My joy about Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See rates and fees) refresh slightly blocked by the news that holds it more expensive. An annual fee of $ 795 Sapphire Reserve will make it one of the Premium Prichiest Travel Rewards Card In the market.
However, this development did not prevent me from keeping my wallet at least next year. This is why – plus what you need to consider if you are holding a card or thinking about applying.
Related: Complete Guide to the pursuit of Ultimate Rewards: How to acquire, redeem and transfer points
New Credit on Sapphire Chase Reserve
One of the top factors I consider before applying for a new credit card or renewing an existing annual fee is whether the statement of statement makes sense for my specific lifestyle, spending behavior and travel requirements.
I pay some subscriptions every month, but what I use every day is Apple Music. I am very happy to see that the fresh Sapphire reserves offers up to $ 250 per year in subscription for Apple TV+ and Apple Music.
Another new addition to the Sapphire reserve interest line is $ 300 annual Stubhub Credit- get up to $ 150 in statement credit from January to June and again from July to December for a maximum of $ 300 per year until December 31, 2027. Activation is required. This is a very exciting prospect for me since going to the show was one of my favorite entertainment. In fact, I booked a cross -country trip to see my favorite band, Milky Chance, more than once.
Then there is a new $ 500 annual Edit by Chase Travel℠ Credit I can’t wait to use. The $ 500 is divided into two two $ 250 statements for use between January and June, and again from July to December for prepaid reservations. (Minimum Two Night Required)
Edit is a collection of Cortion Cortion Cortion Exclusive to Sapphire Reserve Cardholder. When you book a stay through editing, you get free interest, including daily breakfast for two, room improvement as it is available and $ 100 real estate credit that you can use for things like dining services and spa.
I just lived in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, a New York property in the edit collection, and I was looking for a reason to return. Everything from comfortable comfort in my room and very attentive staff to the perfect cocktail in the portrait of bars and breakfast at Carmellini Cafe really made it a world-class experience.
Daily newsletter
Your Inbox Rewards with TPG Daily Newsletter
Join more than 700,000 readers for breaking news, in -depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Annual $ 500 Edit Statement Credit will shave at least $ 250 from my next stay.
Apple Music, Stubhub and Edit Credit – Together with existing credit stored by Sapphire Reserve, such as $ 300 annual travel credit – I am very much in line with my lifestyle and travel requirements. Since I knew I would use it, this benefit offset the card’s annual fee, making it a valuable product for me to keep my wallet from canceling or decline.
Related: Credit cards stopped: Why (and why not) stick to them
The usual Sapphire Reserve Credit
As mentioned above, Sapphire reserves Keeping a flexible $ 300 travel credit. Because Chase widely defines “travel,” This credit is automatically used for several purchases, including travel services such as Uber and Lyft, Cruise Lines, Airbnb Rentals and subway fares.
These Walk Credit is one of my favorite benefits offered by any card because I can fully use it if I want to, and it applies automatically. Earlier this year, I was able to use a long weekend credit in Puerto Rico, where my partner and I live in a beautiful Airbnb less than five minutes walk from the beach for just $ 88 from the pocket.
Travel credit is designed to be easy and easy to use, which I appreciate. It’s a lesser thing I need to think actively and keep track of monthly, quarterly or annual.
Related: Monthly Checklist: The benefits and benefits of credit cards you should use
Global entry $ 120, TSA Precheck or Nexus Credit Statement that you get every four years as Cardmember Chase Sapphire Reserve is another return credit that I will continue to maximize.
The benefits of sapphire reserves that fit my lifestyle
Chase makes waves in the airport living room with a collection Chase Sapphire Lounge by club location. Lucky for me, one of these lounges was opened at one of my home airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), in February 2025.
As a Sapphire reserves Cardholder, I received access to this lounge and could lead to two guests with me to relax and enjoy drinks, snacks, meals and even before the flight.
And if your trip takes you to the IHG property, the Sapphire Reserve now gives Ihg one reward Automatic Platinum elite status.
This is a step down from the status of the diamond elite. Although it can’t move to the needle for some people, I see it as a good bonus village that will increase my accommodation at IHG Properties.
Offers such as welcome facilities on check -in, free room improvement (if any) and early check -in and late checkout (if any) will make a long weekend trip I plan to be at the Kimpton Epic Hotel in Miami.
Related: IHG Elite Status: What is and how to get it
An important note for existing Sapphire Reserve Cardholders like me: we will not have access to the new benefits outlined in this guide until October 26th. However, new applicants will receive immediate access to new benefits.
Importantly, the new $ 795 annual fee will be kicked for the existing cardholder during the upcoming Cardmember’s birthday. Mine, for example, in early January; Therefore, when I paid a $ 550 annual fee on January 2025, I would pay an annual fee of $ 795 on January 2026.
Although I will not gain access to the upgraded benefits of the Sapphire Reserve until the end of October, I love that I will have a few months to test the new benefit of the card before the new annual fee begins.
New Sapphire Reserve Income Rate
Finally, Sapphire reserves acquired one of the most valuable reward currencies on the market: Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, which TPG in June 2025 appraisal Peg at 2.05 cents each. The power of this income, plus Chase Star Transfer PartnerMake the card more valuable.
Related: What is the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards?
As part of the renewal, Chase updates the Sapphire Reserve Bonus Category Rate Rate. The biggest changes are under the umbrella of travel (thinking: hotels, car rental and flights), while eating purchase remains at a solid income rate of 3 points per dollar spent.
Although some categories benefit from high reward rates, others hit and move in the opposite direction. Here’s a Summary of Changes:
| Category | Previous reward rates |
New Rewards Rate |
|---|---|---|
| The hotel booked through Chase’s journey | Am: 10 points per dollar spent | Now: 8 points per dollar is spent |
| Rental cars booked through chasing trips | Am: 10 points per dollar spent | Now: 8 points per dollar is spent |
| Flights booked through Chase’s journey | Am: 5 points per dollar is spent | Now: 8 points per dollar is spent |
| Flights booked directly | Am: 3 points per dollar spent | Now: 4 points per dollar is spent |
| The hotel is booked directly | Am: 3 points per dollar spent | Now: 4 points per dollar is spent |
| All other trips (including cruises, holiday rentals and transit purchases) | Am: 3 points per dollar spent | Now: 1 point per dollar is spent |
For me, a new rate is not a making-or-declining situation because I usually don’t use The pursuit of a journey For my reservation. One kind of booking that I sometimes make through a chase trip takes place to become an international flight, which now earns 8 healthy points per dollar spent.
As I more often keep flights and accommodation off the Chase, 4 new points every dollar spent in this specific category is a good stimulus for my personal reward strategy.
Bottom Line
As the Sapphire Reserve Cardholder is now costing an additional $ 245, but when maximized, the new credit card credit is more than a $ 795 annual fee … and that is before you benefit other benefits such as lounge access. Currently, the value of this card still goes beyond the cost, so it will continue to be the main part of my wallet.
Related: How good is the new Chase Sapphire Reserve Offer 100,000 points with $ 500 credit?
Refreshed cards are still well aligning with regular month -to -month expenses throughout categories such as streaming subscriptions and travel -related purchases. To me, Sapphire reserves remain a final travel and lifestyle – it is a visa card, so it is accepted almost anywhere, it does not charge a foreign transaction fee and although some reward rates have been lowered, they are still solid and give a good return on my fixed spending.
To decide if this is a card that works for you, crunch figure -think to see if your spending habits and lifestyle needs will result in the value of the credit and updated credit and benefits. If you can get more than $ 795 from the card, it should get and save.
Apply here: Sapphire Chase Reserve
Related: Credit Card Transfer Bonus