Chase Sappire Card

jeffysdad · 11:38 AM

Chase offered to convert my Freedom card to a Sapphire. However, I checked online and found that if I just open the Sapphire I get 10k points right off the bat, worth 100 bucks, I think they said. They don't give you the 10k points if you convert an existing account. So I applied for a Sapphire and intend to keep my Freedom card, too.

Does anyone know anything more about the Sapphire card? Doesn't seem to designate (at least not on front of card) as Visa/MC/Amex, etc. Must use one of the established networks to process transactions. I wonder if merchants will be freaked out by an unfamiliar card.

BTW, rebate on Sapphire is 1% except for tickets you buy through their website, then it's 2%. Not as good a deal as Chase Freedom, Amex Blue Cash, Fidelity Amex, Schwab World MC, etc.

fffresh · 06:29 PM

I am not familiar with the Chase Sapphire card. I went to the site and the rewards sound average at best. 1% normally and 2% on airfare booked through them. The problem here is I am sure their airfare costs more than Priceline, the airlines' websites, and so forth.

The American Express membership reward programs faces the same dilemma. They may offer higher points for redemption but the price for the purchase is higher so it negates the purpose.

jeffysdad · 04:00 AM

I was surprised to find that I had been awarded my 10k introductory points by Chase Sapphire with absolutely no need for a fuss on my part. They just appeared on my account page like they were supposed to. (This hasn't been my experience with Amex, btw). So I try to redeem them and their system has an error msg. processing the transaction. However, I was able to call the no. on the back of the card, speak to someone in Columbus, Ohio right away for whom English is a first language, and get my $100 check on its way to me. I was very impressed with the customer service. Still, the reward is only 1% on all spending and only 2% on air booked through their site. On customer service alone, Sapphire is my new favorite, though.

Mogul of Pineapples · 06:41 PM

I've heard of the Sapphire card but the rewards didn't sound too impressive yet. The customer service though sounds great though.

I just went to the site for it and Chase is branding it as having "Ultimate Rewards." Well if getting only 1% cashback is considered "ultimate" than I don't even want to know what they consider regular rewards.

Did you open the Sapphire or the Sapphire Preferred? If it was the Preferred it looks like they were supposed to give you 15,000 bonus points after you spent $1,000.

jeffysdad · 09:49 AM

I wasn't going to pay the fee for the preferred. You're right about the rewards level; it stinks. I still have my Chase Freedom, which works out to about 1.8% cashback based on how I was using it. Now I'm using Fidelity Amex thru FIA for all of my spending and getting 2%.

I've learned that I was wrong to hate on FIA as much as I had been. Their website is great. All transactions appear immediately as soon as you make them, first as temp. and when they are approved they are recategorized. This shows you how much is put on hold by your gas station when you pay at pump, for instance. Since I use card website to track my spending it's nice go get up to minute info. (sorry, realize this last bit off topic).

11:38 AM	#1
jeffysdad Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 96	Chase Sappire Card Chase offered to convert my Freedom card to a Sapphire. However, I checked online and found that if I just open the Sapphire I get 10k points right off the bat, worth 100 bucks, I think they said. They don't give you the 10k points if you convert an existing account. So I applied for a Sapphire and intend to keep my Freedom card, too. Does anyone know anything more about the Sapphire card? Doesn't seem to designate (at least not on front of card) as Visa/MC/Amex, etc. Must use one of the established networks to process transactions. I wonder if merchants will be freaked out by an unfamiliar card. BTW, rebate on Sapphire is 1% except for tickets you buy through their website, then it's 2%. Not as good a deal as Chase Freedom, Amex Blue Cash, Fidelity Amex, Schwab World MC, etc. Last edited by jeffysdad : 06-17-2009 at 11:42 AM. Reason: misspelling

04:00 AM	#3
jeffysdad Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 96	Got my 10,000 points I was surprised to find that I had been awarded my 10k introductory points by Chase Sapphire with absolutely no need for a fuss on my part. They just appeared on my account page like they were supposed to. (This hasn't been my experience with Amex, btw). So I try to redeem them and their system has an error msg. processing the transaction. However, I was able to call the no. on the back of the card, speak to someone in Columbus, Ohio right away for whom English is a first language, and get my $100 check on its way to me. I was very impressed with the customer service. Still, the reward is only 1% on all spending and only 2% on air booked through their site. On customer service alone, Sapphire is my new favorite, though.

06:41 PM	#4
Mogul of Pineapples Centurion Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Where the smog from the 101 freeway coats my home's windows... Posts: 634	I've heard of the Sapphire card but the rewards didn't sound too impressive yet. The customer service though sounds great though. I just went to the site for it and Chase is branding it as having "Ultimate Rewards." Well if getting only 1% cashback is considered "ultimate" than I don't even want to know what they consider regular rewards. Did you open the Sapphire or the Sapphire Preferred? If it was the Preferred it looks like they were supposed to give you 15,000 bonus points after you spent $1,000. __________________ “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” -Warren Buffett Current Cards: American Express: Blue Cash, Simply Cash Bank of America: Visa Financial Rewards Platinum Plus Chase: Rewards Visa, Amazon Visa Discover: More Current Everyday Card: American Express Blue Cash

09:49 AM	#5
jeffysdad Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 96	I just opened the regular Sapphire... I wasn't going to pay the fee for the preferred. You're right about the rewards level; it stinks. I still have my Chase Freedom, which works out to about 1.8% cashback based on how I was using it. Now I'm using Fidelity Amex thru FIA for all of my spending and getting 2%. I've learned that I was wrong to hate on FIA as much as I had been. Their website is great. All transactions appear immediately as soon as you make them, first as temp. and when they are approved they are recategorized. This shows you how much is put on hold by your gas station when you pay at pump, for instance. Since I use card website to track my spending it's nice go get up to minute info. (sorry, realize this last bit off topic).

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06:29 PM	#2
fffresh Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the edge of the world Posts: 417	I am not familiar with the Chase Sapphire card. I went to the site and the rewards sound average at best. 1% normally and 2% on airfare booked through them. The problem here is I am sure their airfare costs more than Priceline, the airlines' websites, and so forth. The American Express membership reward programs faces the same dilemma. They may offer higher points for redemption but the price for the purchase is higher so it negates the purpose.