Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still the #BestCardEver?

And just like that the #BestCardEver has seen a 50% reduction in its signup bonus to ring in 2017. Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still worth getting? We’ll tell you everything you need to know. 

In 2016, Chase launched the long awaited Chase Sapphire Reserve which we easily called the best card of all time. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and the signup bonus has been reduced to 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points. However, even with the reduced signup the card still packs some perks.

Here’s what you still get to brag to your friends about:

  • 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months which equates to $750 when redeemed on travel. (TPS Value: $750)
  • $300 annual travel credit towards the first $300 of flight purchases each year. This perk alone quickly subsidizes the annual fee from $450 to $150. What’s better? This benefit is based on the calendar year, which means that you receive the credit immediately at sign up and then again on January 1 totaling $600. Take this into account, you’ve reduced your annual fee to $0 and actually profited $150 at the end of your first year. Eligible travel charges are expenses such as flights, hotels, etc. (TPS Value: $600)
  • 3x points on dining and travel which equates to ~4.5% back on all dining and travel purchases (TPS Value: $540 assuming $1,000/month spend in bonus category)
  • $100 Global Entry Credit or $85 to cover TSA Pre✓ every 4 years (TPS Value: $100)
  • Access to over 900 airport lounges for you and a guest through the Priority Pass Select program
  • 1:1 points transfers to partners such as United MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards & Hyatt Gold Passport
  • No international transaction fees
  • Other premium card benefits like rental car insurance, travel protection, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursements, roadside assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance

TPS values the first year of membership at over $1,950! It’s not quite the value that we handed it last year, but it’s still quite a deal! This card is simply a no-brainer for most.

TPS Pro Tip: If you already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card….don’t cancel the card! Open up the Chase Sapphire Reserve as a new card and once approved you can call Chase to downgrade your original card to a Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited. Even better…you can transfer all of your existing Chase points over to the new card and they’re immediately worth 20% more!

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