Chase Sapphire Reserve card fee increase has been confirmed, rising sharply from $550 to $795 annually, effective June 23, 2025. This considerable hike comes alongside a refreshed rewards structure and new perks. Here’s what’s changed, who it affects, and whether the new value offsets the cost.
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What Changed, and When
- As of June 23, 2025, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Reserve began paying the higher $795 annual fee immediately.
- Existing cardholders will see the new fee applied at their card anniversary following October 26, 2025.
- The authorized user fee also jumped — from $75 to $195 per additional cardholder.
These updates come as part of a full refresh of the card’s benefits, earning rates, and perks.
New Perks & Rewards Added
Chase hasn’t just raised the price—they’ve revamped what the card offers. Some of the key upgrades include:
- Enhanced earn rates: 8× points on travel booked through Chase Travel (up from lower multipliers), and 4× points on flights and hotels booked directly.
- Travel- and lifestyle credits:
• Up to $500 annual credit toward hotel/resort bookings through The Edit by Chase Travel.
• Dining credits added; also, benefits for high-demand restaurants via Exclusive Tables.
• Subscriptions: complimentary memberships for Apple TV+ and Apple Music (until June 2027).
• Lifestyle perks like Peloton credits, entertainment ticket credits through StubHub or Viagogo. - Points Boost: A new feature that allows certain bookings (premium hotels/flights) to yield 2× value on redemptions, whereas some earlier redemptions offered fixed multipliers.
- Continued access to earlier travel protections, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and yearly travel credits.
Who Is Affected
| Category | What Changes for You |
|---|---|
| New Applicants | Pay $795 immediately, access all new perks as soon as they apply. |
| Existing Cardholders | Will incur the higher fee on their next anniversary date after October 26, 2025. Benefits kick in then. |
| Authorized Users | Adding users now costs much more ($195 vs $75 before). |
What the Fee Increase Means Financially
A $245 annual fee jump is no small amount. For many cardholders, determining if the increase is “worth it” depends on usage patterns.
- To justify the higher fee, you’ll need to use the new credits and perks—hotel, dining, travel, entertainment—enough to offset the extra cost.
- Cards with heavy travel usage often gained most from benefits like lounge access, travel protections, travel credits, etc. If you don’t travel or dine out frequently, you may find fewer of the new perks useful.
- Some rewards (like subscription or lifestyle credits) may go unused depending on personal preferences (for example, if you don’t use certain streaming or fitness services).
Pros and Cons of the New Structure
Pros:
- Stronger benefits for heavy travelers and those who maximize perks. Some cards estimate cardmember value over $2,700/year when using all credits.
- Higher point multipliers and premium hotel benefits can be lucrative.
- More lifestyle perks: travel credits, dining, entertainment, subscriptions — more ways to recoup value beyond just travel.
Cons:
- The new fee may feel steep for those who don’t use enough of the perks.
- Tracking all the different credits, activation windows, and benefit restrictions becomes more complex.
- Some categories (like transit or certain past premiums) have seen benefits scaled back or removed.
Should You Keep the Card? Tips for Making the Decision
Here are some questions to ask to decide if the upgraded Chase Sapphire Reserve still makes sense for you:
- How much do you travel? If you fly, stay in hotels, use airport lounges, or book via Chase Travel often, you likely gain big value.
- Will you use the new credits? Before the increase, list out the credits (hotel, dining, travel, lifestyle). Estimate if you’ll use them based on your habits.
- Do you maximize point earnings and redemptions? If you book travel often or make purchases in travel-related categories, the 8× or 4× multipliers will help. Poor redemption or infrequent usage lowers value.
- Compare to alternatives: Other premium cards might offer similar benefits with lower fees. Depending on preferences, a competitor card or even a less premium option may provide better net value.
- Authorized user costs: If someone else uses your card, the added cost for authorized users is now much higher. Factor that in.
What Cardholders Are Saying
Reactions have ranged from understanding to frustration:
- Many appreciate the new perks and enhanced travel and dining credits, saying they feel “worth it” if they can fully use them.
- Others express disappointment, especially long-time cardholders who used many of the old perks but feel the fee increase is too steep for what they use now.
- Some are considering downgrading or canceling, particularly if their lifestyle doesn’t align with the upgraded perks.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card fee increase marks a major shift. At $795 per year, the card now sits among the highest in the premium rewards space. The upgraded benefits are strong—but the value you receive depends heavily on how much you spend in key categories, how often you travel or dine out, and whether you leverage all the lifestyle credits.
If you can use most or all of the new perks, the steep increase may still be worth it. If not, it could be time to evaluate whether alternate cards might deliver more bang for your buck.
If you’re a cardholder, have you already calculated whether the new fee makes sense for you? Or are you considering switching cards because of this change? Let me know what you’re thinking below.