Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > Chase | Ultimate Rewards
Reload this Page >

Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 Annual Travel Credit (2016 - 2021)

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Sep 2, 2016, 8:22 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: serpens
Sapphire Reserve Annual Travel Credit

How are the dates calculated?
For cards issued prior to May 21, 2017 it was Reimbursed per Calendar year, not membership year. Purchases must be posted (not pending) by your December statement (dated any time Dec 1 through Dec 31) to be credited against current year's $300 credit. Any travel spend that posts after the December statement will credit against the next year's $300 credit.

For cards issued after May 21, 2017, it will be reimbursed by membership year.

But my 2nd annual fee is after May 21, 2017, why didn't my travel credit reset?
Because if you got your card before that date, your travel credit will continue to reset after your December statement.

Does the travel credit count as minimum spend?
Spend is spend, the credit is the credit. The $300 reimbursement is a separate item from spending requirements( the $300 reimbursement on travel, $100 Goes all count towards the $4,000 only the $450 yearly fee doesn't). You must spend $4000 for your signup bonus UR points. If part of that spend is categorized as travel, a credit will post to your account accordingly. They are separate items.

Even if you return a purchase after you've met your $4000 initial spend it will not count against your spend.

Can I get two travel credit fees if I apply in the middle of the year?
Not for applications after May 21, 2017.

What counts as Travel?
Gas Station and Grocery Store purchases will also count through 12/31/21. (See post 1521.)

The following items have been reimbursed.

Airline purchases, fees & gift cards:
  • AA e-gift certificate
  • Delta eGift Cards, in-flight food/drink purchases
  • UA in-flight bev
  • Moved from EC to EC+ on AA and credit posted 8/2017.
    Southwest gift cards do work! Just purchased a $40 emailed gift card and received the travel credit 3/2018
Hotels:
  • Airbnb & their GC
  • Bellagio Las Vegas -- including restaurant charges signed to room (posted as BELLAGIO - FRONT DESK)
  • hotels.com (NOT hotels.com e-gift cert!)
  • Hotel restaurants not charged to room (verified at Renaissance LV)
  • Marriott GC and hotel charges
  • Priceline "opaque" hotel purchases
  • Kruger National Park lodging reservation (booked on sanparks.org official site)
  • Hilton Home2 Suites
Transit, including parking, trains, ferries, toll roads, etc:
  • taxi fares: Uber, Lyft, Gett, Way2Ride, London taxi, RideAustin
  • Transit fees: BART, MTA, FastTrac, MetroCard, DC Metro (WMATA) SmarTrip farecard and commemorative cards, NJ Transit, Oyster card, Ventra (Chicago), Las Vegas Monorail,Short term parking at LAS, London, STIB/MIVB (Brussels), UTA (Salt Lake City), TriMet (Portland, OR)
  • Parking meters: Chicago; Portland, OR; San Francisco; Atlantic City; Seattle; Minneapolis; Raleigh; San Diego
  • Public parking garages: San Francisco; Montgomery Co. MD; Saint Paul; UC San Diego
  • Toll passes: E-Z Pass (MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA), Sunpass prepaid tolls, Washington State GoodToGo tolls, RiverLink tolls, TxTag, IPass (Illinois), Houston EZ-Tag
  • Train tickets: trainline (UK train tickets), Eurostar.com, Bahn.com (when using Paypal), Amtrak (cafe car purchases as well as tickets purchased from kiosks or the website), italirail.com, Train and bus travel in Scotland at ticket counter, SNCB/NMBS (Belgium--app or counter; chip-and-sign cards don't work in ticket machines), Euroshuttle (car train under the English Channel)
  • Ferries: Cape May, NJ to Lewes, DE
  • Shuttles: Jackson Hole WY Airport official shuttle to town
  • Unlimted JR Pass for Japan purchased from japan-rail-pass.com
  • Bikeshare membership/usage fees in Washington, DC
  • Parking apps: ParkWhiz, SpotHero, ParkMobile
  • Presidential Limousine service in Las Vegas
Misc:
  • Costco Travel
  • Disney theme park tickets physically purchased at Disney gate See post #1203
  • Disney Vacation account funding
  • Royal Caribbean drink package
  • Cruise bookings
  • Cruise Excursions Booked Prior to Cruise (and fully refundable)
  • MIR Travel Agency
  • ChargePoint for Electric Vehicle Charging
  • MileagePlusX Uber GC
  • undercovertourist.com
  • Rental cars (verified Avis on page 7 of this thread)
  • Lahaina Cruise Co. (Hawaii Ocean Project whale watch cruise)
  • Interval International Exchange Fee + Upgrade Fee
  • Aircraft title transfer registration fees with ICAO's International Registry of Mobile Assets (Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol)
  • Cooking class/experience booked through Viator

What doesn't count as travel?
Here's a thread dedicated to the topic: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...rrect-mcc.html

The following items have NOT posted as travel/been reimbursed:
  • e-gift card from Airline, except Delta Please list specifics.
  • AA in-flight food
  • AAA membership
  • Alaska Airlines: e-gift cards; in-flight food; Board Room membership (post 1152)
  • Blink Charging (EV charging network): shows up as Bills & Utilities
  • CLEAR -- annual membership fee and pro-rated $50 fee for adding a family member
  • Points.com (Southwest)
  • Not all parking meters - Michigan State University (MSU Police Dept. 1x), Phoenix
  • Parking citation payment (SF MTA)
  • Hotel parking fees (e.g. Fairmont SF)
  • Walt Disney tickets directly from Disney.com
  • Vacation Rental by Owner/HomeAway
  • Airport landing, parking and ground handling fees for private jets
  • EZ-Tag (Houston, TX) now DOES count per post 1109
  • Georgia Peach Pass
  • Hotels.com e-gift card
  • Hyatt e-gift card
  • Hyatt physical G.C. from Hyatt.com (coded as Online, Mail, or Telephone transaction or Card, Gift Novelty and Souvenir Stores) No manual adjustment.
  • IHG Ambassador recognition program
  • Southwest Airlines in-flight purchases
  • Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi purchase ("Bills & utilities" in Chase online banking)
  • Prince Resorts Hawaii Gift Card (Prince Hotel Waikiki, Mauna Kea Hotel, Hapuna Beach Hotel)
  • Meal at Fairmont Hotel not charged to room
  • Choice hotel Points + Cash reservation
  • Delta in-flight Wi-Fi purchased through app
  • MPX Amazon.Com
  • Not all public transit: Lisbon metro
  • Travel Insurance (Allianz)
Unclear/mixed results:
  • UA wifi purchased in-flight (no, yes)
Print Wikipost

Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 Annual Travel Credit (2016 - 2021)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2018, 8:18 am
  #1231  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Originally Posted by steamproof
....not been able to find a way to purchase gift cards directly from airbnb, no mention of it on their website or app.
....
Airbnb gift cards can be purchased at various retailers online and in stores throughout the United States. Online retailers sell both digital cards (these can be emailed to the recipient) and physical cards. Individual gift cards can be purchased in amounts from $25 to $500. Right now, gift cards can only be purchased in US Dollars by individuals in the United States and can only be redeemed by users with a payment method that was issued in the United States.

To order gift cards in bulk, visit our corporate purchasing site. Bulk orders require a $1,000 purchase minimum.
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/...ift-cards-work
mia is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2018, 4:37 pm
  #1232  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
I found that link and talked to customer support, they said they can be purchased through other retailers like Amazon
Amazon.com, wouldn't that be an issue if I'm trying to get it triggered as a teache charge?
steamproof is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2018, 5:06 pm
  #1233  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Originally Posted by steamproof
....purchased through other retailers like Amazon...
That would not be categorized as a travel purchase. Unless you can make a "bulk" purchase of gift cards directly from airbnb you will need to use the credit another way.
mia is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2018, 6:26 pm
  #1234  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Originally Posted by steamproof
I found that link and talked to customer support, they said they can be purchased through other retailers like Amazon
Amazon.com, wouldn't that be an issue if I'm trying to get it triggered as a teache charge?
Originally Posted by mia
That would not be categorized as a travel purchase. Unless you can make a "bulk" purchase of gift cards directly from airbnb you will need to use the credit another way.
Cough, cough (refundable airline ticket) cough, cough
krazykanuck likes this.
Diplomatico is offline  
Old Dec 12, 2018, 9:00 am
  #1235  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,066
So this is interesting, I just PCed from a Freedom to Saphire Reserve and it looks like I'm still under the old rules as it says my Reimbursement cycle will end at the end of my December statement. This card was originally donwgraded from a Saphire (not Reserve) over a year ago to Freedom.
cdog999 is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 2:41 pm
  #1236  
RNE
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Something weird just happened. Bear with me.
  • Months ago, I made a $100 purchase from Lufthansa. The $100 purchase posted to my CSR.
  • Months later, a cancellation meant I was owed that $100 back. LH agreed the refund was due and said they would process it. But, after 60+ days, no refund.
  • I called Chase and disputed the charge. Chase posted a $100 credit pending dispute resolution.
  • Days later, LH refunded the $100. Thus, two $100 credits were on my CSR.
  • Today, Chase reversed their credit and re-posted the $100 purchase. So everything is squared away.
Here's what's weird: Today's transaction (which actually happened many months ago) looked like a purchase as far as my $300 annual credit was concerned because it counted toward it. ^
RNE is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 9:02 pm
  #1237  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,750
Originally Posted by RNE
Something weird just happened. Bear with me.
  • Months ago, I made a $100 purchase from Lufthansa. The $100 purchase posted to my CSR.
  • Months later, a cancellation meant I was owed that $100 back. LH agreed the refund was due and said they would process it. But, after 60+ days, no refund.
  • I called Chase and disputed the charge. Chase posted a $100 credit pending dispute resolution.
  • Days later, LH refunded the $100. Thus, two $100 credits were on my CSR.
  • Today, Chase reversed their credit and re-posted the $100 purchase. So everything is squared away.
Here's what's weird: Today's transaction (which actually happened many months ago) looked like a purchase as far as my $300 annual credit was concerned because it counted toward it. ^
It is not weird. Similar incident (although it was a cancellation of refundable booking) was reported many months ago. The poster at that time kept saying Chase had "cheated" him for the travel credit, until people told him that he had gotten the credit WITHOUT actually spend given the refund - what is not to like? Then he did not post back..
Happy is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 9:10 pm
  #1238  
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,913
Originally Posted by Happy
It is not weird. Similar incident (although it was a cancellation of refundable booking) was reported many months ago. The poster at that time kept saying Chase had "cheated" him for the travel credit, until people told him that he had gotten the credit WITHOUT actually spend given the refund - what is not to like? Then he did not post back..
That was my initial reaction too, but this is slightly different -- upon rereading it a second time, my understanding is

1. paid $100 for something from LH -- it sounds like this did NOT qualify for the $300 travel credit, probably because it had been exhausted for the year and hadn't been reset yet.

2. due to cancellation OP was due a $100 refund

3. LH dragged its heels, OP contacted Chase who reversed the original $100 charge

4. LH finally got around to issuing the refund

Somewhere between 2-4, the annual travel credit reset and became available again.

5. Chase noticed the refund and therefore reversed the reversal from (3)

This is different from the usual, "I bought something, got the travel credit, then returned the thing, so why didn't the credit get reversed" situation; RNE is observing is that the reversal of the reversal, qualified for the current year's travel credit.
RNE likes this.
Zorak is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2019, 8:36 am
  #1239  
RNE
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Originally Posted by Zorak
That was my initial reaction too, but this is slightly different -- upon rereading it a second time, my understanding is

1. paid $100 for something from LH -- it sounds like this did NOT qualify for the $300 travel credit, probably because it had been exhausted for the year and hadn't been reset yet.

2. due to cancellation OP was due a $100 refund

3. LH dragged its heels, OP contacted Chase who reversed the original $100 charge

4. LH finally got around to issuing the refund

Somewhere between 2-4, the annual travel credit reset and became available again.

5. Chase noticed the refund and therefore reversed the reversal from (3)

This is different from the usual, "I bought something, got the travel credit, then returned the thing, so why didn't the credit get reversed" situation; RNE is observing is that the reversal of the reversal, qualified for the current year's travel credit.
Correct. Bravo.
RNE is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2019, 1:13 pm
  #1240  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,750
Originally Posted by Zorak
That was my initial reaction too, but this is slightly different -- upon rereading it a second time, my understanding is

1. paid $100 for something from LH -- it sounds like this did NOT qualify for the $300 travel credit, probably because it had been exhausted for the year and hadn't been reset yet.

2. due to cancellation OP was due a $100 refund

3. LH dragged its heels, OP contacted Chase who reversed the original $100 charge

4. LH finally got around to issuing the refund

Somewhere between 2-4, the annual travel credit reset and became available again.

5. Chase noticed the refund and therefore reversed the reversal from (3)

This is different from the usual, "I bought something, got the travel credit, then returned the thing, so why didn't the credit get reversed" situation; RNE is observing is that the reversal of the reversal, qualified for the current year's travel credit.
The bottom line is, the previous poster still got his Travel Credit WITHOUT having to spend. His previous spend did not receive the credit was he already used the credit of that period.
My thought is, whenever Chase did some posting whether it is an actual travel charge or a reverse of the temporary credit issued from dispute, as long as it falls into the period you are still eligible to receive "some" travel credit, said posting regardless the nature of HOW the cause is or HOW the nature is, you still get the credit WITHOUT actually spending the requisite charge because, you receive the refund from the merchant!

That is why I say it is nothing weird and happened before, the actual outcome that hits the bottom line is what that matters, at least to me, and may be to many others. How the process that led to such, does not matter as I doubt anyone would set out to game such a thing when the CSR owners from Day One most likely would not do such, and the CSR owners from May 2017 would get their credits each membership year so there is nothing to be gamed.

The "gaming" was largely done during 2016, people who set out to game the system would be buying the fully refundable tickets or booking fully refundable prepaid hotels, and then cancel such. Chase, at least up to now, does NOT take back that already redeemed travel credit. This behavior has been mentioned and probably practiced, by many who only planed to keep the CSR for the first year when they were claiming 2x $300 travel credits. If you go back to 2016 threads you will see hints of these behaviors.

Therefore we have learned HOW Chase processes the travel credits. (and the fact it does not take back the credit, unlike AMEX Offer - at least up till now until new DPs surface.)

In reality that is no fundamental difference in the 2 cases we discussed here as that just shows us how Chase system works when it identifies the travel credit eligibility - as long as you still have "room" left on your current period, Chase would post the credit against the charge being posted, regardless how the charge is incurred - it does NOT go back in transaction history to match item for item!

I can tell you AMEX would try to match item for item on the AMEX Offer credit, though 50% of the time the match was done wrong, either in the amount or even matched to the wrong card (probably due to it uses SSN instead of card number, and the Primary / AU mix also complicated things, and confused AMEX system a lot!

But Chase system is very simple and basic.

Last edited by Happy; Jan 3, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Happy is offline  
Old Jan 5, 2019, 2:48 pm
  #1241  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Moderator action

Recent reports of transactions that were or not classified as Travel have been moved:

What counts as travel? [Sapphire, INK, Consolidated]
mia is offline  
Old Jan 10, 2019, 3:53 pm
  #1242  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Starwood/Hyatt/IHG-PLAT/Hilton-DIA
Posts: 468
Do uber gift cards purchased in app count as the travel credit?
flymax77 is offline  
Old Jan 11, 2019, 5:44 pm
  #1243  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,750
Originally Posted by flymax77
Do uber gift cards purchased in app count as the travel credit?
You mean this?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/mpx-t...er-cards-ymmv/
Happy is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2019, 2:24 am
  #1244  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 332
So when I get my CSR in the next few weeks and book our Hotel will I see the $300 credit in that first statement?
Caribgrl is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2019, 6:30 am
  #1245  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by Caribgrl
So when I get my CSR in the next few weeks and book our Hotel will I see the $300 credit in that first statement?
You get the credit when you pay for the hotel, not necessarily when you book.
Caribgrl likes this.
pallhedge is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.