Where there's smoke, there's fire: For nearly a month now, rumors have been swirling that Chase was planning to make big changes to its flagship card, the *chase sapphire reserve*. The bank is making it official – with an even bigger surprise in store.
Chase confirmed to Thrifty Traveler on Monday that it'll refresh its ultra-popular Sapphire Reserve and even teased that a new, high-end business card is in the works, too. But the details of those upcoming card changes are still under wraps, including exactly when they'll take place.
Meanwhile, Chase posted a teaser on social media Monday afternoon, saying: “Rewards are about to get more rewarding” with a summer 2025 date listed. The bank also began an advertising campaign this week with supermodel Claudia Schiffer posing with a redesigned Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
While Chase is remaining tight-lipped about exactly what's in store for the Sapphire Reserve (and when), we're betting it will come with new use-them-or-lose-them statement credits and a higher annual fee.
That's the playbook Amex has been running for years – and one Chase itself recently copied it with its own recent refresh of the United Airlines cards. Chase hiked annual fees across the board and added a slew of new statement credits to each and every United card under the cover of “value,” albeit with plenty of hoops to jump through.
At its current $550-per-year price point, the Sapphire Reserve is already one of the most expensive premium travel cards on the market, though its annual $300 travel credit softens the blow right off the bat. But it's been five years since Chase increased the annual fee – a lifetime in the travel credit card industry.
Beyond that annual travel credit, the Sapphire Reserve's most significant selling point is unlimited complimentary access to the growing list of Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.
Chase really upped the ante with these lounges: The design is chic and spacious, the complimentary food and drinks area is a big step above your typical airport club, and there are also upscale amenities like showers and wellness areas.
There are still way more questions than answers about what Chase has in store for the Sapphire Reserve card, but we now know for sure that something is on the horizon—and we might not have to wait long to find out what.
Bottom Line
On Monday, Chase confirmed that significant changes are coming to its popular Sapphire Reserve Card while a new, high-end business card is in the works.
Exactly what? And when? We don't yet know. Stay tuned.
