NOTICE: The 100,000 Ultimate Reward sign-up bonus will change to a 50,000 bonus on January 12th. The 11th is the last day to apply for the 100k offer.
The introductory 100k bonus is long gone for the Sapphire Reserve. The current bonus is 50,000 Ultimate Rewards, which is still a pretty nice bonus. If you would like to apply for the Sapphire Reserve you can use this link, which earns us points for referring you!
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has received a lot of attention since it became available. I have mentioned it a few times like in this update post, but I haven’t done a full write-up yet. I figured those of you serious enough to apply for a card with a $450 up-front annual fee would know how to look up the details yourself. 🙂 However, the bonus offer which gives this card its unbelievable value is being reduced, so I feel compelled to alert my audience before it’s too late.
Here’s why the Chase Sapphire Reserve is widely accepted as the best credit card offer ever:
- 100,000 Ultimate Reward bonus after $4k spend in 3 months
- 3x Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent on dining and travel, including gas station purchases
- $300 annual travel expense reimbursement, with a generous definition of travel expense
- $100 toward Global Entry or TSA Pre-check registration
- Priority Club airport lounge access membership
- 1.5x Ultimate Reward redemption rate at the Chase travel portal
- No foreign transaction fee
That’s crazy!! If you can stomach the $450 up-front annual fee, the benefits of this card could be worth thousands of dollars. The 100k UR bonus alone is worth a minimum of $1000 (if cashed out – don’t do this). It’s worth $1,500 at the Chase travel portal. But by taking advantage of airline and hotel transfer partners I value 100k UR points at well over $2,500!
The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve laugh in the face of the scowling $450 fee!
That’s not to mention the travel reimbursement benefit, which is based on the calendar year; not the cardmember year. It’s pushing it, getting the card in January; but it’s still possible to get the $300 reimbursement for 2017 and 2018, and then cancelling before the next annual fee is due. That tactic would put you $150 in the black without even considering any other benefits.
The terms and conditions of the Reserve changed in 2017. The travel reimbursement is now only good once per cardmember year.
If you can’t stomach a $450 up-front annual fee, there are still other great cards that can earn you tons of valuable Ultimate Rewards points. Check out my Card Offer Page to see a few.
All good things must come to an end
As I stated, the 100k UR bonus is ending after tomorrow. I would still recommend this card though. As I just explained, the other benefits could still easily outweigh the annual fee. Even the reduced bonus of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards more than makes up for the annual fee.
For those of you who live near Chase branch locations, the 100k deal is extended through March 11th for in-branch applications only. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for my fellow Minnesotans, as I point out in this post on the regional nature of deals.
No Reserve for me, but my fair lady. . .
Thanks to Chase’s insidious 5/24 rule, I am disqualified from getting this card with the 100k bonus. However, Nicoleen got down to 4/24 in November! I wanted to wait until February, so getting the 2 years’ $300 travel reimbursements would be easier to time. But as soon as the 100k deal’s end date was announced, we had to pounce! On Saturday Nicoleen applied online and got the 7-10 day pending message:
Annoying, but expected. She had planned on calling the reconsideration line but then last night (Monday) she got a UPS message that a package was on it’s way. We logged onto her account and Eureka! The Reserve had been added to her account:
So beautiful . . .
If you want to get more info on people’s recent experiences applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, check out the Flyertalk thread on the topic.
If you would like to apply for the Sapphire Reserve you can use this link, which earns us points for referring you!
Boooo! Chase Sapphire Reserve denied me because 5/24. Boooo!
Approved! Let’s be honest, there’s nothing like the 1-on-1 coaching straight from the head of ValueTactics.com to lead to yet another credit conquer.
Admittedly, I had doubt. Why would Chase be willing to instant me for 100k points offer when they already ‘preferred’ me for a 50k offer less than a month ago?
“Banks don’t do that.”, I told myself.
Yet, I can still hear his words of encouragement after I hammered him with my defeating reasons for not even trying. Before I could even pause for another volley.
You should do it anyway.”, he said.
Well folks, this is why you have a coach. I’ve learned my lesson to trust the advice and wisdom I get from true gentleman. This is why you read ValueTactics.com. Most of all, this is how you get 100k points on the last day they offer it.
Now that’s, my America….
“Hey! Get out of my way, I’m a Reserve cardholder!”