Chase Sapphire Reserve: Major Changes Coming Oct 26 + What to Do Now

New Benefits Launching October 26 Through December 31, 2025

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The final quarter of 2025 introduces several benefits that cardholders can activate immediately:

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Entertainment and Streaming Credits

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Chase Sapphire Reserve now includes complimentary access to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, which can be activated anytime starting October 26. This entertainment bundle adds significant value for cardholders who subscribe to Apple's services.

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Limited-Time Credits (Valid Through December 31, 2025)

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Three substantial credits become available for the remainder of 2025, providing cardholders with $550 in combined statement credits:

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• The Edit Credit: $250 can be used at The Edit by Chase, the card's luxury shopping platform featuring curated products and experiences.

• StubHub Credit: $150 is available for entertainment purchases through StubHub, covering concerts, sporting events, theater performances, and more.

• Dining Credit: $150 applies to qualifying dining purchases through Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, helping offset the cost of restaurant meals throughout the year.

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Hotel Status Benefits

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IHG Platinum Status becomes available for activation on October 26, giving cardholders enhanced benefits at IHG properties, including room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.

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Peloton Statement Credit

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The Peloton benefit launches on October 26, offering statement credits for Peloton memberships and equipment purchases.

The Critical Change: Travel Portal Redemption Value

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Starting October 26, 2025, all Ultimate Rewards points earned after this date will redeem at 1x value through the Chase Travel Portal, down from the previous 1.5x multiplier. This represents a 33% reduction in redemption value for travel booked through Chase.

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Kudos Tip: While travel portal redemptions drop to 1x, transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners remains unchanged, often providing better value for premium cabin flights and luxury hotel stays.

High-Spend Benefits: $75,000 Annual Threshold

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Cardholders who spend $75,000 within a calendar year unlock an exclusive tier of benefits. According to Chase's official terms, these benefits become available "for the remainder of the year in which they were earned, through the following calendar year."

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For cardholders reaching the $75,000 threshold in 2025, benefits should activate starting October 26 and remain valid through December 31, 2026. The high-spend tier includes:

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• IHG Diamond Elite Status provides IHG's highest status level with premium benefits across all properties.

• Southwest Benefits Package combines A-List status with $500 in Southwest credits, valuable for frequent Southwest travelers.

• The Shops at Chase Credit adds up to $250 for purchases through Chase's shopping portal.

More Benefits Beginning January 1, 2026

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The new year brings significant increases to the annual credit offerings:

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• The Edit Credit expands from $250 to $500 annually, doubling the luxury shopping allowance.

• StubHub Credit increases to $300 on a biannual basis (every 6 months), providing more flexibility for entertainment purchases.

• Dining Credit grows to $300 biannually (every 6 months), substantially increasing the value for restaurant spending.

• Select Chase Travel Hotels: A one-time $250 credit becomes available for stays at select properties during 2026, though specific eligible properties have not been announced.

The Hidden Challenge: Will You Actually Break Even?

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Here's where it gets tricky. The combination of credits totals $1,100 annually starting in 2026 (not including the $300 annual travel credit). That sounds great until you realize these credits reset on different schedules:

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• The Edit credit: Resets annually on January 1

• StubHub credit: Resets biannually (every 6 months)

• Dining credit: Resets biannually (every 6 months)

• Travel credit: Resets based on your cardmember anniversary

• Select properties credit: One-time use in 2026

• High-spend benefits: Reset on calendar year if threshold is met

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With biannual credits resetting at different times than annual credits, and anniversary-based credits on yet another schedule, it's easy to leave hundreds of dollars in unused value on the table. Miss even one credit cycle, and you've permanently lost that benefit for that period.

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When your annual fee hits $795, you need $1,000+ in value just to break even. The question isn't whether these benefits exist. It’s whether you'll actually use them.

This Is Where Kudos Saves You

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This is exactly the type of complexity where Kudos adds significant value. We've analyzed your actual spending patterns to show you exactly which credits you'll realistically use and whether this card is still worth keeping.

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What Your Kudos Insight Shows You:

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• Personalized Break-Even Analysis: See whether you're actually getting $795+ in value based on YOUR spending habits, not theoretical maximums.

• Credit You'll Actually Use: We analyze which merchants you shop at and which credits align with your spending—no guessing required.

• Smart Tracking Dashboard: Monitor which credits you've used and how much remains available across all your cards in real-time.

• Expiration Alerts: Receive notifications before credits expire, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to use your benefits before they reset.

• Automated Recommendations: When shopping online, Kudos identifies when you're at a merchant where you could use a credit (like The Edit or Shops at Chase), prompting you to maximize your benefits automatically.

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Should you keep the Sapphire Reserve in your wallet? Answer is here.

Maximizing Your Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2025-2026

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The benefit restructuring creates both opportunities and considerations for cardholders. For those who regularly use these services and can stay on top of the complex reset schedules, the enhanced credit structure can offset a significant portion of the $795 annual fee. However, without a systematic approach to benefit management, cardholders risk paying $795 annually while leaving hundreds of dollars unused, essentially paying for benefits they never realize.

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The reduction in travel portal redemption value means cardholders should prioritize transferring points to airline and hotel partners for maximum value. The grandfather clause protecting pre-October 26 points through October 2027 provides existing cardholders with a strategic advantage, allowing two years to utilize legacy points at the enhanced 1.5x rate while new earnings accumulate for future transfer opportunities.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Still Worth It?

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With these changes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve shifts from a pure travel rewards card to a lifestyle card with substantial benefits across entertainment, dining, and shopping categories. The card's 3x earning rate on travel and dining remains competitive, and the ability to transfer points to premium airline and hotel partners continues to offer exceptional value for travelers who plan strategically.

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But here's the truth: Capturing the full $1,100+ in annual credits requires diligent tracking across multiple reset schedules. The answer isn't the same for everyone. It depends on YOUR actual spending patterns, which merchants you shop at, and whether you'll realistically use all these credits. That's why we built personalized insights for every Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder. Your insight shows your exact break-even point, which credits you'll actually use based on your spending history, and whether you should keep the card or switch to something better suited to your lifestyle.

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Ready to see if your Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth keeping? Install the free Kudos browser extension to view your personalized analysis, automatically track every credit, receive expiration alerts, and ensure you're actually getting $795+ in value from your card.

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Don't guess whether your card is worth it. Know for sure with your personalized Kudos insight.