It’s no secret that you need to strike while the iron is hot.  If you’re looking to earn more points towards a future Umrah trip (or really any trip for that matter), you’ve got three new chances from Chase bank.  But they aren’t exactly no-brainers, and a lot has changed as far as eligibility.  Here’s three reasons why you should consider them beyond the most obvious one: 75K – 200K points signup bonuses.

*When applying through my referral link, please use a new browser window.  Don’t log in, if prompted and apply as a guest.  That’s how it credits it back to me, appreciate the support!*

The Offers

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Earn 75k points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.  Annual fee is $95.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Earn 100k points + $500 Chase Travel promo credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.  Annual fee is $795.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – Earn 200K points after spending $30,000 in the first 6 months.  Annual fee is $795.

Here’s what key to remember: it’s not just about 5/24 status and the 48-month rule anymore.  While you can hold both personal Sapphire products at the same, there is now some interesting lifetime language to be aware of.

Here’s the verbiage from Chase’s website:

“This credit card is unavailable to you if you currently have one open.  The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you currently have any other personal Sapphire cards open, previously held this card or received a new cardmember bonus for this card.  We may also consider the number of cards you have opened and closed, as as well as other factors in determining your bonus eligibility.”

Vague much?

Nevertheless, this is a great time to grab any of these high offers if you don’t currently have either personal Sapphire product, nor ever held one.  If you have high enough expenses to meet the minimum spend on the new business card, that could a great option to earn a lot of points towards future travel.

You can read more on these, and all the best card offers here.

Why You Should Consider Them (Even With Annoying New Credits + Increased Annual Fees)

A card is always worth it for the first year because of the welcome offer you receive after meeting the minimum spend.  But here’s what else these cards bring to the table that can make an Umrah trip smoother, and more feasible.

1 – Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offer $300 travel credits.  This credit is easier to use, than let’s say the $300 travel credit that comes with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.  With the Venture X, the travel credit has to be used in the bank’s travel portal and is applied at checkout.  With the respective Chase cards, the travel credit is automatically applied when you have an eligible travel purchase.  You don’t need to activate it or book through the bank’s portal.  Just use your card for the expense, and the credit will be applied as a statement credit within the next couple of billing cycles.

Chase includes the following types of merchants in its travel category:

• Airlines
• Hotels & motels
• Timeshares
• Car rental agencies
• Cruise lines
• Travel agencies
• Discount travel sites
• Campgrounds
• Operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways
• Parking lots and garages

Keep in mind though, that not all travel-related purchases will count as travel for Chase.

Why does it matter?

Example 1: If you’re taking the Haramain High Speed Railway between Makkah and Madinah, this can fall under the category of passenger trains and buses.  You could use your respective Sapphire card to pay for the expense, and then in return, trigger the credit.  This can help you save money, and cover that cost, especially if you are traveling with a family.

(For reference, I used Capital One miles to cover one-way train tickets for 4 for our fall 2024 family Umrah trip.)

Example 2: You need to book a 1-way flight from Istanbul to Jeddah.  This credit could help cover some, or all of this expense (depending upon how many people are with you).  Itineraries are different for everyone, and if you choose a similar one – you have this option to help cover those flight expenses.

(I used Capital One miles to cover 1-way flights for 4 from Istanbul to Jeddah, and then Madinah back to Istanbul, separately.)

Example 3:  You booked a boutique hotel (in cash) in one of the holy cities that’s not part of a major loyalty program.  You’d like to cut down that cost.  This expense can fall under “hotels & motels,” and is another option for how the credit could be triggered.

I’d most likely use this $300 travel credit to help cover train tickets between Makkah and Madinah, since you’re asking what I would do.  That’s because I would use points and miles to cover my airfare and hotel stays 😉

2 – Lounge Access For You & Two Guests Free Of Charge

I live in DFW, and the first Capital One Lounge opened here.  The recent news of Capital One changing lounge access policies, and eliminating free lounge access for guests of Venture X cardholders hit me hard, especially as a family of 5.

You can read the new Capital One Lounge policies that go into effect from February 1, 2026, here.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ both include access to any Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with two complimentary guests.  You also receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership which opens the door to 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

I recently visted the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club LGA at LaGuardia Airport – it’s really nice!

While it won’t cover families of 4+, it’s more generous than what Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will allow starting February 2026.  This is another comparable premium card to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.  (Venture X does come with a lower annual fee though.)

Priority Pass access will help you get into international lounges.  The iGA Lounge in Istanbul, Turkey -a Priority Pass lounge – is a great option if you’re flying through Turkey on your way to Jeddah.  You can stop to rest, pray, grab a bit to eat, and most importantly, shower and change into your ihram before you start your journey.  (I’ve gone through this lounge for the past 3 years for the purpose of Umrah.  It’s been very help for praying, changing into our ihrams, and catching a breather.)

3 – Travel Booked Through Chase Travel Now Earns 8x/$1

For starters, transferring your partners to Chase’s airline and hotel partners (14 total) will generally always get you the best value for your points.  Booking direct with an airline or hotel will cost you less in points, and taxes and fees.  (Portals generally ask for more points, and often additional taxes on top of that.)  Not to mention, changes/cancellations are easier to deal with when booking directly with an airline or hotel, as opposed to through 3rd party portals.

But if you’re someone who likes to book in bank portals, because that’s just what works for you – you’re in luck.  Travel booked through Chase Travel now earns 8x point on all Chase Travel purchases, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.

For reference, it used to be 5x/$1 spent.  In comparison, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card currently offers 5x/$1 spent on travel booked in Capital One Travel.

If you want to book flights or hotel stays for Umrah in cash, you’ll now earn 8x/$1 spent on both Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠.  This is a great way to maximize this purchase if done in cash, and earn a lot of points for future travel (that can hopefully be booked on points).

Related:  Why Business Cards Need To Be In Your Award Travel Strategy

Before you overlook these cards for high annual fees (trust me, I find the new lifestyle and experience credits slightly annoying too), consider these factors.  You can easily keep any of these cards for the first year; the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one I’d recommending keeping past the first year though.  You do need a Sapphire product to be able to combine your points into, and transfer them to airline and hotel partners.  After the first year, you can downgrade to a no-fee option if you don’t feel you can justify the high annual fee and/or aren’t making use of all the credits on the respective card(s).

Another way to think about it is this:  If you were to book Umrah travel in cash, will you spend more than $795 for booking travel?  Yes, without a doubt.  Why not get a card (and keep it for atleast the first year), and then redeem those points earned for flights and/or hotel stays?  The value you get from those points will be much, more more than $795 – because you’ll (ideally) transfer them to travel partners.

You can see more here on how I booked our fall 2024 Umrah trip for just $500 out-of-pocket for flights, hotel stays, and one-way transport from Makkah to Madinah.

With some strategy, you can grab one of these elevated offers now!  Future heavily-discounted Umrah trip, here you come, Insha’Allah (God-Willing).

You can check out more blog posts here on how to save money on booking Umrah travel.

 

Umrah is achievable for thousands of dollars less!

For more in-depth information, check out A Guide to Umrah on Points & Miles that I’ve created that walks you through:

• How to search for award flight availability (economy seats) from the U.S., on popular routes to Jeddah & Madinah
• How to search for award flight availability on partner airlines for airlines in the same airline alliance, with video walkthroughs on both
• How to book hotel stays on points, in the 4 major hotel loyalty programs
• What cards are best for hotel stays & flights, as well as thinking through card lifecycles
• How to cover other travel-related costs (such as transportation between the 2 holy cities) that isn’t booked directly using points/miles (like airfare & hotel stays)
• What “free breakfast” means in each of the major hotel loyalty programs, and how to get that perk
• How to stay organized in award travel with the TravelFreely App

I’ve also spent thousands of dollars to go to Umrah with my family, and I know the feeling of planning and saving up.  With points and miles, the journey is closer and more attainable than you think.