A big Sapphire welcome offer is enough to send points and miles enthusiasts straight to Chase’s application page! But before you hit the submit button, there’s one important question to ask: Are you actually eligible for the bonus?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Chase’s Sapphire rules have changed over the years, and many travelers are still operating under outdated assumptions. Some who think they’re ineligible may qualify, while others might be surprised to learn they don’t.

Here’s what you need to know about Chase’s current Sapphire eligibility rules and how to determine if you can earn a new Sapphire welcome bonus.

 

Current Sapphire Offers Make Eligibility More Important Than Ever

There’s a good reason to figure this out sooner rather than later. Chase’s Sapphire cards are currently offering some of the most attractive welcome bonuses we’ve seen in quite some time, so eligible applicants have an opportunity to earn a fat stack of Chase Ultimate Rewards® from a single card application.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

 

Chase’s 5/24 Policy and Timing Rules

Before worrying about Sapphire-specific rules, you’ll need to clear Chase’s infamous 5/24 hurdle. The 5/24 rule means Chase will deny your application if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks during the past 24 months. It doesn’t matter if those cards are from Chase, American Express, Capital One, or any other issuer. If you’ve opened too many new accounts recently, you’re unlikely to be approved for a Sapphire card. (Although, occasionally, we’ve been surprised.)

Business cards from most issuers typically don’t count toward your 5/24 total once approved, though there are notable exceptions, such as some of the Capital One Business cards. 

If you’re unsure of your 5/24 status, you can review your credit report or make a list of the personal credit cards you’ve opened during the past two years. (The Travel Freely app is our go-to for keeping track of this.)

Related: Do I Really Need To Worry About the Chase 5/24 Rule?

Another timing consideration is Chase’s unofficial 2/30 rule. While it’s not a published policy, many applicants report that Chase limits approvals to two credit cards within a rolling 30-day period. If you’ve recently opened multiple Chase cards, you may want to wait before submitting another application.

 

Can You Have More Than One Sapphire Card?

For years, Chase restricted cardholders to a single Sapphire-branded card. If you had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you couldn’t also hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Thank goodness that’s not the case anymore.

Today, eligible applicants can hold both Sapphire cards. This change opened the door for many cardholders who were stuck with just one card while the rule was in place. However, being able to hold both cards doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify for a welcome bonus on both cards. That’s where Chase’s bonus-eligibility rules come into play.

 

The New Sapphire Bonus Rules

The biggest factor determining whether you’re eligible for a Sapphire welcome bonus is your history with that specific card. Under Chase’s current rules, cardholders are generally not eligible to receive a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card if they’ve previously earned a welcome bonus on that same product.

In other words, bonus eligibility is now tied to the specific Sapphire card rather than the Sapphire family as a whole.

For example, someone who previously earned a bonus on the Sapphire Preferred may still be eligible for a Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus. Likewise, a Sapphire Reserve cardholder who has never received a Sapphire Preferred bonus may qualify for that offer.

The easiest way to think about the current rules is this:

• Never received a Sapphire Preferred bonus? You may be eligible for one.
• Never received a Sapphire Reserve bonus? You may be eligible for one.
• Previously received the bonus on that exact card? You’re generally not eligible to earn it again.

 

Does Being an Authorized User Matter?

Many readers might worry that being an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card will prevent them from earning their own bonus. In most cases, it won’t.

Authorized users don’t receive welcome bonuses when they’re added to an account. Because of that, being an authorized user on your spouse’s Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, for example, shouldn’t affect your eligibility for a bonus on your own Sapphire card.

However, authorized-user accounts can sometimes show up on your credit report and count toward your 5/24 total. If Chase denies your application because of an authorized-user account, you may be able to call and explain that you aren’t financially responsible for that account and ask for it to be disregarded.

 

 

Common Sapphire Bonus Eligibility Scenarios

Still unsure where you stand? Here are a few common situations.

I Currently Have a Sapphire Preferred. Can I Get a Sapphire Reserve?

Potentially, yes. Because Chase now allows cardholders to hold both Sapphire products, many Sapphire Preferred cardholders can apply for Sapphire Reserve.

Whether you’ll qualify for the welcome bonus depends largely on whether you’ve previously earned a Sapphire Reserve bonus.

I Currently Have a Sapphire Reserve. Can I Get a Sapphire Preferred?

Again, potentially yes. Holding a Sapphire Reserve no longer prevents you from applying for the Sapphire Preferred. If you’ve never received a Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus, you may be eligible.

I Had Sapphire Preferred Years Ago. Can I Earn Another Bonus?

Probably not if you previously earned a welcome bonus on that card.

Under Chase’s current rules, bonus eligibility is tied to the specific Sapphire product. Even if you closed the card years ago, a previous Sapphire Preferred bonus generally makes you ineligible for another Sapphire Preferred welcome offer.

I Downgraded My Sapphire Card. Am I Eligible Again?

Not necessarily.

Downgrading can make you eligible to apply for another Sapphire card, but it doesn’t erase your bonus history. If you’ve already earned the welcome bonus on a particular Sapphire product, downgrading won’t reset eligibility.

I’m an Authorized User on My Spouse’s Sapphire Card. Can I Apply for My Own?

Yes. Authorized-user status shouldn’t prevent you from applying for your own Sapphire card or earning a welcome bonus.

I’ve Never Had a Sapphire Card Before. Which One Should I Get?

That depends on your travel habits and willingness to pay an annual fee. Many beginners start with Sapphire Preferred because of its lower annual fee and strong travel rewards. Frequent travelers who can maximize premium benefits may find the Sapphire Reserve more valuable.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

 

How To Check Your Eligibility Before Applying

If you’re considering a Sapphire application, take a few minutes to answer these questions:

• Am I under Chase’s 5/24 limit?
• Have I ever received a welcome bonus on the Sapphire card I’m applying for?
• Am I applying for a Sapphire product I’ve never held before?
• Is my credit profile strong enough to support a new application?

If the answers line up in your favor, there’s a good chance you’re in a strong position to apply.

And if you’re still unsure whether you qualify for a Sapphire welcome bonus, Chase now provides an answer before you complete your application. Applicants who aren’t eligible for a welcome offer should see a pop-up message explaining that they won’t receive the bonus and offering the option to withdraw their application. 

 

Bottom Line

Chase’s Sapphire eligibility rules have evolved significantly in recent years, and many travelers are still operating under outdated information. While approval is never guaranteed, the rules are generally more flexible than they once were.

The key question isn’t whether you’ve ever had a Sapphire card. It’s whether you’ve previously earned the welcome bonus on the specific Sapphire card you’re applying for. Understanding that distinction can help you avoid unnecessary applications and determine whether you’re eligible for a valuable new Sapphire bonus.

 

Related Posts

All About Credit Card Authorized Users

Podcast 186. Three New Welcome Offers: Which One Is Best for You?

Review of the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston