The Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) has long been a staple in my wallet. As the top-tier offering in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards (UR) program, it’s a luxury travel card designed for those who value elevated travel perks and rewards, even with a steep annual fee. For years, I’ve enjoyed its higher points multipliers for travel and dining and its suite of travel protections that remain among the best in the industry.
However, the CSR is under scrutiny as I reassess my credit card portfolio, intending to reduce my collection by 25% in 2025. Instead of evaluating cards in isolation, I’m examining the overlap across my entire lineup. When I stepped back, I realized that CSR was becoming redundant.
What the Sapphire Reserve Offers
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns:
- 3X points on travel worldwide (excluding charges covered by the $300 annual travel credit).
- 3X points on dining worldwide (if the merchant codes as dining).
- 5X points on airfare and 10X points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal.
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
One of its standout features is the 1.5 cents per point redemption value for travel booked through Chase’s portal. By comparison, the Sapphire Preferred (CSP) offers only 1.25 cents per point.
Additional perks include:
- A $300 annual travel credit that applies automatically to most travel purchases.
- Reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.
- A Priority Pass Select membership, which now includes Chase Sapphire Lounges.
- Primary rental car insurance.
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $100,000.
Why the CSP Makes the CSR Less Essential
The Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) has diminished the CSR’s appeal by offering similar benefits at a fraction of the cost ($95 annually). With its $50 annual hotel credit, 10% anniversary points bonus, and bonus categories for everyday spending, the CSP meets most of my travel card needs while saving me money.
Similarities to the Ritz-Carlton Card
At $450 annually, the Ritz-Carlton Card offers nearly identical benefits to the CSR. It includes Priority Pass access, primary rental car insurance, and trip delay protections, among others. The key difference is that it earns Marriott Bonvoy points instead of Ultimate Rewards.
While I value Ultimate Rewards more highly, the Ritz-Carlton Card’s strong overlap with the CSR makes the latter less necessary for my wallet.
AMEX Platinum: The Final Nail in the CSR’s Coffin
If the CSP and Ritz-Carlton Card weren’t enough, the American Express Platinum Card seals the deal. Although it’s known for its high annual fee and “coupon book” of statement credits, the Platinum offers exclusive benefits Chase doesn’t match:
- Access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Plaza Premium Lounges, Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges, and select Lufthansa Lounges.
- 5X points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
- Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program, which rivals The Edit by Chase Travel
- Enhanced purchase protection and return protection policies.
While the Platinum’s fee is steep, its lounge access and other premium perks justify the cost, especially when I take advantage of the statement credits to offset it.
Conclusion: Time to Say Goodbye
With the CSP covering most travel needs, the Ritz-Carlton Card offering similar protections, and the Amex Platinum surpassing the CSR in premium perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve no longer justifies its $550 annual fee. While it’s still an excellent card for many, it’s time for me to part ways.
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8 comments
I was thinking the same when I get the Ritz card. I may just use the freedom flex if I want 3 x dining which combined with paypal this quarter earns 8x which is amazing. I earn most of my UR points thru business spend anyway and with Ink preferred I have most of CSP and CSR benefits covered.
You missed a Sapphire Reserve perk which helps me justify hanging on to the card. They now give 2 $10 Doordash credits per month on groceries in addition to the $5 credit they had given before. Currently the $5 credit can be used in conjunction with one of the $10 credits but come February it must be used on a restaurant order. Unlike restaurant orders groceries can’t be picked up so you have to factor in a tip. Drivers have told me that a small order like mine ($35) a $2 tip is much appreciated. I get a $35 order because an order of that amount eliminates the two DoorDash fees leaving me with a $16 credit for the month with the two orders after my tip. Some of the grocery chains have online pricing models that are higher than in the store and sometimes don’t honor the weekly sale prices. I live near an Aldi’s Grocery Store that doesn’t do that and between their sale prices and unique product offerings I find it a real bargain. I guess my point is not to sleep on the DoorDash credits. One further thing is I live in the Boston area so having the unlimited access + guest privileges at the Logan Airport Sapphire Lounge is invaluable.
I have the CSR along with Amex Platinum and Golf cards (plus a dozen or so hotel, airline and other cards). I value the CSR and see no reason to get rid of it. First of all the AF is really $250. Of you travel at all the $300 credit should be fully valued. Then you have the Chase Sapphire lounges, better travel insurance than Amex, Chase offers and the DoorDash credit. In addition I value the ability to use points at 1.5 cent each for travel which is better than with the CSP card. Finally I use it for car rentals, parking and hotels where I don’t have a card to get the 3x points (all airfare goes on Amex Platinum for 5X MR points)
The fact you have the Ritz card (which I agree is about the same as CSR) may mean this makes sense for you but, otherwise it doesn’t for people IMHO to save a little over $150 a year (difference in net CSR AF and the CSP AF). I spend more than that on a decent meal
I agree with your point that the CSR is worth it compared to the CSP for those who don’t have overlapping card benefits. That’s why I made sure to point out which cards would replace the CSR benefits. One reason for needing the CSP would be to still have access to transfer partners, unless you have an Ink Preferred.
Does the RC card offer Chase lounge access at the same level as the CSR?
From everything I’ve read, it does. Even better is that the RC card has unlimited guests at Sapphire Lounges like at all Priority Pass Club locations.
Amex Plat Centurian lounge access??? Where, only been able to access one of last seven stops. Sure I understand they are busy, but less than 90% walk up access rate makes them worthless
I can see the logic of your decision. My deck is slightly different-I have the JP Morgan Reserve which for the same annual fee as Chase Sapphire Reserve has all the same benefits plus adds unlimited United Club access. Generally you do have to have a JP Morgan Private Bank relationship to get the JP Morgan Reserve. I have yet to have to wait for access to the Centurion Lounge in my home town (Houston) although most of the time when I leave a line has formed-I think my preferences for when to fly are out of sync with what most people prefer. And when I have felt like something different I have gone to the Air France Club (the one in Houston is in Priority Pass). So I hardly ever go in a United Club even though Houston has a bunch of them. Still though, I am keeping JP Morgan Reserve and American Express Platinum (and Capital One Venture X with its Capital One lounge access, and BILT MC, Wells Fargo Autograph) and no intention of getting a Ritz Carlton (or any Bonvoy) credit card. What you may want to consider (and I am considering) is replacing your Ritz Carlton card with Alaska Airlines new premium credit card coming out next summer in order to get its unique spend category bonus up to 3X for “all foreign spend”.