I just used the portal the other day for the first time ever to book round trip tickets to Cancun for a family of 4. Prices were the same and it was nice to cover taxes and fees too. Combined with P2s $300 travel credit, I’m out of pocket $72. This was with the CSP. That 25% bonus helped a lot. I’m out of the sapphire 48 mos rule and have 2 chase slots left. I’m downgrading CSP next month and will apply for the CSR next year. Plz keep up with the CSR videos.
For my wife and myself....... CSR and the IHG personal and business. We transfer CSR points to Hyatt, and we use IHG for ALL of our hotel stays. By concentrating, we both have top elite status with IHG and continuous upgrades and benefits.
CSR works for me and my family but I can see how it doesn’t for others. We enjoy the portal for car rentals if we’re going to use the portal. Prices have always been similar to booking direct and we’ve never had any issues. I think people just echo “never book in the portal” without doing their own research cause as always YMMV
I like the card, but I'm doing just as well with travel and dining earning without it. A decent plan B if we get a wave of nerfing. I like Hilton for their premium properties and 5th night free, IHG for mid-tier+ and 4th night free, Hyatt for high season redemptions of 3 nights or less (though the Hyatt credit card isn't necessary). Venture X for all other hotels.
I totally agree. I use the CSR exclusively as my hotel/transit card. Current setup- AMEX Plat, AMEX Gold, BBP, CSR I’m a fan of AMEX and needed a non AMEX card in my setup so I decided to go with the best card in my opinion that also covers categories I don’t currently have
Great video uncle Luke. I have the CSP, but I am looking forward to up grading to the CSR in 6 months. I have enjoyed booking hotels earning points and dining out.
Luke, thank you for the review based on this card alone. So many of the others look at it from the perspective of already having the Platinum or Venture X, and then just talking about the overlap. For me, the choice was which one of the Big 3 would be best and the CSR was the clear winner. I had the Platinum and found it just wasn't taken in enough overseas locations. When I looked at the no-brainer $300 yearly statement credit, the excellent primary CDW, purchase protection, travel protections (delays, lost baggage, etc.), Chase lounges (I fly mainly out of Boston) and UR point trifecta set-up, it was an easy choice for my situation. I do think they could tweak their benefits to really set themselves apart, but it does what I need.
Using portals can bring flexibility and good value. Very good video and information Mi Hermano! If they added something like the AMEX Platinum (Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold) maybe Hyatt and/or IHG status. Downgrading my CSR to the CSP, IMO the Venture X and Platinum are the better options.
Save this for your next live if you want, but when you buy hilton points do you use a cash back card or a travel card? How does it code? Many thanks unc
People will talk positive about the C1 VX and the value you can return towards the annual fee, requiring the use of a portal with its credit.. Yet the same group of online people will slam portal use in other systems. Also doing it right its not just 1.5. You maximize with catogory multipliers. We all know the purchase should earn minimum 1.5 and if you want the portal you can then get the power of 1.5 portal boost becoming 2.25 from your purchase.. The chase family of cards maximizing point earning catogorys if your redeeming in the portal has value over the stand alone x2 point of other systems Chase needs to make a Lyft pink beyond 2 years statement credit
Chase travel portal makes sense sometimes. I do always see higher costs but if you value UR points at 1.5c/point it could make sense. Mostly have used it for lower end properties. My one annoyance is that even tho the Chase portal lets you put in your hotel membership number when booking hotel properties, it’s never worked for me in the times I’ve done it. When I’ve checked in the hotel staff don’t see my membership number so not sure why that box is there in the portal?
Thank you, shipmate, what I love is the 10X for hotels booked via the portal, also 10X car rental and 10X on Lyft rides(this one at least good for almost 2yrs, but I believe Chase extended it.
Realistically, everyone holds some form of the Chase Trifecta, so the comparison is CSR vs CSP vs CIP. And the CSR gives Sapphire and AC lounge access, which can't be found on the other two. If you value lounge access and aren't in UR, your only other option is the Ritz Carlton (which itself is onky for Marriott enthusiasts). What would be a game changer is a Chase Ink Reserve with office supply store credits instead of DD.
Give Chase a call and see if they are offering any upgrade incentives, otherwise there really no best time to upgrade other than when CSR benefits best serve your travel plans. I get more than my af back from the CSR, but you gotta learn about the benefits/credits/multipliers, Chase is not as tricky as AMEX or underhanded as Citi with their credits/multipliers once you lean them.
@Luke's Points and Miles, unless I am mistaken, you still have to pay all regular taxes and fees, as well as destination and resort fees, if you use the Chase portal, correct? If you transfer UR points to WoH, and paid with WoH points, you would pay no taxes nor fees, which could be substantial depending on where you stay and the number of nights. It seems to me, for Hyatt, transferring points is the way to go. This is also my primary argument against using the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve for Hyatt and Hilton stays.
I have just never been a fan of this card but....I may give it a shot at some point. The Chase Lounges look pretty great, and the 1.5x portal seems like it may have some hidden gems. Thanks for the perspective Luke, always like to see how others are playing the game. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
@@LukesPointsandMiles for you it makes sense, I’d keep it. It’s the best travel card if you travel, and you definitely do more than 1 or 2 trips a year. The points earnings and benefits are too good to pass up for you.
Great video Luke. I’ve been playing around with booking hotels through AA until I hit the milestone I want (I find I can get a ton of AA Loyalty Points from hotel bookings) and then switch over to using the Chase portal.
Would be nice if United steps their portal up. And delta joins the game. JB has a good program (but poorly managed). Glad I don’t have to fly AA anymore tho.
@@newagain9964Delta Stays can be pretty good for helping you reach medallion status as rental car and hotel stays can count towards Delta MQD. It helped me reach Gold Medallion for 2025.
Personally, I love the CSR. This is my primary travel card and I earn a lot of points while on vacation. I downgraded it to the CSP and 8 hours later I upgraded it back to the CSR. It’s just too good of a card to let go.
They should have increased the dinning credit of doordash instead of giving that stupid $20 in non dinning category. I downgraded this year and will reevaluate next year if the lounges increase, I went to delta sky club in DTW and even after these strict rules, I was colliding with people over there(mind you after atlanta we have the most number of sky clubs).
Who thinks this card isn’t better then its counterparts this card I think is the best chase has the best points redemption their 300 travel credit is really really easy to use yes it has its faults but the other cards have their own issues I think value for money chase is superior to most other card companies
I’m the first comment dad
🥇
I just used the portal the other day for the first time ever to book round trip tickets to Cancun for a family of 4. Prices were the same and it was nice to cover taxes and fees too. Combined with P2s $300 travel credit, I’m out of pocket $72. This was with the CSP. That 25% bonus helped a lot. I’m out of the sapphire 48 mos rule and have 2 chase slots left. I’m downgrading CSP next month and will apply for the CSR next year. Plz keep up with the CSR videos.
@@Jussomerando677 I will have more CSR videos. It’s just an interesting card to talk about.
For my wife and myself....... CSR and the IHG personal and business. We transfer CSR points to Hyatt, and we use IHG for ALL of our hotel stays. By concentrating, we both have top elite status with IHG and continuous upgrades and benefits.
@@ronnyb9416 nice strategy!!
CSR works for me and my family but I can see how it doesn’t for others. We enjoy the portal for car rentals if we’re going to use the portal. Prices have always been similar to booking direct and we’ve never had any issues. I think people just echo “never book in the portal” without doing their own research cause as always YMMV
@@Nick-1828 I agree!!
I like the card, but I'm doing just as well with travel and dining earning without it. A decent plan B if we get a wave of nerfing. I like Hilton for their premium properties and 5th night free, IHG for mid-tier+ and 4th night free, Hyatt for high season redemptions of 3 nights or less (though the Hyatt credit card isn't necessary). Venture X for all other hotels.
@@thejokerspeaks yeah that sounds reasonable. It’s great we have so many options
The video title I never expected Uncle Luke to make 😂
@@WhatsThePoints1 ha! I try to keep an open mind to go with my big mouth.
I totally agree. I use the CSR exclusively as my hotel/transit card.
Current setup- AMEX Plat, AMEX Gold, BBP, CSR
I’m a fan of AMEX and needed a non AMEX card in my setup so I decided to go with the best card in my opinion that also covers categories I don’t currently have
@@rkla887 that’s a interesting set up. I like it
Bruhhhhh.... Modern slang Luke is best Luke
Ha!!!
Great video uncle Luke. I have the CSP, but I am looking forward to up grading to the CSR in 6 months. I have enjoyed booking hotels earning points and dining out.
The CSR is a lot more complete of a card than some folks give it credit for.
been watching since you were at 3k subscribers. keep up the good work!
@@deemee7763 appreciate you!!!
Luke, thank you for the review based on this card alone. So many of the others look at it from the perspective of already having the Platinum or Venture X, and then just talking about the overlap. For me, the choice was which one of the Big 3 would be best and the CSR was the clear winner. I had the Platinum and found it just wasn't taken in enough overseas locations. When I looked at the no-brainer $300 yearly statement credit, the excellent primary CDW, purchase protection, travel protections (delays, lost baggage, etc.), Chase lounges (I fly mainly out of Boston) and UR point trifecta set-up, it was an easy choice for my situation. I do think they could tweak their benefits to really set themselves apart, but it does what I need.
@@billd8949 nice! Yeah I would like to see maybe a hotel status or a better credit than door dash but the DD has been easy to use.
CSR for the win! Thanks for the info + video!
@@jimmyjames6492 as always, Jimmy! Thanks for stopping by!!
Got the CSR and the navy Fed flagship. Store/company cards have always seems like a waste to me. All round cards have always been the better option
@@naldofearlesstv74 love navy federal!
Using portals can bring flexibility and good value. Very good video and information Mi Hermano! If they added something like the AMEX Platinum (Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold) maybe Hyatt and/or IHG status. Downgrading my CSR to the CSP, IMO the Venture X and Platinum are the better options.
@@CesarJoel can’t disagree. I don’t think the CSR is a superior card but it has a lot going for it.
Save this for your next live if you want, but when you buy hilton points do you use a cash back card or a travel card? How does it code?
Many thanks unc
@@SantoSoldato generally I use a card I’m trying to hit the bonus one. It codes as “other”. Most points are purchased from a 3rd party
Thanks Luke. I never looked at the CSR that way. I currently have a CSP and might look into upgrading to the CSR because of the points you mentioned.
@@AntonyLawrence-h6p I think the csr is superior to the csp.
My top travel card
3x on all travel .. 1.5 points to buy travel , $300 travel credit and sweeet points to Hyatt credit
@@jaystevens9012 all good points.
People will talk positive about the C1 VX and the value you can return towards the annual fee, requiring the use of a portal with its credit.. Yet the same group of online people will slam portal use in other systems.
Also doing it right its not just 1.5. You maximize with catogory multipliers. We all know the purchase should earn minimum 1.5 and if you want the portal you can then get the power of 1.5 portal boost becoming 2.25 from your purchase.. The chase family of cards maximizing point earning catogorys if your redeeming in the portal has value over the stand alone x2 point of other systems
Chase needs to make a Lyft pink beyond 2 years statement credit
@@billwright2176 I agree. I think the anti portal stuff has been way overblown
hey luke, I think the CSR is kinda expensive after the 300 credits. Finally they are opening a Lounge in our airport next month 12/6
@@jamesyu613 most folks seem to really focus on the $300 travel credit and forget about the $300 door dash credits
I know it’s a travel card but the old pay your self back in dining 1.5x was great for me at least.
@@Polo1928-v2e yeah I don’t think I see that ever coming back.
Chase travel portal makes sense sometimes. I do always see higher costs but if you value UR points at 1.5c/point it could make sense. Mostly have used it for lower end properties.
My one annoyance is that even tho the Chase portal lets you put in your hotel membership number when booking hotel properties, it’s never worked for me in the times I’ve done it. When I’ve checked in the hotel staff don’t see my membership number so not sure why that box is there in the portal?
@@Rowdyyy_rod yeah they’ll never get your loyalty number but I’ve seen the portal cheaper than booking direct sometimes.
Thank you, shipmate, what I love is the 10X for hotels booked via the portal, also 10X car rental and 10X on Lyft rides(this one at least good for almost 2yrs, but I believe Chase extended it.
@@lewis20002000 good way to rack up a lot of ur points. Especially for a short economical stays
Great video. Never thought about booking hotels in this way!
@@Coleman-p4q thanks for watching!!
Realistically, everyone holds some form of the Chase Trifecta, so the comparison is CSR vs CSP vs CIP. And the CSR gives Sapphire and AC lounge access, which can't be found on the other two. If you value lounge access and aren't in UR, your only other option is the Ritz Carlton (which itself is onky for Marriott enthusiasts).
What would be a game changer is a Chase Ink Reserve with office supply store credits instead of DD.
Chase only good for a Cpl cobranded cards. And inks…if u can get them now. Lolz
🤣
I agree. A chase business ink reserve would be very nice.
Great strategy! I make due to watch every one of your videos bc your sheets have heat insights. Go Bucks!
@@funny2thag oh-io!!
I have been thinking about upgrading from the CSP. Is there a best time to upgrade, or any double dip opportunities?
@@887363 not really. The $300 resets on the card year.
Give Chase a call and see if they are offering any upgrade incentives, otherwise there really no best time to upgrade other than when CSR benefits best serve your travel plans. I get more than my af back from the CSR, but you gotta learn about the benefits/credits/multipliers, Chase is not as tricky as AMEX or underhanded as Citi with their credits/multipliers once you lean them.
@Luke's Points and Miles, unless I am mistaken, you still have to pay all regular taxes and fees, as well as destination and resort fees, if you use the Chase portal, correct? If you transfer UR points to WoH, and paid with WoH points, you would pay no taxes nor fees, which could be substantial depending on where you stay and the number of nights. It seems to me, for Hyatt, transferring points is the way to go. This is also my primary argument against using the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve for Hyatt and Hilton stays.
Yes. I wasn’t suggesting booking Hyatt through the portal. I was suggesting that the portal might have equal value to a Hyatt point in some instances.
@@LukesPointsandMiles Oh, okay. My mistake. Sorry about that.
I have just never been a fan of this card but....I may give it a shot at some point. The Chase Lounges look pretty great, and the 1.5x portal seems like it may have some hidden gems. Thanks for the perspective Luke, always like to see how others are playing the game. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
@@PhilMo78 thanks Phil! I still haven’t decided if I’ll keep the CSR.
@@LukesPointsandMiles for you it makes sense, I’d keep it. It’s the best travel card if you travel, and you definitely do more than 1 or 2 trips a year. The points earnings and benefits are too good to pass up for you.
@@L-Man-Gaming I think the lounge access is getting pretty good too.
Not csr related but i did do a redemption for conrad punta de mita after that recent hilton xfer bonus and ended up getting 3cpp
@@SantoSoldato oh wow. You’re killing it!! I have a Hilton video coming out Monday!!
@ i probably wont be the first to like/comment. But i wont be the last either
I have the Amex Platinum. I keeping it for lounge access but I wish they gave 3X on dining though.
@@Polo1928-v2e I gave up on the platinum but there may be a reason to get it again one day
Meh. Plenty of cards with that trick. But what card can do what play does? My Amex offers alone far better than Chase cap1 etc
the GOH and SUA awards make Hyatt redemptions overall unbeatable. My $185 room got upgraded to a $620 Suite!
@@madbreakers5853 nice! I’ve used GOH before and received absolutely nothing. Haha
Can you use GOH and SUA with Hyatt hotels book through the CSR?
@ I don’t think you can apply a GOH when booking through the portal.
@ I don’t think so. Only one I know of Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts you can use both benefits and they will give whichever is better.
The 10x on hotels are a banger of a deal to really collect those ur points
@@chaz4867 100%
Great video Luke. I’ve been playing around with booking hotels through AA until I hit the milestone I want (I find I can get a ton of AA Loyalty Points from hotel bookings) and then switch over to using the Chase portal.
@@ShaneHenn25 AA hotels is a great technique for sure
Would be nice if United steps their portal up. And delta joins the game. JB has a good program (but poorly managed). Glad I don’t have to fly AA anymore tho.
@@newagain9964Delta Stays can be pretty good for helping you reach medallion status as rental car and hotel stays can count towards Delta MQD. It helped me reach Gold Medallion for 2025.
Yes Sir! Happy weekend and Go Bengals! 🏈
@@caribdude8151 who Dey babay!!
I like to get my AF as close to net 0 as possible. thats what kills the CSR for me.
@@Boxerexp yeah - although if you can use door dash it’s pretty easy to get an additional $300 to go with the $300 travel credit.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is the best hotel card.
@@yurig2530 that’s an interesting take.
Personally, I love the CSR. This is my primary travel card and I earn a lot of points while on vacation. I downgraded it to the CSP and 8 hours later I upgraded it back to the CSR. It’s just too good of a card to let go.
I agree. It’s a big league card.
@@LukesPointsandMiles I think so. Plus, when I had the CSP I never used it. It stayed in the sock drawer. The CSR gets used constantly.
@@biancas808CSP is so weak.
They should have increased the dinning credit of doordash instead of giving that stupid $20 in non dinning category. I downgraded this year and will reevaluate next year if the lounges increase, I went to delta sky club in DTW and even after these strict rules, I was colliding with people over there(mind you after atlanta we have the most number of sky clubs).
@@gearhead1308 yeah the state of the lounges is pretty bad right now.
Csr is the best all around premium travel card been saying this for a while now
It is definitely a great card.
Who thinks this card isn’t better then its counterparts this card I think is the best chase has the best points redemption their 300 travel credit is really really easy to use yes it has its faults but the other cards have their own issues I think value for money chase is superior to most other card companies
@@mohsin2397 it’s definitely competitive
Second Uncle. Visit Vietnam!
@@tdo2952 🥈
CSR is just not good as long as the preferred exists
@@L-Man-Gaming oof. That’s a tough one. I like the CSP at all. It’s just a necessary evil