Spencer and Jamie break down all the major updates to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and why military families should still consider it their top travel rewards card despite the annual fee increase to $795.

Military Benefits That Make This Card a No-Brainer:

• How the Military Lending Act (MLA) waives the $795 annual fee for active duty, Guard, Reserve (on 30+ day orders), and military spouses
• Why the $300 flexible travel credit alone makes this card worth it
• How to potentially get multiple Chase Sapphire Reserve cards with fees waived on all of them

Major Card Updates:

• Enhanced earning rates: 4X points on flights and hotels booked directly (up from 3X)
• New $300 dining credit for Chase Sapphire Reserve exclusive tables
• Changes to the Chase Travel Portal: goodbye 1.5¢ per point, hello selective 2¢ "Points Boost"
• New credits: $300 StubHub, $120 DoorDash annual credit, Apple TV+ and Apple Music through 2027

Rule Changes That Open New Opportunities:

• Relaxed 5/24 rule - you might be eligible even if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months
• Modified lifetime bonus restrictions with new application screening
• Ability to hold both Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve simultaneously

Essential Military Travel Benefits:

• Primary rental car insurance (rare among credit cards)
• No foreign transaction fees for overseas assignments
• Priority Pass lounge access plus exclusive Chase Sapphire lounges
• $120 Global Entry credit every 4 years

• Episode 161: Complete military credit card benefits guide
• MLA Database: Check eligibility at MilitaryMoneyManual.com
• Learn how to Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve: MilitaryMoneyManual.com
• Credit tracking apps: Max Rewards and Card Pointers
• Multiple CSR guide: multiple Chase Sapphire Reserves military

Whether you're stationed overseas, PCSing frequently, or just want to maximize your travel rewards without paying annual fees, this episode explains why the Chase Sapphire Reserve remains the top recommendation for military families in 2025.

Bonus episode! Target is offering 10% off twice for verified military families!

Here's a quick episode were Jamie shares everything you need to know to save big during this limited-time promotion. Whether you're prepping for a move or restocking your household essentials, this discount is an easy win.

🗓️ Promo Details:

• What: 10% discount at Target—available twice
• When: June 22 through July 4 (verify in your app—some say July 5)
• Who: Military members, veterans, and eligible family members
• Where: Online, in-store, or in-app purchases

📱 How to Get Verified:

• Create a Target Circle account (free—no credit card required)
• Go to “My Target” tab → tap settings icon → select Military Verification
• Upload required documents if needed (e.g., LES, DD-214)
• Verification may be instant or take up to 24 hours

💡 Tips for Maximizing the Discount:

• Use it on big-ticket items you need anyway- don't spend extra to save 10%
• Plan around PCS season and back-to-school shopping
• Combine with:
• • Target Circle offers
  • Target RedCard (debit card version recommended) 5% discount
  • Price match (except in Alaska & Hawaii)
• Watch for Veterans Day promos in late October–mid-November

🔗 Mentioned Resources & Links:

• Target Military Discount Info
• Target Circle
• Military Status Verification Portal

The Department of Defense or any other DOD Component does not approve, endorse, or authorize this company, its products or services.

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call.

Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE!

If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com.

If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com.

I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

What do you get when you combine a passion for service, a pivot to medicine, and a mastery of money? In this episode, Army doctor Pritish Sahoo breaks down how he leveraged military programs to fund $700K in education—and built a real estate empire along the way.

Topics Covered:

• Pivot from engineering to medicine
• Navigating the HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program) and USUHS paths
• Real numbers: military pays, stipends, bonuses, and educational benefits available to military doctors
• Financial edge of military medicine vs. civilian practice
• Real estate investing as a service member: lessons, wins, and close calls
• Using the GI Bill and TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) strategically
• Building a $5M financial independence goal
• Advice for young officers and enlisted members starting their wealth journey
• How mentors and books shaped his approach to money and meaning

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Uniformed Services University (USUHS)
• HPSP Overview – Military Medicine Scholarships
• Pritish’s YouTube Channel: Pritish Sahoo
• Email Pritish: pritishsahoo50 (at) gmail . com

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call.

Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE!

If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com.

If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com.

I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.