Chase has just launched an impressive new welcome offer for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, featuring one of the highest point bonuses we’ve ever seen for this premium travel card. New applicants can now earn a substantial 125,000 Ultimate Rewards points after meeting the minimum spending requirement, making this an exceptional opportunity for travelers looking to maximize their rewards potential.
Let’s examine what this new offer entails and whether it makes sense for your wallet, especially considering the card’s recently refreshed benefits and increased annual fee.
Effective August 21, 2025, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is offering new cardholders the opportunity to earn 125,000 Ultimate Rewards bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
This represents a significant evolution from the previous offer, which provided 100,000 points plus a $500 Chase Travel credit after meeting a $5,000 spending requirement. While the new offer increases the spending threshold by $1,000, it delivers 25,000 additional Ultimate Rewards points in exchange for forgoing the Chase Travel credit.
For many applicants, this new structure will be preferable since Ultimate Rewards points offer substantially more flexibility than the Chase Travel credit, which could only be used for bookings made through the Chase travel portal.
The value of 125,000 Ultimate Rewards points varies depending on how you choose to redeem them:
When transferred to airline and hotel partners like United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, or British Airways Club, these points can unlock exceptional value, particularly for premium cabin international flights and luxury hotel stays.
To put this in perspective, 125,000 Ultimate Rewards points could potentially cover:
This 125,000-point bonus represents the highest pure points offer ever seen on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While the previous 100,000 points plus $500 Chase Travel credit offer had similar theoretical value, this new offer provides greater flexibility in how you can use the rewards.
When the Chase Sapphire Reserve® first launched in 2016, it offered 100,000 points, but subsequent offers typically ranged between 50,000-75,000 points until the recent refresh. This new offer signals Chase’s commitment to keeping the Sapphire Reserve competitive in the increasingly crowded premium card market.
According to Chase’s eligibility rules:
Chase has recently implemented a welcome bonus eligibility check during the application process. Before any credit inquiry is performed, you’ll receive a notification if you’re not eligible for the bonus, allowing you to decide whether to proceed with the application.
It’s worth noting that being an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card does not impact your eligibility for this welcome bonus.
Following its recent refresh, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® now carries a $795 annual fee (up from $550 previously). While this represents a significant investment, the card’s expanded benefits can deliver exceptional value for frequent travelers and dining enthusiasts:
These credits alone total up to $1,400 in potential value, significantly exceeding the annual fee if you can utilize them fully.
When you spend $75,000 per calendar year on the card, you unlock additional valuable benefits:
To make the most of this exceptional welcome offer, consider these strategies:
The new 125,000-point welcome offer is available through online applications directly from Chase’s website or through referral links. As with all premium credit cards, approval typically requires excellent credit (generally a FICO score of 740 or higher) and a solid income history.
Before applying, it’s advisable to check your 5/24 status (the number of personal credit cards you’ve opened across all banks in the past 24 months) as this may affect your approval chances.
The new 125,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® represents exceptional value for travelers who can meet the minimum spending requirement and utilize the card’s premium benefits. While the $795 annual fee is substantial, the combination of annual credits, lounge access, elevated earning rates, and flexible redemption options can deliver tremendous value for the right cardholder.
This offer is particularly compelling for those who:
For those who qualify and can maximize its benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® with this 125,000-point welcome bonus represents one of the most compelling premium card opportunities currently available. The flexibility of Ultimate Rewards points combined with the card’s substantial benefits portfolio creates a total value proposition that can far exceed the annual fee for many cardholders.
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