Sep 2, 2016, 8:22 am
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:
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:
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
- 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
- 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
- Costco Travel
Disney theme park tickets physically purchased at Disney gateSee 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 DeltaPlease 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)
Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 Annual Travel Credit (2016 - 2021)
Jul 2, 2020, 8:56 pm
#1412
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,347
Jul 3, 2020, 9:11 am
#1413
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I just noticed this language at the end of the newest version of the CSR Benefits Page:
That last sentence seems to be saying that even if you use the Travel Credit toward Gas or Groceries, you will STILL not earn points on the first $300 of travel posting to your account. This seems to explain what I'm seeing in my account.
Some of my credit went toward Groceries which DID earn at 5x points for Groceries. Now I have a few small Travel purchases that are showing as earning 0 points, even tho I've already earned the full $300 "Travel Credit" earlier.
That last sentence seems to be saying that even if you use the Travel Credit toward Gas or Groceries, you will STILL not earn points on the first $300 of travel posting to your account. This seems to explain what I'm seeing in my account.
Some of my credit went toward Groceries which DID earn at 5x points for Groceries. Now I have a few small Travel purchases that are showing as earning 0 points, even tho I've already earned the full $300 "Travel Credit" earlier.
Now thanks to your DP, we now know that is how Chase handles it - probably much simpler in IT handling - i.e. no need to reprogram the categories for the first $300 spent, or a claw back. Just keep it sticking to travel related.
Jul 3, 2020, 10:21 am
#1414
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Jul 8, 2020, 11:07 am
#1416
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: United 1K MM; Starwood Platinum; Hyatt Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Alaska 75K
Posts: 144
3x UR Points for Travelzoo Voucher Purchase w/ Chase Reserve Card?
What's the best credit card to use for the most points when booking Travelzoo vouchers? Does the Chase Reserve earn 3x UR points? Thanks!
Jul 21, 2020, 4:52 pm
#1417
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 166
I just noticed this language at the end of the newest version of the CSR Benefits Page:
That last sentence seems to be saying that even if you use the Travel Credit toward Gas or Groceries, you will STILL not earn points on the first $300 of travel posting to your account. This seems to explain what I'm seeing in my account.
Some of my credit went toward Groceries which DID earn at 5x points for Groceries. Now I have a few small Travel purchases that are showing as earning 0 points, even tho I've already earned the full $300 "Travel Credit" earlier.
That last sentence seems to be saying that even if you use the Travel Credit toward Gas or Groceries, you will STILL not earn points on the first $300 of travel posting to your account. This seems to explain what I'm seeing in my account.
Some of my credit went toward Groceries which DID earn at 5x points for Groceries. Now I have a few small Travel purchases that are showing as earning 0 points, even tho I've already earned the full $300 "Travel Credit" earlier.
It was afterwards that I googled and saw this thread. I didn't know I was NOT supposed to earn any points for travel up to $300 since I already got grocery credit and 5X points for the $300, and apparently neither did she. Well, the adjustment was already made and I have my 450 points. I don't think it will work for everyone that tries but try calling and hope you get a CSR that does not know the full terms. Nothing to lose. Maybe some UR points to gain. I lucked out. YMMV.
Jul 22, 2020, 10:40 am
#1418
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
RNE, speculating wildly.
Jul 22, 2020, 11:48 am
#1419
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
That is how I interpret it when the new temp categories came out but there is no real life DPs reported at that time as most who have not earned the travel credit would use groceries to earn it and most people also dont have new travel expenses incurred. Though most people, incl the bloggers, all think once you "used up" the travel credit even by grocery spend, you are done with the point calculation...
Now thanks to your DP, we now know that is how Chase handles it - probably much simpler in IT handling - i.e. no need to reprogram the categories for the first $300 spent, or a claw back. Just keep it sticking to travel related.
Now thanks to your DP, we now know that is how Chase handles it - probably much simpler in IT handling - i.e. no need to reprogram the categories for the first $300 spent, or a claw back. Just keep it sticking to travel related.
(I understand that this is a lot of mental gymnastics for a few hundred points but it drives me crazy to leave points on the table and that's what we're all about here at FT right?)
Jul 22, 2020, 1:17 pm
#1420
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,435
It struck me as incredibly chintzy on the part of Chase to make a change to save 900 points on a $450 card. Someone should have thought of withholding the points on the spend qualifying for travel credit before the card was introduced.
Oct 5, 2020, 3:36 pm
#1421
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
how long does it take to apply the $300 travel credit?
We bought an all-inclusive state park hotel package (dinner, bed and breakfast) but initially was not considered "Travel" cause the state park was categorized as "government administration".
Person told me they will review, adjust etc and I have receipts to prove that it was travel package but they said receipt is not necessary.....
Category has since been adjusted to "Travel" but I have yet to see the credit being applied.
We bought an all-inclusive state park hotel package (dinner, bed and breakfast) but initially was not considered "Travel" cause the state park was categorized as "government administration".
Person told me they will review, adjust etc and I have receipts to prove that it was travel package but they said receipt is not necessary.....
Category has since been adjusted to "Travel" but I have yet to see the credit being applied.
Oct 5, 2020, 3:57 pm
#1422
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
The wiki shows many hotel chains are covered as travel. Any experiences with smaller, independent motels?
Oct 5, 2020, 4:28 pm
#1423
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 58
how long does it take to apply the $300 travel credit?
We bought an all-inclusive state park hotel package (dinner, bed and breakfast) but initially was not considered "Travel" cause the state park was categorized as "government administration".
Person told me they will review, adjust etc and I have receipts to prove that it was travel package but they said receipt is not necessary.....
Category has since been adjusted to "Travel" but I have yet to see the credit being applied.
We bought an all-inclusive state park hotel package (dinner, bed and breakfast) but initially was not considered "Travel" cause the state park was categorized as "government administration".
Person told me they will review, adjust etc and I have receipts to prove that it was travel package but they said receipt is not necessary.....
Category has since been adjusted to "Travel" but I have yet to see the credit being applied.
Oct 5, 2020, 4:36 pm
#1424
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: 18,931
I believe ultimately whether it credits automatically as travel comes down to how each individual vendor gets coded when the transaction posts. So data points about independent properties, in the abstract, won't help you predict whether the particular one(s) you have in mind will code as travel unless you see data points for the exact specific property(ies). But if I had to guess I would think that most motels are going to be coded correctly, otherwise you can talk to customer service for an adjustment (e.g. the post directly prior to yours)
Oct 10, 2020, 11:00 am
#1425
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
I just received a generic message and general customer service number asking for "more information to research further". Contacted call center and the agent had no idea what it was about.
Asked whether its related to the State park lodging transaction being coded as "Government Administration" and agent thinks it is. Then the agent proceeded to tell me that I'd probably wont get the credit because of the merchant code. I strongly disagreed, since I used it solely for travel and finally the agent told me to send in a secure message with proof of reservation confirmation/receipt to see what the outcome is.
Speaking of customer service for 4-year old Sapphire Reserve credit card, I am disappointed.
Asked whether its related to the State park lodging transaction being coded as "Government Administration" and agent thinks it is. Then the agent proceeded to tell me that I'd probably wont get the credit because of the merchant code. I strongly disagreed, since I used it solely for travel and finally the agent told me to send in a secure message with proof of reservation confirmation/receipt to see what the outcome is.
Speaking of customer service for 4-year old Sapphire Reserve credit card, I am disappointed.