The bonus is HUGE but is it worth it??
Chase gave the Sapphire Reserve its biggest update since 2016, rolling out changes on June 23, 2025 . New applicants and existing cardholders (at their next renewal, post‑October 26, 2025) will see these changes. It’s important to review everything to make sure this card it (still) for you.
Key Changes at a Glance
1. Annual Fee Jump
- From $550 to $795—a $245 increase, and the biggest spike yet for the card
- Authorized user fee also rises from $75 to $195
2. Enhanced Annual Credits & Perks
Chase estimates over $2,300–$2,700 in annual value, but not everyone will get the same value. Highlights include:
| Credit / Benefit | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Credit | $300 | As before, flexible for travel purchases |
| The Edit hotel credit | $500 | Two $250 credits semi-annually |
| Dining credit | $300 | $150 every six months at curated restaurants |
| StubHub credit | $300 | Also semi-annual |
| Apple Music/TV+ | $250 | Applies toward subscriptions |
| Peloton membership | $120 | Up to $10/mo |
| Lyft + DoorDash | ~$240 + DashPass | Continues with ongoing monthly credits |
Additionally:
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status through December 2027
3. Earning & Redemption Shake-Up
Earning Rates
- 8× points on travel booked via Chase Travel portal
- 4× points on flights & hotels booked directly
- 3× points on dining
- 1× point on other purchases
This replaces the old 5× flights, 10× hotels/cars, and 3× on broader travel categories.
Redemption: Introducing “Points Boost”
- Peak value: 2¢/point on select flights and hotels booked via portal
- Standard: 1¢/point on other travel bookings
- Transitional grandfathering: Points earned before Oct 26, 2025, maintain the old 1.5¢/pt value until October 2027
4. High-roller Tier Unlocks
Most of us will not need to worry about this part!
Spend $75,000+ on the card in a calendar year and gain access to:
- IHG Diamond status
- Southwest A‑List status + $500 credit
- $250 credit at The Shops at Chase
5. Other Perks (unchanged)
- $120 Global Entry/TSA‑PreCheck credit
- Lounge access: Chase Lounges, Priority Pass, Maple Leaf, etc.
- Extensive travel/trip protections (thankfully, this stays!)
- New design, heavier metal card
What It All Means
- The new $795 annual fee positions the Reserve as one of the most premium travel cards, even above AmEx Platinum (Although an announcement is pending, with higher fees for them as well)
- Chase assumes active usage of over $1,500 in credits; otherwise, the net value could easily fall short.
- Rewards become more targeted and complex, with varied earning tiers and category-specific boosts.
- The introduction of Points Boost could be a game-changer for portal bookings—though the best value may still be point transfers
What Should You Do
- Perform a “credit audit”: Assess whether you’ll realistically redeem all new credits across categories
- Compare premium/near-premium options: Alternatives like Capital One Venture X ($395/year) offer simpler, lower-cost packages
- Look at the Chase Sapphire Preffered. This may be a better option to earn UR’s
Summary
Chase has reshaped the Sapphire Reserve into a heavily perks‑loaded powerhouse—with a matching steep price. For travelers who can strategically use the credits, booking portals, and bonus tiers, it may be worth it. But for casual spenders, the complexity and cost may not add up.
To be honest, I am still on the fence with these changes. My card isn’t up for renewal until mid-2026, so I still have some time to decide.
Check out our referral link and take a look at both options:
Earn 100,000 bonus points with Sapphire Reserve® or 75,000 bonus points with Sapphire Preferred®.
Miles and Points Travel 
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