Chase Sapphire Reserve CC for MF

[rahulgopi]

Well it is trending in other forums . I applied for Sapphire Reserve card last week, got approved and waiting for the physical card. I already have Saphire Preferred CC and it classifies all MF as travel and usually get 2 points. With Saphire Reserve , we will get 3 points per $ and also get $300 credit. Chase will also credit $85 for TSA Pre and access to airport lounges + 100K points, there was no reason not to upgrade.

Looking at our 2015 spending summary from Sphire Pref, we spent well over 20K on travel, so this card make sense.

 

[Ken555]

There's a long thread on this topic here already...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jason245]

I believe that 12 HHonors points/Dollar is a better deal (even if valued at $0.004/point you are talking about ~5% value, but it is probably more).

3*1.5 = 4.5% value.

 

[rahulgopi]

I believe that 12 HHonors points/Dollar is a better deal (even if valued at $0.004/point you are talking about ~5% value, but it is probably more).

3*1.5 = 4.5% value.

I do have the HH card but Chase ultimate rewards points are great for travel booking ( AirTicket / Rental Cars ). Besides we dont use the HH points to stay at hotels as we mostly use TS resorts. I just booked 15 days rental car from Dec 15 - 30 at Big Island via Chase UR site. The price I got was far better than any other site ( Costco, Direct car rentals, UA mileage plus etc etc ).

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We do a mix of timeshare and hotels for our vacations. Since i already generate quite a few HHonors points from work travel, i like to the Amex card as a way to supplement our rewards. As my business travel has declined, the card also provides a way to maintain my diamond status if i spend enough.

I don't think there is a single perfect rewards card for everyone. If you don't otherwise stay with Hilton or fly with a certain airline i can see where the Sapphire or other non-program specific cards make sense.

 

[brp]

Chase will also credit $85 for TSA Pre...

And $100 for GE.

Cheers.

 

[annac113]

best of all is that the $300 credit is per calendar year

 

[Helios]

best of all is that the $300 credit is per calendar year

But, Chase does not give you Diamond Status based on spending. I don't stay very frequently in Hiltons so I like using the Amex Hilton to get Diamond. YMMV.

In full disclosure, I also have the Saphyre...

 

[1Kflyerguy]

But, Chase does not give you Diamond Status based on spending. I don't stay very frequently in Hiltons so I like using the Amex Hilton to get Diamond. YMMV.

In full disclosure, I also have the Saphyre...

I like the Amex for Diamond status as well. I stay in hotels enough for work or vacation that i find great benefit from that. I am looking at the Sapphire, but already have a quite a few cards and don't spread my spend too much that i don't maximize the rewards from each..

 

[Helios]

I like the Amex for Diamond status as well. I stay in hotels enough for work or vacation that i find great benefit from that. I am looking at the Sapphire, but already have a quite a few cards and don't spread my spend too much that i don't maximize the rewards from each..

For me, the couple of stays I have in Hilton (10-20) are enough reason. The perks are not top of the industry, but it is good to have them based on a spending limit. I think point redemption is for the most part outrageous. I do like points and cash...

 

[simon.fisher.2]

Has anyone successfully paid their Hilton maint fees and had it qualify for the $300 benefit? I need to use my benefit before the end of the calendar year

 

[Southdown13]

Has anyone successfully paid their Hilton maint fees and had it qualify for the $300 benefit? I need to use my benefit before the end of the calendar year

It does qualify for the $300 benefit. I got the credit for my Flamingo maintenance fee this past statement.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

That is great news! Is it possible to split payments in the system or do we need to call it in? i.e. we just qualified for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and this rebate is available every calendar year. Here are two scenarios:

1) Pay $300 Sapphire Reserve in 2016 (get $300 rebate + 3x points) ; Pay balance with HHonors card (get 12x) = net $300 credit + Chase and HH points
2) Pay $300 Sapphire Reserve in 2016 (get $300 rebate + 3x points) ; Pay $300 Sapphire Reserve on Jan 2 2017 (get $300 rebate + 3x points) + Bal on HHonors card = Net $600 rebates + 3x ($600) + HH 12x bal.

I may get one of these cards too...

 

[rahulgopi]

We just got a second one for my wife. Between the 2 cards, we get $1200 credit for MF ( 2016 /2017 ) for $900 fee + 200 K points which is worth $2000 OR $3000 in travel . Chase Ultimate rewards site is great for booking air tickets / rental cars. The price I got for 15 day rental car in Big Island during this Christmas was nearly 3/4th from other sites including Costco.

Another card we have is 2 of the Alaska airline CC which offers a companion air ticket every year. We use it for our next trip to Big Island in Dec. With Alaska buying Virgin America, we may see a lot more travel options to use the companion ticket / miles.

 

[brp]

Another card we have is 2 of the Alaska airline CC which offers a companion air ticket every year. We use it for our next trip to Big Island in Dec. With Alaska buying Virgin America, we may see a lot more travel options to use the companion ticket / miles.

We have 2 of the Chase Hyatt Visa. This gets 2 nights at sign-up and 1 night/year ongoing. This is well worth the $95 fee for the card as we've found the Hyatts to be very nice in the places we go.

Then we split with her going Hilton for Diamond based on spend and me having Amex Platinum for Centurion Lounge access and Sapphire for the reasons mentioned here.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We were able to avoid the $40k spend by taking advantage of the Diamond match promo that is good until Mar 2018 from our IHG card platinum status. When that expires we will have to re-evaluate whether foregoing $400 (1% * 40k) to spend on that card versus simply using a 2% cash card like Fidelity might be a better way to go. We do enjoy the Diamond status and have been regularly upgraded, however wondering if Gold (from our W 57 timeshare) will accomplish the same upgrades at the hotels.

We like the Hyatt's as well and have found that cash + points from Chase Sapphire points and free stays at Intercontinental from IHG cards are better for expensive city visits.

 

[brp]

We were able to avoid the $40k spend by taking advantage of the Diamond match promo that is good until Mar 2018 from our IHG card platinum status. When that expires we will have to re-evaluate whether foregoing $400 (1% * 40k) to spend on that card versus simply using a 2% cash card like Fidelity might be a better way to go. We do enjoy the Diamond status and have been regularly upgraded, however wondering if Gold (from our W 57 timeshare) will accomplish the same upgrades at the hotels.

We like the Hyatt's as well and have found that cash + points from Chase Sapphire points and free stays at Intercontinental from IHG cards are better for expensive city visits.

I'm also not convinced that Diamond is necessary. I think we do it now more out of habit. As Diamond one does get Executive Lounge access (where available) even if not upgraded to the Executive floor. This has happened to us very rarely. Maybe too rarely to be useful.

The Amex Platinum is worth more to be as it has the aforementioned Centurion Lounge access, Starwood Gold- which now matches permanently to Marriott Gold, which has some quite good perks, and a Global Boingo account, among other things.

What is nice about Sapphire is that the Priority Pass card comes with free guests (unlike Amex Platinum)...up to 9 such guests, I was recently told

Cheers.

 

[simon.fisher.2]

Thanks to this forum - used the $300 benefit for 2016 for my wife and I... next statement I will use it for 2017... Maint fees are almost paid. Awesome feeling!

 

[rahulgopi]

Thanks to this forum - used the $300 benefit for 2016 for my wife and I... next statement I will use it for 2017... Maint fees are almost paid. Awesome feeling!

Wait till 200,000 points hit the account worth $3000 in travel between the 2 cards . Priority Pass will also come handy during long lay overs.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We paid $300 when the card arrived and the travel credit was immediately issued. Will pay another $300 after the December statement closes as this will count for 2017 travel credit. $600 toward maint fee now. $450 for annual fee not due until Nov 2017. Nice to have an interest free loan of $450 for 12 months plus $150 cash now toward maintenance.

BTW....This card also provides 3x with Uber and has emergency medical evacuation insurance, and trip cancellation insurance included.

I wonder how the trip cancellation would value a cancellation within 30 days of an HGVC reservation in case of illness? If you pay taxes or fees with the card for a trip, it technically should be covered.

 

[dioxide45]

We paid $300 when the card arrived and the travel credit was immediately issued. Will pay another $300 after the December statement closes as this will count for 2017 travel credit. $600 toward maint fee now. $450 for annual fee not due until Nov 2017. Nice to have an interest free loan of $450 for 12 months plus $150 cash now toward maintenance.

BTW....This card also provides 3x with Uber and has emergency medical evacuation insurance, and trip cancellation insurance included.

I wonder how the trip cancellation would value a cancellation within 30 days of an HGVC reservation in case of illness? If you pay taxes or fees with the card for a trip, it technically should be covered.

I thought the annual fee for the first year was due right away?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Good question. Our first statement closed in November and it was not on the bill. Will let you know if it shows up in December.

 

[Sandy VDH]

It is on your first statement. But what OP was saying, he paid the $450 annual fee, but got back $300 immediately with the same first bill by booking travel (MFs are consider Travel) for the 2016 annual refund, then a month later when january billing cycle begins the will receive a $300 immediate travel refund for 2017 annual cycle, for additional MF payments paid in late dec or early Jan.

 

[Talent312]

OP was saying, he paid the $450 annual fee, but got back $300 immediately with the same first bill by booking travel (MF's) for the 2016 annual refund, then a month later when January billing cycle begins, he will receive a $300 immediate travel refund for 2017 annual cycle, for additional MF payments paid in late Dec or early Jan.

This is what got me to pull the trigger last night... Even if it doesn't come in time to use for the December bill, with ~$3,200 in MF's due soon, the bonus points and points-earned alone will be a big help in getting us to and from Alaska next August.
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[Sandy VDH]

This is what got me to pull the trigger last night... Even if it doesn't come in time to use for the December bill, with ~$3,200 in MF's due soon, the bonus points and points-earned alone will be a big help in getting us to and from Alaska next August.
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My card arrived within 2 days of approval. They courier the card. Logon to Chase (if you have one) and you can you try some travel charge or partial MF charge and see if you will get some credit this year. It is almost instantaneous. Once Travel is no longer pending, but actually posts, the credit was issued and on the account. Don't know if you have enough time in the year as my first cycle was 45 days. I don't know, but I would try.

I applied late Oct. I have already received my annual credit for 2016, just waiting for the last bill to close to spend for 2017 MF and annual credit.