The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges) has lengthy been a top-tier journey card for factors fanatics, prized for its versatile rewards, beneficiant journey protections and broad switch accomplice community. However with a collection of current modifications, together with a considerably greater annual charge and an overhaul of some advantages, many cardholders at the moment are reconsidering whether or not it is nonetheless the precise match for his or her pockets.
As of June 2025, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual charge has elevated from $550 to $795, making it some of the costly shopper journey playing cards in the marketplace. Licensed consumer charges have additionally gone up from $75 to $195, and Chase is changing its longstanding 50% redemption increase (when utilizing factors via Chase Journey℠) with the brand new Factors Increase 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 robotically obtain the perfect worth between Factors Increase and their 50% redemption increase.
Not all the pieces is altering, although: fashionable advantages just like the $300 annual journey credit score, International 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 via Chase Journey, the maths could now not work within the Reserve’s favor.
In the event you’re reevaluating your pockets technique, listed here are 5 sturdy options which will higher fit your wants and spending fashion.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve modifications: New incomes charges, extra assertion credit for a better annual charge
If you wish to stick with Chase
In the event you’re not prepared to go away the Chase ecosystem, you possibly can nonetheless entry Chase’s beneficial switch companions with out the hefty annual charge.
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Annual charge: $95
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In the event 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 charges) is a unbelievable different, and one in every of our favourite general 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 international transaction charges — and the one I personally suggest most frequently to family and friends who need versatile factors, nice journey worth and an affordable annual charge.
With the Sapphire Most popular, you will earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked via 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 wish to earn and use Final Rewards factors with out the strain of maximizing high-end advantages. In the event you nonetheless love the Chase ecosystem however need one thing more cost effective, this card is really exhausting 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 via your Chase account.
Well-liked downgrade choices embrace the aforementioned Sapphire Most popular (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 usually really helpful to downgrade slightly 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 certain that your account is a minimum of 12 months previous, as Chase usually does not permit product modifications sooner than that.
Associated: When are you able to downgrade your bank card?
If you would like a premium journey card
In the event you’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 provide higher worth. Each include sturdy protections and travel-centric advantages, however at considerably decrease annual charges.
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Annual charge: $695 (see charges and charges)
With the Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 price ticket, The Platinum Card® from American Categorical is now cheaper, and nonetheless loaded with luxurious perks.
You may get entry to Amex’s International Lounge Assortment, $200 in annual airline charge 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 Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar 12 months). Simply observe: 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 methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Annual charge: $395
In the event you love the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve however are in search of a extra simple, cost-effective possibility, you may wish to take into account 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 via Capital One Journey. With a decrease annual charge and easier factors incomes construction, the Enterprise X gives 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 carry as much as two company without spending a dime into Chase Sapphire Lounges and Precedence Move lounges, with further company incurring a $27 charge per go to. This provides the Reserve a slight edge relating to lounge entry, particularly when you regularly journey with others.
On the subject 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 formidable 10 miles per greenback spent on lodges and rental vehicles booked via 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 unimaginable worth for frequent vacationers who need premium advantages with out the hefty annual charge. Per our July 2025 valuations, these 10,000 miles are value roughly $185.
Total, with comparable perks and a extra reasonably priced annual charge, the Enterprise X is a sexy different for many who need a easier, premium journey card that also delivers stable worth.
Associated: The perfect premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
If you would 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 charge and lots of of its greatest perks leaning closely towards basic journey slightly than hotel-specific advantages, you is likely to be in search of extra focused worth, particularly when you constantly stick with a single resort model.
Hilton Honors American Categorical® Aspire Card
Annual charge: $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 when it comes to versatile factors earned, it provides concrete elite perks and ongoing worth you should use yearly, particularly if Hilton lodges are already a part of your journey routine (or may very well 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 charge 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 Move Choose airport lounge entry and airline incidental charge credit, giving it some journey perks past lodges. However its actual worth is obvious if resort standing and luxurious keep perks matter extra to you than transferable factors or versatile redemptions.
Associated: Greatest resort bank cards
If you would 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 Categorical Gold Card
Annual charge: $325 (see charges and charges)
The Reserve has lengthy been a favourite for foodies, due to its incomes 3 factors per greenback spent on eating. However the American Categorical® 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 12 months, then 1 level per greenback after) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per 12 months, then 1 level per greenback after).
With the Amex Gold, you will additionally earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or via 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 whenever you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Associated: Greatest eating bank cards of July 2025
Backside line
Whether or not you are seeking 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 sturdy options. The perfect card is the one which delivers probably 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 proper match.
Associated: Why I am holding my Chase Sapphire Reserve — even with its pricier $795 annual charge
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, please click on right here.
