topic Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point? in Credit Cards

CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

CBartowski — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:19:07 GMT

Hey folks

Been curious for a while if we will be seeing a CSR revamp at some point after the udpates to the Flex and CFU updates and the 3x seeming to be a little substandard for a 450/550 AF. Its still a keeper to me but just curious what everyone is thinking. I'm thinking/hoping the update at some point.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:19:23 GMT

Every revamp brings higher AF. I am at about break even, if they boost AF again, I will just get rid of it.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

summerterrace — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:19:38 GMT

Given the rumored change in benefits on the AmEx Platinum and the increased AF on that card, Chase won't have to do much to the Reserve.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

Aim_High — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:19:55 GMT

I agree that after Chase improved the Freedom Unlimited and introduced the Freedom Flex last year, I anticipated some refreshes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but they never came. I still highly value the card and plan to keep it, but I'm not pleased with (1) the increase to $550 AF (even though they've credited me $100 the last two years) with the new credits and (2) the weakening of the relative value of the card by giving the Freedom's enhanced dining and travel value.

I haven't tried to do it yet, but for those of us with the bi-tri-quad fecta cards, I'm assuming that you could book travel on one of the Freedoms at 5x UR point value in the travel portal (versus the 3x on CSR), move the 5xUR points to the CSR, and redeem them for 7.5% on additional UR portal travel? If that's true, that seems to be what was enhanced on CSR with the Freedom refresh. Also, I now get 3% on drugstores (worth 4.5% in UR travel) on my Freedom Unlimited and I didn't get that before. That now beats my Apple card's 3% at Walgreens and my AOD Visa 3% on everything for drug store purchases.

I just hope if the Platinum AF increase goes through, that doesn't embolden Chase to raise the CSR AF again. That $550 is already pretty steep, even with the available credits.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

GatorGuy — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:20:13 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
I agree that after Chase improved the Freedom Unlimited and introduced the Freedom Flex last year, I anticipated some refreshes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but they never came. I still highly value the card and plan to keep it, but I'm not pleased with (1) the increase to $550 AF (even though they've credited me $100 the last two years) with the new credits and (2) the weakening of the relative value of the card by giving the Freedom's enhanced dining and travel value.

I haven't tried to do it yet, but for those of us with the bi-tri-quad fecta cards, I'm assuming that you could book travel on one of the Freedoms at 5x UR point value in the travel portal (versus the 3x on CSR), move the 5xUR points to the CSR, and redeem them for 7.5% on additional UR portal travel? If that's true, that seems to be what was enhanced on CSR with the Freedom refresh. Also, I now get 3% on drugstores (worth 4.5% in UR travel) on my Freedom Unlimited and I didn't get that before. That now beats my Apple card's 3% at Walgreens and my AOD Visa 3% on everything for drug store purchases.

I just hope if the Platinum AF increase goes through, that doesn't embolden Chase to raise the CSR AF again. That $550 is already pretty steep, even with the available credits.

I forgot about that extra increase on the Freedom! Personally I would never do this because you lose all the extra travel insurance on the CSR. Just this year they've given $500 to my and $500 to me for a delayed flight. Previously they have paid out on a $8500 trip.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

MyFault — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:20:28 GMT

The CSR needs to be updated to at least 4x on dining and travel, and the CSP updated to 3x on dining and travel.

Personally i'd like to see Chase get rid of the "One Sapphire Rule", and revamp the CSP to be a CSR companion, like the Amex Gold. 3x On dining and 3x on Groceries with the CSP, (remove the travel category) would be the perfect card to use alongside the CSR.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:20:43 GMT

@MyFault wrote:
The CSR needs to be updated to at least 4x on dining and travel

But are you going to cancel your CSR if they don't!

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

MyFault — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:20:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@MyFault wrote:
The CSR needs to be updated to at least 4x on dining and travel

But are you going to cancel your CSR if they don't!

I don't plan to cancel it, no. I am able to utilize its benefits, and get positive expected value even with the CFU's new 3x back on dining.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

CBartowski — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:21:15 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
I agree that after Chase improved the Freedom Unlimited and introduced the Freedom Flex last year, I anticipated some refreshes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but they never came. I still highly value the card and plan to keep it, but I'm not pleased with (1) the increase to $550 AF (even though they've credited me $100 the last two years) with the new credits and (2) the weakening of the relative value of the card by giving the Freedom's enhanced dining and travel value.

I haven't tried to do it yet, but for those of us with the bi-tri-quad fecta cards, I'm assuming that you could book travel on one of the Freedoms at 5x UR point value in the travel portal (versus the 3x on CSR), move the 5xUR points to the CSR, and redeem them for 7.5% on additional UR portal travel? If that's true, that seems to be what was enhanced on CSR with the Freedom refresh. Also, I now get 3% on drugstores (worth 4.5% in UR travel) on my Freedom Unlimited and I didn't get that before. That now beats my Apple card's 3% at Walgreens and my AOD Visa 3% on everything for drug store purchases.

I just hope if the Platinum AF increase goes through, that doesn't embolden Chase to raise the CSR AF again. That $550 is already pretty steep, even with the available credits.

I think you hit it on the head with its value weakening relative to the Freedom lines. Your usage to get 7.5% should absolutely work and really speaks to the strength of the Freedom portfolio; I may try that for one of my upcoming trips and see what happens, will report back. But 3x on food and travel for a 550/mo card seems out of touch, but again thats just my opinion. I plan to downgrade if/when they don't credit me the 100$ and nothing new has been added. At 450$ its definitely a value, $550 is harder for me to justify.

Re: CSP/CSR Revamp at some point?

CBartowski — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:21:32 GMT

@GatorGuy wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
I agree that after Chase improved the Freedom Unlimited and introduced the Freedom Flex last year, I anticipated some refreshes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but they never came. I still highly value the card and plan to keep it, but I'm not pleased with (1) the increase to $550 AF (even though they've credited me $100 the last two years) with the new credits and (2) the weakening of the relative value of the card by giving the Freedom's enhanced dining and travel value.

I haven't tried to do it yet, but for those of us with the bi-tri-quad fecta cards, I'm assuming that you could book travel on one of the Freedoms at 5x UR point value in the travel portal (versus the 3x on CSR), move the 5xUR points to the CSR, and redeem them for 7.5% on additional UR portal travel? If that's true, that seems to be what was enhanced on CSR with the Freedom refresh. Also, I now get 3% on drugstores (worth 4.5% in UR travel) on my Freedom Unlimited and I didn't get that before. That now beats my Apple card's 3% at Walgreens and my AOD Visa 3% on everything for drug store purchases.

I just hope if the Platinum AF increase goes through, that doesn't embolden Chase to raise the CSR AF again. That $550 is already pretty steep, even with the available credits.
I forgot about that extra increase on the Freedom! Personally I would never do this because you lose all the extra travel insurance on the CSR. Just this year they've given $500 to my and $500 to me for a delayed flight. Previously they have paid out on a $8500 trip.

I just responded to AimHigh and totally didn't think of the travel protections, youre right. However, I may not mind trying a hotel room for the night or 2. Im glad to hear youve had success with their insurance! Ive never needed it but do consider it when booking now. AMEX's is finally right in line with CSR at 6 hrs now thankfully.

Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

imastarboy — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:22:07 GMT

Forgive me if this has already been posted but I came across this on another platform this evening. Thoughts?

Chase Sapphire Preferred Ultimate Rewards Agreement

Chase Sapphire Reserve Ultimate Rewards Agreement

Things of note for CSP;

-5x for travel purchases through Chase portal.

-3x for dining, online groceries and select streaming services

-10% of your total yearly spend in anniversary bonus points.

Things of note for CSR;

-5x for airline purchases through Chase portal

-10x for hotel and rental car purchases through Chase portal

-10x for purchases through Chase Dining.

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 03:45:14 GMT

The 10% anniversary bonus used to be a feature of the CSP, till it got nerfed. Interesting if this really happens

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 03:59:09 GMT

I think it makes a lot of sense to bring the Sapphire Preferred dining multiplier into balance with the new CF/CFF/CFU multiplier. Likewise, adding the 5x on the Chase portal to catch up to the no-AF cards. Plus, with the 10% anniversary bonus it effectively amounts to 3.3x and 5.5x, respectively, which is a slight improvement over the no-AF cards.

The Sapphire Reserve getting all of the added multipliers through the Chase portal is somewhat disappointing as I often find better prices elsewhere and prefer not to book with third-party services.

Overall, I am whelmed by these changes.

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

summerterrace — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:00:09 GMT

Online groceries is meh. Why can't Chase just give a grocery multiplier without strings attached?

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:16:16 GMT

On the other platform* they're also reporting a $50 credit for hotel purchases on the CSP. That will definitely pique my interest if the annual fee stays at $95.

*Are we allowed to say which one? Is it against the rules to name outside websites, or is OP being cagey?

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

imastarboy — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:31:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
*Are we allowed to say which one? Is it against the rules to name outside websites, or is OP being cagey?

I considered myself erring on the side of caution but by all means go ahead......

Do keep in mind that the $50 credit appears to go toward portal purchases only, if that matters to you.

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

Citylights18 — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:44:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
On the other platform* they're also reporting a $50 credit for hotel purchases on the CSP. That will definitely pique my interest if the annual fee stays at $95.

*Are we allowed to say which one? Is it against the rules to name outside websites, or is OP being cagey?

If you could earn 45,000 points a year on the CSP for a 4500 point anniversary credit with the hotel credit included one could cover the entire annual fee for the CSP. I expect too that it will stay at $95 to be competitive with the Citi.

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

CBartowski — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:45:21 GMT

Knew it!

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/CSR-Revamp-at-some-point/m-p/6349967

Not sure if it makes sense for me, guess we'll see.

Thanks for the post!

Re: Possible Fall 2021 Sapphire Revamp

Citylights18 — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 05:14:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I think it makes a lot of sense to bring the Sapphire Preferred dining multiplier into balance with the new CF/CFF/CFU multiplier. Likewise, adding the 5x on the Chase portal to catch up to the no-AF cards. Plus, with the 10% anniversary bonus it effectively amounts to 3.3x and 5.5x, respectively, which is a slight improvement over the no-AF cards.

The Sapphire Reserve getting all of the added multipliers through the Chase portal is somewhat disappointing as I often find better prices elsewhere and prefer not to book with third-party services.

Overall, I am whelmed by these changes.

Sadly I think 10x on hotels won't be a difference maker for the card. You can do better going direct and having a card with a particular hotel brand. If you want a non-brand booking you can go through something like hotels.com where every 10th night is free and also get affiliate marketing points, if not a spend bonus going through the United or AA shopping portal.

Then comes the problem is you can only have one or the other, a CSP or a CSR. Either you collect the anniversary points spending with the CSP or you get the 10x hotels with the CSR. The CSP also has the added benefit of 3x online groceries which is more significant than 3x drugstores.

This is going to change things quite a bit for me. At the moment I've been using CFF as my daily driver and sock drawering my CSP, using it mainly as a pass through card but putting Lyft charges on there because its 5x. Now I'm incentivized to use the CSP over the CFF because of the anniversary points in every situation EXCEPT drugstores and the 5x quarterly category. So much for wallet simplification around the CFF.

Chase Making Changes To Chase Sapphire Reserve & Preferred Cards

unsungivy — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 12:34:35 GMT

From Doctor of Credit:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-making-changes-to-chase-sapphire-reserve-preferred-cards-hotel-credit-10-anniversary-credit-more/

Chase Sapphire Preferred Changes

$50 Annual Hotel Credit. This is per cardmember year, rather than calendar year.
Card earns at the following rates:
- 5x on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal.
- 3x on Dining/Streaming Services/online grocery (excludes: excluding Target, Walmart and
  wholesale clubs)
- 2x on travel
- 1x on all other purchases
- 10% Anniversary point bonus. When you renew your card Chase will offer a 10% bonus on points earned. For example if you earn 25,000 bonus points you’d get 2,500 bonus points. This is award after the annual fee is paid. This doesn’t apply to the sign up bonus.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes

Card earns at the following rates:
- 10x on Chase dining, hotel and car rental purchases through Chase Travel portal
- 5x on airline travel booked through the Chase Travel portal.
- 3x on all other dining and all other travel
- 1x on all other purchases