Chase Sapphire Reserve changes
tldr; The annual fee is going up
Chase is making a number of changes, with some additional benefits (most of which are useless to me) and charging a higher annual fee. Seems I'm reevaluating this card's cost-effectiveness once or twice a year...
https://thepointsguy.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-refresh-2025/
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Most notably, they are eliminating the 3x bonus for all charges coded as "travel'...like Tauck tours (and cruises), the main value for us with this card. Formerly worth 100's of thousands of points/miles per year for us (they transfer 1:1 immediately do many airlines like United which we use).
The added perks are mostly worthless, so likely will let it lapse when it is up for renewal at the higher cost at the end of the year.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT!
Thanks for posting that - I probably would not have noticed. Yes, most of the "enhanced" benefits are of little use to me. Big jump in the annual fee. And some of the "enhanced" benefits only kick in after you spend $75,000 on the card.
Portolan - So are you thinking Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Platinum, or something else?
BKMD: no decision yet. If the Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to offer 2x on all travel, then that may be the best (but I'll be unsurprised if that perk goes away for the Preferred, as well). No other cards seem to offer the direct transfer to United miles which we only use solely for premium class travel which make the effective value of the current Reserve >=6% (3x per $ and 2 cents per mile value...the best deals for purchasing miles), but actually better since we get at least 3 cents per mile value for award travel.
The card that is increaising from 550.00 to 795.00 is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card; and not the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
I wonder how widely accepted the Amex Platihum is, as in my past experience with a Business Amex (not used for 15 years), many vendors accept MC/Visa, but not Amex?
My Citi Visa no annual fee - rewards: 3% travel and restaurants, 4% gas & EV charging and no foreign transaction fees. I use various airlines, depending on the route, (direct or length of a connection), time of departure and arrival, and cost of the ticket... so in 2024 & so far 2025 I've used Swiss Air, Delta, United, British Air, ITA, Air France and American. I periodically search other cards but have not found the perks to outweigh the annual fee and restrictions. My Global Entry will expire May 2026. I searched for a card that will reimburse the GE fee, but the annual fees are high. Any suggestions for travel cards are appreciated. I am willing to pay an annual fee if the perks are those I will actually use.
I like Fidelity Visa. 2% on everything, no fees.
The reason I went with Chase was the $10,000 per person travel insurance. That's $20,000 of travel insurance when my wife and I travel.
We have used our Amex Plat. card all the time without any issues. There are alot of perks that I use from Amex. It is a bit of a learning curve. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/travel-insurance-benefits/
I too am bummed about losing the 3% on all travel with Sapp Reserve. This really paid off with Tauck, especially when you get a 50% bonus when using the points for airfare. Note that the changes (including the higher annual fee) won't go into effect until October 26, 2025 for existing cardholders. You'll have two years after to get the 50% bonus using points earned before that date, although you'll pay the higher fee with the next renewal after Oct 25. I'm debating whether to make my final payments for next year's trips before that date to lock in the points. There's a bunch of new ancillary benefits, so it may be worth it for some to keep the card.
For Amex Plat. card holders, you'll be seeing some changes, too. Amex announced that it will be making major changes later this year. Rumor has it that the annual fee for that card may go to $1000!
Amex Platinum is accepted almost everywhere in the US. Abroad, I use it only at hotels and rely on my Mastercard for other purchases. I might break even on it with the $20/month credit for my NY Times and the international travel flight savings. And I like the "pay with points" option where, if I book an airline ticket and pay with points, I still get airline miles. I occasionally use the Uber benefit, and I like my travel agent who is employed by Amex Platinum. My daughter makes out great with her platinum card because she uses Uber frequently (The card carries a $15/mo. Uber credit) and takes advantage of the fine hotels and resorts benefits. I might have to re-think it, though, if the annual fee goes to $1,000.
Our favorite Amex perk was back in the day when you could get Tauck travel vouchers for $1000 or $500 when Tauck trips were much cheaper so it was a significant discount.
My husband has Amex platinum and it entitles me to a free Amex Gold card. We love the Fine Hotels and resort perks, Early check in at noon, late check out at 4pm, free breakfast, varying resort credit. Room upgrade if available . Creat flight deals with Concierge service. Extra points booking travel. We used them to book a top NY restaurant when the booking period opened. Same with popular Broadway shows and Rock star concerts when tickets are hard to get. Sometimes use the Uber credit. New York Times subscription. Amex lounges at airports. Global entry when renewing.Think that’s it.
The comments/suggestions in this thread are so helpful. I am a widow, typically a solo traveler. When in Europe with my sister and brother-in-law, his AmEx is often not accepted at restaurants. I changed my Medicare Advantage to a PPO for 2025 and recently learned that it provides $100,000 emergency medical and ambulance coverage outside the US. I nevertheless purchased additional travel insurance for upcoming travel and for the first time will also be purchasing a year of Medjet. I am healthy and active but want peace of mind. I appologize if I deviate from the main thread topic but I was focusing on travel points/miles rewards when searching for a credit card, not the benefit of emergency medical coverage abroad or extended hotel check-in/out, NY Times & Uber etc. Thank you all for the additional perks to consider.
All the hotels take Amex however a lot of stores don't, I just came back form a river cruise on the Rhine and only one of the places I bought something accepted Amex, so I always carry a MasterCard.