Chase Sapphire Reserve is changing... Alternative cards with high points for MVC maintenance fee payments?

[mountainboy]

Looks like some positive news re Edit Credit on CSR...

Chase Sapphire Reserve Enhances $500 ‘The Edit’ Credit + Adds One-Time $250 Hotel Credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business cards both come with $500 in ‘The Edit’ credits for prepaid bookings of two nights or more on hotels/resorts found on The Edit platform.

www.doctorofcredit.com

*From DoC:

*2026 The Edit Enhancement​

Currently (9/17/25), the credit is one $250 from January through June and one $250 from July through December.

Chase announced today that, starting in 2026, the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business credit will be two $250 credits which can be used anytime throughout the year.

This makes it possible to use the two credits on a single vacation, or even back-to-back, by creating two separate bookings. It can also be helpful for a family or friends going together – you can book two rooms and use up both credits on a single trip.

*One-Time $250 Hotel Credit​

Direct Link

Separately, Chase also announced for the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business a one-time credit for 2026 (Jan 1 – Dec 1). You’ll get up to $250 in statement credits on prepaid Chase Travel hotel bookings of 2 nights or mores with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Montage Hotels & Resorts, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Virgin Hotels, Minor Hotels, and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts. The stays will still be eligible to earn points in the hotel loyalty programs.

 

[mountainboy]

@daviator , any issues with your CSE? (+ how are things coming along with Citi in general & their CS for yourself? (had heard mixed reviews & nice to see if they are improving, so better alternatives from Amex & Chase for many of us)..

Citi Requesting 4506-C For Some Citi Strata Elite Cardholders

Update: Citi is refunding the annual fee and waiving the minimum spend requirement for those affected. Many applicants of the Citi Strata Elite have had their accounts locked and a request for a 4506…

www.doctorofcredit.com

 

[daviator]

@daviator , any issues with your CSE? (+ how are things coming along with Citi in general & their CS for yourself? (had heard mixed reviews & nice to see if they are improving, so better alternatives from Amex & Chase for many of us)..

Citi Requesting 4506-C For Some Citi Strata Elite Cardholders

Update: Citi is refunding the annual fee and waiving the minimum spend requirement for those affected. Many applicants of the Citi Strata Elite have had their accounts locked and a request for a 4506…

www.doctorofcredit.com

I’m happy with Citi Strata Elite so far.

They did not ask for a 4506-C from me, despite the fact that I have a fraud alert on my credit file. The application process was easy. They called me to verify some stuff over the phone to confirm my identity.

This is in contrast to Bank of America, who ultimately rejected me because they “couldn’t confirm my identity” – because I wouldn’t send them all 250 pages of my tax return. I continue to fail to understand how doing so would have confirmed my identity, and they wouldn’t tell me. Anyway, I’m done with them for good.

There are some good things about the Citi card. In particular, I think the 1.5 points earned for “all other” purchases is the highest I know of (the CSR, for example, pays only one point on random purchases. And the bonus points for restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights is a good deal. But for other times of the week, I find myself charging restaurants to my Amex Gold.

I have to be a little more strategic about which card I use for which purchases now, to extract the most value, but that’s not so hard to do.

Another nice feature of the Citi Strata Elite is that you don’t have to mess with getting and keeping track of a Priority Pass card (not even an electronic one) for airport lounges. You just show your CSE card. So that’s one less thing to keep track of. Also, they immediately dropped the American Airlines Admiral's Club lounge passes into my account. And I already used the 2H2025 Blacklane credit. I also booked a hotel stay via their portal (for 12x points) but unfortunately it was only for a one night stay so I haven’t yet used the hotel credit.

Ask me again in a year, but so far I am happy with both Chase and the CSE.

 

[marriottdude]

Apologies, this thread has gotten long and I can't find the answer I'm looking for - Do we know if paying MF on CSR will code as travel and get 4x? Apologies if I missed it. Also, what was the rate on CSP? Thank you. Just trying to determine if it makes sense to downgrade CSR to CSP.

 

[ljmiii]

Apologies, this thread has gotten long and I can't find the answer I'm looking for - Do we know if paying MF on CSR will code as travel...

We know Marriott MFs code as travel at the moment. The $64,000 question is whether it will code as "hotel" or "travel" after 10/26.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

HGVC yes but unknown after 10/26

 

[rickandcindy23]

This is a game changer, 4X would be great, but if MF's code as 1X, I am going to be using another card.

I saw my annual fee was just billed 10/1 at $550, which means I can try out the new features for the old fee, right? The Lyft, the Apple TV, etc.?

 

[buzglyd]

This is a game changer, 4X would be great, but if MF's code as 1X, I am going to be using another card.

I saw my annual fee was just billed 10/1 at $550, which means I can try out the new features for the old fee, right? The Lyft, the Apple TV, etc.?

Current card holes benefits don’t start until 10/26

 

[DanCali]

We know Marriott MFs code as travel at the moment. The $64,000 question is whether it will code as "hotel" or "travel" after 10/26.

For what it's worth, someone (new cardholder) posted on the DISboards that a DVC direct purchase coded for him as a hotel.

 

[jtp1947]

Apologies, this thread has gotten long and I can't find the answer I'm looking for - Do we know if paying MF on CSR will code as travel and get 4x? Apologies if I missed it. Also, what was the rate on CSP? Thank you. Just trying to determine if it makes sense to downgrade CSR to CSP.

I paid maintenance fees on CSR in August and it posted as travel and 3X points.

 

[marriottdude]

Thanks for all the helpful information. So to summarize, several of us will be making (small) MF payments on 10/27 (or after) on CSRs so we can validate 4x URP outcome once statements print. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[mountainboy]

I saw my annual fee was just billed 10/1 at $550, which means I can try out the new features for the old fee, right?

Correct!

 

[mountainboy]

Any Updated DPs on various Marriott or other MFs posting on the new CSR?
May report here or on this other 'Premium travel cards' thread.
TY!

Premium travel Credit Cards

Thank YOU :-)!

tugbbs.com

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am anxious to try out my new benefits with CSR starting tomorrow.

I haven't found any hotels using The Edit in San Juan, PR. I needed two nights in March. The prices are outrageous for those hotels.

 

[daviator]

I tried to make a restaurant reservation for next month using the new CSR benefit where you get money back twice a year. The participating restaurants are extremely limited and of course, very high end and expensive. I was booking for a birthday dinner and did finally find something to book but it wasn't easy.

If anyone is interested, this page has compiled a list of all of the eligible restaurants, it was helpful to see them all in one place. https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-participating-restaurants/

 

[heathpack]

We booked a 2 night The Edit stay in Atlanta for next weekend. I posted previously about the “gotcha” with the need for the stay to be prepaid but also to show up on a statement after Oct 26. I was hoping I could simply prepay the stay in midOct. Of course, there was no availability when I tried to do so, and there was no possibility of me prepaying without cancelling. I was assured that if I cancelled and tried to rebook, there would be no availability. I had no interest in going to Atlanta without the CSR rebate, so I cancelled. Indeed there was no availability when I tried to rebook.

So… I personally think the Edit benefit will be like this. Layers of “gotchas”- overpriced stays, so you have to research the non Chase cost of the hotel, figure out the value of the daily breakfast and what you can use the $100 credit on, call CSR customer service to clarify details, and then in the end be unable to use the benefit.

I’ve found the same with the DoorDash benefit. The prices are inflated and you have ten steps of research to find out that your credit is worthless.

Sad to say that I’m out on CSR. The changes are not only annoying, they’re scammy. I have zero interest in rewarding a company for scammy-ness. Chase actually reminds me of Hyatt Vacation Club.

 

[rickandcindy23]

@heathpack I also have seen only high-priced accommodations and nothing I would care to use "The Edit" for. I have tried several different locations.

 

[mountainboy]

I tried to make a restaurant reservation for next month using the new CSR benefit where you get money back twice a year. The participating restaurants are extremely limited and of course, very high end and expensive. I was booking for a birthday dinner and did finally find something to book but it wasn't easy.

If anyone is interested, this page has compiled a list of all of the eligible restaurants, it was helpful to see them all in one place. https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-participating-restaurants/

This is another one with list of all participating restaurants for CSR...

Premium travel Credit Cards

For CSR Open tables credit: Looks like the Maxmyfhr analog here... https://useyourcredits.com/maps/chase-reserve/ Other tips: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/maximizing-the-300-dining-credit-with-chase-sapphire-reserve-exclusive-tables/ https://www.opentable.com/c/chasedining/...

tugbbs.com

 

[mountainboy]

@heathpack I also have seen only high-priced accommodations and nothing I would care to use "The Edit" for. I have tried several different locations.

We had a post about some possible use cases for the Edit/Chase on the other thread too..
(+ they have changed the credit for 2026 so no need to split the credit into 2 halves for the year; you get 500 to use for the whole year, but edited to add, it does appear still unfortunately 250 per 2 night stay only. Thx to @Eric B for pointing out)
TY!

Premium travel Credit Cards

Thank YOU :-)!

tugbbs.com

 

[heathpack]

Just booked a Polaris flight ATL to Berlin through Newark for next Sept. Used more than half of my remaining CSR UR points.

 

[heathpack]

We had a post about some possible use cases for the Edit/Chase on the other thread too..
(+ they have changed the credit for 2026 so no need to split the credit; you get 500 to use for the whole year, used any which way....)
TY!

Premium travel Credit Cards

Thank YOU :-)!

tugbbs.com

I’ll check it out. So what do I have to do to get the $500? Can I get that rebate for a one 2-night the Edit stay? If yes, good. I have a 2 night prepaid stay in Atlanta already booked for Jan 1-3. My annual fee is charged in Feb, so I’d like to get the benefits I can between now and Jan. I’m using one dining credit next weekend. It would be great to use that second one on the Atlanta Jan weekend.

 

[Eric B]

We had a post about some possible use cases for the Edit/Chase on the other thread too..
(+ they have changed the credit for 2026 so no need to split the credit; you get 500 to use for the whole year, used any which way....)
TY!

Premium travel Credit Cards

Thank YOU :-)!

tugbbs.com

My understanding is that while it has been changed so that the Edit credit will no longer allocated as $250 January-June and $250 July-December, it will continue to be two separate $250 credits per year. That means that you could make one two-night reservation followed by another at the same hotel and get the credit for both, resulting in a minimum of four nights in all, so it's not completely "any which way."

Chase's The Edit Hotel Credit: What to Know - NerdWallet

Trying to max out Chase's The Edit hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card may cost you more money than it saves. Here's what to know before you book.

www.nerdwallet.com

 

[mountainboy]

My understanding is that while it has been changed so that the Edit credit will no longer allocated as $250 January-June and $250 July-December, it will continue to be two separate $250 credits per year. That means that you could make one two-night reservation followed by another at the same hotel and get the credit for both, resulting in a minimum of four nights in all, so it's not completely "any which way."

Chase's The Edit Hotel Credit: What to Know - NerdWallet

Trying to max out Chase's The Edit hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card may cost you more money than it saves. Here's what to know before you book.

www.nerdwallet.com

Thx for clarifying! Edited & updated post!
A bummer then, if still 250 for 2 nights min; hate to spend more money to 'redeem' the coupon :-(
AmEx FHR far better with decent options for 1 night stay for 300/night, 2x/yr..
TY!

 

[mountainboy]

*Did a test booking for Park MGM (including resort fees/taxes) was $340 all-in, for sat & sun, 2 nights for Jan (cheaper than direct cancelable rate); will see when credit posts.
(cancelable until 2 days before trip...)
TY!

 

[Eric B]

Thx for clarifying! Edited & updated post!
A bummer then, if still 250 for 2 nights min; hate to spend more money to 'redeem' the coupon :-(
AmEx FHR far better with decent options for 1 night stay for 300/night, 2x/yr..
TY!

I’ve been looking at those to see if I can find a stay that works for us. Maxfhr seems like a good starting point but doesn’t reflect the fees & taxes that would be added to a booking. At this point, I have so many HHonors points and FNCs that it’s not worth using when there would be out of pocket costs for a hotel/resort stay, but it could change. I hesitate to give value to the added hotel/resort credit AMEX FHR comes with to cover the out of pocket costs for a stay because we’d have to spend it there when we might not otherwise.