“The Content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.”

Today was a big day in the points and miles world! The short version – 3 cards in the same “card family” have new elevated offers” (and one is brand spankin’ new!). I’ll start with a preview, but if you want more info (on some changes that probably affect you…and maybe hurt a little bit), you’ll want to keep reading!

1. There is a new elevated offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. If you’re new here, or maybe you’ve just been watching on the sidelines and you’re ready to jump in. Start here (and do not get overwhelmed with anything else. I recommend this card at absolutely any time – so when there is an increased offer, that’s just icing on the cake. Here’s the elevated offer:

2. The lovingly nicknamed “Big Brother” of the Sapphire Preferred is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It got a makeover today, and it was a bougie one. The annual fee for the Sapphire Reserve increased from $550 a year to $795.

Here’s what you can expect from the Updated Sapphire Reserve:

While the Sapphire Reserve annual fee is being increased, the argument is that there is over $2700 in yearly value. My personal issue isn’t getting the value of my coupon book-style credit cards, it’s more just the mental energy that is added to my to do list each month/quarter/six months and, as a busy mom, I’m not excited about remembering a few more things. However, I know I could get much more value than the $795 annual fee by taking a few minutes to set a few reoccurring reminders on my phone.

Perks that aren’t being changed:

• $300 annual travel credit. Given on cardmember anniversary to redeem in Chase Travel portal
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus credit
• Access to any Chase Sapphire Lounge, with up to two complimentary guests as well as access to Priority Pass lounges.
• Travel Protections such as primary rental car insurance, trip interruption, and baggage protections.

What’s being added:

• $300 annual dining credit (given in two $150 installments semi-annually) for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables. I had to read a Reddit article to see which restaurants are available near Austin because it’s hard to find a complete list without inputting your Sapphire Reserve card number.
• $500 annual credit (given in 2 $250 semi-annual installments) for hotels participating in Chase’s lux hotel and resort collection – called “The Edit.”
• Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through 12/31/27)
• Complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music
• $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credits (given in 2 semi-annual installments)
• $120 in yearly Lyft credits ($10 monthly credit)
• $300 in DoorDash promotions (up to $25 per month)
• $10 monthly credit for Pelaton memberships

There are certainly more perks available. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can review full benefits at chase.com/reservebenefits.

Is this excellent value? Yes – if you use it. It also might be totally worth it to open it for at least one year, receive a great welcome offer, and then reevaluate.

3. A NEW BUSINESS CARD! That’s right. A brand new premium business card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business®, just entered the market. The same steep $795 annual fee with coupon book style monthly/semiannually/annual redemptions as the Sapphire Reserve. With this new introductory offer, you’ll earn 200,000 points when you spend $30,000 in 6 months. If you can spend $5,000 (on average), each month for 6 months – this might be right up your alley! I’m planning on opening this card – with taxes and a few other big expenses we’ve been putting off, unfortunately, we might be able to do this.

Once you’ve opened the card, you’ll earn:

• Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
• Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
• Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
• Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases.

The Perks:

• $300 annual travel credit
• $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus credit every 4 years
• $500 credit for stays with The Edit by Chase Travel (a collection of worldwide hotels and resorts, issued in 2 semiannual statement credits)
• 3x points on social media and search engine advertising
• $400 ZipRecruter hiring credit
• $200 Google Workspace credit
• $100 Giftcards.com credit
• $300 DoorDash Value
• $120 in annual Lyft credits
• and more

If you can hit this steep minimum spend and are in need of some of my favorite Chase points, this card may be just what you need.

Let’s Dig Deeper

Since the beginning of time (exaggeration) there have been some norms when it comes to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.

Norm 1: You could only hold the Sapphire Preferred OR Reserve Card once every 48 months. Not any more. The terms and conditions are now being replaced with “the new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you currently have any other personal Sapphire cards open.” However, if you downgrade your Sapphire Preferred card (just make sure you’ve held it open for a full year), you may be eligible to receive the Sapphire Reserve welcome offer.

Norm 2: You could receive a welcome offer every 48 months. Not any more. As of 6/23/2025 there will be lifetime language. This means that you will no longer be able to receive a welcome offer every 4 years. It might be more like every 10+ years, but only time will tell until we see some data points!

Norm 3: Once upon a time, when you applied for one of the Sapphire cards, you applied, your credit was checked, you got the card or you didn’t. Well – that’s changing, too. If you’re familiar with how American Express handles their card applications, this process will be very similar. You’ll apply for the card and receive a soft pull on your credit (this does not impact your credit). You’ll be told if you’re approved or not. If you’re approved, you’ll accept the offer and a hard pull on your credit will take place.

A Few Redemption Changes

For the last several years, cardholders of the Sapphire Preferred could book travel in Chase Travel at a 1.25% rate (rather than a 1:1 rate) giving them an extra 25% bonus when booking travel through the portal. Sapphire Reserve cardholders could book travel in Chase Travel at a 1.50% rate. This is all changing.

Before I explain, TRANSFERRING YOUR POINTS will almost always give you better value than booking through Chase Travel. If you typically transfer your points, then you might choose to ignore this section. It’s a lot.

Chase is rolling out something called “Points Boost” to replace the 1.25% to 1.50% bonus for booking in the portal. From Chase:

Points Boost allows eligible cardmembers to redeem Ultimate Rewards points at a higher rate (up to 2x depending
on the card and offer) when booking select airline tickets and hotel accommodations through Chase Travel. The
program offers a range of rotating offers across flight classes and hotel properties. Cardmembers can use Points
Boost to maximize the value of their points on premium air cabin tickets and hotels.

This Points Boost will be available for Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and the NEW Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠.

The points world is always changing – just in one day we got news that there is a new and exciting credit card, an upgraded premium card with even more perks, all while keeping us humble and reminding us that things can change in an instant (I’m looking at you 48 month turns to lifetime language, rule 😭). As always, I believe that the biggest take away is to enjoy the benefits NOW. Have those experiences NOW. Take advantage of the points and miles sweet spots NOW. If anything is certain, its that things will always be changing.

Let me know if you have questions! xo – Amber