The Transition: What Existing Cardholders Need to Know

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Chase is gradually phasing out the old system for existing cardholders:

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Grandfathered Benefits (Cards Opened Before June 23, 2025)

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• Points earned before October 26, 2025, can be redeemed at the old rates until October 26, 2027

• You'll automatically receive whichever rate is better (old fixed rate or new Points Boost)

• Points earned after October 26, 2025, are subject to the new system only

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New Cardholders (Cards Opened June 23, 2025 or Later)

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• Immediately subject to the Points Boost system

• No access to grandfathered 1.25x/1.5x rates

• Must rely entirely on the dynamic Points Boost availability

Community and Expert Reactions: Mixed Reviews

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The Points Boost rollout has received notably mixed feedback from the credit card community:

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Reddit User Sentiment

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• "Probably moving annual fee up to $150-$200" - Concerns about CSP fee increases

• "I fucking hate that I'm gravitating more and more away from Chase"

• "Capital One is winning without doing anything"

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Expert Analysis

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Travel experts have been cautiously optimistic but note significant limitations:

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The Positives:

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• Higher potential redemption values (up to 2x vs. previous 1.5x max)

• United Airlines shows consistent Points Boost availability

• The Edit hotels provide reliable 2x redemptions for Reserve cardholders

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The Concerns:

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• Limited availability: Not all flights/hotels qualify for boosts

• Price inflation: Reports suggest Chase Travel prices increased alongside the Points Boost launch

• Complexity: Dynamic pricing makes planning harder

Who Benefits Most from Points Boost?

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Winners: Premium Travelers

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Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders who:

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• Book luxury hotels through The Edit (automatic 2x boost)

• Fly premium cabins on United Airlines frequently

• Don't mind limited hotel/airline selection

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Example Win: Business class flights on United consistently show 2x Points Boost, providing a genuine 2 cents per point value.

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Losers: Flexible Travelers

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Points Boost doesn't help if you:

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• Want to book economy flights on non-partner airlines

• Need rental cars, cruises, or activities (no boosts available)

• Prefer booking directly with hotels/airlines

• Have a Chase Sapphire Preferred (more limited boost options)

Real-World Points Boost Performance

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Hotel Availability Testing

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• Major cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago): Good selection of boosted hotels 

• Smaller cities: Very limited or no boosted options 

• International: Varies significantly by destination

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Flight Availability Reality Check

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• United Airlines: Nearly universal Points Boost availability

• Southwest Airlines: Minimal to no boost availability found

• International carriers: Sporadic availability

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Price Inflation Concerns

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Multiple reports suggest Chase Travel prices increased when Points Boost launched, potentially offsetting the higher redemption rates. Always compare prices with booking directly before using Points Boost.

Maximizing Points Boost Value: Strategic Tips

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1. Focus on United Airlines for Flights

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United shows the most consistent Points Boost availability across all cabin classes. If you're loyal to United, Points Boost can provide excellent value.

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2. Use The Edit for Hotels (Reserve Cardholders)

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Every hotel on The Edit platform gets an automatic 2x boost for Reserve cardholders, making this the most reliable way to get premium value.

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3. Target Premium Cabins

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Business and first-class flights consistently show the highest boost rates and often match pricing found elsewhere.

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4. Always Compare Prices

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Never book through Chase Travel without price checking:

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• Hotel: Compare against direct booking and major booking sites

• Flights: Check airline websites and Google Flights

• Factor in lost elite benefits when booking through portals

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5. Consider Transfer Partners First

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For many premium redemptions, transferring points to airline/hotel partners still provides better value than Points Boost:

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• Hyatt transfers: Often 2+ cents per point value

• United transfers: Good award availability at standard rates

• International business class: Transfer partners usually beat Points Boost

Should You Change Your Chase Strategy?

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Keep Your Chase Cards If:

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• You frequently fly United in premium cabins

• You book luxury hotels and don't mind a limited selection

• You have a Sapphire Reserve and can maximize The Edit

• You're grandfathered into the old system until 2027

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Consider Alternatives If:

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• You value flexibility in airline/hotel choice

• You primarily fly economy on various airlines

• You prefer booking directly for elite benefits

• You have a Sapphire Preferred with limited boost options

Bottom Line: Points Boost Reality Check

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Chase Points Boost offers higher theoretical value but with significantly more restrictions than the previous system. While you can potentially get 2 cents per point (vs. the old 1.5x max), this only applies to a limited selection of bookings.

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Kudos verdict: Points Boost benefits premium travelers with specific preferences but creates more complexity and fewer options for everyone else. The old system's simplicity and universal application across Chase Travel made it more valuable for most cardholders. In closing, we recommend using Points Boost opportunistically when it provides genuine value, but don't rely on it as your primary redemption method. Transfer partners and direct airline/hotel bookings often still provide better value and flexibility.