The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has lengthy been a top-tier journey card for factors lovers, prized for its versatile rewards, beneficiant journey protections and broad switch associate community. However with a suite of recent changes, together with a considerably larger annual payment and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders at the moment are reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the best match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual payment has elevated from $550 to $795, making it some of the costly client journey playing cards in the marketplace. Approved person charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption enhance (when utilizing factors via 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 enhance.
Not the whole lot is altering, although: common advantages like the $300 annual travel credit, International Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit score, Precedence Cross lounge entry and best-in-class journey protections are staying put.
For some vacationers, these new advantages might add significant worth. However for others, notably those that do not spend closely sufficient to set off new perks or redeem primarily via Chase Journey, the maths might not work within the Reserve’s favor.
When you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed below are 5 robust alternate options which will higher fit your wants and spending type.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve changes: New earning rates, more statement credits for a higher annual fee
If you wish to stick with Chase
When you’re not prepared to depart the Chase ecosystem, you may nonetheless entry Chase’s beneficial switch companions with out the hefty annual payment.
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Annual payment: $95
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When you 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 one among our favourite total travel cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I take advantage of most in my pockets — thanks, partly, to its lack of foreign transaction fees — and the one I personally advocate most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an affordable annual payment.
With the Sapphire Most popular, you may earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked via 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 supreme for vacationers who need to earn and use Ultimate Rewards points with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. When you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing less expensive, this card is really laborious to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?
downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to change from the Sapphire Most popular to a different Chase card, you may request a product change by calling the quantity on the again of your card or sending a safe message via 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 useful to downgrade slightly than cancel to protect your account age, avoid a potential dip in your credit score and preserve entry to your factors. Simply make sure that your account is no less than 12 months previous, as Chase usually would not permit product modifications sooner than that.
Associated: When can you downgrade your credit card?
In order for you a premium journey card
When you’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 worth level — these different premium travel cards might provide higher worth. Each include robust protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Annual payment: $695 (see rates and fees)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Express is now cheaper, and nonetheless loaded with luxurious perks.
You may get entry to Amex’s International Lounge Assortment, $200 in annual airline payment 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 Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar 12 months). Simply word: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account whenever you add the Amex Platinum as a fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual payment: $395
When you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are on the lookout for a extra simple, cost-effective possibility, you would possibly need to think about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X affords airport lounge entry (together with Precedence Cross, Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), together with a $300 annual travel credit for journey bookings via Capital One Journey. With a decrease annual payment and simpler factors incomes construction, the Enterprise X gives a extra streamlined journey rewards expertise.
It is necessary to notice, nevertheless, that beginning Feb 1, 2026, further Enterprise X cardholders (together with licensed customers and account managers) will no longer receive complimentary lounge access. Major cardholders can add lounge entry to further 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 Cross lounges, with further company incurring a $27 payment per go to. This offers the Reserve a slight edge in terms of lounge entry, particularly for those who steadily journey with others.
In terms of 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 resorts and rental automobiles booked via 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 payment. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are price roughly $185.
General, with comparable perks and a extra inexpensive annual payment, the Venture X is a gorgeous different for individuals who need a easier, premium travel card that also delivers stable 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 payment and plenty of of its finest perks leaning closely towards normal journey slightly than hotel-specific advantages, you may be on the lookout for extra focused worth, particularly for those who persistently stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Categorical® Aspire Card
Annual payment: $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 by way of versatile factors earned, it affords concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you should utilize yearly, particularly if Hilton resorts are already a part of your journey routine (or could possibly be).
The cardboard affords automated Hilton’s top-tier Diamond status a Free Night time 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 payment for those who keep at Hilton properties even simply a couple of times a 12 months.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire consists of Precedence Cross Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental payment credit, giving it some journey perks past resorts. However its actual worth is evident 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 prime rewards on eating
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s eating advantages have been a significant draw for you, I’ve excellent news: there’s one other card that does it even higher.
American Categorical Gold Card
Annual payment: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, due to 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 12 months, then 1 level per greenback after) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per 12 months, then 1 level per greenback after).
With the Amex Gold, you may additionally earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or via 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 prime decide for anybody whose spending is focused more on dining out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account whenever you add the Amex Platinum as a fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Best dining credit cards of July 2025
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve nonetheless affords large worth for vacationers who can maximize its perks — and a number of the new advantages might attraction to those that steadily e book via Chase Journey or spend closely throughout classes. However with the annual payment now at $795, it is price reassessing whether or not the cardboard aligns along with your present way of life.
Whether or not you are trying to stay loyal to Chase, change to a extra inexpensive premium card or go for one thing higher suited to your travel or dining habits, there is not any scarcity of robust alternate options. One of the best card is the one which delivers probably the most worth for you, and with these modifications to the Sapphire Reserve, now may 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.