Chase Sapphire Reserve: 50% Bonus On Chase UR Redemption, Lounge Access Type + Card Design

Latest information can be found here: Chase Sapphire Reserve.

We now have more information regarding the Chase Sapphire Reserve from multiple sources (including this reddit thread). Here is what the card will offer (I’ve added bold to any new information):

• Sign up bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, unknown minimum spend requirement
• Card will earn the following rates:
  • 3x points on travel & dining purchases
  • 1x points on all other purchases
• Annual fee of $450
• Authorized user fee of $75
• $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases charged to the card
• No foreign transaction fees
• Complimentary lounge access at over 900+ lounges (this indicates it’s a Priority Pass Select membership)
• Points will be transferable to Chase travel partners (we didn’t already know this, but it was assumed since the lower annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred does this)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $100
• 50% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises
• Visa Infinite

Update: Removed image as per request.

Our Verdict

Here are my thoughts on the new aspect of this card. It’ll be interesting to see what benefits if any the authorized user gets. Obviously the big problem is going to be the Chase 5/24 rule.

Lounge Access

The lounge access they are offering is extremely weak, especially compared to the American Express platinum, although I didn’t really expect them to give United Club access either.

50% Bonus

The 50% bonus on redeeming points is great, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% bonus (although it’s worded as 20% off). This means that the bonus is worth $1,500 on travel, pretty massive bonus but even without that people would be all over this.

Airline Credit

I suspect the airline credit will be the exact same as what the Ritz-Carlton offers. I really hope this isn’t the case, because you have to manually call in for that benefit. They are also much more restrictive in what qualifies:

Only the following types of non-ticket Net Purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees.

Now we’re just speculating on that part at the moment.