[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
