Panoramic Research began compiling data on the top credit cards in January 2021 using our unique methodology. The Credit Card Value Index takes four factors into account when calculating the value of credit cards: rewards, fees, acquisition bonuses, and benefits.
Each month, we calculate the scores for the four components to develop a single CCVI score. While the Sapphire Reserve Card has consistently ranked in the top five credit cards, new benefits and more generous accelerated rewards on travel and dining booked through Ultimate Rewards helped propel it to the top spot in the latest update. The card closely competes with American Express' Platinum Card and U.S. Bank's Altitude Reserve Infinite card.
The Numbers
Based on our spend analysis, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn $2,637 over two years. This compares to $1,998 in potential rewards earnings for U.S. Bank's Altitude Reserve card and $1,965 over two years on the Platinum Card. These estimates are based on the CCVI spending model and include any card acquisition bonuses.
What Helped Sapphire Reserve
The CCVI score for Sapphire Reserve jumped in August as a result of increases in the rewards and benefits score components.
The card added accelerated earnings for travel and dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards. Cardholders now earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Ultimate Rewards, as well as 10x points on dining booked through the issuer's rewards platform. The rewards index component went up more than 60 points from the previous month as a result of these increases.
The benefits component also increased slightly with the addition of a couple of new benefits. Despite the new benefits on Sapphire Reserve, the Platinum Card still carries a higher benefits index component score — it added an annual credit for CLEAR, which supplements Global Entry/PreCheck coverage.
Sapphire Reserve has a lower annual fee than the Platinum Card while offering several similar benefits, which contributes to its strong overall CCVI position.
A Milestone
Sapphire Reserve is the first card with a combined index score of more than 300 since Amex's Delta SkyMiles Reserve card hit the mark in May.