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

[rthib]

As in screenshot in #392, Xpress Spa with CSR PP works for guests also, although disclaimer 'verify with property'...
TY!

That's the same hallucination I get from google AI. Looking for something real or someone who has done it.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

Everyone's needs/spending amt & pattern varies, so no one best answer for everyone....
Many are staying for CSR for another year (as they are paying the lower fee until next year October renewal).
Others are switching to Citi or BoA premium cards, as detailed above.
Some are waiting for upcoming changes to Amex Platinum.
Others plan to open Ritz Carlton card next year (PC from Marriott Boundless) to keep Chase Sapphire lounge access unless that card is nerfed.
Pls feel free to share others.
TY!

There's much more detailed discussion here than on the Wyndham forum. I guess this breaks down into two topics: #1 what is a good alternative for MF, and #2 what are alternatives for a premium credit card?

For MF, BoA is not a bad suggestion, their travel category includes timeshares. The Citi Custom Cash and Amex Green exclude them. Since I don't own MVC, none of the Bonvoy cards would benefit me with Wyndham MF.

Premium cards are getting tough with all the coupons, gone are the days where it is easy to hold multiple. Some are really liking the new Chase portal, but it helps to be a free agent as far as hotels and airlines when chasing the boosted deals. The Amex Platinum sounds like it is moving into more hearty quarterly and semi-annual credits. Citi adding AA is an attractive earning opportunity. As it stands now, the Ritz Carlton card is a great deal for Sapphire Lounge access.

I'm personally shifting towards "premium-lite" cards such as the Capital One Venture X, Atmos Summit (Alaska), and the Hilton Aspire. I would throw the Ritz Carlton into that category as well.

 

[mountainboy]

There's much more detailed discussion here than on the Wyndham forum. I guess this breaks down into two topics: #1 what is a good alternative for MF, and #2 what are alternatives for a premium credit card?

For MF, BoA is not a bad suggestion, their travel category includes timeshares. The Citi Custom Cash and Amex Green exclude them. Since I don't own MVC, none of the Bonvoy cards would benefit me with Wyndham MF.

Premium cards are getting tough with all the coupons, gone are the days where it is easy to hold multiple. Some are really liking the new Chase portal, but it helps to be a free agent as far as hotels and airlines when chasing the boosted deals. The Amex Platinum sounds like it is moving into more hearty quarterly and semi-annual credits. Citi adding AA is an attractive earning opportunity. As it stands now, the Ritz Carlton card is a great deal for Sapphire Lounge access.

I'm personally shifting towards "premium-lite" cards such as the Capital One Venture X, Atmos Summit (Alaska), and the Hilton Aspire. I would throw the Ritz Carlton into that category as well.

Excellent points...
Agree this discussion is best in general TUG lounge (as it applies to everyone) rather than just Marriott TS owners but glad folks here started this conversation!

 

[mountainboy]

I'm personally shifting towards "premium-lite" cards such as the Capital One Venture X, Atmos Summit (Alaska), and the Hilton Aspire. I would throw the Ritz Carlton into that category as well.

RC is excellent for Sapphire club access (even better than CSR) although Airfare incidental credit is a PIA for RC...
Likely will plan to PC my Boundless to it in Oct 2026 (when my CSR fee hikes up to the new $$).
Have C1 VX although they did devalue it (by removing all guest access even for Prim cardholder unless 75k spend starting next year). I do love C1 lounges though...A notch above Centurion usually..
Did not get Atmos Summit; got Ascent; not an AS user although I do use AS pts for booking short haul AA metal flights.. Summit would have removed the pesky partner xfr fee but just did not want to pay for another 'premium' AF. (Have Amex Platinum, CSR, C1VX, Amex Aspire (x2), Bonvoy Brilliant & BoA PRE + Hyatt/Marriott 100$ AF for a FNC cards, so plenty of AFs but each worth it for me, so far. Not sure longer term for CSR & Amex Platinum, with more AF hikes & more coupon books, which are hard to keep track of &/or use)...
As HGVC owner, Aspire is a no-brainer for us (& many on that forum) & hence have 2..
Everyone's use case being different, individual card/preference would vary, of course..
TY!

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

RC is excellent for Sapphire club access (even better than CSR) although Airfare incidental credit is a PIA for RC...
Likely will plan to PC my Boundless to it in Oct 2026 (when my CSR fee hikes up to the new $$).
Have C1 VX although they did devalue it (by removing all guest access even for Prim cardholder unless 75k spend starting next year). I do love C1 lounges though...A notch above Centurion usually..
Did not get Atmos Summit; got Ascent; not an AS user although I do use AS pts for booking short haul AA metal flights.. Summit would have removed the pesky partner xfr fee but just did not want to pay for another 'premium' AF. (Have Amex Platinum, CSR, C1VX, Amex Aspire (x2), Bonvoy Brilliant & BoA PRE + Hyatt/Marriott 100$ AF for a FNC cards, so plenty of AFs but each worth it for me, so far. Not sure longer term for CSR & Amex Platinum, with more AF hikes & more coupon books, which are hard to keep track of &/or use)...
As HGVC owner, Aspire is a no-brainer for us (& many on that forum) & hence have 2..
Everyone's use case being different, individual card/preference would vary, of course..
TY!

I got the Bonvoy Brilliant thinking I was going to use Marriott more in South Vegas directly and through MGM, but I ended up buying Worldmark instead for that purpose. In hindsight I should have started working towards the RC, and may do so if they don't turn it into a coupon book. I would ideally like to see a quasi-premium IHG card with Sapphire access.

C1 VX lounge access changes are unfortunate, but we usually fly in the morning, I do intermittent fasting, so I can whip in for a black coffee and get breakfast for my wife to go. I use it, Amex BBP, and BILT for transferable currencies. Depending on what changes happen to BILT, I may get the C1 Savor for grocery and entertainment.

I started shifting from Delta 2 years ago, and now have an AS trifecta with the Atmos Summit, Atmos Business, and BILT. Delta is a useful backup, so I downgraded to the Business Gold.

My original timeshare was HGVC, a terrible Orlando contract. At least it was resale! I think HGVC is a great program with the right contract, such as Platinum at BLVD in Vegas. With Wyndham I can get advanced access to two of the places I care about most for relatively cheap MF that would be impossible to duplicate with HGVC. It really came down to our situation and travel habits.

 

[mountainboy]

I got the Bonvoy Brilliant thinking I was going to use Marriott more in South Vegas directly and through MGM, but I ended up buying Worldmark instead for that purpose. In hindsight I should have started working towards the RC, and may do so if they don't turn it into a coupon book. I would ideally like to see a quasi-premium IHG card with Sapphire access.

C1 VX lounge access changes are unfortunate, but we usually fly in the morning, I do intermittent fasting, so I can whip in for a black coffee and get breakfast for my wife to go. I use it, Amex BBP, and BILT for transferable currencies. Depending on what changes happen to BILT, I may get the C1 Savor for grocery and entertainment.

I started shifting from Delta 2 years ago, and now have an AS trifecta with the Atmos Summit, Atmos Business, and BILT. Delta is a useful backup, so I downgraded to the Business Gold.

My original timeshare was HGVC, a terrible Orlando contract. At least it was resale! I think HGVC is a great program with the right contract, such as Platinum at BLVD in Vegas. With Wyndham I can get advanced access to two of the places I care about most for relatively cheap MF that would be impossible to duplicate with HGVC. It really came down to our situation and travel habits.

Agree, with Chase & Amex Platinum raising fees & more coupon books, need more viable ecosystems!
Nice to see & learn from others.
TY!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Severance is another original program you can watch on Apple.

I watched the first episode on the plane from Maui. What a strange show. I didn't get a great first impression of it. Rick would hate it. He needs action.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I got the Bonvoy Brilliant thinking I was going to use Marriott more in South Vegas directly and through MGM, but I ended up buying Worldmark instead for that purpose. In hindsight I should have started working towards the RC, and may do so if they don't turn it into a coupon book. I would ideally like to see a quasi-premium IHG card with Sapphire access.

C1 VX lounge access changes are unfortunate, but we usually fly in the morning, I do intermittent fasting, so I can whip in for a black coffee and get breakfast for my wife to go. I use it, Amex BBP, and BILT for transferable currencies. Depending on what changes happen to BILT, I may get the C1 Savor for grocery and entertainment.

I started shifting from Delta 2 years ago, and now have an AS trifecta with the Atmos Summit, Atmos Business, and BILT. Delta is a useful backup, so I downgraded to the Business Gold.

My original timeshare was HGVC, a terrible Orlando contract. At least it was resale! I think HGVC is a great program with the right contract, such as Platinum at BLVD in Vegas. With Wyndham I can get advanced access to two of the places I care about most for relatively cheap MF that would be impossible to duplicate with HGVC. It really came down to our situation and travel habits.

WorldMark in Vegas? We own WM. What resort do they have in Vegas. If it's Grand Desert, we already have that one with Wyndham. It's okay.

Venture X lounge access was the main perk we wanted to have with that card. I am considering getting another one for me. I am pretty disappointed because we haven't had the card much more than a year and this happens. Oh well. If the fee goes up with the card and benefits stay the same, I won't get the card. I am waiting to see what happens.

The Bonvoy Brilliant is good, if you own Marriott and use the restaurant credit every month. The hotel I get is usually worthy of "most" of the fee. I would say the stay at Courtyard by Marriott on Maui was worthy of the credit, but geez, after staying at Westin Nanea, what a step down. Just sayin'.

 

[iowaguy09]

I watched the first episode on the plane from Maui. What a strange show. I didn't get a great first impression of it. Rick would hate it. He needs action.

Definitely takes a few episodes to get more interesting. Definitely subdued on action. I like quirky and dystopian, so it appeals to me!

 

[jwalk03]

WorldMark in Vegas? We own WM. What resort do they have in Vegas. If it's Grand Desert, we already have that one with Wyndham. It's okay.

Venture X lounge access was the main perk we wanted to have with that card. I am considering getting another one for me. I am pretty disappointed because we haven't had the card much more than a year and this happens. Oh well. If the fee goes up with the card and benefits stay the same, I won't get the card. I am waiting to see what happens.

The Bonvoy Brilliant is good, if you own Marriott and use the restaurant credit every month. The hotel I get is usually worthy of "most" of the fee. I would say the stay at Courtyard by Marriott on Maui was worthy of the credit, but geez, after staying at Westin Nanea, what a step down. Just sayin'.

There are 3 Worldmarks in Las Vegas
- Worldmark Boulevard
- Worldmark Tropicana Ave
- Worldmark Spencer Street

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

WorldMark in Vegas? We own WM. What resort do they have in Vegas. If it's Grand Desert, we already have that one with Wyndham. It's okay.

Venture X lounge access was the main perk we wanted to have with that card. I am considering getting another one for me. I am pretty disappointed because we haven't had the card much more than a year and this happens. Oh well. If the fee goes up with the card and benefits stay the same, I won't get the card. I am waiting to see what happens.

The Bonvoy Brilliant is good, if you own Marriott and use the restaurant credit every month. The hotel I get is usually worthy of "most" of the fee. I would say the stay at Courtyard by Marriott on Maui was worthy of the credit, but geez, after staying at Westin Nanea, what a step down. Just sayin'.

Boulevard and Tropicana give us the option to stay in South Vegas after a flight, while still being close enough to the strip for concerns or hockey games. I stay at Grand Desert too through Club Wyndham. Virgin Hotel is common for a 1 night stay outside of TS.

2 Venture X cards is always an option. C1 benefits from people forgetting to use the travel credit, which is at least slightly more likely on a 2nd card. I like the transfer partners, the travel portal for 3rd party hotels, and the rental car coverage. C1 has been excellent with customer service for me on the business side, so another reason to have them as a primary for business and personal.

Like with most hotel chains, I find mid-tier properties with Marriott inconsistent. There is a Townplace in western Phoenix that I like. We stayed at the Westin in Vancouver two years ago and it was excellent, reminded me of the Starwood days.

 

[mountainboy]

like the transfer partners, the travel portal for 3rd party hotels, and the rental car coverage. C1 has been excellent with customer service for me on the business side, so another reason to have them as a primary for business and personal.

+ Their portal uses Hopper, a nice app on back end + nice for their predictions for pricing + modest price lock + cheap travel insurance on some offerings + does incl basic economy for cheap flights (if that aligns with one's travel/spend habit (as I know we have many here, who prefer J & F)
+ 2x on everyday spend
+ 10% point boost at end of year (= 2.2% on everyday spend)
+ Current AF 395 is easily recouped IF one uses the $300 annual credit via portal (I hate portals but theirs is better than others) with your excellent caveat re breakage, esp in 2P mode...

 

[rthib]

I watched the first episode on the plane from Maui. What a strange show. I didn't get a great first impression of it. Rick would hate it. He needs action.

Should be watching Chief of War if you were in Hawaii. It is interesting to see the artifacts and ruins you visit brought to life.

 

[mountainboy]

Same issue with reservations for Sapphire lounge at PHX but the staff are excellent & know the issues. Put another ticket in, during my visit today, so we can access on Monday morning... Hope they fix their bug though...

 

[rthib]

No room was available with Abound points in Waikiki so looked at other Marriott's on Chase. Moana and Royal Hawaiian were both point boost and are part of The Edit so all the goodies.
Booked a night $770 room for 35K points at the Royal

 

[mountainboy]

Booked a night $770 room for 35K points at the Royal

? 35k UR points?
? Able to use Chase Edit Credit also?
(? got Marriott pts & Elite benefits for booking stay)?
Mahalo!

 

[rickandcindy23]

No room was available with Abound points in Waikiki so looked at other Marriott's on Chase. Moana and Royal Hawaiian were both point boost and are part of The Edit so all the goodies.
Booked a night $770 room for 35K points at the Royal

This is confusing for me. Through Chase, you booked something on Oahu for 35K points?

 

[rthib]

? 35k UR points?
? Able to use Chase Edit Credit also?
(? got Marriott pts & Elite benefits for booking stay)?
Mahalo!

Yes Chase points (Since this thread is about Sapphire) Rest of my Trip on other Islands is using Abound Points (Maui, Big Island skipping Kauai this trip)
Edit Benefits ($100 Hotel Credit, Upgrade, Late Check out etc...) not the $ Credit
Stay also qualifies for Marriott Benefits, so my Titanium Status, nights credit etc all apply too.
So just a heads up if you are visiting the islands to use you MVCI and have a chase, you can score a good deal on Hotel.

On a related note, apparently NTTA (Texas Toll Road) codes as Travel. I put my Sapphire card on there to get spend ot hit bonus and then saw all these credits for Toll Road, so was able to get my $300 in toll refunds.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I will check out the hotels on Maui for 2026. We need a hotel for that first night we are on the island.

I have been enjoying bargain airfares on United using the portal. It's been incredible.

 

[rickandcindy23]

My latest deal saved over 10,000 UR points on a first-class flight to Jacksonville.

I hope Marriott/ Sheraton and all of our timeshares still post as travel. I am definitely worried that things are going to change in a drastic way. If they do, I will adjust things, but it's a waiting game for now.

 

[mountainboy]

I hope Marriott/ Sheraton and all of our timeshares still post as travel.

They have, per folks postings thus far.
Don't anticipate them nerfing their primary benefit, as a travel card...

I have been enjoying bargain airfares on United using the portal. It's been incredible.

That sounds very nice! Hope they don't nerf these, over time..
TY!

 

[daviator]

So I've had the Citi Strata Elite card for a month or so now. So far I am happy with it generally; I already made use of the semiannual Blacklane credit ($100) and have been getting 6x points for my weekend dining spend. Other spend which doesn't meet any of the special categories earns 1.5 points/dollar which is still better than most other cards which are 1x. I use my Apple Card wherever I can use Apple Pay as that earns 2% cash back.

Booking travel through Citi's portal earns 12x points which sounds great, but so far I am underwhelmed. The hotel rates quoted through their portal seem to always be higher than those I can get when booking directly, in part because they don't give you any way to access special rates (senior, AAA, AARP, etc.) I haven't yet tried to book airline travel through the portal but am hoping that rates there are equivalent to booking directly.

Anyway, I can't really recommend their portal for booking hotels unless you don't mind paying extra to do so.

 

[jellen613]

Definitely takes a few episodes to get more interesting. Definitely subdued on action. I like quirky and dystopian, so it appeals to me!

For me it is the slow build of the suspense, every episode leaves you wanting to see what happens next. One of my absolute favorite shows and the cast is stellar.

 

[rickandcindy23]

They have, per folks postings thus far.
Don't anticipate them nerfing their primary benefit, as a travel card...


That sounds very nice! Hope they don't nerf these, over time..
TY!

I was informed by Chase that I have until my closing date of 10/26/2025 to keep my current benefits. I can use the benefits I receive now through 10/26/2026.

 

[ljmiii]

I was informed by Chase that I have until my closing date of 10/26/2025 to keep my current benefits. I can use the benefits I receive now through 10/26/2026.

Yup...10/26 is changeover day.

On the other hand, those of us who have decided to keep our CSR (at least the primary) for another year to see how it goes don't get the new benefits like Apple+ and the $150 restaurant credit until then either.