He Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and Reserve Chase Sapphire for Business℠ (see rates and fees) regularly offer some of the most valuable welcome bonuses available in a travel credit card – but not all applicants will qualify for them.
Chase has several rules that may affect your eligibility for a Sapphire welcome bonus, including its 5/24 policy, restrictions on pre-earning Sapphire bonuses, and general approval requirements.
Use this checklist to determine if you are eligible for a Chase Sapphire welcome bonus before applying.
Current Welcome Bonus Offers on Chase Sapphire Cards
| Card | Annual fee | welcome offer | Welcome offer value* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$95 |
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
$1,538 |
|
|
$795 |
Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. |
$3,075 |
|
|
$795 |
Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
$3,075 |
*Welcome offer value is an estimated value based on TPG May 2026. ratings and is not provided by the issuer.
Are you under Chase’s 5/24 rule?
The first major hurdle that Sapphire applicants must overcome is the well-known rule 5/24.
Generally, Chase may automatically decline your application if you opened five or more personal credit cards from all issuers in the last 24 months.
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Most business cards do not count toward your 5/24 total, although authorized user accounts can sometimes appear on your credit report and affect your count.
If you’re older than 5/24, you’ll want to wait to apply for a Sapphire card since you probably won’t qualify for the welcome bonus, and Chase may still run a hard inquiry on your credit report.
How to check your status 5/24
The easiest way to estimate your 5/24 situation is by reviewing your credit report.
Can create a free Experian account or request free reports from each credit bureau to see what credit cards you have opened, when they were opened and if they are from the last 24 months.
If you opened four or fewer cards within that time period, you can move on to the next eligibility requirement.
Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots
Have you gotten this Sapphire welcome bonus before?
Another important factor is whether you previously earned a welcome bonus on the specific Sapphire card you’re applying for.
In general, Chase prevents applicants from earning the same Sapphire welcome bonus more than once. That means:
However, getting a bonus with a Sapphire card doesn’t necessarily prevent you from getting the bonus with a different Sapphire product.
For example, a Sapphire Preferred cardholder who has never earned the Sapphire Reserve bonus may still qualify for the Sapphire Reserve welcome offer. Similarly, applicants who have earned a Sapphire Consumer Bonus may still be eligible for the Sapphire Reserve Business Bonus (if they otherwise qualify).
Chase may also display a pop-up message during the application process, confirming whether you are eligible for a Sapphire welcome bonus before conducting a hard inquiry on your credit report. If you are not eligible, you will usually have the option to withdraw your application before submitting it.
Before applying, it’s worth reviewing your Chase account history or previous statements to confirm if you previously received the bonus on that specific Sapphire card.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Which Card is Right for You?
Should you downgrade your current Sapphire card?
In many cases, you may not need to downgrade your current Sapphire card before applying for another Sapphire product.
However, downgrading could still make sense if:
The most popular downgrade options include Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) and the Chase Unlimited Freedom® (see rates and fees).
Before making any product changes, compare the value of your current Sapphire benefits, annual fee, and rewards structure with the card you’re considering.
Chase Freedom information has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: When should you downgrade a credit card?
Do you have the recommended credit score for a Sapphire card?
Meeting Chase’s bonus eligibility rules does not guarantee approval.
The three Sapphire cards are considered. premium travel rewards cardsand approval odds are generally better for applicants with:
- Good to excellent credit
- Low credit utilization
- Strong payment history
- Manageable debt-to-income ratios
According to crowdsourced approval data, Sapphire Preferred often requires a credit score around 670 or higher, and Sapphire Reserve typically favors applicants with scores close to 740 or higher.
Because the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, approved applicants generally must qualify for a line of credit of at least $10,000.
If you have a limited credit history or a lower credit score, it may make sense to start with a lower credit history. beginner card and build your credit profile before applying for a Sapphire card.
Related: The Most Important Factors That Affect Your Credit Score
In a nutshell
Before applying for a Chase Sapphire card, it’s worth checking your 5/24 status, your previous Sapphire bonus history, and your overall credit profile.
Reviewing these requirements beforehand can help you avoid wasting a thorough investigation of your credit report and improve your chances of obtaining a valuable Sapphire Welcome Bonus.
For more information, read our full reviews of the Favorite Sapphire Chase, Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire reserve for companies.
Apply here: Favorite Sapphire Chase
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Reserve Chase Sapphire for Business
