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

[jwalk03]

Chase is offering a deal on Apple TV and Apple Music, which is not really important to me, but what is great on Apple TV? I glanced at it, but if it's free, maybe I should sign up.

The coupon crap is just that--crap, and it's not something I am interested in. Higher tier of hotels? Another throwaway benefit. Already the Priority Pass lounges are a throwaway benefit.

I really like the Morning Show on Apple TV with Jennifer Anniston & Reese Witherspoon. Though that is the only thing I have ever watched and I just cancel after I finish a season until a new season is released.

 

[Fasttr]

Wasn't Ted Lasso also Apple TV? That seemed to be popular in its day.

 

[buzglyd]

You could also open Ink Business Preferred and park your points there.

 

[frank808]

If paying MVC, HGVC and DVC MF awards 4x points, I believe I will have to get the CSR.

Have resisted all this time but that 4x for MF would make me get card.

Please report if MF credits at 4x.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[zentraveler]

Apple TV has some good shows, Severance and Slow Horses come to mind (I watch them both).

Apple TV produces some really fabulous, high quality shows. The ones above are good examples, and shows like Ted Lasso.

 

[zentraveler]

Already the Priority Pass lounges are a throwaway benefit.

Yep, never have found them of much use and the cost of getting two people in even if the account is free are really not worth it. Does this card not cover the United Club for $795??

 

[jwalk03]

Yep, never have found them of much use and the cost of getting two people in even if the account is free are really not worth it. Does this card not cover the United Club for $795??

No united club. It cover priority pass lounges and sapphire lounges.

There is no cost to entire the priority pass lounges for the primary card holder, authorized users and up to 2 guests per card holder.

 

[zentraveler]

I really like the Morning Show on Apple TV with Jennifer Anniston & Reese Witherspoon. Though that is the only thing I have ever watched and I just cancel after I finish a season until a new season is released.

That was another great one, and yes Ted Lasso was also Apple TV. They routinely produce fabulous series. Lessons in Chemistry and Pachinko are wonderful (and based on fabulous books).

 

[zentraveler]

No united club. It cover priority pass lounges and sapphire lounges.

There is no cost to entire the priority pass lounges for the primary card holder, authorized users and up to 2 guests per card holder.

Interesting. We have had paid (Black Friday specials primarily for the Mexico airport) and free ones from Interval and it has always been $32/person for entry. We have a Chase card that is ~$625 now (up from $550) that covers the United
Club and some other features that are good for travel. They re-named it recently to Infinity (forgot the old name) but we have alsays called it the "Uber" card. We fly out of SFO and the United Club is a must for us.

 

[jwalk03]

Interesting. We have had paid (Black Friday specials primarily for the Mexico airport) and free ones from Interval and it has always been $32/person for entry. We have a Chase card that is ~$625 now (up from $550) that covers the United
Club and some other features that are good for travel. They re-named it recently to Infinity (forgot the old name) but we have alsays called it the "Uber" card. We fly out of SFO and the United Club is a must for us.

The free priority pass membership from interval is different from the credit card ones- and yes it does carry a visit fee per person.

The Sapphire Reserve, Ritz, AMEX Platinum, etc that provide Priority Pass memberships do not charge a visit fee.

Chase does offer a premium United Card that includes the United Club Pass, just like AMEX has a Delta card that provides Skyclub access, and I assume Citi has a premium AA card that provides access to their lounges. That is a benefit typically reserved only for holding those specific partner cards. Not a general travel card benefit like Priority Pass.

 

[zentraveler]

Chase does offer a premium United Card that includes the United Club Pass, just like AMEX has a Delta card that provides Skyclub access, and I assume Citi has a premium AA card that provides access to their lounges. That is a benefit typically reserved only for holding those specific partner cards. Not a general travel card benefit like Priority Pass.

It just seemed odd to me that the $795 card does not include the United Club but the $625 card does.

 

[daviator]

I'd consider sticking with the CSR at $795 if they return the Priority Pass Restaurants benefit that they got rid of last year. That had real value to me.

I've never been to a Chase lounge, they are not in a single city I visit. Waiting to see what the new Amex Platinum deal will be, I might defect from Chase and return to Amex Platinum. I do not need multiple "big annual fee" cards, and this movement toward coupon-book benefits that require careful tracking and usage is a step in the wrong direction by all those card issuers who are doing it.

 

[jwalk03]

It just seemed odd to me that the $795 card does not include the United Club but the $625 card does.

Because the $625 card is a United specific Card.

The $795 card includes Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass Lounge Access as well- while the $625 card does not.

 

[jwalk03]

I'd consider sticking with the CSR at $795 if they return the Priority Pass Restaurants benefit that they got rid of last year. That had real value to me.

I've never been to a Chase lounge, they are not in a single city I visit. Waiting to see what the new Amex Platinum deal will be, I might defect from Chase and return to Amex Platinum. I do not need multiple "big annual fee" cards, and this movement toward coupon-book benefits that require careful tracking and usage is a step in the wrong direction by all those card issuers who are doing it.

I do hope they continue to expand the Chase Lounge footprint. If Chase truly wants to go head to head with AMEX they definitely need a much much larger lounge presence!!
Amex has lounges in ~25 airports. While Chase Sapphire has 7 with 2 additional locations officially announced.

Phoenix is the only one I have been to so far but it was really nice- so I would love to see more of them added!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I do hope they continue to expand the Chase Lounge footprint. If Chase truly wants to go head to head with AMEX they definitely need a much much larger lounge presence!!
Amex has lounges in ~25 airports. While Chase Sapphire has 7 with 2 additional locations officially announced.

Phoenix is the only one I have been to so far but it was really nice- so I would love to see more of them added!

Denver has constant building, new gates, huge spaces, and DEN is not getting any new lounges, not anytime soon.

The Venture X card gives us lounge access at DEN, but the word is out on that card, the entire concourse A is blasted by advertisements for the card. Sometimes we wait for 30 minutes on the list, and we just go to our gate and don't get to visit the lounge.

 

[jwalk03]

Denver has constant building, new gates, huge spaces, and DEN is not getting any new lounges, not anytime soon.

The Venture X card gives us lounge access at DEN, but the word is out on that card, the entire concourse A is blasted by advertisements for the card. Sometimes we wait for 30 minutes on the list, and we just go to our gate and don't get to visit the lounge.

I would think Denver would be a very appealing option for a Chase Lounge- if there is somewhere for them to build it.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I hate the coupons and there is little value for us. However we like the evacuation, medical, PP lounges and travel insurance. We plan to reduce from 2 player to 1 (downgrade to Freedom to preserve our credit history) when our AF is due in Jan 2026.

Player 2 will apply for a CSP when a high SUB offer is available. Otherwise will pay AU for Player 2 for PP and Insurance because CSP does not offer AFAIK.

Alternatively, we will look at the Capital One and AMEX Plat premier cards and switch.

Will be interested in perspectives as to how Capital One and AMEX plat compare.

 

[buzglyd]

I hate the coupons and there is little value for us. However we like the evacuation, medical, PP lounges and travel insurance. We plan to reduce from 2 player to 1 (downgrade to Freedom to preserve our credit history) when our AF is due in Jan 2026.

Player 2 will apply for a CSP when a high SUB offer is available. Otherwise will pay AU for Player 2 for PP and Insurance because CSP does not offer AFAIK.

Alternatively, we will look at the Capital One and AMEX Plat premier cards and switch.

Will be interested in perspectives as to how Capital One and AMEX plat compare.

Everyone will have to evaluate the “benefits/coupons” as it suits them. I’m not happy about the increased fee but the restaurant credit will be a no brainer because there are many in San Diego that we already frequent. Lyft will also be easy. That’s $420 right there plus the $300 travel credit.

I’m not sure I’ll use the Edit hotels because we either stay in timeshare or use points for hotels.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Everyone will have to evaluate the “benefits/coupons” as it suits them. I’m not happy about the increased fee but the restaurant credit will be a no brainer because there are many in San Diego that we already frequent. Lyft will also be easy. That’s $420 right there plus the $300 travel credit.

I’m not sure I’ll use the Edit hotels because we either stay in timeshare or use points for hotels.

Are these expensive restaurants?

As timeshare owners, we have every hotel beat for accommodations. Even some Wyndhams I can categorize as 4 star.

 

[buzglyd]

Are these expensive restaurants?

As timeshare owners, we have every hotel beat for accommodations. Even some Wyndhams I can categorize as 4 star.

Yes, they are mostly higher end restaurants

 

[rickandcindy23]

Yes, they are mostly higher end restaurants

We don't do expensive food. Rick is a great cook, and he fixes amazing meals. Today it's fish tacos with an adobo pepper sauce.

If I could use that credit for meals at Disney, we would be happy to do that, even Space 220 and Cinderella's Table, but I doubt those count.

 

[DanCali]

Are these expensive restaurants?

As timeshare owners, we have every hotel beat for accommodations. Even some Wyndhams I can categorize as 4 star.

They're supposed to be for "hard to get reservations at the trendiest restaurants in town".

Moreover, they are only in a handful of cities. I live in FL, but I'd have to drive 2 hours (each way) to Miami to take advantage of this.... Not even Orlando is on the list.

It also looks like you're sometimes restricted to certain seating like below - only counter or only outdoor (in the humidity of late June in FL...):

Seems like total nonsense.... Basically another way to get 90%+ of the card holders not to use benefits. Would have been much easier to have $25/month like the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card. I don't like the "coupon" aspect, but at least it works at McDonalds and Starbucks...

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Agree with Cindy. We don't live near a major city and we have some mid-tier local favorites that will not be covered so the restaurant benefit is worthless. We rarely pay cash for hotels - use points or FNCs and stay mostly at timeshares.

BTW...the Doordash benefit is a hassle. Only pays off with pickup so very limited. Most convenience stores carry only junk food so I am limited to buying TP, toiletries and beer. 2x for $10 per month vs. $20 is a hassle to make so many trips.

 

[Troyrissa]

Agreed, and I like your term "fuzzy value." You are right that the value stated is inflated since I'm not likely to spend $6,000 cash for a business class flight. Still, I do value the Chase points quite a bit, and if one is simply using them like cash (or at 1.5x in the Chase travel portal) they are missing out on some good opportunities to maximize value. For instance, I frequently can book domestic economy flights for 7,500 points each way. I did this a couple months ago on a flight that otherwise would've cost me $350, so a value of about $0.05/pt. That flight would've cost more than 20,000 points if booked in the Chase travel portal, instead of 7500 booked directly through the airline with transferred Chase points. Not to mention that I dislike booking through the travel portal due to all the potential issues with 3rd party bookings.
Later this summer I'm flying to Europe in business class on a flight booked with transferred Chase points. The flight was 58,000 points, but the cash price is $6,000. Would I have paid $6,000 for the flight? No, but even the economy ticket on the flight is over $1,000, and it is probably worth an extra $1,000 or so to me to be able to lie flat and actually sleep on the overnight flight to Europe, so still a pretty valuable use of points for me.

What airline were you able to get a flight to Europe for 58,000 points?

 

[winger]

Everyone will have to evaluate the “benefits/coupons” as it suits them. I’m not happy about the increased fee but the restaurant credit will be a no brainer because there are many in San Diego that we already frequent. Lyft will also be easy. That’s $420 right there plus the $300 travel credit.

I’m not sure I’ll use the Edit hotels because we either stay in timeshare or use points for hotels.

Works you recommended any particular ones in San Diego ?