Chase Sapphire Reserve Rumored Change

[Tatebeck]

officially announced and detailed now
https://account.chase.com/sapphire/reserve/benefits

Still mixed on it personally, higher fee, but more credits to try and earn. But the 3x travel seems to be gone on DVC contracts and Dues so that specifically is a downgrade. Hopefully someone can see if the 4x points directly with hotels works with putting stuff on your Disney room as that would still be good.

For 2 years they will give you the better of the 2 deals on redemptions (the old 1.5x on anything or the new 2x on select things) If the 2x isn't on very many things or airlines I use I can see myself letting this card go after using up my points or after October 2027 when the 1.5x is gone for current members

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

officially announced and detailed now
https://account.chase.com/sapphire/reserve/benefits

Still mixed on it personally, higher fee, but more credits to try and earn. But the 3x travel seems to be gone on DVC contracts and Dues so that specifically is a downgrade. Hopefully someone can see if the 4x points directly with hotels works with putting stuff on your Disney room as that would still be good.

For 2 years they will give you the better of the 2 deals on redemptions (the old 1.5x on anything or the new 2x on select things) If the 2x isn't on very many things or airlines I use I can see myself letting this card go after using up my points or after October 2027 when the 1.5x is gone for current members

Yeah - I’m torn too. If you can stay on top of the credits, it could be better. Not gonna lie - losing the lounge access would be a big bummer for me.

If I’m reading this right, existing members will have until end of Oct 2025 to take advantage of current benefits - so in theory any DVC purchase would be coded as travel until then.

 

[Orsino]

The big negative for me is that cruises wouldn't get a bonus anymore. My DVC dues aren't that high so losing that isn't too terrible. I was hoping the AppleTV benefit would apply to Apple One, but I guess it doesn't. I think I will have to cancel my Apple One and pick up the free AppleTV and Apple Music and pay ala carte for iCloud Storage. That would actually save me quite a bit as I don't use the other services that much. But it will be a pain moving all that stuff around.

I'll also be able to use the Dining credit so that will be a big bonus for me. I think I'll be able to keep the card. (the bump up for an extra cardholder hurts though). With dining I can save 300 a year easily. With Apple I might save about 200 using weird math. So for the bump up in card cost, I think I'm okay.

using points has always been a mystery for me though. But it looks like we can still get 1.5cents on travel until 2027 for "old" points.

 

[Brian Noble]

For 2 years they will give you the better of the 2 deals on redemptions (the old 1.5x on anything or the new 2x on select things)

I'm betting that the phrase "select things" is doing a lot of work here. I strongly suspect the average redemption value will go down. The fact that they are making such a big deal about the fact that the floor of 0.015 stays in place for a year or two gives away the game.

I think I am going to switch to the Freedom Unlimited. The only question is whether I downgrade to it, or apply/cancel.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not gonna lie - losing the lounge access would be a big bummer for me.

I also have the Amex Plat, because I am a Delta captive. So that lets me keep Priority Pass, and I rarely fly in airports that have the Chase lounges.

 

[Steelers0854]

Atleast they kept the $300 travel credit, so that helps. Im probably going to be paying off my loans through this before October if I can to get the 3x before that goes away as thats what I understand the change for existing cardholders changes.

I think im going to be annoyed with the Apple credit, I have the Apple One subscription and from what I can tell even though it includes TV and Music the credit wont apply and that is VERY annoying.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I also have the Amex Plat, because I am a Delta captive. So that lets me keep Priority Pass, and I rarely fly in airports that have the Chase lounges.

Just read Amex is rumored to be offering an even more premium Delta card soon. I got a Delta Gold even though credit card blogs warn against it. But I actually love it. Not for spending but just for carrying for the 15% redemption discount and for baggage

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’ll be waiting to see what the new Alaska/Hawaiian airline card looks like.

 

[Brian Noble]

I got a Delta Gold even though credit card blogs warn against it.

Why?

The 15% redemption discount is a nice perk. I used to care about the baggage/boarding perks too, but hit 1MM last year and am now permantent SkyMiles Gold. I got the benefit of doing most my earning in the old model, when 1MM-qualfication was easier to get but worth a lot less.

I have the Delta Plat as a card. The companion certificate is an easy way to recoup the fee, as long as you can actually use it, and I thought made it worth the upgrade from Gold. I thought about moving to the Delta Reserve, and might still, but the non-Delta lounge access via the "straight" Amex Plat is also valuable to me, as is the infrequent awesome rental car on the Executive Aisle at National, so that's the one I am keeping. I've gotten a few Mustang convertibles for spring Florida rentals over the years. I'd never ever pay for that, but sure do like driving it!

 

[davidhr]

Why?

The 15% redemption discount is a nice perk. I used to care about the baggage/boarding perks too, but hit 1MM last year and am now permantent SkyMiles Gold. I got the benefit of doing most my earning in the old model, when 1MM-qualfication was easier to get but worth a lot less.

I have the Delta Plat as a card. The companion certificate is an easy way to recoup the fee, as long as you can actually use it, and I thought made it worth the upgrade from Gold. I thought about moving to the Delta Reserve, and might still, but the non-Delta lounge access via the "straight" Amex Plat is also valuable to me, as is the infrequent awesome rental car on the Executive Aisle at National, so that's the one I am keeping. I've gotten a few Mustang convertibles for spring Florida rentals over the years. I'd never ever pay for that, but sure do like driving it!

The gold is pretty decent card. The platinum is the sweet spot, even more now that you can use the companion to Hawaii.

The reserve is a tough one to get for me. Very expensive and, at least for me, not many benefits if you already have a Amex Platinum.

 

[Brian Noble]

The reserve is a tough one to get for me. Very expensive and, at least for me, not many benefits if you already have a Amex Platinum.

Yeah, I think it is one or the other for Delta captives.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Why?

The 15% redemption discount is a nice perk. I used to care about the baggage/boarding perks too, but hit 1MM last year and am now permantent SkyMiles Gold. I got the benefit of doing most my earning in the old model, when 1MM-qualfication was easier to get but worth a lot less.

I have the Delta Plat as a card. The companion certificate is an easy way to recoup the fee, as long as you can actually use it, and I thought made it worth the upgrade from Gold. I thought about moving to the Delta Reserve, and might still, but the non-Delta lounge access via the "straight" Amex Plat is also valuable to me, as is the infrequent awesome rental car on the Executive Aisle at National, so that's the one I am keeping. I've gotten a few Mustang convertibles for spring Florida rentals over the years. I'd never ever pay for that, but sure do like driving it!

It’s because the points are tied to Delta and earn categories aren’t great.

I was likely upgrading to Delta platinum at the end of my first year with gold, I went gold because it had a good intro offer. I am interested to see what the new card will be. But I will likely stick with my high AF being my Amex Platinum, I love that card.

 

[mgarbowski]

It’s because the points are tied to Delta and earn categories aren’t great.

I was likely upgrading to Delta platinum at the end of my first year with gold, I went gold because it had a good intro offer. I am interested to see what the new card will be. But I will likely stick with my high AF being my Amex Platinum, I love that card.

Yeah, I mostly hold Delta Gold as sock drawer card and keep it for the 15% and free bags and very modest boarding priority. The last 2 years I did put $10k spend on it however to get the $200 Delta credit, which turns it into a 3x card for that 10k of spend. You just need to make sure you hit the $10k (or you just get the 1x), and don't go too far over and dilute it.

I had the Delta Plat a few years about a decade ago and found the companion certificate very hard to take advantage of for my usage patterns. I also did not properly plan which time of year to get the card, which controls the dates in between which you must both book and fly in order to use the cert. I'm considering getting it again in a few years when wife and I are both retired and will have more travel date flexibility.

WRT the standard Amex Plat, every few years they raise the fees and add more offsetting credits. So far it has remained useful for me and my family. Need to see what changes are coming later this year.

 

[eticketplease]

It’s because the points are tied to Delta and earn categories aren’t great.

I was likely upgrading to Delta platinum at the end of my first year with gold, I went gold because it had a good intro offer. I am interested to see what the new card will be. But I will likely stick with my high AF being my Amex Platinum, I love that card.

If you go this route wait and see if they will give you an upgrade miles bonus.

If they do make sure to use your hotel money at delta.com/stays for a night and when you upgrade it will give you another credit I think gold is $100 and platinum is $150?

 

[eticketplease]

I had the Delta Plat a few years about a decade ago and found the companion certificate very hard to take advantage of for my usage patterns. I also did not properly plan which time of year to get the card, which controls the dates in between which you must both book and fly in order to use the cert. I'm considering getting it again in a few years when wife and I are both retired and will have more travel date flexibility.

Agreed it is hard to use.

Would have liked it for MCO but no direct flights from my airport. Also can't book more than 2 with the companion pass and do to experiences I have had in the past I don't trust the linking of reservations for the other 2 tickets we would need....

I still keep mine though as I can get enough value with the hotel credit and every month contributing $25 towards MinnieVans at Disney by buying LyftCash and then getting my $10 rideshare credit.