Chase Neelam Reserve® (Look Rates and fees) Long -term points have been a top -level travel card for enthusiasts, its flexible awards, liberal travel safety and comprehensive transfer is precious for the partner network. But with it A suit of recent changesMany cardholders are now reconsidered whether it is still the right fit for their wallet, including a significant annual fee and an overhaul of some benefits.
By June 2025, the annual fee of the Neelam Reserve has increased from $ 550 to $ 795, making it one of the most expensive consumer travel cards on the market. The authorized user fee has also gone from $ 75 to $ 195, and the chase is replacing 50% redemption boost (when using the digits through the chase travel) for a long time. New points boost programHowever, existing card holders will receive a two -year grace period before the switch is effective.
During this grace period (October 26, till 2027), existing card holders will get the best value between automatically promoting points and promoting their 50% redemption.
Everything is not changing, though: popular benefits like $ 300 Annual Travel CreditGlobal Entry/TSA Prechec/Nexus Credit, Priority Pass Lounge Access and Best-in-Class Travel Protection.
For some passengers, these new benefits can add meaningful values. But for others, especially those who do not spend enough to trigger new allowances or mainly roast through the chase journey, mathematics can no longer work in favor of the reserve.
If you are re -evaluation of your wallet strategy, here are five strong options that can suit your needs and style of spending.
Connected: Chase Neelam Reserve Change: New Earning Rate, More details for a high annual fee
If you want to live with chase
If you are not ready to leave the chase ecosystem, you can still access the valuable transfer partners of the chase without the heavy annual fee.
Chase sapphire favorite card
Annual Fee: $ 95
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If you still want to pursue the final awards, but the $ 795 price tag of the Neelam Reserve can not be right, Chase Neelam Favorites That (Look Rates and fees) There is a great option, and one of our favorite is overall Travel card Here in TPG.

This is the card I use the most in my wallet – thanks, in part, for this Lack of foreign transaction fees – And I personally advise friends and family who want flexible points, great travel price and a proper annual fee.
With Neelam favorite, you will earn 5 points per dollar spent on traveling through chase travel, 3 marks spent on dining, 2 marks spent on all other travels and 1 point spent on all other purchases.
While it lacks some lounge access such as lounge access, it still gives a ton price for the price, which is ideal for travelers who want to earn and use. Final award point Without pressure to maximize high-end benefits. If you still love chase ecosystem, but want something more cost effective, then this card is really difficult to defeat.
Connected: Does this understand both Chase Neelam to prefer and reserve?
How to downgrade chase sapphire reserve
If you want to switch to another chase card with a favorite sapphire, you can request a product change by calling the number behind your card or sending a safe message through your chase account.
Popular downgrade options include the above sapphire preferred (which retains point transfer abilities) and include Chase freedom unlimited® (Look Rates and fees), A no-nual-fee option that earns 1.5% cash and keeps your points alive.

It is generally recommended to downgrade instead of canceling to preserve the age of your account, Avoid possible dip in your credit score And keep access to your points. Just make sure that your account is at least 12 months old, as the chase usually does not allow product changes before.
Connected: When can you downgrade your credit card?
If you want a premium travel card
If you are still chasing the airport lounge, luxury allowances and travel credits – then just not at the new $ 795 price point of the reserve – these other Premium travel card Can offer better value. Both come with strong safety and travel-centered benefits, but at a very low annual fee.
Platinum Card from American Express
Annual Fee: $ 695 (See) Rates and fees,

With the new $ 795 price tag of the Neelam Reserve, Platinum Card® to American Express Now less expensive, and is still full of luxury allowances.
You will get Amex’s global lounge collection, $ 200 in annual airline fee credit for a qualified airline of your choice, $ 200 in Uber Cash in Uber Cash and $ 19 in Clear Plus Credit, as well as up to 5 points spent on flights spent with 5 points per dollar or $ 500,000 on American Express Travel®. Just note: Many benefits are monthly and require enrollment; Conditions apply.
*Uber Cash will only be deposited in an Uber account when you add Amax Platinum as a payment method and roast with any amax card.
Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card
Annual Fee: $ 395
If you love the premium allowances of the Neelam Reserve, but you are looking for a more simple, cost -effective option, then you want to consider Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card,
Like the Neelam Reserve, Venture ex -airport provides together with lounge access (including Priority Pass, Capital One Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge) together $ 300 annual travel loan For travel booking through Capital One Travel. With low annual fees and low complex points earning structure, Venture X offers a more streamlined travel award experience.
However, it is important to note that starting from February 1, 2026, additional venture X card holders (including authorized users and account managers) Now you do not get a lounge accessPrimary card holders can add lounge access to additional card holders accounts by paying $ 125 per card.

By comparison, the sapphire allows the reserve card holders Bring two guests for free Chase Neelam Lounge and Priority Pass Lounge, with additional guests, is $ 27 fee per trip. This gives the reserve a slight edge when it comes to lounge access, especially if you often travel with others.
When it comes to earning rates, while the Neelam Reserve earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and food, Venture X saves 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, as well as an impressive is booked through an impressive 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rented cars. Capital a visit,
Add to 10,000 bonus miles annually (available through the Capital One Portal) and no-nuel-fees authorized user, and Venture X packs incredible price for continuous travelers that want premium benefits without a huge annual fee. According to our July 2025 evaluationThe price of those 10,000 miles is around $ 185.

Overall, with comparable allowances and more affordable annual fees, Venture x There is an attractive option for those who want a simple, Premium travel card It still gives concrete value.
Connected: Best Premium Credit Card: A side-by-side comparison
If you want premium hotel benefits
The Neelam Reserve is a Go-Two for passengers who have received a long-standing wide travel award, Airport lounge access And flexible redemption. But a growing annual fee and its many best allowances are heavy tilt towards general trip instead of hotel-specific benefits, you can look for a more targeted value, especially if you live continuously with a hotel brand.
Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card
Annual Fee: $ 550
As far as premium hotel cards go, Hilton likes a lot about Aspire Amex. When deviating from the sapphire reserve in terms of earned flexible points, it offers solid aristocrats and ongoing values that you can use every year, especially if the Hilton Hotel is already part of your journey (or may).
Card provides automatic Hilton’s top level diamond position Every year a free night reward (one second after spending $ 30,000) and up to $ 400 in the annual Hilton Resort Statement Credit. If you live in Hilton Properties only once or twice a year, it can compensate for the fee alone.
In addition, like the Neelam Reserve, the priority in the aspire includes the lounge access and airline contingent fee credit of the selected airport from the priority, which gives some travel allowances beyond the hotel. But its actual value is clear that the position of the hotel and luxury migration allows more than the transferable points or flexible redemption for the allowances.
Connected: Best Hotel Credit Card

If you want the top award on food
If the food benefits of the chase Neelam Reserve were a major draw for you, I have good news: there is another card that makes it even better.
American Express Gold Card
Annual Fee: $ 325 (See) Rates and fees,
Reserve has long been a favorite for food, thanks to the earnings of $ 3 spent on dining. But American Express® Gold Card Card one-up it with 4 points spent on restaurants worldwide (including takeouts and delivery, up to $ 50,000 per year, then 1 point after dollar) and 4 points per dollar US supermarket (up to $ 25,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar).

With Amex Gold, you will earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or MXTREVL.com (a good node for travel expenses), up to $ 120 in dining credit and up to $ 120 in Uber Cash, annual* It is a top pick for someone, which is a top pick for someone, which is a top pick for someone, Spending is more focused on spending instead airport lounge,
*Uber Cash will only be deposited in an Uber account when you add Amax Platinum as a payment method and roast with any amax card.
Connected: Best Dining Credit Card of July 2025
Ground level
Sapphire reserve Still provides tremendous value for travelers that can do Maximize your allowances – And some new benefits can appeal to those who often book through chase travel or spend heavy in categories. But now with the annual fee at $ 795, it is worth assuring whether the card aligns with your current lifestyle.
Whether you are watching Be loyal to chaseSwitch to a more affordable premium card or choose for something better for yourself Travel Or Meal Habits, there is no shortage of strong options. The best card is one that provides the most value for you, and with these changes in the Neelam Reserve, now can be a great time to find the right fit.
Connected: Why am I keeping my chase sapphire reserve – even with its pricier $ 795 annual fee
For the rates and fees of Amax Platinum, please click Here,
For the rates and fees of Amax Gold, please click Here,