Author Topic: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus  (Read 280655 times)

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« on: August 23, 2016, 07:09:00 AM »
Didn't see this discussed here. Looks like a pretty awesome card.

100,000 points signup bonus (after $4k spend)
$300 annual travel credit (per calendar year so do it now and get $600 before second annual fee)
3x points on travel, dining
Lounge access
Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre
50% bonus on travel redemption
$450 annual fee

$75 fee for authorized user (?)

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve1

Just the signup bonus + travel credit is worth $1800 in travel. Then it's $150/year (after travel credit) for some pretty great benefits. I might even keep this after collecting the bonus. Spending on travel and dining, redeemed towards travel give 4.5%! Lounge and TSA pre I don't put any value on, since I wouldn't have bought that anyway, but is a nice perk.

Unfortunately from comments I've read they enforce the 5/24 rule hard. I've opened 6 cards in the last 2 years so will have to wait. Two will cycle out in oct and dec, hoping I can get approved then. Does anyone know if it will have an adverse effect for later application if I try to apply and get rejected? And some say being an authorized user counts? That doesn't seem right.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2016, 02:33:19 AM by arebelspy »

katsiki

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2015
  • Age: 43
  • Location: La.
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2016, 07:19:10 AM »
I am thinking about this one.  Seems like a lot of great benefits.  I need to make sure I can meet the spend (finishing up another one at the moment).

andy85

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1060
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2016, 07:39:56 AM »
signed up and got immediately approved yesterday. that is a fkton of points, even with the hefty annual fee i think its definitely worth it.

TheMoneyWizard

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 39
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
    • My Money Wizard - Demystifying the Magic of Financial Freedom
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2016, 08:06:33 AM »
I'm assuming the 5/24 rule meals no more than 5 applications every 24 months?

NorthernBlitz

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 493
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2016, 08:21:33 AM »
I would definitely apply for this if I wasn't over 5/24.

I just started saving points about a year ago and we've amassed enough so that I can bring my wife and kids to a conference I'm going to in Hawaii and stay for at least an extra week.

It's pretty amazing to be able to get so much free stuff just for being able to pay your bills on time.

andy85

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1060
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2016, 08:23:27 AM »
I'm assuming the 5/24 rule meals no more than 5 applications every 24 months?
yea...5 new accounts (with any issuer) within the last 24 months

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2016, 08:24:17 AM »
I'm assuming the 5/24 rule meals no more than 5 applications every 24 months?

Correct. Counting all CC applications, not just chase. Though I'm not sure it's more than 5, or 5 or more.. In November I'll be at 5 apps in 24 months.

Bourbon

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2016, 08:34:06 AM »
Debating. 

Did similar with Amex Platinum last year when it was at 100K points, $450 annual fee, but used it for $400 worth of Airline gift cards and a $100 Precheck fee.  Also had a chance to use the Centurion lounges a few times, and they are nice.

Not sure that I would get approved as I am over 5/24, but some people have reported luck, others not so much.

Tempted to get this and drop the Platinum, thought the platinum has a few more hotel statuses built in.  Might do the swap and then try and get a different flavor of the platinum down the road


chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2016, 09:04:14 AM »
I am struggling to see how I can recoup the $450 fee. I can account for $300 using the travel cash back perk. The other $150 is more problematic.

I already have Chase Sapphire and the Reserve will only give me 1 additional point. Based on my spending, I would probably break even in terms of dollars if I switch to Reserve, as I simply do not spend crazy money on dinning and travel (<$10k a year). I suppose I can sign up for one year to get the 100k sign-on bonus and cancel.

TheAnonOne

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1753
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2016, 09:07:07 AM »
I got hit by the 5/24. The guy told me I had 12/24 and another 4AUs which count as well...

TheAnonOne

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1753
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2016, 09:10:44 AM »
I am struggling to see how I can recoup the $450 fee. I can account for $300 using the travel cash back perk. The other $150 is more problematic.

I already have Chase Sapphire and the Reserve will only give me 1 additional point. Based on my spending, I would probably break even in terms of dollars if I switch to Reserve, as I simply do not spend crazy money on dinning and travel (<$10k a year). I suppose I can sign up for one year to get the 100k sign-on bonus and cancel.

The points are worth 1.5 cents each, dining and travel are awarded @ 4.5 cents (return rate).

There are some hotel transfers you can do that can get the value of a point up into the low 2 cent range as well. We spend 2-4k a month on cards and it would be worth it for us, but only MILDLY so. (and only if we used it on dining and travel)

Remember, the card is only worth it if the (above fee) value is higher than any other cards (above fee) value. We already get 2% on everything with our capital one venture, (beating the 1.5% on 'stuff' with the reserve, but not the dining or travel rates)

If you churn cards, the bonus looks nice, but the spending returns are (like every other card) nothing really that exciting.

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2016, 09:12:19 AM »
I am struggling to see how I can recoup the $450 fee. I can account for $300 using the travel cash back perk. The other $150 is more problematic.

I already have Chase Sapphire and the Reserve will only give me 1 additional point. Based on my spending, I would probably break even in terms of dollars if I switch to Reserve, as I simply do not spend crazy money on dinning and travel (<$10k a year). I suppose I can sign up for one year to get the 100k sign-on bonus and cancel.

I go back and forth on whether the $150 is worth it to keep it beyond year 1. Getting 1.5x points redemption towards travel is good, as my chase freedom card only get me 1x. And no transfer to airlines. I'd get +3.5% on travel/dining (over 1% on Freedom) so would have to spend $4300 on that in a year. Don't think I do, unless I get a lot of work travel and conferences. Basically it's just having an easy way to use UR points, with increased rate, would be nice. If you have the Sapphire I'm not sure it's worth keeping it. I canceled my sapphire 8 months after getting the bonus. But I plan to get it again as soon as I'm eligible.

andy85

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1060
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2016, 09:24:20 AM »
the way  i look at it is that the sapphire preferred gave me 50k points (~$500) for free (no fee)

If you told me i could buy another 100k points (~$1000) for $150 (450 fee - 300 annual credit), then i would.

so between $1500-$2000 in travel money cost me $150 in fees (probably less after you get 3x back on travel purchases)...personally, i'm fine with that.

chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2016, 09:25:29 AM »
the way  i look at it is that the sapphire preferred gave me 50k points (~$500) for free (no fee)

If you told me i could buy another 100k points (~$1000) for $150 (450 fee - 300 annual credit), then i would.

so between $1500-$2000 in travel money cost me $150 in fees (probably less after you get 3x back on travel purchases)...personally, i'm fine with that.
I already have Sapphire and I have 3 other members of the family using that card. I don't think I would cancel the Sapphire even if I get the Reserve. So the bonus reward points are very much incremental in my case.

Sailor Sam

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 5731
  • Age: 43
  • Location: Steel Beach
  • Semper...something
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2016, 09:34:20 AM »
I just applied, but I didn't get instant approval. Same thing happened when I applied for the Preferred. Grr, argh!

Assuming I get approved, the next trick will be to get the annual fee waived. Sure hoping that will work, but it's still a good deal if I end up paying.

trailrated

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1136
  • Age: 36
  • Location: Bay Area Ca
  • a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #15 on: August 23, 2016, 09:39:28 AM »
Dumb question, if I already have the Chase Sapphire Preffered card will I still be able to get this card with all the perks?

trailrated

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1136
  • Age: 36
  • Location: Bay Area Ca
  • a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #16 on: August 23, 2016, 09:42:30 AM »
Dumb question, if I already have the Chase Sapphire Preffered card will I still be able to get this card with all the perks?

I am going to be "that guy" that answers my own question after 3 mins of using the google.

Quote
Q: Am I eligible for the bonus if I already have Chase Sapphire Preferred?

A: Yes! Although you’ll need to apply for a new account (link here) rather than upgrading from another Chase card in order to be eligible for the bonus.

JoJo

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1851
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2016, 10:12:25 AM »
I was thinking about doing one more card before I retire next year, so this one is it!  With the TSA pre-check (which I was thinking about anyways) and access to airline lounges, it might be worth the $150 per year.

Also, I noticed they count airbnb as "travel" for the bonus points and I was planning on doing quite a bit of that as I go nomadic in early retirement.

HPstache

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2858
  • Age: 37
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #18 on: August 23, 2016, 10:20:15 AM »
I can't justify it...

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #19 on: August 23, 2016, 10:26:11 AM »
I can't justify it...



But seriously; if you only travel by personal, hand-made canoe it doesn't make much sense. It's the $2000 in travel moneyz that make it great.

chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #20 on: August 23, 2016, 11:09:57 AM »
Okay, went to my local Chase branch and got approved in 5 min. They suggest I call to discuss the annual fee once I get charged.


KickingRocks

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 30
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #21 on: August 23, 2016, 11:20:54 AM »
Okay, went to my local Chase branch and got approved in 5 min. They suggest I call to discuss the annual fee once I get charged.


Chase has been hard core on the annual fees lately.  I just signed up for sapphire card cause the only way they would refund me the annual fee on my southwest card was to cancel it.  I even pointed out how Id be getting $625 in free travel or they could wave the $99 fee.  They didn't care.  Wouldn't budge on the fee.  I'll be signing up for the reserve card this time next year.

boarder42

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9332
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #22 on: August 23, 2016, 11:33:43 AM »
I am struggling to see how I can recoup the $450 fee. I can account for $300 using the travel cash back perk. The other $150 is more problematic.

I already have Chase Sapphire and the Reserve will only give me 1 additional point. Based on my spending, I would probably break even in terms of dollars if I switch to Reserve, as I simply do not spend crazy money on dinning and travel (<$10k a year). I suppose I can sign up for one year to get the 100k sign-on bonus and cancel.

its 300 per year meaning .. get it now then you get 300 dollar travel credit for 2016 and then on jan 1 2017 get another 300 ... now you're net 150 positive plus you can sign up for gloabl entry and get that credit too... plus 100k UR points worth 2.2c if exchanged properly maybe more.

LiveFreeOrPie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #23 on: August 23, 2016, 11:50:01 AM »
Wonder if these points can count towards the 110,000 points in a year to get the Southwest companion pass?

chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #24 on: August 23, 2016, 12:06:07 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!

kitkat

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 85
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #25 on: August 23, 2016, 12:07:26 PM »
I am also very interested in this, and am very new to this travel card game. I've had a Chase United card for almost 2 years, and will cancel next month before I get my second annual fee.

Who has experience using the Chase Ultimate Rewards system? They say you can book any seat, any airline, but it is hard to know if that is the case without actually trying it firsthand. Also, let's say I have 10000 points worth $150, and want to book a flight that costs $200. Can I book and pay the $50 difference? Or do I have to jump through some hoops by, say, buying additional points at some crazy rate? That is how United points are. If you don't have enough points for the flight, the points become useless.

Also something to note is that the points will disappear whenever you cancel your account (although I suppose you could do the 1:1 transfer to an airline before then??). So if you won't be able to spend the $1500 + $300 + $300 travel credits by the time you want to cancel, you would likely end up claiming the points for cash at a 1% rate (so $1000 vs $1500). Still not bad.

Any other quirks others have noticed?

chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #26 on: August 23, 2016, 12:09:51 PM »
I am also very interested in this, and am very new to this travel card game. I've had a Chase United card for almost 2 years, and will cancel next month before I get my second annual fee.

Who has experience using the Chase Ultimate Rewards system? They say you can book any seat, any airline, but it is hard to know if that is the case without actually trying it firsthand. Also, let's say I have 10000 points worth $150, and want to book a flight that costs $200. Can I book and pay the $50 difference? Or do I have to jump through some hoops by, say, buying additional points at some crazy rate? That is how United points are. If you don't have enough points for the flight, the points become useless.

Also something to note is that the points will disappear whenever you cancel your account (although I suppose you could do the 1:1 transfer to an airline before then??). So if you won't be able to spend the $1500 + $300 + $300 travel credits by the time you want to cancel, you would likely end up claiming the points for cash at a 1% rate (so $1000 vs $1500). Still not bad.

Any other quirks others have noticed?
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Catbert

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3298
  • Location: Southern California
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #27 on: August 23, 2016, 12:14:38 PM »
I am struggling to see how I can recoup the $450 fee. I can account for $300 using the travel cash back perk. The other $150 is more problematic.

I already have Chase Sapphire and the Reserve will only give me 1 additional point. Based on my spending, I would probably break even in terms of dollars if I switch to Reserve, as I simply do not spend crazy money on dinning and travel (<$10k a year). I suppose I can sign up for one year to get the 100k sign-on bonus and cancel.

The $300 travel cash back is per calendar year.  The first year you have the card you could get $300 offset n 2016 and another $300 in 2017. 

andy85

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1060
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #28 on: August 23, 2016, 12:21:12 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?

Paul der Krake

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5854
  • Age: 16
  • Location: UTC-10:00
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #29 on: August 23, 2016, 12:28:06 PM »
Phenomenal value- too bad nobody in my household is eligible for it.

Seriously, this is the best offer that has come up in YEARS. That's two roundtrips to Europe, easily worth $2,000+ if you know what you're doing. The $600 of travel credit push this into wet dream territory.

chesebert

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #30 on: August 23, 2016, 12:44:05 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?
For example, if you already have 100k points, under the Preferred, you can exchange 100k for $1200 worth of reward travel. Under the Reserve, you can exchange the same points for $1500 worth of reward travel. In other words, just by moving reward points from Preferred to Reserved you automatically gain $300 in reward redemption value.

andy85

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1060
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #31 on: August 23, 2016, 12:48:36 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?
For example, if you already have 100k points, under the Preferred, you can exchange 100k for $1200 worth of reward travel. Under the Reserve, you can exchange the same points for $1500 worth of reward travel. In other words, just by moving reward points from Preferred to Reserved you automatically gain $300 in reward redemption value.
I have 25,000 on a Freedom card and 60,000 on the Preferred. So you are saying it would behoove me to move all of the 85,000 points to the Reserve card? I need to look into that more...

kitkat

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 85
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #32 on: August 23, 2016, 12:53:01 PM »
I am also very interested in this, and am very new to this travel card game. I've had a Chase United card for almost 2 years, and will cancel next month before I get my second annual fee.

Who has experience using the Chase Ultimate Rewards system? They say you can book any seat, any airline, but it is hard to know if that is the case without actually trying it firsthand. Also, let's say I have 10000 points worth $150, and want to book a flight that costs $200. Can I book and pay the $50 difference? Or do I have to jump through some hoops by, say, buying additional points at some crazy rate? That is how United points are. If you don't have enough points for the flight, the points become useless.

Also something to note is that the points will disappear whenever you cancel your account (although I suppose you could do the 1:1 transfer to an airline before then??). So if you won't be able to spend the $1500 + $300 + $300 travel credits by the time you want to cancel, you would likely end up claiming the points for cash at a 1% rate (so $1000 vs $1500). Still not bad.

Any other quirks others have noticed?
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Thanks! And big thanks to Scandium for sharing initially. Plus to Paul der Krake -- your enthusiasm has made me even more confident in going for it!

I've been wanting to get started on the credit card bonus game and I think this is the perfect offer to get me going. I have a work trip coming up next month where I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, so I should be able to meet the $4k spend pretty easily. Really excited about this.


Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #33 on: August 23, 2016, 01:10:47 PM »
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Thanks! And big thanks to Scandium for sharing initially. Plus to Paul der Krake -- your enthusiasm has made me even more confident in going for it!

I've been wanting to get started on the credit card bonus game and I think this is the perfect offer to get me going. I have a work trip coming up next month where I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, so I should be able to meet the $4k spend pretty easily. Really excited about this.

No problem, you're welcome. I can also confirm that the UR site lets you pay with cash if you're short on points. As far as I can tell the search gives you most airlines/routes. I once found a route on google flights that didn't show up on the UR search (Somewhat complicated trip to norway via dublin one way, and with 3 day stopover in germany on the way back). I called chase and although it took an hour, the lady there managed to book the same flight for me. Pretty great. I've searched for hotels there but never found anything worthwhile. Found hotels.com was better/cheaper.

I envy you if you haven't had any chase cards before! Do the Reserve, Sapphire and the Ink business card (you don't need a business..) and you would have $3,600+ to spend on travel! *droool. If you have a partner sign them up too and double that (you can transfer to/from others in a household).

I use my $0 annual fee Freedom card to "store" points. Probably until I can sign up for Sapphire again, or Reserve.

kitkat

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 85
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #34 on: August 23, 2016, 01:17:05 PM »
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Thanks! And big thanks to Scandium for sharing initially. Plus to Paul der Krake -- your enthusiasm has made me even more confident in going for it!

I've been wanting to get started on the credit card bonus game and I think this is the perfect offer to get me going. I have a work trip coming up next month where I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, so I should be able to meet the $4k spend pretty easily. Really excited about this.

No problem, you're welcome. I can also confirm that the UR site lets you pay with cash if you're short on points. As far as I can tell the search gives you most airlines/routes. I once found a route on google flights that didn't show up on the UR search (Somewhat complicated trip to norway via dublin one way, and with 3 day stopover in germany on the way back). I called chase and although it took an hour, the lady there managed to book the same flight for me. Pretty great. I've searched for hotels there but never found anything worthwhile. Found hotels.com was better/cheaper.

I envy you if you haven't had any chase cards before! Do the Reserve, Sapphire and the Ink business card (you don't need a business..) and you would have $3,600+ to spend on travel! *droool. If you have a partner sign them up too and double that (you can transfer to/from others in a household).

I use my $0 annual fee Freedom card to "store" points. Probably until I can sign up for Sapphire again, or Reserve.

Ahh the 'storing' of points is genius! I was wondering what we should do if we aren't sure we will be able to take our big trip (dreaming of South Africa) next year. Obviously we would want the CSR 1.5x redemption perk, but its nice to know we could keep the points for the future if we end up with too many.

I'm pretty new to MMM forums -- seriously the gift that keeps on giving!

Catbert

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3298
  • Location: Southern California
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #35 on: August 23, 2016, 01:27:52 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?

Travel credit cannot be carried over from year to year.  If you haven't used it by the end of your December billing period (which will be earlier than Dec 31st) it disappears.  Charges after than go toward your next calendar year's $300 credit.

Catbert

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3298
  • Location: Southern California
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #36 on: August 23, 2016, 01:30:03 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?
For example, if you already have 100k points, under the Preferred, you can exchange 100k for $1200 worth of reward travel. Under the Reserve, you can exchange the same points for $1500 worth of reward travel. In other words, just by moving reward points from Preferred to Reserved you automatically gain $300 in reward redemption value.
I have 25,000 on a Freedom card and 60,000 on the Preferred. So you are saying it would behoove me to move all of the 85,000 points to the Reserve card? I need to look into that more...

yes, yes, yes, transfer them to the new card to get the best redemption.

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #37 on: August 23, 2016, 01:33:19 PM »
Just transferred my points from Preferred to Reserve and it appears I have already made back the annual fee in terms of increased travel redemption (from 1.2x with Preferred to 1.5x with Reserve). Woohoo!
can you elaborate more on what exactly this accomplished/how? I am curious.

Also...i wonder if you can carry over that $300 travel credit from year to year....anybody know?

Travel credit cannot be carried over from year to year.  If you haven't used it by the end of your December billing period (which will be earlier than Dec 31st) it disappears.  Charges after than go toward your next calendar year's $300 credit.

I think any travel charge counts though? So buy $300 southwest gift card or something should be ok?

robtown

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 177
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #38 on: August 23, 2016, 01:36:07 PM »

Bourbon -   Can you elaborate on airline gift cards?   Are they only good for travel or are they like a gift Visa?

Slow&Steady

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 698
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #39 on: August 23, 2016, 01:37:45 PM »
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Thanks! And big thanks to Scandium for sharing initially. Plus to Paul der Krake -- your enthusiasm has made me even more confident in going for it!

I've been wanting to get started on the credit card bonus game and I think this is the perfect offer to get me going. I have a work trip coming up next month where I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, so I should be able to meet the $4k spend pretty easily. Really excited about this.

No problem, you're welcome. I can also confirm that the UR site lets you pay with cash if you're short on points. As far as I can tell the search gives you most airlines/routes. I once found a route on google flights that didn't show up on the UR search (Somewhat complicated trip to norway via dublin one way, and with 3 day stopover in germany on the way back). I called chase and although it took an hour, the lady there managed to book the same flight for me. Pretty great. I've searched for hotels there but never found anything worthwhile. Found hotels.com was better/cheaper.

I envy you if you haven't had any chase cards before! Do the Reserve, Sapphire and the Ink business card (you don't need a business..) and you would have $3,600+ to spend on travel! *droool. If you have a partner sign them up too and double that (you can transfer to/from others in a household).

I use my $0 annual fee Freedom card to "store" points. Probably until I can sign up for Sapphire again, or Reserve.

I am new to the CC rewards world also, we have a Southwest Chase CC (that was opened a little over a year ago).  Should I sign up for all of those CCs you just mentioned?  I am assuming my husband can sign up for all of them also?  How do you possible spend enough to get all those intro offers?

How long do you think they will run this Reserve offer?  I was thinking that I could sign up today and DH can sign up next month so that we can hit the minimum spend, do you think that will work?

Bourbon

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #40 on: August 23, 2016, 01:50:29 PM »

Bourbon -   Can you elaborate on airline gift cards?   Are they only good for travel or are they like a gift Visa?

That is for the AMEX platinum -
Have to designate an airline to receive $200 in annual credits. 
Some airlines will process gift card payments as travel.  There is a thread on Flyertalk dedicated to how this works.
I used American Airlines, and I purchased $50 gift certificates as per that thread it aligns with some fees that are normally charged. 

For the Chase card, I believe any travel purchases are supposed to qualify.  Time will tell if gift card purchases would work, might be an option to store the travel discount for the future.

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #41 on: August 23, 2016, 01:52:27 PM »
Yes. I use UR website to book travel quite often. I mix points with cash from time to time and have not experienced problems with that.

Thanks! And big thanks to Scandium for sharing initially. Plus to Paul der Krake -- your enthusiasm has made me even more confident in going for it!

I've been wanting to get started on the credit card bonus game and I think this is the perfect offer to get me going. I have a work trip coming up next month where I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, so I should be able to meet the $4k spend pretty easily. Really excited about this.

No problem, you're welcome. I can also confirm that the UR site lets you pay with cash if you're short on points. As far as I can tell the search gives you most airlines/routes. I once found a route on google flights that didn't show up on the UR search (Somewhat complicated trip to norway via dublin one way, and with 3 day stopover in germany on the way back). I called chase and although it took an hour, the lady there managed to book the same flight for me. Pretty great. I've searched for hotels there but never found anything worthwhile. Found hotels.com was better/cheaper.

I envy you if you haven't had any chase cards before! Do the Reserve, Sapphire and the Ink business card (you don't need a business..) and you would have $3,600+ to spend on travel! *droool. If you have a partner sign them up too and double that (you can transfer to/from others in a household).

I use my $0 annual fee Freedom card to "store" points. Probably until I can sign up for Sapphire again, or Reserve.

I am new to the CC rewards world also, we have a Southwest Chase CC (that was opened a little over a year ago).  Should I sign up for all of those CCs you just mentioned?  I am assuming my husband can sign up for all of them also?  How do you possible spend enough to get all those intro offers?

How long do you think they will run this Reserve offer?  I was thinking that I could sign up today and DH can sign up next month so that we can hit the minimum spend, do you think that will work?

Nobody knows how long it'll last. I'm hoping a while since I'm ineligible for another 4 months. Since it just launched it should be a little while at least. They want to steal customers from amex/citi. The Reserve is the best one so if you're worried the offer will end probably best to do first. Even though you need to have that card to get the 1.5x points redemption (sapphire only give 1.2x). Can you get this and at least one sapphire card within a year you'd have 170k+ points to spend on travel by the end of next summer, about $2800. If the offer keeps going you can get your husband a reserve card say in 6 months and then transfer all the points to him to extend it.

The spend can be an issue. I waited 3 months between them for the $4-5k cards for that reason. Not able to do several at once. If you have a large purchase coming up consider that. (e.g. we have a washer that's dying. I'd consider replacing it now if I needed to hit the target). Can google manufacture spending to find other, more advanced strategies. Sadly hitting $4k in 3 months was not a problem for us.. :) Doing $8k in that time would be rough though.

Slow&Steady

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 698
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #42 on: August 23, 2016, 02:07:15 PM »
Nobody knows how long it'll last. I'm hoping a while since I'm ineligible for another 4 months. Since it just launched it should be a little while at least. They want to steal customers from amex/citi. The Reserve is the best one so if you're worried the offer will end probably best to do first. Even though you need to have that card to get the 1.5x points redemption (sapphire only give 1.2x). Can you get this and at least one sapphire card within a year you'd have 170k+ points to spend on travel by the end of next summer, about $2800. If the offer keeps going you can get your husband a reserve card say in 6 months and then transfer all the points to him to extend it.

The spend can be an issue. I waited 3 months between them for the $4-5k cards for that reason. Not able to do several at once. If you have a large purchase coming up consider that. (e.g. we have a washer that's dying. I'd consider replacing it now if I needed to hit the target). Can google manufacture spending to find other, more advanced strategies. Sadly hitting $4k in 3 months was not a problem for us.. :) Doing $8k in that time would be rough though.

We can spend the $4k in 3 months if I transfer all of our autopay bills and food/gas purchases but just like you, the problem is $8k in 3 months.  It looks like the Sapphire Preferred is offering 50k points with $4k spend in 3 months.  I just got approved for the Reserve, maybe our best option is to get through the $4k spend on this one and then have DH sign up for a Reserve, then repeat for the Preferred.  I don't think we could get all 4 cards before the end of the year but maybe that is okay.

Should I be able to transfer the Southwest Chase points over to the Reserve card?

Bourbon

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #43 on: August 23, 2016, 02:14:24 PM »
Decided to go for it, no insta approval.  Probably still hampered by 5/24. 

I was just occasionally churning American cards over the years for some free airfare, but with a kid(3 over the summer) in a daycare that took credit cards I ramped it up at the end of last year.

Currently trying to top off my Marriott points so I can do an Air+Travel package to get enough southwest points for a companion pass.  Goal is to have wife  pick up the SW cards at the beginning of the year so that we have two an can get most of the family around BOGO for two years.

Will have to pull her credit report, she might have enough room to pick this up as well and still be under 5/24. 

Scandium

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2827
  • Location: EastCoast
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #44 on: August 23, 2016, 02:21:06 PM »
Nobody knows how long it'll last. I'm hoping a while since I'm ineligible for another 4 months. Since it just launched it should be a little while at least. They want to steal customers from amex/citi. The Reserve is the best one so if you're worried the offer will end probably best to do first. Even though you need to have that card to get the 1.5x points redemption (sapphire only give 1.2x). Can you get this and at least one sapphire card within a year you'd have 170k+ points to spend on travel by the end of next summer, about $2800. If the offer keeps going you can get your husband a reserve card say in 6 months and then transfer all the points to him to extend it.

The spend can be an issue. I waited 3 months between them for the $4-5k cards for that reason. Not able to do several at once. If you have a large purchase coming up consider that. (e.g. we have a washer that's dying. I'd consider replacing it now if I needed to hit the target). Can google manufacture spending to find other, more advanced strategies. Sadly hitting $4k in 3 months was not a problem for us.. :) Doing $8k in that time would be rough though.

We can spend the $4k in 3 months if I transfer all of our autopay bills and food/gas purchases but just like you, the problem is $8k in 3 months.  It looks like the Sapphire Preferred is offering 50k points with $4k spend in 3 months.  I just got approved for the Reserve, maybe our best option is to get through the $4k spend on this one and then have DH sign up for a Reserve, then repeat for the Preferred.  I don't think we could get all 4 cards before the end of the year but maybe that is okay.

Should I be able to transfer the Southwest Chase points over to the Reserve card?

Getting two reserve cards by the end of the year would be pretty awesome ($3k+ travel). I'd be very happy with that. You can always get a sapphire yearly next year and transfer those points. And get $600 in SW gift cards too.

I think you can only transfer to airlines, not back. I've never had the SW card so not sure.

Rubic

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1130
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #45 on: August 23, 2016, 03:09:32 PM »
Should I be able to transfer the Southwest Chase points over to the Reserve card?

Nope.  You may only transfer Ultimate Rewards points to a participating
travel partner, not vice versa.

trailrated

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1136
  • Age: 36
  • Location: Bay Area Ca
  • a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #46 on: August 23, 2016, 04:14:36 PM »
I already have the sapphire preferred but stopped in my local Chase branch during my lunch and got instantly approved on the Reserve card. Woohoo! Then got back to work and found out I got a 10% raise for the extra responsibilities I have taken on. It has been an awesome day.

robtown

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 177
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #47 on: August 23, 2016, 07:04:52 PM »
I'm in with immediate approval.   My hope is to get the card by Aug 31st latest.   I'll hit the $4k limit by paying for a family 10 day cruise.  I have to buy the cruise by the 31st to get free beverage service (including alcohol) for 4 adults.   

I also hope to transfer approximately 20k points from Chase Blue to cover the 4 RT flights to Florida.  I'm counting on the $300 credit to work on the $ I'll have to spend to cover the gap in points for the United tickets.

The Citi card, BTW, got me $650 back on a new iPhone.    Ok, my mustache is absent on this fling but we'll make FI in 2 and 4 years anyway.  It's too late for the RE.

HotPotato

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 30
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #48 on: August 23, 2016, 07:41:26 PM »
I'm super green to this travel stuff but it's been a priority of mine and DH lately, so I'm drawn to this. We took a two week trip to Japan this year but booked the flights through Orbitz because it was cheaper than the Chase redemption site. We only have a Chase Freedom card though. So we usually just get cash back. Can you use the 100k in points for cash back? I'm really considering this card but I worry I'd be paying higher travel costs by using points. Any advice?

moneysaver

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 32
Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus
« Reply #49 on: August 23, 2016, 07:43:34 PM »
I just applied while having 6/24 and was instantly approved!  I have been reading where people are getting low credit limits but mine was $26,000. 

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!