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 companion community. However with a set of current modifications, together with a considerably increased annual price and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders at the moment are reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the suitable match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual price has elevated from $550 to $795, making it one of the costly client 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 brand new Factors Increase program, although present cardholders will obtain a two-year grace interval earlier than that change takes impact.
Throughout this grace interval (till Oct. 26, 2027), present cardholders will routinely obtain the perfect worth between Factors Increase and their 50% redemption enhance.
Not every thing is altering, although: well-liked advantages just 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 now not work within the Reserve’s favor.
When you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed here are 5 sturdy options that will higher fit your wants and spending model.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve modifications: New incomes charges, extra assertion credit for a better annual price
If you wish to stick with Chase
When you’re not prepared to go away the Chase ecosystem, you possibly can nonetheless entry Chase’s helpful switch companions with out the hefty annual price.
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Annual price: $95
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When you 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 one among our favourite general journey playing cards right here at TPG.
It is the cardboard I take advantage of most in my pockets — thanks, partly, 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 price.
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 perfect for vacationers who wish to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the stress of maximizing high-end advantages. When you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing less expensive, this card is really arduous to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to carry each the Chase Sapphire Most popular and Reserve?
Learn how to 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.
Standard 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 possibility that earns 1.5% money again and retains your factors alive.
It is usually really useful to downgrade moderately than cancel to protect your account age, keep away from a possible dip in your credit score rating and preserve entry to your factors. Simply be sure that your account is a minimum of 12 months previous, as Chase usually would 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
When you’re nonetheless chasing airport lounges, luxurious perks and journey credit — simply not on the Reserve’s new $795 worth level — these different premium journey playing cards could supply higher worth. Each include sturdy protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Specific
Annual price: $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 price credit for a qualifying airline of your alternative, $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 instantly with airways or American Specific Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr). Simply observe: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account while you add the Amex Platinum as a fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual price: $395
When you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra easy, cost-effective possibility, you would possibly wish to think about the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.
Just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Enterprise X provides 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 price and easier factors incomes construction, the Enterprise X supplies a extra streamlined journey rewards expertise.
It is necessary to notice, nonetheless, that beginning Feb 1, 2026, further Enterprise X cardholders (together with licensed customers and account managers) will now not obtain complimentary lounge entry. Major cardholders can add lounge entry to further cardholder accounts by paying $125 per card.
By comparability, the Sapphire Reserve permits cardholders to deliver as much as two friends at no cost into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Move lounges, with further friends incurring a $27 price per go to. This offers the Reserve a slight edge in relation to lounge entry, particularly in the event you ceaselessly journey with others.
In relation to 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 motels and rental vehicles booked by means of Capital One Journey.
Add in 10,000 bonus miles yearly (accessible by way of the Capital One portal) and no-annual-fee licensed customers, and the Enterprise X packs unbelievable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual price. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are value roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra inexpensive annual price, the Enterprise X is a beautiful different for individuals who desire a less complicated, premium journey card that also delivers strong worth.
Associated: The very best premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
If you’d like premium lodge 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 price and plenty of of its greatest perks leaning closely towards normal journey moderately than hotel-specific advantages, you is likely to be in search of extra focused worth, particularly in the event you constantly stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Specific® Aspire Card
Annual price: $550
So far as premium lodge playing cards go, there’s a lot to love in regards to the Hilton Aspire Amex. Whereas diverging from the Sapphire Reserve when it comes to versatile factors earned, it provides concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you need to use yearly, particularly if Hilton motels are already a part of your journey routine (or might be).
The cardboard provides computerized Hilton’s top-tier Diamond standing a Free Evening 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 price in the event you keep at Hilton properties even simply a couple of times a yr.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire consists of Precedence Move Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental price credit, giving it some journey perks past motels. However its actual worth is evident if lodge standing and luxurious keep perks matter extra to you than transferable factors or versatile redemptions.
Associated: Greatest lodge bank cards
If you’d like prime rewards on eating
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s eating advantages had been a serious draw for you, I’ve excellent news: there’s one other card that does it even higher.
American Specific Gold Card
Annual price: $325 (see charges and costs)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, due to 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 instantly 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 concentrated extra on eating out than airport lounges.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account while you add the Amex Platinum as a fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Greatest eating bank cards of July 2025
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve nonetheless provides large worth for vacationers who can maximize its perks — and a few of the new advantages could attraction to those that ceaselessly e book by means of Chase Journey or spend closely throughout classes. However with the annual price now at $795, it is value reassessing whether or not the cardboard aligns together with your present life-style.
Whether or not you are trying to keep loyal to Chase, change to a extra inexpensive premium card or go for one thing higher suited to your journey or eating habits, there is no scarcity of sturdy options. The very best card is the one which delivers essentially the most worth for you, and with these modifications to the Sapphire Reserve, now is likely to be a good time to search out the right match.
Associated: Why I am holding my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual price
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.
