The Chase Sapphire Countdown: Everything You Must Do Before the "Reserve" Revamp on Oct 26

🎧 Always Turn Left: Chase Sapphire Reserve Overhaul | Your Pre Revamp Survival Guide

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This guide is your pre-revamp survival manual: Every tip, trick, and tactic you see here is designed to maximize your points, preserve grandfathered benefits, and position you for the new Chase Sapphire Reserve ecosystem. By the end of this, you’ll have a concrete plan for points, bookings, credits, and fees that can save - or even make - you real money.

Take Inventory Before the Clock Hits Zero

The first step is simple but often overlooked: know what you have. Log in to your Chase account and take stock of every Ultimate Reward (UR) point you currently hold. More importantly, separate your points into two categories: those earned before Oct 26, 2025, and those earned after.

Points earned before the revamp will continue to redeem for 1.5 cents each on ChaseTravel.com through October 26, 2027. Points earned after Oct 26 will generally revert to a baseline redemption of 1 cent per point, unless you hit specific “Points Boost” offers.

Example Scenario:

You have 150,000 points: 100,000 earned before Oct 26, and 50,000 earned after. If you redeem pre-Oct-26 points via Chase Travel, you’re guaranteed $1,500 in value. Post-revamp points would only deliver $500 at 1x value unless a Points Boost applies. That’s a $1,000 difference - enough to justify holding points rather than transferring blindly.

Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Pull up your Ultimate Rewards dashboard.
2. Note your current balance and record dates for large point earnings - think sign-up bonuses, spend bonuses, or travel promotions.
3. Categorize points earned before Oct 26 separately. These are your golden points, the ones with guaranteed premium redemption leverage.

Panic transfers - moving all points to airline or hotel partners before thinking - can permanently remove your 1.5x floor. Only transfer if the redemption clearly beats 1.5x value.

Make Your Redemption Decisions Now

Once you’ve taken inventory, the next step is deciding how to use those points. Chase Travel bookings allow you to redeem pre-revamp points at 1.5x value, which is huge if you’re aiming for premium cabins or high-end properties.

Example: Business-Class Flight

You want a business-class flight to Europe next summer. Cost via Chase Travel using pre-Oct-26 points: 100,000 points = $1,500 in value. Same flight via airline partner transfer could cost 90,000 points - slightly fewer points but only if award seats are available, and blackout dates or surcharges may apply. Booking through Chase Travel guarantees your redemption floor.

Rule of thumb:

• Transfer points now only if the redemption is clearly more valuable than 1.5x Chase Travel.
• Book Chase Travel now if you have confirmed inventory that protects your redemption under the old rules.
• Hold points if you want flexibility or aren’t chasing an immediate award.

This is the golden window: points earned before Oct 26 continue to have leverage for two full years. Missing this timing can cost hundreds or thousands in lost value.

Handle Authorized Users Strategically

Authorized-user fees are about to jump to $195 per person. Timing here is everything. If you plan to add a spouse, adult child, or business partner, doing it before Oct 26 locks in the older, lower fee.

Case Study: Additional User (AU) Timing

You have two potential AU's: spouse and college-aged child. Adding both after Oct 26 would cost $390 annually. Adding them before: $140-$150 per AU for the current cycle. That’s a $240 immediate savings - not pocket change.

Review your AU list:

• Remove dormant users who never touch the card.
• Add anyone critical before the new fee schedule.
• Align additions with your renewal date to save an entire year’s fee.

This small move alone can preserve hundreds in net value.

Protect Every Existing Benefit

Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t just points - it’s travel insurance, lounge access, and statement credits. Some protections may change post-refresh, so screenshot all benefits, insurance documents, and ongoing claims. This documentation can be critical if disputes arise after Oct 26.

Use any remaining 2025 credits now:

💵 $300 Travel Credit
💰 DoorDash
🛒 Instacart
🍽️ Dining credits

These do not automatically roll over. Pre-plan to use these credits now for purchases or stays you already intended.

Example: Hotel Credit Maximization

You have $500 tied to The Edit. Pre-Oct-26, you can use it on any participating hotel. Post-refresh, restrictions may apply. By booking now, you extract full value without dealing with new limitations.

Run the Math on the New $795 Fee

The Reserve annual fee jumps to $795. Chase claims the refreshed benefits deliver $2,700+ value, but realistic use rarely hits that mark.

Step 1: List all credits you realistically expect to use in the next 12 months:

🔘 $500 Hotel Credit (The Edit)
🔘 $180 Dining (12 months)
🔘 $100 StubHub/Viagogo
🔘 $100 Lyft
🔘 $100 DoorDash
🔘 $50 Apple/Peloton

Step 2: Total = $1,030. Subtract $795 fee = $235 net gain.

Step 3: If your total doesn’t exceed $600-$700 in achievable credits, consider a downgrade or retention call.

Use Timing to Your Advantage

Spend thresholds unlock hotel and airline elite status. If you’re near $75K+ in annual spend, completing charges before Oct 26 ensures you hit old criteria or qualifies for new bonuses.

After Oct 26, Points Boost launches. Some bookings will earn 2x points, but only on specific travel partners. Compare this to potential partner transfers, which could yield 3-4x value in some cases.

Example: Asia Trip

Flight costs: $5,000
Points Boost: 2x = 10,000 Ultimate Rewards (UR) points earned
Partner transfer: 15,000-20,000 UR points in value
Lesson: Don’t assume 2x always beats a high-value transfer. Timing and planning matter.

Lounge Like You Mean It

Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass rules may change. Guest policies, partner access, and drink inclusions can shift overnight. Confirm access before trips in late October or early November.

Mini-Example: You plan a Dubai stopover in November. Current Priority Pass allows two guests free. Post-refresh, guests might be limited to one, costing ~$50 per extra person. Pre-checking saves money and stress.

Avoid the Classic Mistakes

1. Panic-Transferring Everything: Preserves flexibility.
2. Assuming All Credits Are Usable: Not every credit fits every lifestyle.
3. Cancelling Blindly: Canceling wipes UR unless points are moved first.

These simple missteps can cost thousands in lost points, missed perks, or wasted fees.

Your Pre-Revamp Checklist

✅ Record UR balance and categorize pre- and post-Oct 26 points
✅ Transfer only for immediate high-value awards
✅ Screenshot benefit terms and protections
✅ Use remaining credits
✅ Add/remove authorized users strategically
✅ Calculate $795 fee break-even
✅ Lock in travel bookings
✅ Track Points Boost offers post-Oct-26
✅ Verify lounge access
✅ Back up points plan for post-revamp

Decide What Kind of Cardholder You’ll Be

The Pragmatist: Uses the card only if math clears $600+ real value.
The Strategist: Holds points, redeems selectively, maximizes 1.5x floor through 2027.
The Optimizer: Uses every credit, tracks Points Boost, leverages lounge access, hits spend thresholds for status.

Final Boarding Call

The Chase Sapphire Reserve revamp isn’t a minor tweak. It’s a complete rewrite of redemption value, benefits, and perks. Every action you take between now and October 26 determines whether you extract maximum leverage or leave real value on the table.

Audit. Transfer. Redeem. Downgrade. Add/remove users. Protect benefits. Above all, decide - because after Oct 26, your points stop being a question and start being a policy.