Update 05/21/18: Cardholders should have received an e-mail about these changes. Conveniently Chase has listed them below “NEW! ENHANCED ULTIMATE REWARDS”. That includes things like travel packages and last minute hotel deals. I suspect there will be zero value there and this was just an attempt to try and lead with some positive changes and hide the real negative effects of the changes they are making.
Originally the first blog to post this on 05/05, we’re just reposting this incase people missed it over the weekend. There was also the announcement/leak of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card.
Chase are planning to make three negative changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, in early May customers will be notified officially of these changes and on August 26th the changes will go into effect. The changes are as follows:
- Cardholders will no longer earn 3x points on travel purchases that qualify for the $300 annual travel credit (my understanding is that these purchases will earn 0 points)
- Priority Pass select access will be limited to two guests per visit. A fee of $27 will be charged for additional guests
- Price protection will no longer be available
We’ve known about the price protection change for some time. The 3x on travel credit change basically means all cardholders will get 900 less points annually (as you really should be maxing out that $300), worth a minimum of $9 in cash back or $13.50 when using for travel through the portal or even more if transferring to travel partners. The lounge access will be a big hit for families or anybody who travels in large groups. Below is a table of what other premium cards priority pass access is like
| Free Access | # Of Guests | Authorized Users | Mobile App | Annual fee | Restaurant Access | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum | Yes | Two guests free | Yes (normally $175 for three additional cardholders) | Yes | Varies ($695) | No |
| American Express Bonvoy Brilliant | Yes | Two guests free | No | Yes | $650 | Yes |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite | Yes | No limit | Can assign up to four PP memberships to anybody, even none | Yes | $550 | Yes |
| Barclaycard Gold & Black | Yes | No limit | Unknown ($195 for black & $295 for gold) | ? | $495, $995 | Yes |
| Chase Ritz-Carlton | Yes | No limit* | Yes (no fee) | Yes | $450.00 | No& |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Yes | Two guests free | Yes ($75 per cardholder) | Yes | $795.00 | No& |
| Citi Strata Elite | Yes | Two guests free | Yes ($75 per cardholder) | Yes | $595 | No |
| City National Bank Visa Infinite | Yes | $32 per guest | Yes, doesnÂ’t have to be authorized^ | Yes | $400 | Yes |
| Citi Prestige | Yes | Two guests or immediate family | Yes ($75 per cardholder) | Yes | $350-$450 | Yes |
| UBS Visa Infinite | No | None | No | ? | $650 | Yes |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect | 4 | 4 visits total | ? | Yes | $0 | Yes |
| U.S. bank Altitude Reserve | 8 total visits, can be shared between primary cardholder and guests | 8 visits total | No | Yes | $400 | Yes |
| Capital One Venture X | Yes | Two guests | Yes | Yes | $395 | No |
