The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) has lengthy been a top-tier journey card for factors fans, prized for its versatile rewards, beneficiant journey protections and broad switch accomplice community. However with a collection of latest adjustments, 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 precise 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. Licensed consumer charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption increase (when utilizing factors by means of Chase Journey℠) with the brand new Factors Enhance program, although current cardholders will obtain a two-year grace interval earlier than that change takes impact.
Throughout this grace interval (till Oct. 26, 2027), current cardholders will mechanically obtain the perfect worth between Factors Enhance and their 50% redemption increase.
Not every thing is altering, although: standard advantages just like the $300 annual journey credit score, 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 could add significant worth. However for others, significantly those that do not spend closely sufficient to set off new perks or redeem primarily by means of Chase Journey, the maths could not work within the Reserve’s favor.
In the event you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed here are 5 sturdy options that will higher fit your wants and spending model.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve adjustments: New incomes charges, extra assertion credit for a better annual price
If you wish to stick with Chase
In the event you’re not prepared to depart the Chase ecosystem, you’ll be able to nonetheless entry Chase’s useful switch companions with out the hefty annual price.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Annual price: $95
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
In the event you nonetheless need entry to Chase Final Rewards however however cannot justify the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 price ticket, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) is a improbable different, and one in all our favourite general journey playing cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I take advantage of most in my pockets — thanks, partly, to its lack of overseas transaction charges — and the one I personally advocate most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an inexpensive annual price.
With the Sapphire Most well-liked, you will earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by means 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 worth, making it superb for vacationers who need to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. In the event you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing more cost effective, this card is really onerous to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to carry each the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and Reserve?
Easy methods to downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to change from the Sapphire Most well-liked to a different Chase card, you’ll be able to request a product change by calling the quantity on the again of your card or sending a safe message by means of your Chase account.
Widespread downgrade choices embody the aforementioned Sapphire Most well-liked (which retains level switch capabilities) and the Chase Freedom Limitless® (see charges and costs), a no-annual-fee choice that earns 1.5% money again and retains your factors alive.
It is typically really helpful to downgrade quite than cancel to protect your account age, keep away from a possible dip in your credit score rating and keep entry to your factors. Simply ensure your account is at the least 12 months previous, as Chase typically does not enable product adjustments sooner than that.
Associated: When are you able to downgrade your bank card?
In order for you a premium journey card
In the event you’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 worth level — these different premium journey playing cards could supply higher worth. Each include sturdy protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Annual price: $695 (see charges and costs)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Categorical 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 alternative, $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 yr). Simply be aware: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once 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
In the event you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra simple, cost-effective choice, you would possibly need to think about the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X gives airport lounge entry (together with Precedence Cross, Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), together with a $300 annual journey credit score for journey bookings by means of Capital One Journey. With a decrease annual price 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, extra Enterprise X cardholders (together with approved customers and account managers) will not obtain complimentary lounge entry. Major cardholders can add lounge entry to extra cardholder accounts by paying $125 per card.
By comparability, the Sapphire Reserve permits cardholders to carry as much as two company free of charge into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Cross lounges, with extra company incurring a $27 price per go to. This offers the Reserve a slight edge in the case of lounge entry, particularly if you happen to often journey with others.
With regards 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 powerful 10 miles per greenback spent on motels and rental automobiles booked by means of Capital One Journey.
Add in 10,000 bonus miles yearly (obtainable by way of the Capital One portal) and no-annual-fee approved customers, and the Enterprise X packs unbelievable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual price. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are price roughly $185.
General, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual price, the Enterprise X is a gorgeous different for many who need a less complicated, premium journey card that also delivers strong worth.
Associated: One of the best premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
In order for you premium lodge advantages
The Sapphire Reserve has lengthy been a go-to for vacationers looking for broad journey rewards, airport lounge entry and versatile redemptions. However with a rising annual price and plenty of of its finest perks leaning closely towards basic journey quite than hotel-specific advantages, you is perhaps in search of extra focused worth, particularly if you happen to constantly stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Categorical® Aspire Card
Annual price: $550
So far as premium lodge playing cards go, there’s a lot to love in regards to the Hilton Aspire Amex. Whereas diverging from the Sapphire Reserve by way of versatile factors earned, it gives concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you need to use yearly, particularly if Hilton motels are already a part of your journey routine (or could possibly be).
The cardboard gives automated Hilton’s top-tier Diamond standing 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 few times a yr.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire consists of Precedence Cross 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: Greatest lodge bank cards
In order for you high 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 price: $325 (see charges and costs)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, due to its incomes 3 factors per greenback spent on eating. However the American Categorical® 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 means 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 targeted extra on eating out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a cost methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Greatest eating bank cards of July 2025
Backside line
Whether or not you are trying to keep loyal to Chase, change to a extra reasonably priced premium card or go for one thing higher suited to your journey or eating habits, there is not any scarcity of sturdy 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 is perhaps a good time to seek out the proper match.
Associated: Why I am retaining my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual price
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, please click on right here.
Supply hyperlink
