Chase Sapphire Reserve Rumors
The other day I covered a very strong rumor that Chase will be launching a new premium card in the coming month. Speculatively called Sapphire Reserve, this card is designed to compete with the American Express Platinum and the now gutted Citi Prestige.
At the time of my original post, not a lot was known about the card, but since then more information has leaked out. The Flyertalk poster who originally broke the news came back with some more details. (HT: Doctor of Credit.) Of course these are rumors, so take them with a grain of salt, although I do believe this card is actually coming.
Anyway, here is what we should/might expect to see:
- $450.00 Annual Fee
- 100K UR Sign up Bonus
- $300.00 Airline Credit
- Priority Pass Select
- 3X Points Travel
- 3X Points Dining
- Visa Infinite
As you can tell, that list is fairly bland. It sort of checks of the “features” that it needs to like lounge access and an airline credit, but doesn’t do much else. I suppose the 3X on dining is nice, but I don’t know if there is enough long term value in those features. Of course, there could be and probably is more.
One of the more interesting aspects is that this card will be a Visa Infinite. Infinite is a step above Visa Signature and comes with some concierge, travel and lifestyle benefits. As of now there is only one Visa Infinite in the United States (The CNB Crystal Visa Infinite) and Visa doesn’t even have a U.S. Infinite website setup. Perhaps with Chase getting on board that will change.
Conclusion
As of now this card doesn’t look to be a stellar product for the long term, although with that bonus and airfare credit it will be nice to get for at least a year if you can get past Chase’s 5/24 guidelines. This card really isn’t designed for travel hackers though. It is designed to keep high net worth customers in the Chase ecosystem and for that reason I think it might find success.
What do you think? Are the features above enough to make this card attractive or does Chase need to add something else to spice it up?
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
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[…] few weeks ago rumors began to surface about the new premium Chase Sapphire Reserve card. I decided to cover them mainly because I was almost 100% sure that they were true. I was at least […]
What are UR point? Can those be transferred to Southwest and count toward your points needed for companion pass?
They are Chase’s loyalty points (Ultimate Reward points). They can be transferred to Southwest 1:1 but do not count toward companion pass.
Thanks for answering this Chris!
[…] More Chase Sapphire Reserve Rumors: Big Air Credit, Lounge Access, 3X & More! – More details have emerged about what benefits will be offered with Chase’s new premium Amex Platinum competitor. […]
Rumors are just that, rumors. I hear Amex is coming out with a card offering a 1MM point bonus.
Maybe I’m missing something, but if you can use the $300 airline credit, that makes the annual fee drop to $150, plus you get at least $1000 in UR. So I would think you’re net ahead by $850, at least for the first year.
If it comes with a credit for Global Entry I have family that I know wold be interested. They missed the 100k Amex Plat offer, so if that doesn’t come around again for a while this new card would be a good option, but they want a credit for Global Entry from a cc.
The airline credit Infind hard to use. I fly one airline and bag, food and drinks are not an issue. The only way I would use that credit is if I had to change a flight and got hit with a fee. This is not something J intend to have happen. Overall, this card, and any of the comparable cards still cost 450 / year so would need to see some value to keep.
Agree with J. Guest policy for Priority Pass is what keeps me in Prestige. I used 4th night free once and it was ridiculously valuable, however, of all the trips I have upcoming – I really don’t have a need for 4th night free anymore.
And UR points are insanely more valuable than Citi points, so it would definitely be UR for me.
For me it comes down to the guest policy on the Priority Pass. If it includes up to two free guests then I will probably cancel the Prestige next year after paying for this upcoming year.
Given the 5/24 rule and the consequent inability for many to apply for a new chase card, do you think Sapphire Preferred card holder can upgrade to this product?
I think it definitely might be possible given how Chase allows you to switch between cards now. With that said it is impossible to say for sure until it is launched and we learn more about how they will treat it compared to other UR cards.
If the card is subject to the 5/24 rule then both me and hibby are both out. I would suspect slot of other people are too. That really stinks. Do you know anything about that yet?
Considering every other Ultimate Rewards card is subject to 5/24 I would expect this one to be. With that said, when the Freedom Unlimited launched there were a few days when people were able to get it before the rule kicked in. We can hope for that, but at this point it is all speculation. We will have to wait for the card to be released and to hear data points from those who apply.
You may have glossed over the alleged $300 airline credit. Unless Chase has better I.T. than Amex, that reduces the fee to $150. I know the other stuff doesn’t move the needle, but errybody gonna get this card off the 100k UR signup alone.
Agreed, but other than lounge access (which many other cards have), you are basically paying $55 more a year for 3X categories. There is still a lot to learn about the card, but if the airline credit works like Citi’s then I think it would be much more valuable. If it is just for incidentals, then it becomes more of a hassle, but there is no doubt this card will have an amazing first year value prospect.