[Originally Posted October 24 2026]
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred card, this update is a big deal.
For nearly a decade, Chase has been one of the easiest and most flexible programs for redeeming travel rewards. You could redeem your Ultimate Rewards points through the Chase Travel portal at a guaranteed rate of 1.5¢ per point (Reserve) or 1.25¢ per point (Preferred and Ink cards).
That simple and predictable redemption option is now coming to an end.
Introducing “Points Boost”
Starting June 23, 2025, Chase replaced the old fixed-value system with a new feature called Points Boost.
Instead of always getting 1.5x or 1.25x value when you book through Chase Travel, you’ll now see select flights and hotels where your points are worth more.
Depending on your card, the boosted rate can go:
Up to 2¢ per point for Sapphire Reserve cardholders
Up to 1.75¢ per point for Sapphire Preferred and Ink cardholders on select premium-cabin flights
Up to 1.5¢ per point on certain hotels and economy flights
Sounds good, right?
Not so fast. The key words here are “up to.”
Boosted options will be limited. For most redemptions, your points will only be worth around 1¢ each unless you specifically find one of those boosted deals in the portal.
Key Dates to Know
If you already have one of these cards, there’s good news:
Your points earned through October 25, 2025 are grandfathered in at the old rates.
That means those points will remain redeemable at 1.5¢ (Reserve) or 1.25¢ (Preferred/Ink) through October 26, 2027.
So if you’ve been saving points, make sure to combine them into your Sapphire Reserve account by October 25, 2025, to lock in the higher value for the next two years.
After that, any points you earn after October 26, 2025, will only be worth 1¢ each through Chase Travel — unless you find a Points Boost offer.
Why This Matters
This is a significant devaluation for everyday users who preferred the simplicity of redeeming through Chase Travel instead of transferring to partners like Hyatt, United, or Air Canada.
For years, the Sapphire Reserve was the go-to “easy button” for people who wanted great value without having to learn airline award charts or partner transfers.
Now, that safety net is disappearing.
To continue getting strong redemptions, you’ll need to either:
Learn to transfer your points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, or
Hunt for Points Boost-eligible bookings that occasionally offer better value inside Chase Travel.
Key Takeaways
Before Oct 25, 2025: Points earned by then keep the old rate (1.5¢ / 1.25¢) until Oct 26, 2027
After Oct 26, 2025: Points worth about 1¢ each unless boosted
Points Boost: Up to 2¢ value on select flights and hotels
My Take
Personally, I already prefer to transfer my Chase points to airline and hotel partners, where you can often get 2¢ to 5¢+ per point in value on premium flights or top-tier hotel stays.
But for people who loved the simplicity of just booking through the Chase portal, this change really hurts.
If that’s you, start planning ahead now:
Combine your points by October 25, 2025
Explore partner transfers to maximize value
Keep an eye on the new Points Boost section in Chase Travel Portal