Are you considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) credit card? Contemplating about whether or not the 50,000 bonus points and $300 travel credit, are worth the $450 annual fee and 20% interest rate? Hopefully, what were about to tell you, will clarify your uncertainties and maybe even set you in a more lucrative direction.
There’s no shortage of positive reviews across the internet pertaining to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card as many websites are raving about its benefits and flashy “perks”, so my objective today is to point out the information that most advertisers choose not to focus on, but information that will be extremely valuable to you if you decide to apply for this card.
Also, I will show you some outstanding alternatives to the Chase Sapphire card, new credit cards for mid-2018 that pay the highest amount in cash back. I’ll show you my favorite cash back cards, that you can’t go wrong with because there are no annual fees – just lots of cash back (AKA: free money and tax-free!)
Want Real Unbiased Reviews of the Chase Sapphire?
Sites like CreditCards.com, ValuePenguin.com, ThePointsGuy.com, and NerdWallet.com — all get paid to advertise the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. These websites are all affiliates of Chase and get paid every time a visitor goes to their website and then purchases the Chase Sapphire card.
Golden Financial Services has NO affiliation with Chase or any credit card company for that matter. The following Review of the Chase Sapphire Credit Card is genuine and unbiased. Our company offers national debt relief services. We help folks who can’t afford to pay off their credit card balances. However, once they become debt-free, we teach our clients how to use credit responsibly and benefit from credit cards by getting cash back and using credit cards to boost credit scores.
If I forgot anything, please let me know in the “comments section” below.
Without further delay, let’s dive in!
Negatives of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
- Average Interest Rate is over 20% – The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 16.99% to 23.99%
- $450 up-front and annual fee — that’s $4,500 of debt you accrue the day you get approved for the CSR. What if you sign-up for the Chase Sapphire credit card and a year later lose your job, then what? How will you pay the $450 annual fee?
- The cash advance APR is over 25%
- If you fall behind on a monthly payment you could be charged up to $37 as a “late fee”
- Horrible customer service – this is based on the hundred’s of complaints that we found across the internet specifically related to the Chase Sapphire customer service
- If you redeem for airlines, you still have to pay additional to get assigned seats ahead of time
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has a $75 annual fee for each authorized user
If used correctly, this can be a great credit card to have. The $450 annual fee can be offset by the $300 travel credit — so in reality, once your travel credit is deposited into your bank account now the annual fee is reduced to $150.
Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months after opening the account. (That’s $625 toward travel)
- Priority Pass Select membership includes access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide
- You get reimbursed up to $300 annually for a broad range of travel purchases, plus a refund of up to $100 for a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee every four years
- Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user
- No foreign transaction fees
- These cards have a sleek design and are made of metal — definitely one of the nicest looking cards
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Get 25% more value (huge discounts) when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards (Discounts with Avis, National Car Rental and much more!)
- No blackout dates or travel restrictions – as long as there’s a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve offers three points per $1 spent on travel and dining at restaurants purchases and one point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance (If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.)
Now, are you ready to learn about some outstanding alternatives to the Chase Sapphire? The credit cards that I’m about to discuss are amongst the best cards for cash back.
The “Discover It” Cash Back Card (Best Pick for 2018)
As the author of this post, I’d like to reveal my #1 pick for 2018. The name is, “Discover It”.
- The Discover It card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that change each quarter (1% on all other purchases)
- Discover It matches the cash back you’ve earned after one year, doubling your rewards for the year
- 5% rebate at gas stations and wholesale clubs in the first quarter of 2018, grocery stores in the second quarter of 2018, 5% at restaurants in the third quarter and wholesale clubs in the fourth quarter – so imagine what 2019 will bring!
- There is no annual fee on this card
- A typical annual rebate: $341
Chase Freedom Visa – Another Outstanding Alternative (2nd Place for 2018)
My second favorite pick for cash back cards in 2018 is almost identical to the Discover It.
- No annual fees
- $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months
- Add an authorized user in the first three months and get $25 back
- 5% cash back on up to $1,5000 in combined purchases in certain categories and 1% back on all other purchases
- Typical annual rebate: $363
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
How much are sapphire Reserve points worth?
When redeemed for travel Reserve, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.5 points per dollar thanks to a 50% point redemption bonus. At a minimum, the Reserve points are worth 1 penny – not too shabby for a Reserve program.
Do Chase Sapphire Ultimate Rewards points expire?
Ultimate Reserves points will never expire as long as your credit card account is open. When an account is closed for any reason, your unused points will be forfeited.
Will it hurt my credit score to close a credit card account?
Yes, it will lower your credit score if you close a credit card. A portion of your credit score is based on credit history. The longer you have an account open — the more beneficial this is for your credit score. On the flipside, by closing a credit card you will lower your credit score.
What credit score do I need for Chase Sapphire?
You will not get approved for the Chase Sapphire credit card with a credit score that’s less than 650. However, Chase looks at more than just your credit score — such as your debt to income ratio, credit utilization ratio, total credit limits across all banks, the total number of credit cards that you currently have, payment history on other credit cards and other proprietary factors that Chase may have in their algorithm.
How can I dodge paying the high-interest rate on the Chase Sapphire?
Generally, you can avoid credit card interest by paying your balance in full every month before the end of the grace period.
Grace periods are typically between 21 and 27 days. Credit card issuers must mail your billing statement earlier so you have time to take advance of the grace period.
Can I do a balance transfer on the Chase Sapphire Credit Card?
Don’t do a balance transfer on the Chase Sapphire credit card because the interest rate is too high. If you need to get rid of debt, only do a balance transfer to another card if you can find a credit card that has a low-interest rate and no annual fee. However, credit cards are usually the last place you want to turn to if you are looking to eliminate debt. Explore credit card debt relief programs before doing a balance transfer.
What’s the best credit card to get?
You want to get a credit card that has no annual fee — and you want to get whatever credit card is willing to pay you the most.
Depending on your lifestyle, determines what credit card will be best for you.
For example, the Chase Sapphire credit card caters towards individuals who like to travel.
But what if you never travel? Find a credit card that’s willing to pay you cash back whenever you use the card for purchases at… wherever you like to shop!
For example:
With my Bank of America Cash Back Reserves Card I get;
***2% cash back on all grocery shopping
*** 3% cash back whenever I buy gas
— PLUS I get paid a 25% – 75% bonus on my cash back because I bank with Bank of America — which equates to even more income!
Author Review of the Chase Sapphire:
Overall I rate this card “3 out of 5” because it’s not a practical card for the average person due to the high-interest and annual fees that come along with it. The Chase Sapphire should only be used by someone who understands the costly nature of interest. For someone that likes to travel, has a high credit score and intends on paying the balance every month in full — well this card was made for you!
Additional Resources:
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