphire Reserve cardholder now prices a further $245, however when maximized, the cardboard’s new credit greater than offset the $795 annual charge … and that is earlier than you consider different advantages like lounge entry. At current, this card’s worth nonetheless outweighs its price, so it is going to proceed to be a mainstay in my pockets.
Associated: Simply how good is the brand new Chase Sapphire Reserve 100,000-point supply with the $500 credit score?
The refreshed card nonetheless aligns properly with my typical month-to-month bills throughout classes like streaming subscriptions and travel-related purchases. To me, the Sapphire Reserve stays the last word journey and life-style companion — it is a Visa card, so it is accepted virtually all over the place, it does not cost overseas transaction charges and despite the fact that among the reward charges have been devalued, they’re nonetheless stable and supply first rate returns on my common spending.
To determine whether or not that is the proper card for you, crunch the numbers to see in case your spending habits and life-style wants will yield outsize worth from its up to date credit and perks. If you may get greater than $795 in worth from the cardboard, it is value getting and holding.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Associated: Bank card switch bonuses
