If you are an authorized user on someone else’s site Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you may be wondering if that affects your ability to open your own account and, more importantly, if you can still get the welcome offer.
The good news is that being an authorized user does not automatically prevent you from applying for the Sapphire Preferred or earning its welcome offer, as long as you comply with Current Chase Bonus Eligibility Rules. This is especially encouraging given that Chase is currently offering new Sapphire Preferred cardholders a solid welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
If you transfer your points to a Chase airline or hotel partnersThe value of this bonus is up to $1,538, according to our December 2025 report ratings.
Here’s what you need to know about Sapphire Preferred eligibility.
Can I open Sapphire Preferred if I am an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card?
The short answer is yes. You do not open your own individual line of credit when you are added as authorized user on a card.
The primary cardholder is the owner of the credit associated with the account. So in the eyes of the issuer, this is the only person who technically “has” the card. Because of this, you do not “have” the card and are eligible to get your own.
You also do not need to remove yourself as an authorized user to request your own card. This can be an important consideration, since your credit score may be affected if deleted from a long-standing account that anchors the average age of your accounts.
If you have any problems with your application after being an authorized user on someone else’s card, it’s worth calling Chase. reconsideration line to explain your situation to a customer service representative.
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However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind when it comes to applying for any Chase card. Additionally, Sapphire cards come with some specific stipulations of their own. Let’s examine these application rules to see if they might affect your application.
Related: As an authorized user, can I open my own account for the same card?
Sapphire Preferred Application Rules
Chase has two nuanced application rules that could affect your ability to get the Preferred sapphireIt’s a welcome offer, so it’s important to understand how they work before you apply.
Chase’s 24/5 Rule
the infamous Follow the 5/24 rule prevents anyone who has opened five or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months from being approved for a new Chase card.
With the exception of some business cardsEvery card you have successfully applied for in the last 24 months counts against this rule. You must be less than 5/24 to be approved for a card by Chase.
Authorized user cards (if opened in the last 24 months) generally count toward your 5/24 status, even if you are not the primary cardholder.
If you are denied a Chase card for this reason, there could be an easy way out. If you call the reconsideration line and explain the situation, a Chase representative may not count a card you are an authorized user of toward your 5/24 status. However, this does not guarantee that you will be approved.
sapphire family rule
You can have more than one Chase Sapphire card simultaneously, such as the Preferred sapphire and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). However, while multiple Sapphire cards are allowed, getting a welcome offer is a separate consideration.
Chase evaluates eligibility for the Sapphire welcome bonus based on multiple factors, including your current Sapphire card holdings and your past bonus history:
- You may not be eligible to get a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card if you previously earned a welcome bonus on that same product.
- You may also not be eligible for a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card if you currently have another Sapphire card as a primary cardholder, even if you have never earned a bonus on the product you are applying for.
Please remember that authorized users are not considered primary cardholders. If you have only been an authorized user on a Sapphire card and do not currently hold a Sapphire card in your name, these Sapphire bonus restrictions generally will not affect you.
Related: The definitive guide to restrictions on credit card applications.
Am I eligible for the Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus?
You may be eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus if you do not currently have another Sapphire card as a primary cardholder and have not previously earned a welcome bonus on Sapphire Preferred.
It is also recommended to have a credit score of 670 or higher to improve your chances of approval.
To reduce the guesswork, Chase has an eligibility pop-up during the application process that can tell you if you’re eligible for the Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus before proceeding. Checking your eligibility this way does not affect your credit score.
In a nutshell
Being an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card does not prevent you from opening your own account or getting the welcome bonus. However, Chase’s Sapphire bonus rules mean that eligibility depends not only on your bonus history, but also on whether you currently have a Sapphire card as the primary cardholder.
Your chances of qualifying are generally high as long as:
- They are below Chase’s 5/24 limit
- Have a credit score of 670 or higher
- I currently do not have a Sapphire card
- I have never gotten a Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus
For more information, see our full review of Sapphire Preferred.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
