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 associate community. However with a collection of latest modifications, together with a considerably increased annual payment and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders are actually reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the best match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual payment has elevated from $550 to $795, making it one of the costly shopper journey playing cards available on the market. Approved person charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption enhance (when utilizing factors by means of Chase Journey℠) with the 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 routinely obtain the very best worth between Factors Enhance and their 50% redemption enhance.
Not the whole lot is altering, although: fashionable advantages like the $300 annual journey credit score, World Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit score, Precedence Move 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.
For those who’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed here are 5 robust options which will higher fit your wants and spending model.
If you wish to stick with Chase
For those who’re not prepared to depart the Chase ecosystem, you possibly can nonetheless entry Chase’s helpful switch companions with out the hefty annual payment.
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Annual payment: $95
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For those who nonetheless need entry to Chase Final Rewards however however cannot justify the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 price ticket, the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and costs) is a improbable different, and certainly one of our favourite total journey playing cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I take advantage of most in my pockets — thanks, partially, 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 affordable annual payment.
With the Sapphire Most popular, you may 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 preferrred for vacationers who need to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. For those who nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing less expensive, this card is actually onerous to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to carry each the Chase Sapphire Most popular and Reserve?
How you can downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to change from the Sapphire Most popular to a different Chase card, you possibly can 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.
Common downgrade choices embrace the aforementioned Sapphire Most popular (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 usually really helpful to downgrade somewhat 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 be sure your account is not less than 12 months previous, as Chase usually does not enable product modifications sooner than that.
Associated: When are you able to downgrade your bank card?
If you’d like a premium journey card
For those who’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 value level — these different premium journey playing cards could supply higher worth. Each include robust protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Specific
Annual payment: $695 (see charges and costs)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Specific is now cheaper, and nonetheless loaded with luxurious perks.
You may get entry to Amex’s World Lounge Assortment, $200 in annual airline payment credit for a qualifying airline of your selection, $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 immediately with airways or American Specific 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 if you add the Amex Platinum as a cost methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual payment: $395
For those who love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are searching for a extra simple, cost-effective choice, you would possibly need to take into account the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X affords airport lounge entry (together with Precedence Move, 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 payment 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 licensed 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 convey as much as two friends free of charge into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Move lounges, with extra friends incurring a $27 payment per go to. This offers the Reserve a slight edge with regards to lounge entry, particularly when you often journey with others.
In terms of 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 inns and rental vehicles booked by means of Capital One Journey.
Add in 10,000 bonus miles yearly (accessible through the Capital One portal) and no-annual-fee licensed customers, and the Enterprise X packs unimaginable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual payment. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are price roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual payment, the Enterprise X is a gorgeous different for individuals who need a easier, premium journey card that also delivers strong worth.
Associated: One of the best premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
If you’d like premium resort advantages
The Sapphire Reserve has lengthy been a go-to for vacationers searching for broad journey rewards, airport lounge entry and versatile redemptions. However with a rising annual payment and lots of of its finest perks leaning closely towards normal journey somewhat than hotel-specific advantages, you may be searching for extra focused worth, particularly when you persistently stick with a single resort model.
Hilton Honors American Specific® Aspire Card
Annual payment: $550
So far as premium resort 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 affords concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you should utilize yearly, particularly if Hilton inns are already a part of your journey routine (or could possibly be).
The cardboard affords automated Hilton’s top-tier Diamond standing a Free Night time 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 payment when you keep at Hilton properties even simply a few times a yr.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire contains Precedence Move Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental payment credit, giving it some journey perks past inns. However its actual worth is obvious if resort standing and luxurious keep perks matter extra to you than transferable factors or versatile redemptions.
Associated: Finest resort bank cards
If you’d like prime rewards on eating
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s eating advantages had been a significant draw for you, I’ve excellent news: there’s one other card that does it even higher.
American Specific Gold Card
Annual payment: $325 (see charges and costs)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, because of its incomes 3 factors per greenback spent on eating. However the American Specific® 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 may additionally earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately 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 prime choose for anybody whose spending is targeted extra on eating out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account if you add the Amex Platinum as a cost methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Finest eating bank cards of July 2025
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve nonetheless affords great worth for vacationers who can maximize its perks — and among the new advantages could attraction to those that often guide by means of Chase Journey or spend closely throughout classes. However with the annual payment now at $795, it is price reassessing whether or not the cardboard aligns along with your present life-style.
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 isn’t any scarcity of robust options. One of the best card is the one which delivers essentially the most worth for you, and with these modifications to the Sapphire Reserve, now may be a good time to search out the proper match.
Associated: Why I am protecting my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual payment
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.
