A Few Changes to Sapphire Reserve Benefits Come August

If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, you should have already gotten a notice in the mail about a few changes to your benefits effective August 26, 2018. But let's get real. I'm sure many of you throw that mail away without even looking at it. Here are the changes it went over.
1.

New Sign Up Bonus Rules for Personal Southwest Cards

Chase has come out with new sign up bonus eligibility rules that make earning a  Southwest Companion Pass more complicated.

As of April 5, if you already have a personal Southwest credit card open (the Personal Plus or the Premier Plus), you are no longer eligible for the other personal Southwest credit card.

Devaluation of IHG Card Annual Free Night Benefit

Update: Chase is now responding to people complaining on Twitter that IHG credit card accounts opened from January 1, 2018 through April 5, 2018 (that's tomorrow) will be able to use their Free Night Certificate once with the old terms (meaning at ANY IHG property, not capped at a 40k point property).

Chase’s New No Annual Fee United Card

Chase has released a new United co-branded credit card with a unique rewards earning structure. Instead of earning miles, the United TravelBank Card earns cash back good for United purchases.

Turn 83k Marriott Points Into 25k+ Of Almost Any Mile

When you're shut out from the majority of Chase cards, you loose access to tons of rewards and reward earning opportunities due to what everyone calls the Chase 5/24 rule. If you've opened more than five credit cards from any bank (with the exception of most business cards) in the last 24 months, then Chase will deny you for almost all of their cards (with the exception of these).

Product Changing From An Expensive Annual Fee Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Citi Prestige, and the The Platinum Card® from American Express card are premium credit cards with huge benefits and high annual fees to match.

The first year, these are fantastic cards. The second year, the value is less certain. We'll look at canceling and downgrading options in this post.

The First Year

Many people are scared off by that annual fee, which makes sense at a superficial level. We all got interested in miles and points to save money, not spend it.

Chase Ink Plus: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards Sign-Up Bonus

The Chase Ink Plus business credit card is offering 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards after spending $5,000 in the first three months. During this offer, the annual fee of $95 is NOT waived the first year.

The normal offer for the Ink Plus card by Chase is 50,000 points after spending $5,000.

Free Access to the Chase Lounge at the US Open 2016

The US Open begins August 29 in Flushing, New York. Chase customers can register here to reserve a free spot at Chase's Lounge for access to air-conditioning and complimentary snacks and beverages during the world class tennis matches.

To be clear, you still have to purchase tickets to the US Open-- this free reservation at the Chase Lounge is solely for entrance to the lounge. But with temperatures in New York climbing that time of year and pricey drinks, a lounge with air conditioning and refreshments would no doubt be appreciated.

Reader Story: Part 2– Application Day

I have a friend who, after about five months off from applying for any new cards, decided to give it another go recently. He is writing a series for MileValue on his experience. Below is Part 2: applying for the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, as well as the Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card

by Bank of America.

Reader Story: Part 1– Deciding on New Cards to Apply For

I have a friend who, after about five months off from applying for any new cards, decided to give it another go recently. He is writing a series for MileValue on his experience. Below is Part 1, where he decides on a new round of credit cards: the Ink Plus (this card is no longer available) and the British Airways Visa Signature® Card by Chase, as well as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Business credit cards by Bank of America.