Chase Sapphire Reserve: 50% Bonus On Chase UR Redemption, Lounge Access Type + Card Design

Latest information can be found here: Chase Sapphire Reserve.

We now have more information regarding the Chase Sapphire Reserve from multiple sources (including this reddit thread). Here is what the card will offer (I’ve added bold to any new information):

  • Sign up bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, unknown minimum spend requirement
  • Card will earn the following rates:
    • 3x points on travel & dining purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Annual fee of $450
  • Authorized user fee of $75
  • $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases charged to the card
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Complimentary lounge access at over 900+ lounges (this indicates it’s a Priority Pass Select membership)
  • Points will be transferable to Chase travel partners (we didn’t already know this, but it was assumed since the lower annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred does this)
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $100
  • 50% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises
  • Visa Infinite

Update: Removed image as per request.

Our Verdict

Here are my thoughts on the new aspect of this card. It’ll be interesting to see what benefits if any the authorized user gets. Obviously the big problem is going to be the Chase 5/24 rule.

Lounge Access

The lounge access they are offering is extremely weak, especially compared to the American Express platinum, although I didn’t really expect them to give United Club access either.

50% Bonus

The 50% bonus on redeeming points is great, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% bonus (although it’s worded as 20% off). This means that the bonus is worth $1,500 on travel, pretty massive bonus but even without that people would be all over this.

Airline Credit

I suspect the airline credit will be the exact same as what the Ritz-Carlton offers. I really hope this isn’t the case, because you have to manually call in for that benefit. They are also much more restrictive in what qualifies:

Only the following types of non-ticket Net Purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees.

Now we’re just speculating on that part at the moment.
    William Charles
  • On August 4, 2016, 21:12

View Comments (38)

  • Anybody have a reasonably valid source/idea as to whether it's a $300 travel vs airline credit? Would love to see that $300 free to use beyond wifi and aisle seat upgrades (I never check baggage lol).

  • I'm maintaining my chase banking relatonship to improve my chance of qualifying in branch for this card.

  • This feels like such a tease since most of us in this game are stuck not able to get any new chase cards due to the 5/24 rule. I can't ever see a day in the future where I won't have at least 5 new cards in 24 months. I am just glad I got the ink when I did. So many great cards I am missing out on.

    • Classic case of rules don't apply if you got money. Become a Chase private client and problem solved.

  • Good morning everyone
    (Inside sources HAA HAA). Well y'all already know most of it.
    Chase will discontinue JPMorgan Palladium card. Sapphire Reserve will take its place.
    $450 annual fee, $75 per authorized user
    3x travel & dining
    1x the rest
    100k UR after $4k spent w/in 90 days. 100k equals $1,500 in travel rewards thru UR
    $300 annual travel credit
    No forex
    1:1 transfer to partners
    GE/TSA credit
    Complimentary airport lounge access to 900+
    Doesn't have to be private clients to apply.

    No changes to Chase Sapphire Preferred.

  • So if you get 1.5 UR/$ with Chase Freedom Unlimited and redeem those points with this card it would net 2.25%, wouldn't it?

  • The huge sign on bonus makes this card a no brainer for the first year if you can get it.

    After first year, if $300 credit is for all travel (like citi prestige, not Amex Plat), then the $300 is as good as cash and the annual fee would be $150, or $55 more than the sapphire. THe priority pass select, 3x category, higher redemption rate, and visa infinite make this card a no brainer for your everyday card and CSP replacement.

    If the $300 is like the ritz carlton/amex plat, then at least to me, that's not worth straight cash but still worth something, and at that point, it's a toss up to see if the annual fee is worth all the other benefits (Visa infinite looks pretty legit but dont' have any experience with it yet!)

    • Unless I'm reading this wrong, it's not quite a CSP replacement due to the primary auto coverage. That's a pretty big deal and I'd love to see that offered in the Reserve.

      • I'ms ure the CSR would have same or similar levels of auto coverage being a high end card and all.

  • Is this the final roll up of the card's benefits? Lounge access is weak compared to Amex Plat. The latter also offers SPG and Hilton gold status. Any reciprocity with Chase with Marriott Gold? UA Lounge access was a hard ask.

  • I have been saving my inquiries for this ever since I heard the "rumor". After the way Citi has been treating me lately despite putting thousands thru Prestige, I'm glad to have another player in the game (besides Amex).

    • Chase seems to have abandoned charge cards. All of the old Ink Bold accounts were transformed into credit cards. I'd be suprised if they got back into that offering.

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