[Expired] Chase Just Increased the Minimum Spend Requirement on the Sapphire Reserve Card

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is the issuer’s premier rewards credit card. With a $550 annual fee, it comes with the most expansive travel and lifestyle perks — from lounge access to travel statement credits (rates & fees).

However, Chase has quietly updated the terms of its welcome bonus offer for new applicants — and it’s not exactly good news. The minimum spending requirement has increased by 25%.

Here’s what you need to know.

Same Bonus Points, Higher Spend

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, eligible applicants can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. That’s a $1,000 increase in the minimum spend requirement without any boost to the bonus points or extension of the introductory period. Previously, you could earn the same stash of points by spending $4,000 on purchases in 3 months.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

This marks a notable 25% hike in the spending requirement, but what really stands out is that Chase has simultaneously brought back its best-ever welcome bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. Right now, you can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is still a great travel credit card for most people. With a down-to-earth $95 annual fee, the card is still a powerful earner with 5x points on Chase Travel purchases, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x points on all non-bonus purchases.

Although the Chase Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t have a $300 annual travel credit or lounge access, you can still get those perks with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card later on. A year after opening your Chase Sapphire Preferred card account, you can request an upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

While a product change won’t make you eligible for a new welcome offer, those who qualify for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card can currently earn a 100,000-point welcome bonus offer — significantly higher than what’s being offered for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. And here’s the kicker: both cards have the same $5,000 spending requirement within 3 months. Then, if you decide you want more perks later on, you can request an upgrade to enjoy them with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Final Thoughts

Welcome bonus offers are usually your one-time opportunity to rake in a ton of points, so you want to make sure you meet the spending requirements and terms. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, new applicants will have to fork over more money than ever before — and do so for the same number of points.