Chase Dining Experiences: Are They Worth It?

Chase Sapphire bank cards are likely to get all of the glory for factors that may be redeemed for journey. However more and more, Chase factors can fund extra than simply flights and accommodations.

With Chase Experiences and J.P. Morgan Chase’s 2021 acquisition of the restaurant web site The Infatuation, cardholders now have entry to unique invites to distinctive experiences, lots of that are associated to eating.

That features occasions such because the “Dinner on the Court docket” collection, the place Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers who purchased tickets utilizing both money or Chase Final Rewards® factors bought to eat dinner on the court docket of San Francisco’s Chase Heart, residence of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. I attended the occasion as a part of a complimentary press invitation to see what these particular eating experiences are like. My mission? To search out out whether or not it’s price spending your money or factors on them.

Chase Eating vs. Chase Experiences

Chase Eating and Chase Experiences go hand in hand, although there are some nuances.

Chase Eating launched in 2020 as a hub for Chase Sapphire, Freedom and Ink cardmembers. Powered by reservation web site Tock, this system permits cardmembers to make reservations at taking part eating places and order takeout. Cardmembers can even redeem factors for his or her meals orders.

Whereas all cardmembers earn rewards for purchases made by way of Chase Eating, cardholders earn an eye-opening charge of 10 factors for every $1 spent on Chase Eating purchases.

Chase Experiences, then again, is a number of occasions obtainable completely to cardholders. Examples embody presale or VIP tickets to sports activities occasions, music or meals festivals. These tickets nonetheless value cash, however you possibly can often pay in money or factors.

There are additionally complimentary experiences for sure Chase cardholders. For instance, all Chase cardholders get entry to expedited entry traces at some occasions, however Chase Sapphire Reserve® members get unique lounge entry at occasions just like the PGA Championship or Broccoli Metropolis Pageant 2024 in Washington, D.C. The air-conditioned lounges at sizzling and crowded summer season occasions is usually a beneficial reprieve for attendees.

The way to get entry to unique Chase occasions

Probably the most unique occasions often require a Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which instructions a $550 annual payment. Its present sign-up bonus is: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That is $900 towards journey whenever you redeem by way of Chase Journey℠.

Chase’s Dinner on the Court docket collection, for instance, was open solely to individuals with a Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Are Chase Experiences price reserving?

Occasions differ in high quality and value, so it’ll rely in your preferences to resolve whether or not Chase Experiences and Chase Eating occasions are price it. The Dinner on the Court docket I attended was notably memorable given the movie star appearances, customized presents and first-of-its-kind alternative to dine on Chase Heart’s court docket.

Dinner on the Court docket is a set of eating occasions held at a few of the nation’s well-known basketball venues, together with State Farm Area in Atlanta and Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. The San Francisco model of the occasion value $300 or 30,000 Chase factors, whereas the variations within the different two cities value $250 or 25,000 Chase factors.

About 100 individuals attended the Chase Heart occasion. Friends consumed courtside cocktails earlier than munching on a meal from Michelin-starred restaurant Mister Jiu’s. Although the dishes served didn’t mirror the restaurant’s commonplace menu, Mister Jiu’s costs usually begin at $125 per particular person (earlier than drinks, add-ons, taxes and ideas) for its tasting menu. At Mister Jiu’s, the wine pairing prices an extra $100, whereas the Dinner on the Court docket occasion included alcohol on the open bar.

Positive, the meals wasn’t fairly as much as par with what you’ll get on the Mister Jiu’s restaurant. However contemplating it was cooked in an enviornment kitchen, that felt considerably anticipated. The meals had been nonetheless high-quality with components like razor clams because the star of the primary course, and tender braised beef shank for one of many two principal programs.

The occasion marked the primary time a proper dinner had been served on the ground of Chase Heart. In what was a Warriors fan’s fantasy, individuals might ogle the staff’s championship trophies up shut and meet guard Chris Paul. Attendees additionally walked away with a swag bag that included a Mister Jiu’s cookbook (price about $22), a monogrammed Mark and Graham bag (price about $200) and a customized jersey with their title on the again (price about $100).

In whole, between the dinner and presents, I’d estimate the expertise was price over about $450, so it was nice worth for foodies and Warriors followers, regardless of whether or not you paid money or factors.

If you happen to’re not a lot of a sports activities fan, different food-focused Chase occasions embody dinner at New York seafood restaurant Jeffrey’s Grocery for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders. For $125 or 8,333 factors, you will get a multicourse meal with alcohol pairings, plus an look by Government Chef Matt Griffin.

Chase additionally often provides particular offers for EEEEEATSCON, an annual meals pageant by The Infatuation. For the 2024 pageant in Miami, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card cardholders bought a 50% low cost on presale tickets. Take into account, although, that critiques are blended for large occasions like EEEEEATSCON; some individuals love the movie star appearances and bites and others suppose the lengthy traces and entrance payment aren’t price it.

Reserving Chase eating experiences: Yay or nay?

Some Chase Experiences are a novel alternative to purchase a ticket to an occasion that most people can’t entry.

My expertise with Dinner on the Court docket means that some experiences (particularly the unique Chase ones) are price your money and time. Given the blended critiques on a few of the larger festivals or eating places, e book Chase experiences and VIP packages with the information that your mileage might differ.