Chase Sapphire Reserve Rumored Change

[Steelers0854]

I figured this was the best place to post this as I know a lot of people try and maximize their purchase using CC points earnings. There is a rumor circulating that Chase will be making major changes soon and, in addition to a massive annual fee increase, will move the points earnings on travel from 3 points to 1 point. This would be a major blow. We have been incrementally paying off a loan on a recent purchase taking advantage of this, so I really hope this rumor doesn’t come to fruition, but I wanted to bring it up in case anyone was waiting on a purchase or payment as you never know when this change will drop and it likely will be immediate if/when it does.

 

[geargrinder]

I've heard the rumors that the current new application promotion is about to end. I haven't heard of the other rumors you mentioned. Hope not.

 

[Patmcpsu]

I also just heard about the rumors here but according to the story, the source is a poorly-trained call center rep. I wouldn't rely on it being true. If Chase gets rid of the 3x on travel, they would really be shooting themselves in the foot (especially if they demand a higher annual fee for that privilege).

Do I believe there will be some changes (including a higher annual fee)? Absolutely. But I would be shocked if they eliminate 3x on travel.

 

[DanCali]

Just read that rumor too - and it adds that the $300 general travel credit will go away to be replaced by "coupon-line" credits where every 1-3 months you need to remember to claim a credit or lose it.

• $500 Chase hotel Edit credit ($250 semi-annually) $250/semi-annual (hotel portal run by Chase for select hotels. More info here)
• $300 Sapphire Reserve Tables dining credit ($150 semi-annually)
• $300 StubHub credit ($150 semi-annually)
• $300 DoorDash credit ($25 a month)
• $120 DoorDash membership
• $250 credit toward Apple TV+ and Apple Music
• $120 Lyft credit ($10 a month)
• $120 Peloton credit ($10 a month)

The Amex Platinum card has been doing that for quite a few years now. Forces me to use things like Uber Eats ($15/month) and Sacks 5th Avenue (I use the $50 semi-annual credit on overpriced body wash) that I would never spend on otherwise. I hate it...

If Chase does this I may have to ditch the card and stay with the Amex Platinum and Venture X.

 

[Brian Noble]

If Chase does this I may have to ditch the card and stay with the Amex Platinum

If these are even close to correct, I'll drop my CSR. Quickly. I already am on the fence about keeping both it and the Amex Plat, and have been burning my UR points. Not a bad time to accelerate that.

 

[davidhr]

The only thing the Reserve has over the Platinum is the travel multipliers and easy travel credit.

If they want to be more like the Plat, they need a robust lounge network before making these rumored changes. I don’t know what they’re thinking if this is true. Right now I’m leaning towards this isn’t true.

 

[supercarrie]

Count me in on ditching the CSR and keeping my Platinum.

I find it hard to believe they'd go down to 1x on the CSR without changes to the CSP, too. 2x on travel on a lesser card?

We'll see. I'd probably downgrade my CSR to CSP and apply for the Ink Preferred. I just closed my Preferred, too.

 

[davidhr]

I find it hard to believe they'd go down to 1x on the CSR without changes to the CSP, too. 2x on travel on a lesser card?

The Amex Green has 3x on all travel, while the platinum is 1x for most of it.

Amex is doing pretty well, so maybe they’re trying to copy them

 

[supercarrie]

The Amex Green has 3x on all travel, while the platinum is 1x for most of it.

Amex is doing pretty well, so maybe they’re trying to copy them

Fair point...! Maybe I'll open a Green and go all in on MRs (I already have the Platinum, Gold, and Business Gold). I liked Chase for portal redemptions at 1.5c and Hyatt transfers.

 

[Brian Noble]

The only thing the Reserve has over the Platinum is the travel multipliers and easy travel credit.

And the Platinum has a number of other useful-to-me features. The CSR has been worth keeping at net $250. It is not worth keeping at net $450. I might use the restaurant credits organically, but that depends a lot on what is included.

Even at the old $250 net, it is not worth keeping at 1x travel earn.

 

[BamaGuy44]

If these are even close to correct, I'll drop my CSR. Quickly. I already am on the fence about keeping both it and the Amex Plat, and have been burning my UR points. Not a bad time to accelerate that.

Dropping to one point for travel would immediately relegate it from the ranks as a "travel card" IMO. What's your opinion of the Venture X travel card? https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/venture-x/

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't know what the replacement will be. I probably won't get the Venture X. I'm not enthusiastic about Yet Another Rewards Currency. I also don't really want to use some third-party travel portal to book things, as (a) the prices are often not the same as direct and (b) my status doesn't always transfer.

As I sit here now today, I am thinking about just dropping to the Freedom Unlimited. 1.5% cash back, no redemption/couponing games, and no annual fee.

 

[DanCali]

Dropping to one point for travel would immediately relegate it from the ranks as a "travel card" IMO. What's your opinion of the Venture X travel card? https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/venture-x/

I have the Venture X and it's pretty much a "free" premium card, so almost a no-brainer to get.

The annual fee is $395 but you get a $300 travel credit (can apply directly when booking a flight through Capital One) and you get a 10,000 point anniversary bonus which is worth $100 (comes about 2 months after a new annual fee is billed). I can confirm that, for the flight I booked via Capital One, the prices were identical to United. Maybe it gets dicier with modifications or cancellations, so I book travel that I am highly confident I will complete.

They have a small airline lounge footprint (DEN, IAD, DCA, DFW, LAS) and it's expanding to LGA and JFK. We visited the one in Denver and it's very nice. Moreover, they still allow guests (I think up to 2) into the lounge and additional cardholders (can also access lounges) have no additional annual fee.

It also offers President's Circle on Hertz, which was a primary consideration for me at the time (before Amex Platinum also also added that in 2022)

 

[DanCali]

As I sit here now today, I am thinking about just dropping to the Freedom Unlimited. 1.5% cash back, no redemption/couponing games, and no annual fee.

Why not the Well Fargo Active Cash?

2% on everything, right at time of purchase. No games either.

 

[Brian Noble]

Because I didn't know about it. (I have spent almost no time thinking about this beyond what I would downgrade to w/in the Chase family.)

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don't know what the replacement will be. I probably won't get the Venture X. I'm not enthusiastic about Yet Another Rewards Currency. I also don't really want to use some third-party travel portal to book things, as (a) the prices are often not the same as direct and (b) my status doesn't always transfer.

As I sit here now today, I am thinking about just dropping to the Freedom Unlimited. 1.5% cash back, no redemption/couponing games, and no annual fee.

If you are okay with business cards the Chase Ink Preferred is $95 and earns 3x on travel. You dont get much else for the $95 though aside from a slightly higher redemption value via the portal.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Why not the Well Fargo Active Cash?

2% on everything, right at time of purchase. No games either.

I believe that Fidelity has the same benefit on its no annual fee card.

 

[davidhr]

I believe that Fidelity has the same benefit on its no annual fee card.

Those are 2 good cards if you want cash back.

I personally would take 1.5% back in points because I know I can redeem for more, but if you don’t care about that it’s hard to beat a simple 2% cash back card.

 

[Brian Noble]

I like the Fidelity card, as it includes no forex fees.

I'm starting to think the only cards I want to keep with an annual fee are the Amex Plat and the Amex Delta Plat. I keep the "regular" plat for the various perks, not the rewards. The (now limited) SkyClub access for me plus all of my authorized users, plus no-effort status in various rental car/hotel programs makes that one a decent value. The Delta Plat's companion certificate is pretty easy for me to come out positive on, and I am a Delta captive, so consolidating rewards onto Sky Pennies is probably fine.

I think the plan is to downgrade the CSR to a CSP from a reserve before my next anniversary date until I exhaust my URs, then downgrade it again to a no-fee card of some variety. The redemption/couponing game is too much sugar for a dime at this point.

Life is too short, and I'm already playing with house money; if life were fair, I'd be dead by now.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Those are 2 good cards if you want cash back.

I personally would take 1.5% back in points because I know I can redeem for more, but if you don’t care about that it’s hard to beat a simple 2% cash back card.

Chase has me very disillusioned with points because the exchange rate through their Ultimate Rewards is awful.