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Your biggest Chase Sapphire Reserve questions answered: From bonus eligibility to earning rates
Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
July 29, 2025 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
A premium travel rewards card recently underwent a significant refresh, introducing new benefits, statement credits and higher fees for both primary and authorized users.
Earning rates have shifted, with increased rewards for flights booked through the issuer's travel portal and new perks like complimentary elite status with select hotel and airline programs.
A new Points Boost feature allows cardholders to redeem points for up to 2 cents each on select flights and hotels booked through the issuer's portal, while other redemption rates and benefits have also been updated.
Eligibility for the welcome bonus has become stricter, especially for those who have previously received a bonus or currently hold a similar product.
What to consider
Eligibility for the welcome bonus now depends on prior bonus history and current card ownership, with upgrades not qualifying for a new bonus.
Points Boost applies only to select flights and hotels, not car rentals or other travel categories, and redemption rates may differ based on application date.
Some offers and earning rates have changed or expired, so details may be out of date.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of new benefits, eligibility nuances and redemption strategies for maximizing value with the refreshed premium travel card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) is one of the best rewards credit cards available right now.
In June, the premium card underwent a refresh with a host of new benefits and statement credits, plus an increase in the annual fee to $795. Alongside the Sapphire Reserve changes, Chase updated its bonus eligibility policy, which may affect your ability to earn a Sapphire card welcome offer more than once.
With so many changes to the card and welcome offer — earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — available, TPG readers have had plenty of questions. And, we have the answers.
Here are your frequently asked questions, answered.
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What has changed with the card?
The Sapphire Reserve changes are as follows:
The annual fee has increased from $550 to $795.
The authorized user fee has increased from $75 to $195.
Select earning rates have been adjusted: Hotels and rental cars booked through Chase Travel decreased from 10 points to 8 points per dollar, flights booked through Chase Travel increased from 5 points to 8 points per dollar, flights and hotels booked directly increased from 3 points to 4 points per dollar and all other travel bookings (cruises, vacation rentals and transit) went down from 3 points to 1 point per dollar.
Chase added new travel and lifestyle credits, including StubHub and Apple TV. Check out the full list of credits here.
Receive complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through Dec. 31, 2027.
Get more perks, including IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status and credits for Southwest Airlines and the Chase online shopping portal, after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Chase introduced Points Boost: Get up to 2 cents per point in value when booking flights and hotels through Chase Travel.
Who is eligible for the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus?
If you have previously received a Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus, you may not be eligible to receive another Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus, regardless of how many months or years have passed since you last received one.
You also may not be eligible for a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Reserve if you currently hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
Can I hold both the Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cards at the same time?
Yes, you can hold both cards at the same time. However, if you already hold the Sapphire Preferred and received a welcome bonus on that card, you most likely will not receive the Sapphire Reserve bonus offer.
Can I receive the welcome bonus for the Sapphire Reserve and Preferred?
Yes, it is possible to receive the welcome bonus on both cards. However, you cannot currently be a personal Sapphire cardholder and receive a welcome bonus on another personal Sapphire card.
For example, TPG senior editor Gabrielle Bernardini applied for the Sapphire Reserve in 2020 and received a welcome bonus. She downgraded her card to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees). Because she has never received a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, she would most likely be eligible. However, if she still had a Sapphire Reserve and applied for the Sapphire Preferred, she would most likely not be eligible for the bonus, even if she was approved for the Preferred.
A representative for Chase confirmed to TPG that bonus eligibility for any Sapphire card will be based on several factors, including previously earned bonus offers and the number of cards opened and closed, among other considerations.
Can I receive the welcome bonus for the Sapphire Reserve if I received the bonus more than 48 months ago?
Yes, it was possible prior to the Sapphire welcome bonus policy changes. However, you will now most likely not be eligible for another welcome bonus on the same Sapphire product.
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Can I upgrade my Sapphire Preferred to a Sapphire Reserve and still receive the welcome bonus?
Card upgrades are not eligible for a welcome bonus. You would need to apply for the Sapphire Reserve and meet Chase's bonus eligibility criteria.
Should I cancel my Sapphire Reserve card if its annual fee is increasing and I'm not eligible for the welcome bonus?
That is a personal choice and one that we can't make for you. While some cardholders may not use the new statement credits, earning rates and card benefits, others feel that the additional perks still outweigh the annual fee.
What are other card options I could consider if I don't wish to keep my Sapphire Reserve?
There are plenty of other premium rewards cards that compete with the Sapphire Reserve. You may wish to consider these other popular products:
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium lifestyle and travel benefits
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for saving on travel and adding authorized users for free
You could also consider downgrading to a no-annual-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which allows you to still access the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. Plus, you can apply for the Sapphire Preferred and possibly receive a welcome offer.
Is the Sapphire Reserve now a better product than the Amex Platinum?
This would depend on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you can use the Amex Platinum's long list of statement credits and more comprehensive lounge access, the Platinum Card may be more rewarding.
If you value a more straightforward product and the generous earning rates for travel and dining, the refreshed Sapphire Reserve might be a better choice.
How do I use Points Boost to get 2 cents per point when booking through Chase Travel?
Chase's new Points Boost feature now gives Sapphire Reserve cardholders the option to obtain up to 2 cents per point in value when they redeem their Ultimate Rewards points through Chase Travel on select hotels and flights.
It's a unique and, we have found, surprisingly rewarding way to get great value from your Chase points. Be sure to look for the rocket symbol to see boosted redemption options.
If I earn Ultimate Rewards points from the Sapphire Reserve bonus before October, can I redeem them through Chase Travel at the fixed rate of 1.5 cents per point?
Yes, if your account was opened before June 23, 2025, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn before Oct. 26, 2025, can still be redeemed at the current fixed rate of 1.5 cents per point until Oct. 27, 2027.
What's the best way to redeem the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus through Chase Travel?
Look for Points Boost options, labeled with a rocket symbol. New cardholders can receive up to 2 cents per point on select hotels and flights and 1 cent per point on other eligible purchases. Chase's The Edit properties can be booked using Points Boost at up to 2 cents per point, an amazing perk for top-tier properties.
Though Points Boost is definitely a great way to earn more than 1 cent apiece, transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to Chase's 14 transfer partners can yield even higher value, like 7 cents per point, depending on the cash versus points price.
Do you know if the refreshed Sapphire Reserve kept the ‘Pay Yourself Back’ option?
Yes, it did. This quarter's categories eligible for Pay Yourself Back with a Sapphire Reserve are:
Select charities: 1.5 cents per point
Gas stations, groceries, home improvement stores and cardholder annual fee: 1.25 cents per point
Can I book Vrbo and Airbnb through Chase Travel? How many points will I receive? What's the earning rate for cruises?
If you applied for the Sapphire Reserve prior to June 23, 2025, Airbnb, Vrbo and cruise purchases, which code as travel, will still earn you 3 points per dollar when booked directly using your Sapphire Reserve; cardholder earning rates will change from 3 points to 1 point per dollar starting Oct. 26, 2025.
If you applied for the card after June 23, Airbnb, Vrbo and cruise purchases booked directly using your eligible card will earn 1 point per dollar.
Sapphire Reserve cardholders will soon have access to Chase's Vacation Homes program, in which they will earn 8 points per dollar for bookings made through Chase Travel.
Booking cruises through Chase Travel earns 10 points per dollar if you applied for the card before June 23, 8 points per dollar for those who applied for their card on or after June 23 and 8 points per dollar for existing cardholders beginning Oct. 26.
No, Points Boost is only applicable on select flights and hotel bookings.
If you want to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points earned from your Sapphire Reserve for car rentals, existing cardholders will receive 1.5 cents of value on points earned up until Oct. 26, 2025, and redeemed through Oct. 26, 2027, then 1 cent thereafter. New cardholders who applied on or after June 23, 2025, will receive 1 cent in value.
Is an Apple One subscription considered an Apple subscription?
Instead of credits, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive complimentary memberships to both Apple TV+ and Apple Music, meaning you don't have to subscribe and wait for a credit to post.
If you have an Apple TV+ or Apple Music subscription purchased directly through Apple, then the complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription through Chase will automatically suspend the existing paid subscription through June 22, 2027.
This benefit will be available instantly for new Sapphire Reserve applicants and in October for existing Sapphire Reserve cardholders. A one-time activation through either Chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required.
According to the terms and conditions of the Sapphire Reserve, "if you have an active paid Apple One subscription purchased directly through Apple, your complimentary Apple TV+ subscription through Chase and your Apple One subscription through Apple will run at the same time unless you cancel your preexisting subscription."
This means that the cost of your Apple One subscription would not be covered by your Sapphire Reserve.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has undergone a significant refresh, with an annual fee hike offset by a strong lineup of new benefits, including everything from boosted earning rates on travel to premium perks like Apple subscriptions, IHG elite status and the interesting new Points Boost redemption option. Plus, this best-ever welcome offer is one of the most lucrative we’ve seen.
While not everyone will qualify for the generous welcome bonus, those who do can expect serious value. Just be sure to check your eligibility before applying to avoid any surprises.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
