Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost
Chase has been quite adept in rolling out their latest, more expensive version of the Sapphire Reserve. During the process, the card’s become more convoluted than ever. Via benefit terms, Chase is discouraging one-year rentals of the Sapphire Reserve. Still, I feel like the bank (and many cardholders) have already won. Meanwhile, many Chase loyalists continue bowing to what I consider the most draconian card application rule of them all, 5/24. But a more recent method of control has arrived with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost feature.
The Pre-Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost Days
Before I dive into the current Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost feature, let’s appreciate where we’ve been. The old version of the Reserve provided 1.5 cents per point value for Chase Travel Portal redemptions. For existing cardmembers, it still does for any points earned prior to this coming 26 October. But the last date to redeem those points at that rate is 25 October 2027.
I have primarily cashed out my Ultimate Rewards points for years (and still do). But I’ve also infrequently redeemed points on specific travel-related awards via the portal. And in 2023, I described the stacking greatness of the Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection (the predecessor to the even-more-terribly-named “The Edit”) bookable via their portal.
What Is Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost?
So redeeming for 1.5 cents per point everywhere via the Chase Travel Portal is disappearing. New applicants for the refreshed Reserve don’t have access to it, and again, existing Reserve cardholders will eventually lose it as described above. In its place, the bank is touting the Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost. DDG and I mentioned this in previous articles, but Chase just reminded me of it in an opulent, stiff piece of snail mail where bank’s trying to convince me to keep my existing Reserve. It states:
With New Points Boost offers, your points will be worth up to 2x on thousands of both top booked hotels and flights with select airlines through Chase Travel….all new points earned can be redeemed at a 1:1 rate on Chase Travel (replacing 1.5x on all Chase Travel purchases)….New offers will be available on a rotating basis, so make Chase Travel the first stop for your next adventure.
My Take
I read the above more like this:
With New Points Boost offers, Sapphire Reserve cardholders will no longer be able to broadly, simply redeem Ultimate Rewards at 1.5 cents per point on the Chase Travel Portal. Instead, we’re enticing Reserve cardholders with the hopes of redeeming at 2 cents per point on a fraction of options, subject to change whenever we feel like it. Along the way, we’ll hook Reserve cardholders by continuing to broadly hammer that possible valuation across the entire Chase Travel Portal portfolio without necessarily delivering a cardholder’s preferred redemption at that valuation.
Invariably, Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost will be a huge win for certain cardholders. And stacking this with the biannual $250 The Edit Credit benefit, even with its two-night minimum requirement and six-month expiration, makes it even more attractive. But, in practice, it’s certainly not for everyone.
That’s because your tailored goals – needs and wants – don’t necessarily align with such redemptions. You’re a unique individual – why accept a bland, one-size-fits-all redemption type because it’s 2 cent per point? With the Points Boost (and Edit) incentives, Chase is encouraging people how and where to redeem. The bank is essentially controlling cardholders along the way. I’m confident many are deifying these Points Boost redemption values (whether they know it or not) and pass up perfectly-fine redemption alternatives which may have more immediately addressed their pre-existing priorities. These same individuals could rationalize an ill-fitting redemption, sit around waiting for the property/flight they’re hoping to become Points Boost-eligible (which may never arrive), or both.
Cents per point idolatry is nothing new. For years, many have gone all-in on Hyatt transfers and loyalty with their Ultimate Rewards points. As a former top-tier elite under Hyatt’s previous Gold Passport program, I get it – to an extent. But I still consistently interact with individuals who seem bizarrely fascinated with exclusively redeeming Ultimate Rewards points this way, passing up more immediate, solid redemptions for what they consider as superior value at the end of the cents-per-point tunnel. (No, thanks.)
Conclusion
Of course, I’m not saying avoid Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost at all costs. I’m just reminding again to start with your goals – travel-related and otherwise – and redeem accordingly. If your priorities align with a Points Boost-eligible property, bravo! But if not, redeem elsewhere with no regrets. Redemptions aligned to your goals always have value, way more than 2 cents per point at a hotel or on a flight Chase is suggesting, anyway. The banks have control over so many aspects we do not. It’s even more integral to maintain control over the angles we can. Set goals, redeem, and do big things!
How are you using Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Boost, if at all?
Chase is a joke. Terrible earning cards and terrible customer service and acquisition policies. Once BILT launches their new cards/program, Chase is cooked.
Let’s be realistic. All of these premium cards are aimed at people who want to pretend to be richer than they are. (I have some truly wealthy friends and there is no way they would ever waste their time using things like hotel credits.) Now I have to put myself in that category because like most people in this hobby I want to use credit cards points and perks to stretch my travel dollars and have experiences I might not have otherwise.
The problem with the new CSR is that the list of hotels and restaurants is so short that to use the credits I would essentially be letting Chase decide where I stay or eat. I might not be filthy rich, but even I am pickier about my travel plans than that.
Let’s be honest, Chase (and other banks) don’t revamp these premium cards to make them more valuable to the consumer. They want it to appear to be some great card that only elite travelers use as they enjoy status like…oh…IDK, Retired Gamblers I guess. The banks add coupon book type stuff so they can build in “breakage”, they hope you don’t use all the perks that pay for the card. Event then they win because the majority of stuff they offer, like room credits on hotels booked through their internal OTA aren’t usually the cheapest way to book. Or using your points to buy Apple stuff, or Resy credits for random big cities where the majority of Americans don’t live. It goes on and on. I’ve held the CSR and in 2P mode a CSP for many years, also have Amex Gold, Platinum, Green, Hilton, Marriott as well as dozens of various Citi and Barclay cards, some with high fees and lounge access but they are all pricing themselves out of business. Even someone who stays in 5 star hotels and travels weekly is paying too much for most of these cards, why? Because they keep raising the price so even if you are rich why would you pay for a card that is not worth the fee. You are better off just paying cash for lounge access or breakfast.
The key is this card isn’t for MS churners! I have it, along w Amex Platinum and Gold, Citi Strata Premier and 13-15 hotel/airlines cards. I made my wealth in my career and don’t need to use credit card points to support it. I travel internationally business and first class plus stay at 4/5 star hotels. Therefore the CSR Edit credit (along with Amex FHR) plus the dining credit work well for me.
Go ahead and cancel – you are living on the edge and neither Chase nor Amex really wants you anyway. For those if us with assets who use the premium travel and dining credits it is a great fit.
I agree, what is the purpose of the card. I like the huge bonus and it fits with the timing for a business expense. May as well get the points. It doesn’t count against me so I am good. I really don’t see huge benefits from the card after the 1 year. Even if I could use the ‘perks’ I agree with you the benefits are too exhausting to go after. Many will forget WHAT they are and won’t use them. I’m sure that is what Chase is banking on. I get more value from my AmX Biz Plat. At least those benefits are still useful and more easier to use. I will close the CSR Biz without hesitation come 2027 renewal. I think the way it is going CSR Biz will eventually be a failure. Many are going to walk away from it. Especially if AmX can deliver a higher product even if the fee is higher. Had the bonus not been 200K pts I would have NOT applied. Given what I will get in return the 200K UR pts and I will use 70% of the benefits (using extra energy to do so!) the high fee will pay for itself. I will not be using all the so called benefits. I am not going to waste that much energy to chase after them. That’s why come 2026 renewal it will be a no brainer to close it. I won’t even seek a retention.