Just yesterday, I wrote about my plans to dump the ‘new’ Amex Platinum card. I also argued in my article that I’m seriously considering upgrading to the Chase Sapphire Reserve after the recent changes to the Amex Platinum card – changes that I view as hugely negative.
Chase Sapphire Card Changes
Doctor of Credit posted a leaked cardmember agreement which showed that Chase will soon be adding new benefits to both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Bear in mind that the Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently running a limited time welcome bonus offer of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points. If you live near a Chase branch, you can apply at a branch, potentially get an additional $50 in credits and get the annual fee waived for the first year.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
As per the leaked document, these changes will go into effect from August 15, 2021.
- You will earn 10x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar you spend on hotel and car rental purchases via Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal
- You will also earn 10x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar you spend on Chase dining
- 5x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar spent on airline purchases via Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal
- 3x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar spent on all other dining purchases
- 3x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar spent on all other travel purchases
- 1x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar spent on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The following changes will go into effect from August 15, 2021.
- $50 hotel credit (per cardmember year)
- 10% annual points bonus based on how many points you earn during your cardmember year. For instance, if you earned 40,000 points, you’ll get a 4,000 points bonus after you renew your card and pay the annual fee again
- You will earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar you spend on Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal
- You will earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar you spend on dining, select streaming services and online grocery. However, this category does not include retailers like Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs
- 2x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar you spend on all travel purchases
- 1x Ultimate Rewards points for each dollar spent on all other purchases
The Pundit’s Mantra
As a long time Chase customer, I’m glad that Chase is making a few changes to their Chase Sapphire portfolio. The online grocery bonus category and $50 hotel credit are really good additions to the Sapphire Preferred, in addition to the 10% annual points bonus. However, I’m not as impressed with the changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve. They could still be useful for some, especially if you book a ton of travel via Chase’s travel portal.
What do you think about Chase’s rumored upcoming changes to their Sapphire Cards? How would they impact your strategy of either keeping, canceling or downgrading to or from any of these products? Tell us in the comments section.
Hat Tip to Doctor of Credit
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American Express is currently running elevated welcome bonuses on personal and business versions of their Hilton co-branded credit cards.
The no-annual fee Hilton Honors card by American Express is offering a limited time welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors points. The $95 annual fee Hilton Surpass Card and Hilton Business cards are offering a whopping welcome bonus of 180,000 Hilton Honors points.
Apply Now
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