topic Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve? in Credit Cards

Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

red259 — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:58:18 GMT

I'm wondering who is going to get rid of the CSR and who is going to keep it going forward. With the devals of transfer partners I don't view Chase URs as a currency that is a whole lot stronger than their competitors. The only thing I really use Chase URs for is hyatt stays at this point.

I have the amex business plat which gives me more lounge access than the CSR and it gives me hotel status. Yea the status it gives aren't all that amazing but its more than I would get from the CSR.

In terms of earning the only thing I am using the chase CSR on is travel expenses for the 3x points. For restaurant spend I have the amex gold which gives me 4x points on grocery and restaurants. I have the freedom unlimited which gives me 1.5 points per dollar but I also have the amex business blue plus which gives me 2 pts per dollar on non-cat spend.

Given the above I am considering either downgrading the CSR to a CSP or downgrading it to a non-AF card. I still earn chase points with my ink cards. Next summer I will pick up the new version of the ink card, so I could just empty my Chase UR account and then rebuild my balance with no AFs and then pick up the ink when its time to transfer them. Is anyone else unhappy with their CSR and thinking about getting rid of it?

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

wasCB14 — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:42:51 GMT

@red259 wrote:

I'm wondering who is going to get rid of the CSR and who is going to keep it going forward. With the devals of transfer partners I don't view Chase URs as a currency that is a whole lot stronger than their competitors. The only thing I really use Chase URs for is hyatt stays at this point.

I have the amex business plat which gives me more lounge access than the CSR and it gives me hotel status. Yea the status it gives aren't all that amazing but its more than I would get from the CSR.

In terms of earning the only thing I am using the chase CSR on is travel expenses for the 3x points. For restaurant spend I have the amex gold which gives me 4x points on grocery and restaurants. I have the freedom unlimited which gives me 1.5 points per dollar but I also have the amex business blue plus which gives me 2 pts per dollar on non-cat spend.

Given the above I am considering either downgrading the CSR to a CSP or downgrading it to a non-AF card. I still earn chase points with my ink cards. Next summer I will pick up the new version of the ink card, so I could just empty my Chase UR account and then rebuild my balance with no AFs and then pick up the ink when its time to transfer them. Is anyone else unhappy with their CSR and thinking about getting rid of it?

I'm keeping my CSR. I have CFU and Freedom, and use CFU for most Costco spend and off-category beyond the BBP cap. My Uber spend is also rising.

That said, I think MRs are just as good if not better for me than URs. I have a lot of hotel points across several programs, so additional Hyatt transfers don't do much for me right now. Amex's airline transfer bonuses are more useful. I can transfer MRs to Avios, then get Chase travel insurance benefits by paying the tax with CSR.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

mongstradamus — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:47:51 GMT

I am doing a little experiment with what i am doing to replicate CSR, the only thing i am missing out on is the 300 dollar travel credit. I am using a combination of CIP for travel 3x and Gold for restaurants/groceries 4x. I have been also trying to use my ink cash more to get gc at 5x. I should have been doing more 5x with amazon gc than i have been doing, been too lazy.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

chally — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:49:40 GMT

Yes lounge access with CSR leaves something to be desired.

I'm not a fan of Chase's recent switch to Expedia for their travel portal. The old site was a lot cleaner, clearly stated differing classes of fares making a quick process of choosing. I spent 40 min a few days back trying to rebook a flight ahead of yesterday's midwest snow storm only to be informed that the flight I was trying to book was a different class of fare. Would've been nice if Expedia actually stated this. This has happened twice now. In spite of the 1.5x when redeeming points, I'm seriously considering closing this one, disappointing considereing the AF paid.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

red259 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:39:26 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:
I am doing a little experiment with what i am doing to replicate CSR, the only thing i am missing out on is the 300 dollar travel credit. I am using a combination of CIP for travel 3x and Gold for restaurants/groceries 4x. I have been also trying to use my ink cash more to get gc at 5x. I should have been doing more 5x with amazon gc than i have been doing, been too lazy.

Yea once I get the CIP I see no reason why I would keep the CSR. Going the Amex route does involve paying more towards AFs. I wish they had the category bonuses that they have on gold on the plat card so them I could have one card instead of two. The plat just sits in the SD most of the time, but I absolutely love my amex gold and business blue plus right now. We will see what types of changes they are making to the prestige although I think I have another year before the bonus clock on my citi TY point cards reset. In this game it feels like my favorite card changes every six to nine months.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

red259 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:41:55 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@red259 wrote:

I'm wondering who is going to get rid of the CSR and who is going to keep it going forward. With the devals of transfer partners I don't view Chase URs as a currency that is a whole lot stronger than their competitors. The only thing I really use Chase URs for is hyatt stays at this point.

I have the amex business plat which gives me more lounge access than the CSR and it gives me hotel status. Yea the status it gives aren't all that amazing but its more than I would get from the CSR.

In terms of earning the only thing I am using the chase CSR on is travel expenses for the 3x points. For restaurant spend I have the amex gold which gives me 4x points on grocery and restaurants. I have the freedom unlimited which gives me 1.5 points per dollar but I also have the amex business blue plus which gives me 2 pts per dollar on non-cat spend.

Given the above I am considering either downgrading the CSR to a CSP or downgrading it to a non-AF card. I still earn chase points with my ink cards. Next summer I will pick up the new version of the ink card, so I could just empty my Chase UR account and then rebuild my balance with no AFs and then pick up the ink when its time to transfer them. Is anyone else unhappy with their CSR and thinking about getting rid of it?

I'm keeping my CSR. I have CFU and Freedom, and use CFU for most Costco spend and off-category beyond the BBP cap. My Uber spend is also rising.

That said, I think MRs are just as good if not better for me than URs. I have a lot of hotel points across several programs, so additional Hyatt transfers don't do much for me right now. Amex's airline transfer bonuses are more useful. I can transfer MRs to Avios, then get Chase travel insurance benefits by paying the tax with CSR.

What is the scope of the protection though if you are only paying the tax with the CSR vs buying the whole ticket with it? Doesn't that limit reimbursement amounts?

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

wasCB14 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 01:31:42 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I'm keeping my CSR. I have CFU and Freedom, and use CFU for most Costco spend and off-category beyond the BBP cap. My Uber spend is also rising.

That said, I think MRs are just as good if not better for me than URs. I have a lot of hotel points across several programs, so additional Hyatt transfers don't do much for me right now. Amex's airline transfer bonuses are more useful. I can transfer MRs to Avios, then get Chase travel insurance benefits by paying the tax with CSR.
What is the scope of the protection though if you are only paying the tax with the CSR vs buying the whole ticket with it? Doesn't that limit reimbursement amounts?

Trip delay and baggage delay apply with partial payments on CSR.

Trip cancellation (at least as I understand the guide and have read others' reports) applies to the portion paid in cash or with points from a Chase-affiliated hotel/airline program (transfer partner)...even if the points weren't originally earned through Chase.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

CBartowski — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 02:19:28 GMT

@red259 wrote:

I'm wondering who is going to get rid of the CSR and who is going to keep it going forward. With the devals of transfer partners I don't view Chase URs as a currency that is a whole lot stronger than their competitors. The only thing I really use Chase URs for is hyatt stays at this point.

I have the amex business plat which gives me more lounge access than the CSR and it gives me hotel status. Yea the status it gives aren't all that amazing but its more than I would get from the CSR.

In terms of earning the only thing I am using the chase CSR on is travel expenses for the 3x points. For restaurant spend I have the amex gold which gives me 4x points on grocery and restaurants. I have the freedom unlimited which gives me 1.5 points per dollar but I also have the amex business blue plus which gives me 2 pts per dollar on non-cat spend.

Given the above I am considering either downgrading the CSR to a CSP or downgrading it to a non-AF card. I still earn chase points with my ink cards. Next summer I will pick up the new version of the ink card, so I could just empty my Chase UR account and then rebuild my balance with no AFs and then pick up the ink when its time to transfer them. Is anyone else unhappy with their CSR and thinking about getting rid of it?

So I am intentionally trying to get away from CSR and go to AMEX.

HOWEVER, I cannot find any combo that makes sense. Accruing MR points is a real PITA and so are AMEX annual credits, etc. CSR is sooo much easier for accruing points, travel credits, etc. Benefits aren't great and I think Platinum concierge is likely better as VISA Infinite concierge hasn't been that helpful.

Bottom line: I'll be keeping my CSR for now. I want the Plat/gold combo to work, esp given I can get the 100k SUB. But until I can accrue points at least as much to justify the huge increase in AF, I'm sticking with CSR. I see the CSR as more of a workhorse and plat as the diva that looks great, sounds great but less actual value. YMMV as always.

Also...complimentry primary rental car insurance...cant find that anywhere. AMEX costs 20$ per trip (yes better than car rental places, but the cheaper card offers the better benefit).

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

redpat — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 02:28:43 GMT

@chally wrote:
Yes lounge access with CSR leaves something to be desired.

I'm not a fan of Chase's recent switch to Expedia for their travel portal. The old site was a lot cleaner, clearly stated differing classes of fares making a quick process of choosing. I spent 40 min a few days back trying to rebook a flight ahead of yesterday's midwest snow storm only to be informed that the flight I was trying to book was a different class of fare. Would've been nice if Expedia actually stated this. This has happened twice now. In spite of the 1.5x when redeeming points, I'm seriously considering closing this one, disappointing considereing the AF paid.

So far I have been happy with the Expedia switch. I booked a 5 night stay during Thanksgiving week, because of location we stayed at an Omni so the 1.50x came in handy had an Exec suite deal for only $147. For that reason I’m keeping CSR and pairs very well w/ ink+. We have used 1.5x for some flights also.

For someone who has a ton of UR points it is good to have the CSR for additional travel options.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

mongstradamus — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:10:37 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@mongstradamus wrote:
I am doing a little experiment with what i am doing to replicate CSR, the only thing i am missing out on is the 300 dollar travel credit. I am using a combination of CIP for travel 3x and Gold for restaurants/groceries 4x. I have been also trying to use my ink cash more to get gc at 5x. I should have been doing more 5x with amazon gc than i have been doing, been too lazy.
Yea once I get the CIP I see no reason why I would keep the CSR. Going the Amex route does involve paying more towards AFs. I wish they had the category bonuses that they have on gold on the plat card so them I could have one card instead of two. The plat just sits in the SD most of the time, but I absolutely love my amex gold and business blue plus right now. We will see what types of changes they are making to the prestige although I think I have another year before the bonus clock on my citi TY point cards reset. In this game it feels like my favorite card changes every six to nine months.

I am hesitant to go all in on Amex so am splitting gold for restaurants/groceries and chase with unlimited and cip. Both can be business cards which is nice so limits exposure other banks see i think ?

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

mongstradamus — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:13:01 GMT

@CBartowski wrote:
@red259 wrote:

I'm wondering who is going to get rid of the CSR and who is going to keep it going forward. With the devals of transfer partners I don't view Chase URs as a currency that is a whole lot stronger than their competitors. The only thing I really use Chase URs for is hyatt stays at this point.

I have the amex business plat which gives me more lounge access than the CSR and it gives me hotel status. Yea the status it gives aren't all that amazing but its more than I would get from the CSR.

In terms of earning the only thing I am using the chase CSR on is travel expenses for the 3x points. For restaurant spend I have the amex gold which gives me 4x points on grocery and restaurants. I have the freedom unlimited which gives me 1.5 points per dollar but I also have the amex business blue plus which gives me 2 pts per dollar on non-cat spend.

Given the above I am considering either downgrading the CSR to a CSP or downgrading it to a non-AF card. I still earn chase points with my ink cards. Next summer I will pick up the new version of the ink card, so I could just empty my Chase UR account and then rebuild my balance with no AFs and then pick up the ink when its time to transfer them. Is anyone else unhappy with their CSR and thinking about getting rid of it?

So I am intentionally trying to get away from CSR and go to AMEX.

HOWEVER, I cannot find any combo that makes sense. Accruing MR points is a real PITA and so are AMEX annual credits, etc. CSR is sooo much easier for accruing points, travel credits, etc. Benefits aren't great and I think Platinum concierge is likely better as VISA Infinite concierge hasn't been that helpful.

Bottom line: I'll be keeping my CSR for now. I want the Plat/gold combo to work, esp given I can get the 100k SUB. But until I can accrue points at least as much to justify the huge increase in AF, I'm sticking with CSR. I see the CSR as more of a workhorse and plat as the diva that looks great, sounds great but less actual value. YMMV as always.

Also...complimentry primary rental car insurance...cant find that anywhere. AMEX costs 20$ per trip (yes better than car rental places, but the cheaper card offers the better benefit).

It will probably be more expensive as far as AF goes but plat/BBP/gold is what you want to look at if you want to go fully into Amex. I like to have few chase cards for the rare times Amex isn’t accepted and I also like to have them for chase offers sometimes there are some pretty good ones.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

UpperNwGuy — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:49:08 GMT

I have had the CSR since August 2016, and I plan to keep it. Here are my reasons:

-- I live in a United hub, and United is a transfer partner for Chase UR points. I transfer my URs to United.

-- All of my award travel is to Europe, and I have made good use of Priority Pass in European airports.

-- The CSR's $300 travel credit is straightforward and easy to use. No silly "airline incidental expenses."

I will not use the Amex Gold and Platinum for these reasons:

-- The only use I might make of MR points is to transfer them to Jet Blue, but the transfer rate isn't as good as Chase UR points.

-- Delta only flies to its own hubs from my airport, and I refuse to take connecting flights when I can take a nonstop flight.

-- There are no Centurion Lounges in any of the airports in either my origin or destinations.

-- I detest the concept of "airline incidental expenses." I never fly Delta, American, or Southwest, so I don't want their gift cards.

-- I would not use the Uber credit on the Platinum, especially not for Uber Eats.

-- I would not use the dining credit on the Gold. The vendors are not ones I would choose to use.

-- The Amex 4x points restaurant category is limited to US restaurants. Chase gives me 3x points in foreign restaurants.

-- The Amex 5x points hotel category requires me to use prepaid reservations through the Amex portal. Chase gives me 3x points when I book directly with the hotel without prepayment.

-- Amex is not widely accepted in Europe.

None of the other premium cards have anything I want:

-- Citi Prestige is all about the fourth night free. I never stay in one hotel for four nights in a row.

-- The Ritz Carlton card would not help me because I never stay in Ritz Carlton properties.

-- I do not qualify for the US Bank Altitude Reserve. US Bank does not operate in my state.

-- The Bank of America Premium Rewards Card requires me to park a large sum of money at BofA. I'm not doing that. My investments are at Vanguard and Schwab, and I'm not moving them to Merrill Edge.

-- The City National Bank Crystal Infinite Visa requires me to redeem through their portal, and I don't like that.

-- The airline premium cards are mostly about the lounges. To me, lounges are only a secondary benefit. I don't get cards to use lounges. I get them to travel.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:47:00 GMT

Does the Gold give you 4x back at coffee shops or delis? My CSP gives me 2x points on everything like Starbucks and my local deli. I feel like Chase has more of a broad definition than most lenders.

4X on groceries is nice and chase doesn’t have a steady grocery spend. I considered going the Amex route as I live near a Delta hub but I wanted to round out my chase lineup first. I’m definitely going to get one or two Ink cards this year. Likely the CIU and CIP. Then I’ll upgrade to the CSR. Amex can get my grocery spend but Chase will get the rest.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

NRB525 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 05:08:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Does the Gold give you 4x back at coffee shops or delis? My CSP gives me 2x points on everything like Starbucks and my local deli. I feel like Chase has more of a broad definition than most lenders.

4X on groceries is nice and chase doesn’t have a steady grocery spend. I considered going the Amex route as I live near a Delta hub but I wanted to round out my chase lineup first. I’m definitely going to get one or two Ink cards this year. Likely the CIU and CIP. Then I’ll upgrade to the CSR. Amex can get my grocery spend but Chase will get the rest.

For both Groceries and to a lesser extent Dining, expect AMEX to be disappointing on a regular basis. Just looked at my Gold statement from two charges at a take-out restaurant in the airport, both not coded as dining. So in the long run, I count AMEX Gold 4x MR the equivalent to Chase CSR 3x UR in the Dining category, even leaving out non-US restaurants where MR is 1.

I plan to give CSR a try in 2019, partly to earn 3x, partly to see whether some of my UR are better used at 1.5c per. It would be really nice if Chase added Real Time Rewards similar to Altitude Reserve. I like the way Altitude handles those.

As to Primary Car insurance, Altitude Reserve has that, so it's been my primary rental car card.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

red259 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 06:57:23 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Does the Gold give you 4x back at coffee shops or delis? My CSP gives me 2x points on everything like Starbucks and my local deli. I feel like Chase has more of a broad definition than most lenders.

4X on groceries is nice and chase doesn’t have a steady grocery spend. I considered going the Amex route as I live near a Delta hub but I wanted to round out my chase lineup first. I’m definitely going to get one or two Ink cards this year. Likely the CIU and CIP. Then I’ll upgrade to the CSR. Amex can get my grocery spend but Chase will get the rest.
For both Groceries and to a lesser extent Dining, expect AMEX to be disappointing on a regular basis. Just looked at my Gold statement from two charges at a take-out restaurant in the airport, both not coded as dining. So in the long run, I count AMEX Gold 4x MR the equivalent to Chase CSR 3x UR in the Dining category, even leaving out non-US restaurants where MR is 1.

I plan to give CSR a try in 2019, partly to earn 3x, partly to see whether some of my UR are better used at 1.5c per. It would be really nice if Chase added Real Time Rewards similar to Altitude Reserve. I like the way Altitude handles those.

As to Primary Car insurance, Altitude Reserve has that, so it's been my primary rental car card.

I wouldn't say amex is disappointing on a regular basis. All my dining spend has been credited as dining. I don't have a lot of international dining in the grand scheme of things, but if I did that would change my assessment.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

redpat — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 07:20:18 GMT

@UpperNwGuy wrote:
I have had the CSR since August 2016, and I plan to keep it. Here are my reasons:
-- I live in a United hub, and United is a transfer partner for Chase UR points. I transfer my URs to United.
-- All of my award travel is to Europe, and I have made good use of Priority Pass in European airports.
-- The CSR's $300 travel credit is straightforward and easy to use. No silly "airline incidental expenses."

I will not use the Amex Gold and Platinum for these reasons:
-- The only use I might make of MR points is to transfer them to Jet Blue, but the transfer rate isn't as good as Chase UR points.
-- Delta only flies to its own hubs from my airport, and I refuse to take connecting flights when I can take a nonstop flight.
-- There are no Centurion Lounges in any of the airports in either my origin or destinations.
-- I detest the concept of "airline incidental expenses." I never fly Delta, American, or Southwest, so I don't want their gift cards.
-- I would not use the Uber credit on the Platinum, especially not for Uber Eats.
-- I would not use the dining credit on the Gold. The vendors are not ones I would choose to use.
-- The Amex 4x points restaurant category is limited to US restaurants. Chase gives me 3x points in foreign restaurants.
-- The Amex 5x points hotel category requires me to use prepaid reservations through the Amex portal. Chase gives me 3x points when I book directly with the hotel without prepayment.
-- Amex is not widely accepted in Europe.

None of the other premium cards have anything I want:
-- Citi Prestige is all about the fourth night free. I never stay in one hotel for four nights in a row.
-- The Ritz Carlton card would not help me because I never stay in Ritz Carlton properties.
-- I do not qualify for the US Bank Altitude Reserve. US Bank does not operate in my state.
-- The Bank of America Premium Rewards Card requires me to park a large sum of money at BofA. I'm not doing that. My investments are at Vanguard and Schwab, and I'm not moving them to Merrill Edge.
-- The City National Bank Crystal Infinite Visa requires me to redeem through their portal, and I don't like that.
-- The airline premium cards are mostly about the lounges. To me, lounges are only a secondary benefit. I don't get cards to use lounges. I get them to travel.

Lol, your card assessment reads a lot like “Green Eggs and Ham”.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

UpperNwGuy — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:33:26 GMT

I love Dr Seuss! My overarching philosophy of credit card rewards is that I don’t want them to entice me to spend money on things I would not otherwise purchase or in ways I would not otherwise do. The CSR rewards me while letting me live my financial life the way I would normally live it. The other cards all want me to change my behavior in some way.

Re: Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

redpat — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:32:38 GMT

@UpperNwGuy wrote:
I love Dr Seuss! My overarching philosophy of credit card rewards is that I don’t want them to entice me to spend money on things I would not otherwise purchase or in ways I would not otherwise do. The CSR rewards me while letting me live my financial life the way I would normally live it. The other cards all want me to change my behavior in some way.

Amex pulled ahead of chase for me now, 5x booking AA direct, 4x dining and grocery and Amex Avios transfer bonus of 40% was great for me since I fly AA. Also, frequent Escape lounge and Centurion lounges. Since CLT is getting a Centurion lounge I may have to look at my Citi Exec because of the lounge changes and AA lounge closed in my airport. I do fly delta occasional and just this past week went to SkyClub in ATL twice during layover.

Hilton is my hotel choice so gold status comes in handy. Also rocketmiles now has MR rewards so that gives me additional travel options for hotels if I don’t stay at Hilton or I don’t use UR portal.

Uber credit is very easy when you travel a lot and when we go out with friends for dinner and drinks we take Uber as our DD (a drink before dinner, couple of glasses of wine during dinner, why risk anything).

Fly AA so gift card are used.

Hometown has Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack, nice bonus for me since I dine at one or the other at least once a month.

I use my $100 for Saks.

So for me there is nothing changing my spending habits w/ Amex. Therefore, that is why my CSR is in the SD now.

The yin and yang of card rewards.