Update: Today is the last day to apply before the annual fee increase.
On January 12th, 2020 the annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve will increase from $450 to $550 for new cardholders (the annual fee increases to $550 for existing cardholders April, 2020). In addition some new benefits are being added for both new & existing cardholders on January 12th, 2020:
- Complimentary Lyft pink membership
- $60 DoorDash credit (this is is an annual credit that is valid from 1/12 – 12/31 each year in 2020 and 2021).
Because of this some readers are asking if they should sign up for the card now so they only have to pay the $450 annual fee this year or if they should wait until after January 12th, 2020 and pay the $550 annual fee. The only reason you’d wait is because of a possible increased sign up bonus. I’ve personally not heard of any increased sign up bonuses (and often I will with card changes like this), but it’s possible an increased referral offer or something will be offered. My gut feeling is that it makes more sense to sign up for the card now with the 50,000 point bonus and $450 annual feel. Others will prefer to ‘risk’ the $100 increased fee for a chance at an increased bonus. Keep in mind the following rules apply to this card:
Keep in mind also that Chase will usually not match to a higher sign up bonus if the annual fee is different (e.g when one offer has the annual fee and the other offer has the annual fee waived Chase will never match as the annual fees are different) so signing up with the lower annual fee and hoping for a bigger sign up bonus will not work.
