Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

[red259]

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?

[wasCB14]

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@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?

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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.

[mongstradamus]

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. 

[chally]

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.

[red259]

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@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. 

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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. 

[red259]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@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?

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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.

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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?

[wasCB14]

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@red259 wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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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.

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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?

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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.

[CBartowski]

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@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?

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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). 

[redpat]

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@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.

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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.

[mongstradamus]

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@red259 wrote:

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@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. 

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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. 

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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 ?