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The Chase Sapphire Reserve has long been considered one of the top travel rewards credit cards on the market — and now, it’s getting a major refresh. Originally launched in 2016 to instant acclaim, the card is evolving with a powerful new rewards structure and a suite of elevated lifestyle perks beginning June 23, 2025. With revamped earning categories, a brand-new Points Boost feature that can increase your redemptions to 2¢ per point, and over $1,500 in potential annual credits, Chase is positioning this card for serious travelers and spenders. The annual fee is rising to $795, but the added value may make it more rewarding than ever. So, is the updated Sapphire Reserve still the right card for you? This review will break down everything you need to know to decide if it earns a place in your wallet.
With the 2025 refresh, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers even more powerful earning potential — especially for cardholders who book travel through Chase and dine out frequently:
8x Points on Chase Travel: Earn 8 points per dollar when you book flights, hotels, and car rentals directly through Chase Travel.
4x Points on Flights & Hotels Booked Directly: Prefer booking through airlines or hotel websites? You’ll still earn 4x points per dollar.
3x Points on Dining Worldwide: This includes restaurants, takeout, and eligible delivery services.
5x Points on Lyft: Valid on all eligible Lyft rides.
10x Points on Peloton Equipment: Earn 10x points on eligible Peloton hardware and accessory purchases.
All other purchases continue to earn 1x point per dollar.
These new rates significantly enhance the card’s value, especially for travelers and lifestyle spenders who want to rack up rewards faster by using Chase Travel and maximizing high-bonus categories like dining, rideshare, and fitness.
Chase Sapphire Reserve points — known as Ultimate Rewards® points — are becoming even more powerful with the 2025 refresh thanks to a new feature called Points Boost.
Starting June 23, 2025, Chase is introducing Points Boost, a new benefit that increases the value of your points when redeemed for select travel bookings through Chase Travel. Instead of the standard 1.5 cents per point, Points Boost can elevate redemptions to up to 2.0 cents per point depending on the flight or hotel you choose.
This means you’ll get even more value when booking premium or curated travel experiences through the portal — a clear upgrade from the old flat-rate 1.5¢ value.
You can still transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs, including:
United MileagePlus
Southwest Rapid Rewards
World of Hyatt
British Airways Avios
Air Canada Aeroplan
Marriott Bonvoy, and more
Transferring points strategically — especially to programs like Hyatt or Aeroplan — can still yield well over 2 cents per point in value, depending on the redemption.
Points can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards at 1 cent per point. While this is a flexible option, it’s not the best way to maximize value compared to travel or transfer redemptions.
Points Never Expire: As long as your account remains open and in good standing, your Ultimate Rewards points will not expire.
Free & Flexible Transfers: You can still transfer points freely between eligible Chase cards (like the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred) or to authorized users in your household.
The addition of Points Boost gives the Sapphire Reserve an edge for savvy travelers who want maximum value out of every point. Whether you’re redeeming through the Chase portal or transferring to airline/hotel partners, the post-refresh Sapphire Reserve offers some of the best redemption flexibility on the market.
As of June 23, 2025, the Chase Sapphire Reserve still offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months — a strong incentive that’s held steady through the refresh.
Thanks to the new Points Boost feature, your bonus could be worth even more. Instead of the standard $900 in travel through Chase Travel (1.5¢ per point), you can now redeem your points at up to 2 cents each on select bookings, potentially increasing the bonus value to $1,200 when used strategically.
The $4,000 minimum spend requirement remains reasonable, especially if you’re planning a trip, moving, or have large purchases on the horizon. With boosted points potential and more lifestyle perks, the welcome bonus is an even stronger value proposition than before.
Annual Fee: Now $795 (previously $550), effective June 23, 2025 for new applicants and on the next renewal after October 26, 2025 for current cardholders.
Authorized User Fee: Increased to $195 per user (up from $75).
Foreign Transaction Fees: Still $0 – this card remains ideal for international travel.
Despite the higher annual fee, the card now includes over $1,500 in potential credits, making the value highly competitive for premium cardholders.
Variable APR: 21.24% to 28.24% depending on creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers: No special offers; balance transfers are not a primary strength of this card.
Intro APR: There is no 0% intro APR — this is a rewards powerhouse, not a financing tool.
The Sapphire Reserve is still best suited for those who pay off balances in full each month to avoid interest charges.
$300 Annual Travel Credit: Automatically applies to all qualifying travel purchases — still one of the easiest and most flexible credits on the market.
Points Boost: New as of June 23, 2025 — earn up to 2 cents per point when redeeming select bookings through Chase Travel.
Priority Pass Select Membership: Still included, offering access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS Credit: Receive a statement credit for the application fee every 4 years.
IHG Platinum Elite Status: New benefit — enjoy automatic status with perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
$500 Hotel Credit via The Edit: Get up to $500 annually on curated luxury hotel bookings through Chase’s exclusive Edit platform.
StubHub & Viagogo Credit: Up to $300 annually in statement credits for live events and entertainment.
Dining at Sapphire Reserve Tables: Get up to $300 in credits per year when dining at exclusive OpenTable Reserve Table experiences.
Apple Services: Enjoy Apple TV+ and Apple Music for free through June 22, 2027, valued at $250 annually.
Lyft Credit: Up to $120 in credits per year, plus 5x points on eligible rides.
Peloton Credit: Get $120 annually toward eligible Peloton subscriptions or gear.
DoorDash Promos: Up to $300 annually, including DashPass and rotating offers for food, groceries, and retail delivery.
Purchase Protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft for up to 120 days (up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account).
Extended Warranty: Adds an extra year to eligible warranties on purchases with original warranties of three years or less.
Return Protection: Covers eligible returns for up to 90 days when the merchant won’t accept the item (up to $500 per item).
Chase Sapphire Experiences: Continued access to exclusive Chase events, early ticket sales, and luxury travel packages.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make purchases abroad without additional charges.
24/7 Concierge Service: Available to help with travel bookings, event reservations, and more.
Roadside Assistance & Emergency Services: Available on-demand for travelers on the go.
Massive earning potential with 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on direct flights and hotels, and 3x on dining worldwide.
60,000-point welcome bonus, now worth up to $1,200 with the new Points Boost feature.
$300 flexible annual travel credit, easily applied to nearly any travel expense.
Over $1,500 in lifestyle value through credits for dining, entertainment, rideshare, streaming, and more.
Points Boost: New redemption feature that gives up to 2¢ per point on select Chase Travel bookings.
Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access at 1,300+ locations worldwide.
Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status for hotel perks.
Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions included through 2027 (worth $250/year).
No foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers.
Extensive travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
Higher annual fee of $795, up from $550 (effective June 23, 2025).
Authorized user fee increased to $195 per person, per year.
Still no 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.
High variable APR makes it unsuitable for carrying a balance.
Maximizing all the perks requires engaged usage across multiple categories — may not suit more casual spenders.
Read our review of the Amex Platinum card here.
Annual Fee:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Now $795 (up from $550 as of June 23, 2025)
Amex Platinum: $695
Rewards Earning:
Sapphire Reserve: 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, 3x on dining
Amex Platinum: 5x on flights and prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel; 1x on most other purchases
Travel Credits & Perks:
Sapphire Reserve: $300 flexible travel credit, $500 hotel credit (via The Edit), $300 in StubHub credits, $300 in DoorDash promos, Apple subscriptions, Lyft & Peloton credits
Amex Platinum: Airline incidental credit, Fine Hotels + Resorts and Hotel Collection credits, digital subscriptions, Walmart+ membership, Uber and Saks credits
Lounge Access:
Sapphire Reserve: Priority Pass Select
Amex Platinum: Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), and Plaza Premium Lounges — broader access overall
Redemption Value:
Sapphire Reserve: Up to 2.0¢ per point with new Points Boost through Chase Travel
Amex Platinum: Up to ~1–2¢ per point when transferred to travel partners, but just 1¢ per point when used through Amex Travel
Verdict:
If you want luxury airport experiences and are loyal to Amex’s ecosystem, Platinum delivers. But for travelers looking for more flexible credits, better base earnings, and higher-value redemptions through a user-friendly portal, Sapphire Reserve pulls ahead post-refresh.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture X here.
Annual Fee:
Sapphire Reserve: $795
Venture X: $395
Rewards Earning:
Sapphire Reserve: 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on direct bookings, 3x on dining
Venture X: 10x on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel, 5x on flights via Capital One Travel, 2x on all other purchases
Travel Credits:
Sapphire Reserve: $300 flexible credit usable on virtually any travel, plus over $1,500 in lifestyle credits
Venture X: $300 travel credit through Capital One Travel (more restrictive), 10,000 anniversary miles (~$100)
Lounge Access:
Sapphire Reserve: Priority Pass Select
Venture X: Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges (growing footprint)
Redemption Value:
Sapphire Reserve: Up to 2.0¢ per point via Points Boost or 1:1 transfer to travel partners
Venture X: 1¢ per mile via portal, up to ~1.5–2¢ with transfers to Capital One’s airline/hotel partners
Verdict:
Venture X is the budget-friendly option for casual travelers who want solid rewards and lounge access at a lower fee. But for frequent travelers or lifestyle spenders, the Sapphire Reserve’s refreshed benefits package and high redemption value justify the premium.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Refresh effective as of June 23, 2025, cements its place as one of the best premium travel cards on the market — especially for travelers who book through Chase Travel and can take advantage of the new Points Boost, enhanced rewards, and over $1,500 in annual lifestyle credits.
Yes, the annual fee has increased to $795, but with new perks like StubHub credits, Peloton and Apple subscriptions, and elite hotel status, the potential value far outweighs the cost — if you’re using the benefits.
If you’re looking for a card that delivers true luxury, flexible redemption, and consistent lifestyle value, the updated Chase Sapphire Reserve is tough to beat. It’s a perfect fit for travelers, foodies, and rewards maximizers who want top-tier perks bundled into one ultra-premium card.
For those seeking a lower annual fee or simpler structure, the Capital One Venture X or even the Chase Sapphire Preferred could be better-suited options. But for the full travel-and-lifestyle experience, the refreshed Sapphire Reserve is leading the pack in 2025.
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Editorial note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card company, airline, or hotel chain. None of these organizations have reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content in any way.
Legal and Financial Advice Disclosure: Credit Mileage is not a law firm, and this article is not intended to provide legal or financial advice. This information is meant purely for educational purposes. We strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, but it is not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making any decisions regarding your financial situation.
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The Citi Custom Cash Card offers 5% back on your top eligible category each billing cycle (up to $500, then 1%), plus 1% back on other purchases. With no annual fee, a solid welcome bonus, and flexible redemption through Citi ThankYou® Rewards, it’s a versatile, beginner-friendly, and maximizer-approved credit card.
The refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve (as of June 23, 2025) now offers 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on direct flights and hotels, 3x on dining, and over $1,500 in annual credits. With the new Points Boost feature and upgraded benefits, it’s a powerhouse for travelers and lifestyle spenders seeking premium value.
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