A few weeks ago, Stephen wrote about a reddit Q&A with the Chase social media team, where they hinted that there would soon be an offer for Chase Sapphire Preferred® cardholders to upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
At least one version has now arrived. Doctor of Credit reports that some readers are receiving emails offering 25,000 Ultimate Rewards points for upgrading their Sapphire Preferred to a Reserve and spending $3,000 on the card within two months.
The Deal
- Chase is sending out targeted offers to some Sapphire Preferred cardholders, offering 25,000 bonus points when they upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve.
- Offer expires 1/31/26.
- Must spend $3,000 by 2/14/26 to get the bonus.
Quick Thoughts
Well, this is…interesting?
Given the tease from Chase’s social media team, I find this offer to be a bit underwhelming. I was expecting something more along the lines of 50,000 points, since you’re upgrading to a $795 card and having to spend $3k in two months (depending on when you upgrade).
Although pretty much the entire world finds the “refreshed” Sapphire Reserve to be underwhelming (especially when compared to the updated Amex Platinum card), this is a terrific time to upgrade. You’d be able to use the card’s credits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 and still downgrade back to the Preferred without paying most (or all) of the second year’s annual fee, since it would be prorated for the remainder of 2027.
If you upgrade your card before the end of the year, you’d receive the following by January 2027:
- $900 in total travel credit (3x$300)
- $1250 in total credits for booking hotels through The Edit (5x$250)
- $600 in dining credits through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (4x$150)
- $600 in StubHub credits (4x$150)
I’m not a big fan of the new Sapphire Reserve credits, but that’s a lot of bling for ~$800, without even considering the other benefits of the card (and the 25,000 bonus points). I would have liked to see a bigger Ultimate Rewards carrot involved, but the ability to “triple dip” all those coupons would make me a buyer if I had a Sapphire Preferred of my own and was targeted.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
That’s it? The team at Chase must have one brain cell. This has got to be one of the worst years for a CC marketing team in years. It’s very clear they don’t even know how to use their own products.
I assume that if you already have a reserve, then this makes sense
but if you waste 100,000 point sign up bonus by taking this upgrade, that might not be a good decision?
Just more proof the Reserve refresh isn’t going as well as Chase expected.