Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Still Belong in My Wallet? – Upgraded Points

I remember the buzz at that time. chase sapphire reserve^® has been released. I was told that Chase’s limit on whether or not to get approved for a new card was well past May 24th, but that I still have a chance to get approved if I visit Chase Bank in person. Ta.

There were no stores in Georgia, where I lived at the time, so I made a 6-hour trip to Central Florida to find a Chase branch and get a 100,000 point welcome bonus offer.

Since then, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has been a staple of mine, I have that number memorized, and it’s my absolute favorite overall. But even with new cards hitting the market and spending strategies changing, is it still worth it? So let’s talk about it.

Do rewards still matter?

I I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve card for almost everything.Even if there are better cards. I know, I know, but if you don’t make the most of your points, you really lose them.

For the past few years, I I reconsidered the way I use credit cards. (Mostly because I finally got a wallet big enough to do so).For this reason, my I’m not spending as much on my Chase Sapphire Reserve card as I used to..

While it’s great in many ways, there aren’t too many categories for me where I would need to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Instead, For most of my purchases, American Express, Capital One, and Citi do the heavy lifting for me..

That being said, I still Use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card for general travel purchases. This includes everything from rental cars to Lyft rides to hotels. To be honest, I have many of these expenses.

So, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is no longer my primary spending card; still commonly used.

That’s not a good enough reason to keep it, but it brings me closer.

Are the points worth earning?

This may go without saying, but clearly, Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth earning. Points and miles are fickle. So being as flexible as possible is key to getting where you want to go when you want to go.

This can take many forms, but the most important are: Diversification of points held. The five main flexible point currencies are American Express Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Built Rewards.

because Each of these currencies has a different list of hotel and airline transfer partners., it’s important to have them all. That way, you’ll have as many flight and hotel options as possible when you decide you want to visit Prague in the middle of summer.

It’s not bad that I was like that. big fan of hyatt Since becoming a World of Hyatt Globalist in 2020.

What I am claiming now is that Stay at Hyatt properties whenever possibleThis means that these Chase Points can be transferred to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, which is very convenient.

Are the benefits worth the price?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card includes: $550 Annual feeThis is more than anyone can spend in a year. But I’m the queen of rationalizing purchases to myself (as you can see by reading this article), and that’s one of the reasons I’ve held on to this card for so long.

That being said, there are some other benefits that I use regularly.

Airport lounge access

I think the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card’s lounge access is worth it, even though Chase’s upcoming devaluation of Priority Pass Select membership means you won’t have access to Priority Pass restaurants.

I agree that there is a network. Not as good as Amex’s Global Lounge Collectionbut I really dig it Chase’s new Sapphire Lounge. I’ve been to two locations in Boston (BOS) and Hong Kong (HKG) so far, but there are currently five locations open.

Most importantly, we have several facilities in the works and one in particular that we hope will open soon.

My home base is San Diego (SAN), a beautiful but fairly small airport. When it comes to lounge access (unless you pay for lounge membership), you don’t have many options. There are Priority Pass Lounges, Priority Pass Restaurants, Delta Sky Club, United Club, and two Bee Relax spas that are rarely open.

That’s enough San Diego lounge service is lackluster.

that’s all That changes as Chase opens San Diego Sapphire Lounge. I can’t wait, and that in itself will be a reason for me to keep the card. Do I have unlimited access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge at my hometown airport? Sign. myself. Up.

travel insurance

Chase Sapphire Reserve cards may not be accepted on most flights (That honor goes to the Platinum Card)^® from American Express), but be sure to Whenever I book an award ticket,. it is, free travel insurance Kick in even when you are Used to pay taxes and fees.

This also applies when used for: pay for rental carThis is great news. rental car insurance What it provides is among the best available.

Tips:

statement credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card doesn’t have as many statement credits as the Business Platinum card.^® It’s an American Express product, but it’s a great value.

The most important thing for me is Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers $300 in annual travel statement credits. It automatically applies to your travel purchases, so you basically have until January 2nd of each year to use it up.

This effectively Annual fee drops to $250. And that’s decisive for me.

final thoughts

I may not rely on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card as much as I used to, and I certainly don’t like the loss of benefits this card faces. But a generous $300 annual travel credit, a partnership with World of Hyatt, and the soon-to-open Chase Sapphire Lounge at my hometown airport are enough of a compelling argument to keep it around. Masu. We look forward to welcoming you to San Diego once our lounge opens.