[12/3/18: Seems that January change was just some sort of glitch as it’s no longer showing that; additionally, many people who have had December statement closings are already seeing their 2019 credit showing as available.]
Chase Sapphire Reserve changed the renewal date of the $300 annual travel credit from renewing on the December statement to renewing on the January statement. It still goes with the calendar year, just a change from December to January.
This change is only for grandfathered CSR members who get the travel credit based on the calendar year. Those who signed up since May 21, 2017, get the credit based on the cardmember year. For them, there are no changes at all.
The change is likely to simplify the travel credit: most people think of January as a renewal date, and assume they have the entire December to use up their credit. Still interesting that they are making a change for something that has a diminishing affect (only matters for dwindling grandfathered members).
You can check your online Chase travel credit tracker where it’ll state clearly when the credit renews:
Other people are still seeing the reset as being in December. I’m guessing it just hasn’t updated yet for them (probably depending on when their statements close), but we’ll have to wait and see to know for sure.
We’ve updated our post Year-End Credit Card Checklist for 2018: Travel Credits, Spend Reset, Application Strategy & More to reflect the change.
Hat tip to PhDtravel on r/churning
This card was opened for me on 12-30-16.
My annual fee is applied every year thus far on January 1st.
A phone rep told me the new travel credit begins upon my statement close on the 26th of December.
Confirmed on my Ultimate Rewards page.
Is there anything to be gained if I have them change my statement close date?
E.g., if they will change it to December 2nd for statement close, will the new travel credit be applied on December 2nd, giving me almost a month to use it until the annual fee is applied on January 1st?
Or will that cause them to move the annual fee charge to an earlier date?
Thank you.
I did read all posts and could not find this clearly answered, I may be missing it.
For new card holders, I should be able to use the $300 travel credit a second time (in the very beginning of cardmember year two) and then cancel the card and receive a prorated refund of the annual fee?
Anniversary August 1st
$300 Travel credit reset and annual fee assessed Sept 1st
Account closed September 20th
Receive a check for 11 months of annual fee.
Is that accurate?
Chuck or those who can help with clarifying, I am a newbie of CSR, got the card in Aug 2018. I thought I was getting the $300 travel credit, but upon checking the reward page, it says a $0 received in the circle and “Take advantage of this year’s $300 Annual Travel Credit by making eligible travel purchases. (Your next year’s $300 Annual Travel Credit will begin after your statement closing date in 08/2019.*)”
A bit unclear about the wording, if I make a purchase today, will I get the credit for this year? Did I lose the credit after 12/31? If I am still good, but really have no travel plan at this time, should I just get a refundable AA or any airlines and cancel the ticket later? Should the cancellation be done after the credit is posted?
If I remember correctly for newer members the credit is on an anniversary basis. So you have until Aug 2019 to get your $300. I would make sure you get on or before July, to not miss on it. As it matters when the charges post.
Grandfathered cardmember here: interestingly, I’m seeing *negative* 3x on my travel purchases since the travel credit reset. 0x on the actual purchase itself, then -3x when it gets credited.
Anyone else seeing this? One friend heard from Chase that this is because we received 3x on our refunded purchases earlier this year, and they’re clawing back the points since the policy change in May.
Hmm, odd, maybe some sort of mistake.
On a separate note, i am prequalified for Chase Sapphire card when i log to my Chase account………..Does that mean i am approved if i apply? Am at 3/24 currently.
Any DPs on having 3 regular freedom cards? the .015 for purchased travel is good in theory but chase wants $356.40 or 23,760 PTS . or i can just buy the ticket for 289.90 (effectively less when getting 3-5x). that means its really .0122 per point, not good. With the amex gold 4x and citi prestige going to 5x, not sure why i would hold on to CSR… ~$150 for what exactly when i have other premium cards. (citi does give offers for prestige to offset AF) Happy I transferred 190k to korean before that went away. Now the unique partners are united, hyatt, and southwest? YAY!!!
Will take the 300 for 37.50 and hopefully have my 3rd regular freedom card.
Glad I cut the CSR in favor of the AMEX Gold Reward card and didn’t wait the 3 months (now 4) for the $300 travel credit. Will upgrade one of my CF in January or Feburary or whenever I need the travel credit and pay the $450AF
Why are you glad that you did not collect another $300 (because even with new rules which do not apply to many thus year you still should be able to cancel or downgrade for a full fee refund and still get the second credit)?
Am I missing sonething?
Also the benefits which come with amex Gold are not the same or even close to CSR. You soyld be comparing Platinum to CSR… but this is a personal choice.
Another point that I believe that cancelling cards in first 12 months is a great way to get in the bank’s black list. Why take that chance if you can cancel after 13 months, pay no extra and get second credit? Pls tell me where I am wrong?
I had the original CSR and already paid twice for it (had it since 2016)…I used all my Chase UR and did not have a need to pay the $450 back in September to wait until December (which was after all of the trips I had planned to use the travel credit). Just wasn’t worth keeping to me…plus with the Chase Travel Portal (Expedia) being less friendly with rewards, that solidified my decision to move away from Chase UR.
I can always upgrade a Freedom card next year and collect the $300 travel credit…
Finally, benefits are pretty close in terms of point accumulation now… 4x on restaurants and groceries.
Makes total sense. You did double dipped.. or we should say broke even – collected 3 credits and paid 2 af. You are good. Although for you with renewal in Sept it did not matter much if credit renews in Dec or Jan. For people with renewal in Jan it does – less time for an extra credit. Good luck.
P.s. unless you are very far in the game i am not worried too much about categories – always have a bonus to work on between me and Player 2, so all spend goes to a new card. 😉
Article needs correction with another supporting DP from my side. Mine stmt just closed last night and credits are reset with full availability.
Happy to see this looks not be coming to fruition. DPs on Reddit are also reflecting travel credits resetting in Dec as expected. Begs the question: glitch, test, or did they decide to change it and then go back on that at the last minute?
My AF posted 11-1, I called to downgrade and they said I have 40d to get it reversed if downgrade and said I could get another round of travel credits before then and still have the AF waived. Is that a lie?
I believe DoC has reports it’s 30 days to get a refund in full if you close/downgrade. After that people have reported receiving a pro-rated refund when downgrading the card, even though Chase reps will tell you no refunds at all. And yep, you can use the $300 travel credit before you close it out if it resets right for you. Many people have done so successfully.
Mine still shows as resetting in December, AF posted today. Closing date is the 17th and I have a room booked for the 16th. It’s all cut very close, let’s hope it works out in my favor!