Chase Sapphire Reserve Refresh 2025: What You Need to Know
Big changes are coming in 2025 to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®—Chase’s flagship premium travel rewards credit card. If you’re a frequent traveler or a points and miles enthusiast, these updates may have a major impact on how you earn and redeem rewards.
As anticipated, Chase has officially announced a significant refresh to the Sapphire Reserve, including new perks, updated earning structures, and a considerably higher annual fee. But with these updates also come exciting new benefits that may justify the increased cost—especially for those who maximize their cardholder perks.
Let’s break down what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how it could affect your travel rewards strategy.
🔄 What’s Changing With the Sapphire Reserve in 2025?
1. Higher Annual Fee
Chase is increasing the Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee from $550 to $795, making it the most expensive premium travel card currently on the market. Authorized user fees will also rise, jumping from $75 to $195 annually.
If you’re approved for the card between June 17th–23rd, 2025, you’ll still pay the lower $550 fee for your first year. The new fee applies to renewals after October 26th, 2025.
2. New and Enhanced Earning Categories
Flights through Chase Travel: Now 8X (up from 5X)
Direct flight and hotel bookings: Now 4X (up from 3X)
Hotels and rental cars through Chase Travel: Lowered to 8X (from 10X)
General travel (like cruises, transit, Airbnbs): Reduced to 1X (from 3X)
Dining, Lyft, and Peloton purchase rewards remain unchanged.
3. New Statement Credits
Chase is introducing over $2,700 in annual credits, including:
$500 for The Edit by Chase Travel℠ (luxury hotel bookings, split into two $250 biannual credits)
$300 StubHub or Viagogo credit for event tickets (split into two $150 biannual credits; activation required)
$300 per year in DoorDash perks with monthly promos ($5 restaurant & two $10 everyday essentials every month; activation required)
$300 OpenTable dining credit (split into two $150 biannual credits automatically applied within the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program)
$250 in annual statement credits for Apple TV+ and Apple Music
$120 Peloton membership credit (up to $10/month)
$120 Lyft credit (up to $10/month)
DashPass membership (valued at $120; activation required)
These are in addition to the existing $300 flexible travel credit, which applies automatically each cardmember year.
4. IHG Platinum Elite Status
Cardholders will now receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, offering benefits like:
60% bonus points on IHG stays
Reward night discounts
Early check-in
Hertz Five Star status
- Welcome amenities and more
🚀 Points Boost: A New Redemption Accelerator
One of the biggest updates is the introduction of Points Boost, a new feature that offers redemptions worth up to 2 cents per point when booking through Chase Travel with select partners.
However, this also marks the end of the familiar 1.5 cents per point boost for new cardholders starting June 23. Existing cardholders can still redeem points at the 1.5X rate or via Points Boost until October 26th, 2027—whichever gives the better value.
💵 Spend-Based Perks
If you spend $75,000 or more per calendar year, you’ll unlock even more premium rewards:
IHG Diamond Elite status
Southwest A-List status
$500 Southwest flight credit (when booking via Chase Travel)
$250 credit for The Shops at Chase, which includes brands like Dyson, Sony, and Tumi
🎨 New Card Design
Chase has also updated the Sapphire Reserve’s physical card design. The card now features a more refined look with smaller branding and a sapphire-gem–inspired aesthetic that gives it a luxurious, tactile feel.
🛡️ What’s Staying the Same
$300 flexible travel credit
Lounge access (Priority Pass, with 2 free guests for authorized users)
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Nexus fee reimbursement
Robust travel protections and insurance coverage
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Still Worth It?
The value of the new benefits can easily exceed the higher annual fee—if you frequently use services like StubHub, OpenTable, DoorDash, Apple subscriptions, and premium hotels.
However, for more casual users or those who don’t spend much in these categories, the higher fee might outweigh the card’s utility—especially with the drop in general travel earnings from 3X to 1X.
💳 Ready to Apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
If the refreshed benefits and rewards align with your travel and lifestyle goals, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be the perfect card to elevate your points and miles game. From enhanced travel credits to valuable new perks like Points Boost and IHG Platinum Elite status, there’s never been a better time to apply.
👉 Apply now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and start earning up to 4x points on travel, exclusive access to Chase Sapphire & Priority Pass lounges, $300 annual travel credit and much more.
Note: Travel is the Point may earn a referral bonus if you’re approved through some of the links below. We strive to feature the best publicly available offers and only recommend cards based on their value, rewards potential, and fit for travelers. Thank you for your support!
Final Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is entering 2025 with bold changes that align it with (or even surpass in some respects) other premium cards like the Amex Platinum. If you’re a frequent international traveler and savvy points redeemer, the revamped perks could significantly enhance your travel lifestyle.
Before making a decision, weigh how many of the new credits you’d actually use. You’ll also want to keep track of the benefit activation dates, especially if your renewal date falls close to October 26th, 2025.
Thinking of optimizing your points or booking an award flight with your new perks? Check out our Award Booking Service or book a personalized Points & Miles Consulting session today.
Clear Customs Faster With New Enhanced Passenger Processing
[…] Chase Sapphire Reserve Refresh 2025: What You […]