✈️ Big Changes on Travel Cards-> My Latest Strategy

Author

Allie Rockwell
July 01, 2025

Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection of travel tips and personal stories by me, Allie→ because you’re meant to experience meaningful travel no matter life’s constraints 👊🏽

Let’s dive in.

✈︎ Travel Story


Travel Credit Cards → Turbulent Air Ahead

Like what I did with that title? 😏 I’m not here with good news, friends.

In fact, I’ve been mulling over my next moves because as a family of 4 that travels nearly full time and depends a lot on perks like lounge access and using travel card points + miles, times are shifting. But maybe it’s not all bad, maybe change is new opportunity!- Yea, let’s start there...

Here’s the down and dirty on my favorites and the changes:

🟣 Capital One Venture X

Starting Feb 2026, lounge access isn’t what it used to be:

  • Authorized users no longer get lounge access for free. It'll cost $125/year per AU to keep it.

  • Guests in Capital One Lounges will be charged: $45/adult, $25/kids (under 2 still free).

  • To unlock free guest passes again, you’ll need to spend $75,000/year—ouch.

  • Priority Pass guests will cost $35 each unless you hit that same $75K threshold.

💬 My take: Still a solid card if you mostly travel solo or as a couple, but not great news for families who counted on free guest access. Free lounge access is the MAIN reason we held this card, so I’m thinking a downgrade to this lady is in order.

🔵 Chase Sapphire Reserve

Starting June 2025, the Reserve card is getting a makeover—and a hefty price tag- but not without offering a 🔥🔥 of a welcome offer!

  • Annual fee goes from $550 → $795

  • Authorized users: $75 → $195/year

  • New perks include:

    • $500 Chase Travel hotel credit

    • $300 Reserved by Sapphire dining credit

    • $300 StubHub/Vivid Seats tickets

    • $250 Apple+ and Peloton credits

  • Boosted rewards: Up to 8x on travel, 4x direct airline/hotel, 3x dining

  • Free IHG Platinum status and continued lounge access

  • Big Big Elevated Welcome Offer for this guy 🔥🔥 and may make it worth it!

💬 My take: This is a big fee hike, but if you travel often and can actually use these credits, it might still be worth it. But for casual travelers? Maybe time to re-evaluate. I will say, the sign on bonus of 100k points is worth a look 👀 + add lounge access to it and I think this is my next card!

My strategy in all of this:

We’re planning to stay the course, but we are definitely reevaluating how we maximize benefits. We'll likely downgrade our Chase Sapphire Preferred card and jump on the Reserve train, because for us, points + lounge access = the most value in a travel credit card.

We’ll absolutely be using the $500 hotel credit, $300 travel credit and dining spend - and we’re excited to earn 8x on our upcoming travel bookings—that’s a huge boost when you’re spending on family trips.

Also, the current 100k sign-up bonus makes the first year especially appealing, and the fact that authorized users still get full Priority Pass access with guests makes this extra enticing.

Tell me- have these changes rocked your world? Any new strategies you’re testing out?

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As our time in Uruguay comes to an end, we can’t help but be filled up with gratitude for this life we’re living. Happy summer to all and onto the next adventure!

Allie & Geo