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Application Link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Today is the final day you’ll be able to apply online for the 100,000-point bonus offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Hopefully you’ve already applied and been approved and your card is on its way to you. So what should be your first tasks once you receive it?
Here are four “to-do” items that you’ll want to make a priority within the first few days of being a CSR cardholder.
1. Add CSR to Airline, Hotel, Uber and Seamless Accounts
With both a $300 annual travel credit and 3x points in a very generous travel and dining category, the Chase Sapphire Reserve should be the default card at every airline and hotel website where you regularly book travel. Also, add your new card to your accounts at OTA’s such as Expedia and Orbitz since travel agencies count in the travel category.
Then you’ll also want to set up the Chase Sapphire Reserve as your default card on ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft — these also count as travel under the CSR rules. And if you have a monthly bill for a commuter train pass or parking at work, you might as well earn 3x for those expenses, so make the Chase Sapphire Reserve your default card for those regular charges as well.
Finally, while the 3x dining category is a bit more straightforward, don’t forget to add your card to your account at restaurant delivery services such as Seamless. In most cases you’ll earn 3x for those purchases as well.
2. Activate Priority Pass and Rental Car Benefits
While you don’t need to wait until your card arrives to activate these perks, you definitely shouldn’t wait any longer than that. To get started with these particular CSR benefits — Priority Pass airport lounge access, and Avis, National and Silvercar discounts — you’ll need to log into your Chase account, select Ultimate Rewards, choose the account associated with your Reserve card, then select Card Benefits under the Use Points dropdown menu. From there, you’ll register for each of the benefits you wish to receive.
3. Sign Up For Global Entry/TSA PreCheck (or Gift to a Friend)
Getting through customs or airport security is one of the most dreaded parts of modern-day air travel, so use your Chase Sapphire Reserve to apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and make your trek a little easier. You’ll get the application fee waived up to $100 when using the CSR to pay for either program.
What if you’ve already got Global Entry or PreCheck? You can let a friend or family member benefit from your CSR. As long as you use your card to pay for their application, the fee will be refunded by Chase so long as you haven’t already used it on yourself or someone else.
4. Set Your Earning and Redemption Goals
Now that you’ve got the basics set, it’s time for a little long-term planning. Where do you want to go with your Ultimate Rewards points? How do you want to fly there — in a first or business-class cabin? Or would a great Hyatt property such as the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme be an exciting use of points for you? Do you think you’ll need to find award availability and transfer points or can you book the airfare or hotel directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal and get 1.5 cents per point in value?
Once you’ve figured out your goals, you can formulate your plan for earning points. Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve going to be the primary card in your wallet, or should you use it exclusively for the 3x bonus categories and put your general spend on a different card? Planning ahead will allow you to make better choices so your points balances will be adequate when you’re ready to start booking!
Bottom Line
If you haven’t already gathered from yesterday’s post, 6 Posts You Need to Read If You’re Considering Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers tremendous value. And, for as long as the 100,000-point bonus is still available (for a few more hours, at least), this card is an absolute no-brainer. If you have yet to sign up, there won’t be a better time than right now.
Source: thepointsguy.com