this Chase SapphireReserve® (See Rates and Fees) is one of the best reward credit cards available right now.
In June, the premium card refreshed many new benefits and statement credits, as well as increasing the annual fee to $795. In addition to changes in sapphire reserves, Chase has also updated its bonus eligibility policy, which may affect your ability to win sapphire cards.
Changes to the card and the best welcome offer – Earn 100,000 points, plus $500 in ChaseTravel℠promotion credit, spending $5,000 in the first three months after opening an account, TPG readers have a lot of questions. And, we have the answer.
This is a question you often ask, answer.
What has happened to the card?
Sapphire reserve changes are as follows:
- The annual fee has increased from $550 to $795.
- Authorized user fees have increased from $75 to $195.
- The selected earning rate has been adjusted: hotels and car rentals booked by Chase Travel have decreased from 10 points per dollar to 8 points, flights booked by Chase Travel have increased from 5 points per dollar to 8 points, flights and hotels booked directly from 3 points to 4 points per dollar to 4 points per dollar, and from 3 points (cruising, vacation rentals and transportation) to 1 point.
- Chase adds new travel and lifestyle credits, including StubHub and Apple TV. See the full list of credits here.
- Get free IHG rewards Platinum Elite identity by December 31, 2027.
- Spend $75,000 on the card over the calendar year and receive more allowances including IHG IHG Diamond Elite Status, Southwest Quick Rewards A-list Status, and Southwest Airlines’ credit limit and Chase online shopping portal.
- Chase introduces a point of improvement: when booking flights and hotels through Chase Travel, each point can be worth up to 2 cents.
Related: Chase Points Upgrade: A Valued New Redemption Choice or a Disappointing Depreciation?
Who is eligible for the Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus?
If you have received a welcome bonus from Sapphire Reserve before, you may not be eligible for another welcome bonus from Sapphire Reserve no matter the last time you received a few months or years.
If you currently hold, you may also not be eligible for a sapphire reserve Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees).
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Related: Am I eligible for a 100K bonus from Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Can I hold both the sapphire reserve and preferred card?
Yes, you can accommodate both cards at the same time. However, if you already hold Sapphire’s preferred choice and receive a welcome bonus on that card, you most likely won’t receive a Sapphire reserve bonus.
Can I receive a welcome bonus from Sapphire Reserve?
Yes, welcome bonuses can be earned on both cards. However, you cannot currently be a personal sapphire cardholder and receive a welcome bonus on another personal sapphire card.
For example, TPG senior editor Gabrielle Bernardini applied for the Sapphire Sanctuary in 2020 and received a welcome bonus. She lowered the card to Chase for Freedom® (See rates and fees). Since she has never received a welcome bonus from sapphire favor, she is likely to be eligible. But if she still has a sapphire reserve and applies for a sapphire first choice, she is likely not eligible for a bonus even if she gets the first choice.
A representative from Chase confirmed to TPG that the bonus eligibility of any sapphire card will be based on several factors, including the bonus offer previously earned and the number of cards opened and closed, as well as other considerations.
Related: Does it make sense to own Chase Sapphire’s top picks and bookings?
If I received the bonus 48 months ago, can I receive a welcome bonus from Sapphire Reserve?
Yes, before Sapphire welcome bonus policy changes. However, you are likely to be ineligible for another popular bonus for the same sapphire product now.
Can I upgrade sapphire to sapphire saplings and still get a welcome bonus?
Card upgrades are not eligible for welcome rewards. You need to apply for a sapphire reserve and meet Chase’s bonus eligibility criteria.
Should I cancel the sapphire reserve card if my sapphire reserve card is added and I am not eligible for the welcome bonus?
This is a personal choice, and it is a choice we cannot make for you. While some cardholders may not use the new declared credit and instead earn rates and card benefits, others believe the additional benefits still exceed the annual fee.
Related: Why Keep My Chase Sapphire Reserve – Even at a Higher Price of $795
What other cards can I consider if I don’t want to keep my sapphire reserve?
There are many other quality reward cards that compete with the Sapphire Reserve. Other popular products you may want to consider:
You might also consider downgrading to unfamiliar cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited, which allows you to still have access to Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem. Additionally, you can apply for Sapphire Preferred and may receive welcome offers.
Is sapphire reserves better than Amex Platinum now?
It depends on your personal preferences and environment. If you can use Amex Platinum’s long statement credit list and a more comprehensive lounge access, then a Platinum card might make more sense.
If you value more direct products and generous income rates for travel and dining, refreshing sapphire reserves may be a better option.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which top travel card is right for you?
How to use point boost to get 2 cents per point when booking through Chase Travel?
Chase’s new Points Boost feature now offers the option of Sapphire Reserve Carddorder to redeem final reward points on select hotels and flights through Chase Travel, which will earn up to 2 cents per point.
It’s a unique, surprisingly meaningful way to get huge value from your chase point. Make sure to look for Rocket symbols to see enhanced redemption options.
Related: Why Chase’s Perspective Raising Is an Excellent (A Surprisingly) New Way to Book Points Hotels
If I get the final bonus points from the sapphire reserve bonus before October, can I redeem them with a chase trip at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents per point?
Yes, if your account is open by June 23, 2025, the final reward points you receive by October 26, 2025 can still be redeemed at the current fixed interest rate of 1.5 cents per point until October 27, 2027.
What is the best way to redeem Sapphire Reserve bonuses through Chase Travel?
Look for points boost options marked with Rocket symbols. New cardholders can earn up to 2 cents per point on selected hotels and flights, while other qualified purchases will be 1 cent per point. Chase’s The Edit property can be used with point boosts, up to 2 cents per point, which is an amazing privilege for top-level properties.
While Boint Boost is definitely a great way to earn over 1 cent, transferring your final reward points to Chase’s 14 transfer partners can generate higher value, such as 7 cents per point, depending on the cash price vs. the point price.
Do you know if the refreshed sapphire reserve retains the option of “repay yourself”?
Yes, that’s true. The quarterly categories are eligible for payments in sapphire reserves:
- Choosing a charity: 1.5 cents per point
- Gas stations, groceries, home renovation shops and cardholders annual fee: 1.25 cents per point
Related: Chase pays off the Q3 category – Is this your reward?
Can I book VRBO and Airbnb by chasing travel? How many points will I receive? What is the revenue rate of cruise?
If you apply for a sapphire reserve by June 23, 2025, Airbnb, vrbo and Cruise purchases (code as travel) will still earn 3 points per dollar when booking directly with the sapphire reserve; starting October 26, 2025, cardholder income rates will change from 3 points per dollar to 1 point.
If you apply for the card after June 23, Airbnb, Vrbo and Cruise purchases using qualified cards will earn 1 point per dollar.
Sapphire Reserve Cardholders will soon visit Chase’s holiday home plan, where they will earn 8 points per dollar for bookings made through Chase Travel.
If you apply for the card before June 23, you can earn 10 points per dollar booking through Chase Travel, which is 8 points per dollar, 8 points per dollar and 8 points per dollar per dollar for those applying for their card starting on October 26 on or after June 23.
Related: What purchases count as a trip to Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Can I use point lifts for car rental?
No, points are only available for selected flights and hotel bookings.
If you want the final reward points you get from the sapphire reserve for renting a car, the existing cardholder will receive a value of 1.5 cents until October 26, 2025 and redeemed for October 26, 2027 and then redeemed. New cardholders applying on or after June 23, 2025 will receive a 1% value.
Is Apple subscription considered an Apple subscription?
Sapphire Reserve Cardholders are not credits, but receive free memberships on Apple TV+ and Apple Music, meaning you don’t have to subscribe and wait for the credit to be published.
If you purchased your Apple TV+ or Apple Music subscription directly through Apple, the free Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through Chase will automatically pause existing paid subscriptions until June 22, 2027.
New sapphire reserve applicants will receive this benefit immediately and will be offered to existing sapphire reserve cardholders in October. Requires one activation via the Chase.com or Chase mobile application.
According to the terms and conditions of the Sapphire Reserve, “If you purchase an active paid Apple subscription directly through Apple, you will subscribe to Apple’s free Apple TV+ subscription through Apple through Chase and Apple, which will run simultaneously unless you cancel your pre-subscribe subscription.”
This means that the cost of your Apple subscription will not be covered by your sapphire reserves.
Related: Get Apple TV+ and Apple Music with Chase Sapphire Reserve
Bottom line
this Chatong Sapphire Reserve After a major refresh, the annual expenses are offset by a huge amount of new benefits, including everything from increased travel earning rates to premium offers such as Apple subscriptions, IHG Elite, IHG Elite status and interesting new points-enhanced redemption options. Plus, this best welcome quote is one of the most profitable quotes we have ever seen.
While not everyone qualifies for a generous welcome bonus, those who do have to expect will be worthwhile. Just be sure to check your qualifications before applying so that you don’t have any surprises.
