The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has lengthy been a top-tier journey card for factors fans, prized for its versatile rewards, beneficiant journey protections and broad switch companion community. However with a suite of recent changes, together with a considerably increased annual price and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders at the moment are reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the correct match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual price has elevated from $550 to $795, making it some of the costly client journey playing cards available on the market. Approved consumer charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption increase (when utilizing factors by way of Chase Journey℠) with the new Points Boost program, although present cardholders will obtain a two-year grace interval earlier than that change takes impact.
Throughout this grace interval (till Oct. 26, 2027), present cardholders will robotically obtain the very best worth between Factors Increase and their 50% redemption increase.
Not every little thing is altering, although: common advantages like the $300 annual travel credit, International Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit score, Precedence Go lounge entry and best-in-class journey protections are staying put.
For some vacationers, these new advantages could add significant worth. However for others, notably those that do not spend closely sufficient to set off new perks or redeem primarily by way of Chase Journey, the maths could now not work within the Reserve’s favor.
If you happen to’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed below are 5 robust options that will higher fit your wants and spending model.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve changes: New earning rates, more statement credits for a higher annual fee
If you wish to stick with Chase
If you happen to’re not prepared to depart the Chase ecosystem, you possibly can nonetheless entry Chase’s helpful switch companions with out the hefty annual price.
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Annual price: $95
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If you happen to nonetheless need entry to Chase Final Rewards however however cannot justify the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 price ticket, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a incredible different, and certainly one of our favourite general travel cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I exploit most in my pockets — thanks, partly, to its lack of foreign transaction fees — and the one I personally suggest most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an affordable annual price.
With the Sapphire Most popular, you will earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by way of Chase Journey, 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey and 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Whereas it lacks some luxurious perks like lounge entry, it nonetheless delivers a ton of worth for the value, making it ultimate for vacationers who wish to earn and use Ultimate Rewards points with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. If you happen to nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing more cost effective, this card is really exhausting to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?
Tips on how to downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to change from the Sapphire Most popular to a different Chase card, you possibly can request a product change by calling the quantity on the again of your card or sending a safe message by way of your Chase account.
Standard downgrade choices embrace the aforementioned Sapphire Most popular (which retains level switch capabilities) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees), a no-annual-fee possibility that earns 1.5% money again and retains your factors alive.
It is usually really helpful to downgrade somewhat than cancel to protect your account age, avoid a potential dip in your credit score and keep entry to your factors. Simply be sure your account is at the least 12 months outdated, as Chase usually would not permit product adjustments sooner than that.
Associated: When can you downgrade your credit card?
In order for you a premium journey card
If you happen to’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 value level — these different premium travel cards could provide higher worth. Each include robust protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Specific
Annual price: $695 (see rates and fees)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Express is now inexpensive, and nonetheless loaded with luxurious perks.
You may get entry to Amex’s International Lounge Assortment, $200 in annual airline price credit for a qualifying airline of your selection, $200 in Uber Money for U.S. Uber purchases* and as much as $199 in Clear Plus credit, together with 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with airways or American Specific Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr). Simply notice: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account while you add the Amex Platinum as a cost methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual price: $395
If you happen to love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra easy, cost-effective possibility, you may wish to contemplate the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X affords airport lounge entry (together with Precedence Go, Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), together with a $300 annual travel credit for journey bookings by way of Capital One Journey. With a decrease annual price and simpler factors incomes construction, the Enterprise X supplies a extra streamlined journey rewards expertise.
It is essential to notice, nonetheless, that beginning Feb 1, 2026, extra Enterprise X cardholders (together with licensed customers and account managers) will no longer receive complimentary lounge access. Major cardholders can add lounge entry to extra cardholder accounts by paying $125 per card.
By comparability, the Sapphire Reserve permits cardholders to bring up to two guests for free into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Go lounges, with extra company incurring a $27 price per go to. This provides the Reserve a slight edge with regards to lounge entry, particularly if you happen to often journey with others.
Relating to incomes charges, whereas the Sapphire Reserve earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey and eating, the Enterprise X delivers 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, plus a formidable 10 miles per greenback spent on motels and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Travel.
Add in 10,000 bonus miles yearly (accessible by way of the Capital One portal) and no-annual-fee licensed customers, and the Enterprise X packs unimaginable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual price. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are value roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual price, the Venture X is a lovely different for individuals who desire a less complicated, premium travel card that also delivers strong worth.
Associated: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
In order for you premium lodge advantages
The Sapphire Reserve has lengthy been a go-to for vacationers searching for broad journey rewards, airport lounge access and versatile redemptions. However with a rising annual price and lots of of its greatest perks leaning closely towards normal journey somewhat than hotel-specific advantages, you could be in search of extra focused worth, particularly if you happen to persistently stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Specific® Aspire Card
Annual price: $550
So far as premium lodge playing cards go, there’s a lot to love concerning the Hilton Aspire Amex. Whereas diverging from the Sapphire Reserve when it comes to versatile factors earned, it affords concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you should use yearly, particularly if Hilton motels are already a part of your journey routine (or could possibly be).
The cardboard affords computerized Hilton’s top-tier Diamond status a Free Evening Reward yearly (plus a second one after spending $30,000) and as much as $400 in Hilton resort assertion credit yearly. That alone can offset the price if you happen to keep at Hilton properties even simply a couple of times a yr.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire contains Precedence Go Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental price credit, giving it some journey perks past motels. However its actual worth is obvious if lodge standing and luxurious keep perks matter extra to you than transferable factors or versatile redemptions.
Associated: Best hotel credit cards
In order for you high rewards on eating
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s eating advantages had been a significant draw for you, I’ve excellent news: there’s one other card that does it even higher.
American Specific Gold Card
Annual price: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, because of its incomes 3 factors per greenback spent on eating. However the American Express® Gold Card card one-ups it with 4 factors per greenback spent on eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply, as much as $50,000 per yr, then 1 level per greenback after) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per yr, then 1 level per greenback after).
With the Amex Gold, you will additionally earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or by way of amextravel.com (a pleasant nod to journey spend), as much as $120 in eating credit and as much as $120 in Uber Money yearly for U.S. Uber purchases* (each eating and Uber Money are disbursed as as much as $10/month assertion credit) (enrollment required for choose advantages; phrases apply). It is a high decide for anybody whose spending is focused more on dining out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account while you add the Amex Platinum as a cost methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Best dining credit cards of July 2025
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve nonetheless affords super worth for vacationers who can maximize its perks — and among the new advantages could enchantment to those that often e-book by way of Chase Journey or spend closely throughout classes. However with the annual price now at $795, it is value reassessing whether or not the cardboard aligns together with your present way of life.
Whether or not you are seeking to stay loyal to Chase, change to a extra reasonably priced premium card or go for one thing higher suited to your travel or dining habits, there is not any scarcity of robust options. One of the best card is the one which delivers essentially the most worth for you, and with these adjustments to the Sapphire Reserve, now could be a good time to seek out the right match.
Associated: Why I’m keeping my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual fee
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, please click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, please click on here.
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