
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits and rewards to its cardholders. It's known for its high annual fee, but the benefits it provides can be well worth it for frequent travelers and luxury enthusiasts.
One of the most significant benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is its sign-up bonus, which can be worth up to $3,000 in travel rewards. This bonus is available to new cardholders who spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening their account.
The card also offers a 3X points earning rate on travel and dining purchases, which can add up quickly for frequent travelers and foodies. This earning rate is in addition to the card's existing 1X point earning rate on all other purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card also offers a $300 travel credit each year, which can be used towards travel purchases such as flights, hotels, and rental cars. This credit can be a significant saving for frequent travelers.
Retention Offer Details
You can call the Chase customer service phone number (1-800-432-3117) and mention you're thinking of canceling or downgrading your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to potentially receive a retention offer.
The retention offer could be a credit of $150 to $250 to keep you as a customer, but it's not guaranteed and may not be available to everyone.
To be eligible for a retention offer, you're most likely to have used the card quite a bit during the previous year and kept the account paid up, always paying your bill by the due date.
Some examples of retention offers may include a waived annual fee, statement credits, statement credits with a minimum spend requirement, bonus points, or bonus points with required spending.
You can call Chase in anticipation of your renewal date, explain that you're thinking about canceling the card, and see if you're offered a retention offer.
While there's no guarantee you'll get a retention offer, it's definitely worth a try if you're on the fence about canceling your Chase Sapphire Reserve card or keeping it.
Card Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers some amazing benefits that make it worth considering for retention. The $300 annual travel credit is one of my favorite perks, providing flexibility and reducing the annual fee from $550 to $250.
This credit is valid on a wide range of travel-related purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and even Uber rides. Here are some examples of what's included in the travel category:
- Airlines
- Hotels
- Car rental agencies
- Travel agencies
- Discount travel sites
- Cruise lines
- Parking lots and garages
- Operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways
Additionally, cardholders can enjoy complimentary Instacart membership and $15 per month in statement credits through July 2024.
$300 Travel Credit
The $300 Travel Credit is one of the most valuable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This credit is valid on practically any type of travel, including flights, hotels, metro tickets, and even Uber rides.
You can use this credit to offset your travel expenses, effectively reducing your annual fee from $550 to $250. This is a huge perk, especially for frequent travelers.
Here are some examples of how you can use the $300 Travel Credit:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Metro tickets
- Uber rides
- Cruise lines
- Travel agencies
- Discount travel sites
- Car rentals
This credit is a game-changer for anyone who travels regularly. It's like getting a $300 gift card to use on your travel expenses, which can be a huge help in offsetting the cost of your trip.
Priority Pass Select Membership
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with up to 2 guests.
I've found that having this benefit is fundamental, especially when flying between Madrid and Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Alicante, or Ibiza, where I can access the AENA Sala VIPs lounges, which are operated by the nationally-owned AENA company.
These lounges feature comfortable work and relaxing spaces, tasty dining options, and free booze, making them a great way to unwind before or after a flight.
Some lounges also have kids' play areas or outdoor terraces, and many are brand new or have been recently renovated, making them a great perk for travelers.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I'm able to access these lounges even when flying a low-cost carrier like Ryanair, which is a huge advantage.
Complimentary Instacart Membership and Credits
As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you can look forward to a complimentary Instacart membership.
This membership will save you money on grocery delivery, and you'll also receive $15 per month in statement credits through July 2024.
Evaluating Your Card
Evaluating your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a crucial step in determining whether it's worth keeping or canceling. The card has a $550 annual fee, but it offers a range of benefits, including 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
To evaluate your card, start by listing out the cards you have in your wallet and choose the ones you want to evaluate. Make sure to note when each card's renewal date is on your calendar for the coming year so you don't miss it. This is especially important for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which has a high annual fee.
Next, write down your upcoming spending, including everyday spending and any big purchases you plan to make. Add your travel plans, credit score, debt, and any other relevant information that might help in your evaluation. For example, if you're trying to get approved for a mortgage or loan this next year, you may want to do everything in your power to keep your credit score high, and that means not closing any accounts.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers a 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, which can be redeemed for $900 toward travel. This is a significant benefit, but it's essential to weigh it against the annual fee.
To help you evaluate your card, consider the following factors:
- Annual fee: $550
- Bonus points: 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending in the first 3 months
- Travel benefits: 10x points on hotels and car rentals, 3x points on other travel and dining
- Travel insurance: Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance
- Points redemption: 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travelâ„
By considering these factors and your individual circumstances, you can make an informed decision about whether to keep or cancel your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Alternatives and Decisions
If you're considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve retention offer, you may want to weigh it against alternative cards, like the Amex Platinum card, which offers luxury travel benefits and a higher annual fee of $695 (rates & fees).
The Amex Platinum card has an annual fee that's significantly higher than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, but it offers benefits like annual statement credits and access to coveted Centurion Lounges.
If you're unsure whether to keep or cancel your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you may want to consider your personal situation and the pros and cons of the card's benefits. For example, one person's evaluation found that the card's annual fee still pays for itself, even if they can't reap all the benefits due to their location.
Here are some alternative cards to consider:
- Amex Platinum card
- Amex Gold card
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred card
- Citi Strata Premierâ„ Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Freedom Unlimited card
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Waiving Annual Fees
You can try calling Chase to ask them to waive the annual fee for cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but there's no guarantee.
If you use the card frequently and pay your bill on time, you might be able to get the fee waived for a year or receive an incentive to keep the card.
Applying for the card in-branch may also get you a waived annual fee for the first year, but only if the in-branch bonus offer is as good as what you can get online.
Annual fees exist because the credit cards that have them offer generous rewards or points that can be redeemed for travel purchases.
If you're not getting enough value from your credit card, you might want to look into applying for a Chase credit card with no annual fee.
Chase still allows a $100 credit towards the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which can be a nice perk.
Some cardholders have reported receiving this credit without requesting it, so it's worth checking your statement to see if you've already received it.
Cancel or Keep My Card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space, earning 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks. I've had the card for nearly 8 years, and it's been one of my favorites since its inception.
The card's generous welcome bonus offer, high points category bonuses, and Priority Pass lounge access initially drew me in. I was also intrigued by the $300 annual travel credit, which really helps to reduce the annual fee.
To determine whether to keep or cancel the card, I need to evaluate its benefits against the annual fee. I've found that the card's benefits, such as the travel credit and travel partners, outweigh the $550 annual fee. However, I do need to have a significant amount of expenditures to build up my bank of points.
If I decide to cancel the card, I should consider downgrading to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, but I'd need to wait 48 months to take advantage of the welcome bonus offer.
Here are some key factors to consider when deciding whether to keep or cancel the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
- Annual fee: $550
- Benefits: 3x points on travel and dining, Priority Pass lounge access, $300 annual travel credit
- Requirements: Significant expenditures to build up points
- Alternatives: Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Amex Platinum card
Ultimately, the decision to keep or cancel the card depends on my individual circumstances and spending habits. I'll need to weigh the benefits against the annual fee and consider my options before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can you ask for a retention offer?
You can ask for a retention offer 2-3 times a year, but calling too frequently is not recommended.
What is the 100000 bonus on Chase Sapphire?
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of opening a Chase Sapphire Reserve account
Sources
- https://www.cardratings.com/financial-literacy/can-i-get-chase-credit-card-to-waive-the-annual-fee.html
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve/keep-or-cancel/
- https://frequentmiler.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-retention-offer/
- https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Chase-Sapphire-Reserve-Retention-Offer-June-2021/td-p/6342945
- https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/credit-card-retention-call-dr-suzy-spadafora
Featured Images: pexels.com