Chase Sapphire Reserve

[Iz]

Who cares where they're from? Have you ever tried to dispute a charge or use return protection with AMEX and with Chase?

Exactly.

[David Smith]

Who cares where they're from? Have you ever tried to dispute a charge with Chase?

Certainly, albeit for small amounts. Quite easy, in my experience.

 People are having hell with amex disputes recently, for the reasons mentioned upthread.

[AJK]

It's more than just Centurion.
It's also Airspace, Delta, etc.

It's also hard to compete with AMEX return protection, lost item protection, etc.

But yes, the earning system is totally outclassed. But AMEX never seemed to care about that much for Plat.

You're paying 66% more every year for access to DL and Centurion. (Can get the other benefits on free cards like ED.)

Dollar for dollar, I'd argue the Reserve is a more compelling card for the vast majority of consumers, and I stand by my assessment that, given the Prestige and Reserve (both relatively new entrants to the market) that Plat will be forced to adapt.

[Aerial Dag]

The amex black is an expensive card to pay the extra $2050 over the platinum, considering the limited additional benefits it offers.

Even rich people don't like feeling like suckers.

Except you're forgetting about the prestige factor. People I know that have Black love flashing it around. I once asked someone how they can justify the fee and they claimed that they get thousands of dollars in gift cards for use at high end clothing stores that their wife shops at. Not sure if it's true or not but point is they have the black card fee justified in their heads. Plus, ignorance is bliss. if you don't actually know what you're missing then you don't really feel like a sucker.

[Dan]

You're paying 66% more every year for access to DL and Centurion. (Can get the other benefits on free cards like ED.)

Dollar for dollar, I'd argue the Reserve is a more compelling card for the vast majority of consumers, and I stand by my assessment that, given the Prestige and Reserve (both relatively new entrants to the market) that Plat will be forced to adapt.

It's $100 more. Most people value Airspace/Delta lounges at more than that.
ED does not have lost item protection or the higher limits that Plat gives for purchases ($10K vs $1K, etc).

I don't think Platinum has to change, especially with an expanding lounge network that people will pay for. AMEX is going after people that need flex charge lines and people that need lounges. Chase is going after people who want a good card for spending.

[AJK]

$100 more is 66%.

Again, if AmEx only cares about big spenders, Chase can't compete. I have a hunch they don't.

[Dan]

PRG is for value seeking customers.
Plat is for lounge.

Sapphire Reserve is an expensive PRG card with more fringe bennies, not a cheap Plat card.

[AJK]

And my point is that the people who get the Plat just for lounge access pales in comparison to the people who would get the Reserve for spending.

Seems like a no-brainer for Plat to compete for that lucrative business, and I think they will.

[David Smith]

Ritz is giving out PP with guest access with free AUs. PP is instantly rendered almost worthless. 

[dpk4588]

Ritz is giving out PP with guest access with free AUs. PP is instantly rendered almost worthless. 

Why is it "rendered almost worthless?"

Not that I think it belongs in a discussion with the Reserve, Plat, or Prestige, but it does have an elite level AF $395 and now offers $100 airline discount when booking 2 people and offers GE.

Why does the Ritz card giving PP make PP worthless, its not like its coming with a card with no or a small AF.

[Redbull3]

And my point is that the people who get the Plat just for lounge access pales in comparison to the people who would get the Reserve for spending.

Seems like a no-brainer for Plat to compete for that lucrative business, and I think they will.

I think you would be surprised. I have seen some mkt research on this topic a cpl yrs ago. The target segment of uber rich super spenders is extremely small (relative to other markets) and even though they have the most to gain in rewards by optimizing which card they use at which category they are actually LESS sensitive to variance in point structure than almost any other segment. IMO the target market for Reserve is more like PRG - a bigger market in terms of individuals, but not in terms of spend - which is a consumer that is more focused on value than access/prestige (and still spends a ton, of course).

[AJK]

I totally agree. But while uber spenders are not sensitive, upping the Plat ante makes it a more compelling to the non uber spenders, which are the overwhelming majority of the market.

[Newcc]

It's $100 more. Most people value Airspace/Delta lounges at more than that.
ED does not have lost item protection or the higher limits that Plat gives for purchases ($10K vs $1K, etc).

I don't think Platinum has to change, especially with an expanding lounge network that people will pay for. AMEX is going after people that need flex charge lines and people that need lounges. Chase is going after people who want a good card for spending.

Agreed, until someome competes with a charge card and mass spending capabilites Plat has nothing to worry about IMHO.

[elit]

Will the annual fee b prorated?

[Super Speed]

Who cares where they're from? Have you ever tried to dispute a charge or use return protection with AMEX and with Chase?

I've found my experience with Amex has gone down a whole bunch of notches recently. Not as smooth and easy as it used to be.

[E-MAN]

Can the $300 credit be used to purchase airline gift cards?

[Aerial Dag]

Can the $300 credit be used to purchase airline gift cards?

Might want to wait until Aug 21 to ask that question

[Dan]

Can the $300 credit be used to purchase airline gift cards?

Yes.

[E-MAN]

Might want to wait until Aug 21 to ask that question

I guess I should ask if travel credits on other chase cards (ie ritz carlton) can be used to purchase airline gift cards? I would assume the same would apply here.

[E-MAN]

Yes.

Thanks Dan