Milenomics² Podcast Episode 261: Sapphire Reserve Mania and More

0:23 Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes Summary

08:48 Welcome Bonus

• Direct Link (non-referral)

• 100,000 + $500 Chase Travel Portal credit

• $5,000 min spend in 3 months

• Available through referral (15k for doing the referring)

• Increased Annual Fee:

• $795 for primary cardholders

• $195 for authorized users

13:46 Revised Rewards Structure:

• 10x points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases

• 5x points on Lyft rides

• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

• 3x points on all dining purchases worldwide

• 1x points on all other purchases

17:50 Available Now for all cardholders:

• "Points Boost" Redemption Feature: Points can be redeemed at up to 2x the standard value for certain flights (United premium cabin, and other foreign carriers) and hotels in The Edit portfolio booked through Chase Travel

  • Premium economy showed 1.75 cents per point in searches (UA)

• Lyft and DoorDash Benefits Remain: Existing benefits for Lyft and DoorDash will continue through specified dates in 2027.

30:38 Starting 10/26/2025 for existing cardholders (immediately for new signups):

• Added Annual Credits: The card will include various new annual credits. Examples include statement credits for bookings through "The Edit" ($500), dining at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables ($300), StubHub or viagogo ($300), Apple TV+ and Apple Music ($250), and Peloton memberships (up to $120).

• Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status: Cardholders receive complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status through December 31, 2027.

• Increased Spend Threshold Benefits: Spending $75,000 in a calendar year unlocks additional benefits such as IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status and Southwest A-List status and a “Shops at Chase” credit. 

37:42 What's staying the same:

• $300 Annual Travel Credit

• $120 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit

• Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass Select lounges

• Travel Insurance

Important dates for existing cardholders:

• October 26, 2025: New benefits and features become available to existing cardholders

• Next Anniversary Date after Oct 26, 2025: The increased annual fee will apply.

40:00 Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Summary

• Annual Fee: $795

Rewards and Earning Rates:

• Earn 8x points on Chase Travel purchases

• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

• 3x points on social media and search engine advertising purchases

• 1x point on all other purchases

• Same 2x Points Boost as Personal Reserve

Travel Benefits:

• Includes a $300 annual travel credit and a $500 annual credit for prepaid bookings at select hotels and resorts. 

• Cardholders get airport lounge access to various networks, including Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounge, and select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. 

• The card also provides a credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or Nexus, complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status, and comprehensive travel protections. 

Business Benefits:

• Features dual credit lines and annual credits for business services such as ZipRecruiter, Google Workspace, and Giftcards.com. 

• Benefits for Lyft and DoorDash are also included, offering credits and bonus points/memberships. 

• Spending thresholds can earn additional benefits, including IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status, Southwest Airlines A-List Status and credit, and a credit to The Shops at Chase. 

• Free employee cards are available. 

• Why no Business Preferred version yet?

43:12 Chase Changes Approval Standards?

• No more 48 month churning restrictions on Sapphire cards: Determined on case by case basis with pop-up

• No more “Sapphire family” exclusions: You can get the welcome bonus for both the Sapphire Preferred and Reserve (if you don’t get the pop-up)

• You can get a Sapphire card without the welcome bonus if you acknowledge the pop-up

• Questions:

• Are other Chase cards going to fall in line with these standards? I’d assume so, but when?

• Is 5/24 still a thing? I think so?

44:37 Amex Business Platinum Loses 35% Rebate on Any Airline Premium Cabin Flights

• Now only works for airline of choice regardless of cabin

• Goes into effect 9/18/2025

51:08 FNBO Amtrak 40k Offer Back

• Direct Link

• $2,000 min spend in 3 billing cycles

• $99 AF not waived first year

• Through 7/30/2025

52:28 Mesa Homeowners Card

• Emailed them to see whether welcome bonus was attached to my account

• They said: “I bonus code needed to be used on the application for Mesa. You also applied after the program had already closed, closed early at Mesa's discretion. Mesa will be offering a better offer to current card members that didn't use the bonus50 code. It will be coming out in late June.”

• Added transfer partners: Aeroplan and SAS