The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges) 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 set of latest modifications, together with a considerably greater annual payment and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders are actually reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the suitable 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 in the marketplace. Approved consumer charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption enhance (when utilizing factors by 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 mechanically obtain one of the best worth between Factors Enhance and their 50% redemption enhance.
Not all the pieces is altering, although: standard advantages like the $300 annual journey credit score, International Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit score, Precedence Cross lounge entry and best-in-class journey protections are staying put.
For some vacationers, these new advantages might add significant worth. However for others, notably those that do not spend closely sufficient to set off new perks or redeem primarily by Chase Journey, the maths might now not work within the Reserve’s favor.
In case you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed below are 5 sturdy alternate options that will higher fit your wants and spending model.
If you wish to stick with Chase
In case you’re not prepared to go away the Chase ecosystem, you may nonetheless entry Chase’s useful switch companions with out the hefty annual payment.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Annual payment: $95
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In case you nonetheless need entry to Chase Final Rewards however however cannot justify the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 price ticket, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and charges) is a unbelievable different, and one in all 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 international transaction charges — and the one I personally advocate most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an inexpensive annual payment.
With the Sapphire Most well-liked, you will earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by 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 ultimate for vacationers who need to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the stress of maximizing high-end advantages. In case you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing more cost effective, this card is actually laborious to beat.
Associated: Does it make sense to carry each the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and Reserve?
The best way to downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you wish to change from the Sapphire Most well-liked to a different Chase card, you may request a product change by calling the quantity on the again of your card or sending a safe message by your Chase account.
Fashionable downgrade choices embody the aforementioned Sapphire Most well-liked (which retains level switch capabilities) and the Chase Freedom Limitless® (see charges and charges), a no-annual-fee possibility that earns 1.5% money again and retains your factors alive.
It is typically advisable to downgrade somewhat 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 ensure your account is no less than 12 months outdated, as Chase typically 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
In case 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 might supply higher worth. Each include sturdy protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Specific
Annual payment: $695 (see charges and charges)
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 will get entry to Amex’s International 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 instantly with airways or American Specific Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar 12 months). Simply be aware: Many advantages are month-to-month and require enrollment; phrases apply.
*Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account whenever you add the Amex Platinum as a fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual payment: $395
In case you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra simple, cost-effective possibility, you may 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 Cross, Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), together with a $300 annual journey credit score for journey bookings by 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 now 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 company totally free into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Cross lounges, with extra company incurring a $27 payment per go to. This offers the Reserve a slight edge relating to lounge entry, particularly when you continuously journey with others.
Relating 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 lodges and rental vehicles booked by 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 payment. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are value roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual payment, the Enterprise X is a beautiful different for individuals who need a less complicated, premium journey card that also delivers strong worth.
Associated: The most effective 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 looking for broad journey rewards, airport lounge entry and versatile redemptions. However with a rising annual payment and plenty of of its finest perks leaning closely towards common journey somewhat than hotel-specific advantages, you is perhaps in search of extra focused worth, particularly when you persistently stick with a single lodge model.
Hilton Honors American Specific® Aspire Card
Annual payment: $550
So far as premium lodge playing cards go, there’s a lot to love concerning 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 use yearly, particularly if Hilton lodges are already a part of your journey routine (or could possibly be).
The cardboard affords computerized 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 couple of times a 12 months.
Plus, just like the Sapphire Reserve, the Aspire contains Precedence Cross Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental payment credit, giving it some journey perks past lodges. However its actual worth is obvious 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 have 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 payment: $325 (see char This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.Support authors and subscribe to content
