Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve (Why I Upgraded)

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Hey guys, in this video, I do a full comparison of the Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, explain why I personally upgraded my Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve, and show the full upgrade process with my live call with Chase Customer Service.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most overlooked cards in the credit card game, but I personally believe it can be one of the best credit cards on the market for the right person. So to put that thought to the test, I figured what better way to do it than getting the card myself? Now maybe you’re someone similar to me who has had the CSP and has always kinda questioned whether or not the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth an upgrade. Or maybe you’re looking at the CSR as an option for you on your search for the best premium travel credit card for your needs. Or maybe you just wanna learn something today… Either way, this video is for you.

By the end of it, I hope you have a better understanding of who this card is really meant for and whether or not it’s worth its hefty annual fee for you and your personal situation.

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Chase Card Links:

📚 Chapters:
00:00 The Gameplan
01:04 Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
05:00 Why I Upgraded To The Chase Sapphire Reserve
05:31 Reason #1: Better Earning Categories
07:22 Reason #2: Higher Redemption Bonus
09:19 Reason #3: Lounge Access
12:49 Reason #4: More Additional Perks
14:35 Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum vx. Capital One Venture X
17:52 The Cons Of Upgrading To The Chase Sapphire Reserve
18:57 The Full Upgrade Process (Live Call)

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#chasesapphirepreferred #chasesapphirereserve #creditcards

[richiou]

The CSR is for anyone who flies out of Austin. You can grab unlimited food and drinks, to go if needed, which is helpful for anyone who's flying Southwest.

[TheCreditFrog]

Congrats on thew new card Spencer! You are certainly building up your premium travel credit card collection! The CSR is incredibly underrated, but it also desperately needs some kind of refresh since it's been the same for so long. Great move on getting that CLI first before the PC and glad I could help you out with that 🤩. Looking forward to your CLI video - I know it's going a be a banger!

[krs]

For airline travel hackers who buy one-way tickets (usually last minute international award tickets) the CSR is the only card that I know of whose insurance covers the one-way trip. All the other premium travel consumer cards require a round trip ticket for travel insurances.

[LukesPointsandMiles]

Im excited to see how this works out for you. I have the same decision coming up in April. I'm concerned about not being able to make up the $550 with the credits though. Great Video!!

[KevinYang]

It's always cool to see others make use of a card that I wouldn't! Seems like the CSR is a great fit for your usecase, especially when it comes to your redemptions and your home airport though! Maybe I'll consider whe my next 48 months comes up, but will stick to my Amex Plat + VX til then! Who knows, a TON will have likely changed by then. Awesome video as always Spencer!

[notreveh]

I’m on a journey to decide which one will be my very first premium credit card. After narrowing down all possibilities, I landed on this card, and your videos are by far the most informative on the topic. A lot of the other reviewers out there were just repeating the same basic info.

[GeeYo]

I have the Amex Gold and CSP.. and I noticed you have the Amex Gold as well... how are you feeling having the Gold and CSR together? Do you utilize the gold for food and supermarkets, while the CSR is used for travel, etc? Kinda hesitant on having two cards with medium to high annual fees, but wondering if you are finding value in this combination.

[MattWelterOfficial]

Absolutely love the 3x travel category on the Reserve. It definitely seems like the Sapphire Reserve makes a lot of sense within your travel preferences, and being able to take advantage of 1.5 cents/point guaranteed especially for domestic travel. Plus, the fact that the Reserve will allow you take advantage of having access to that Terrace lounge definitely makes sense with Austin being your home airport. Great video as always Spencer!

[steve_rogers_usmc]

Such impeccable timing as I am coming up on my one-year anniversary for my CSP and am really thinking I want that CSR. The 50 percent bonus is amazing plus actual lounge access worth something is sounding better and better. I just wish Chase offered something different like the VX does with the bonus anniversary miles each year or some other kind of annual fee reducer. I don't really use Lyft, or any of the other perks that the CSR offers but, man that 50 percent bonus plus the 300-travel credit will go far in helping to offset the CSR annual fee, great video!

[biancas]

I upgraded my CSP to the CSR in February and it was the best decision for me. I wasn’t using the CSP at all really but now when I travel I’m using the CSR more frequently. It’s a great travel card.

[chrisoverbey]

Thanks for sharing your reasoning, very valuable in helping me refine my strategy flying out of Denver. Great example of how there is no generic answer to the question “Which card is better?”

[ninjanick]

Just got the CSR yesterday. I applied not product change. So excited!

[luisserrano]

Great video as always, good point that everyone has a different situation and each card might benefit them differently. The better priority pass, sapphire terrace at your home airport and broad travel categories and a great redemption bonus all definitely make this one a no brainer for sure!

[engineerengineer]

Great video Spencer, I recently upgraded from the csp to the csr. My reason was a little different, i have a ton of points ans the extra 0.25% made a difference larger than the annual fee of the card. Travel partners did not make sense for this trip. I also switch 6 months into my second year. The 300 dollar travel credit does not get prorated and you get the full value right away. I heard that the travel credit will be based on your switch date and not your card renewal date.

[druiz]

snappp. You upgraded! Congrats. I upgraded in August and have used it a ton since. 3% back on travel has been great for me. Also PP Restaurants were clutch my last 3 trips. Cant wait to check out the Sapphire Lounge in Boston this coming year.

[arolls]

This is a great no filler info video. Thank you!

[jakemercure]

CSR is so undervalued. 1.5 CPP in portal and a versatile travel credit seals the deal for me. CSP is fine but not good enough for domestic travel portal redemptions IMO

[foto]

Great video as always but still think the Reserve needs a refresh and better perks to offset the annual fee. Lounge access and TSA I have on other cards. Prefer to book directly with airlines or hotels not through their portal (and most likely would use Marriott or Hilton cards for hotel bookings), so 5x or 10x on those doesn't really appeal to me. The $50 credit on the Preferred is easy enough to use (glad they didn't go all Amex on it and make it $5 a month!) for one stay during the year and $45 effective annual fee is a lot easier to justify.

[LL-]

Spencer with another banger video‼️ I love the attention to detail w car rental status matches as someone who loves cars 🔥

[EzularSocial]

Thank you for the Chase Sapphire Reserve review. Could you also make a video about the benefits of Visa Infinite?