Chase Sapphire bonus eligibility changes: Here’s what to know

On June 17, Chase announced the addition of a brand-new business credit card, the [applyLink pid=”10965″ overridetext=”Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠”] (see [termsConditions pid=”10965″ overridetext=”rates and fees”], as well as a complete refresh of the [applyLink pid=”221211836″ overridetext=”Chase Sapphire Reserve®”] (see [termsConditions pid=”221211836″ overridetext=”rates and fees”]), its popular premium travel card. With the addition of new benefits, statement credits and a higher annual fee, Chase is currently offering an elevated welcome bonus for new cardholders.

Chase has also implemented a new eligibility policy that may affect your ability to earn a Sapphire card welcome bonus more than once. However, the policy changes only affect the consumer Sapphire cards and exclude the Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Let’s dive into the changes.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (see [termsConditions pid=”221211836″ overridetext=”rates and fees”]).

New Chase Sapphire eligibility bonus rules

Chase previously had a 48-month welcome bonus eligibility policy on the Sapphire cards. This meant you could not have earned a new Sapphire welcome bonus if you’d earned one in the past 48 months. Additionally, you could not hold both the Sapphire Reserve and the [applyLink pid=”22125056″ overridetext=”Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card”] (see [termsConditions pid=”22125056″ overridetext=”rates and fees”]) at the same time.

Starting on June 23, 2025, you will be able to have both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred cards. However, bonus eligibility for each card will be based on several factors, including previously earned bonus offers, the number of cards opened and closed, among other considerations, a representative for Chase confirmed to TPG.

So, what does this mean?

If you previously received a Sapphire welcome bonus:

Retroactively, if you received a Sapphire welcome bonus on a specific card in the past, if you reapply for that card, you will most likely not be eligible to receive another Sapphire welcome bonus on that particular product, even if the 48-month mark has passed.

For example, senior travel editor Lyndsey Matthews downgraded her Chase Sapphire Preferred in April, which she’s held since 2016, to the [applyLink pid=”221211281″ overridetext=”Chase Freedom Unlimited®”] (see [termsConditions pid=”221211281″ overridetext=”rates and fees”]) and then reapplied for the Preferred card. At that time, she was eligible for the welcome bonus offer.

However, with Chase’s new policy, she would not be eligible for another Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus, even if she downgraded her card and 48 months had passed.

You currently hold a Sapphire credit card:

You may not be eligible for a Sapphire bonus if you currently hold one of the Sapphire cards. However, if you are no longer a Sapphire customer, you may be eligible for a bonus if you have not received a welcome offer from a particular Sapphire product.

Therefore, if you hold the Sapphire Preferred and want to apply for the Sapphire Reserve (and have never held that card), though you can now hold both cards at the same time, you would most likely not be eligible for the Sapphire Reserve bonus. However, if you downgrade your Sapphire Preferred and then apply for the Sapphire Reserve, you may qualify for the welcome bonus.

For example, senior points and miles editor, Gabrielle Bernardini, previously held the Sapphire Reserve and downgraded to the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Since she no longer holds a Sapphire card, if she applies for the Sapphire Preferred, she would likely be eligible for the welcome bonus since she never received a bonus offer on that specific card.

You previously held both Sapphire cards:

If you have the Sapphire Reserve and had the Sapphire Preferred, you could apply for the Sapphire Preferred, but you most likely wouldn’t be eligible for the bonus since you previously earned a Sapphire Reserve and a Sapphire Preferred bonus.

For example, editorial director Carly Hefland previously held the Sapphire Reserve. She downgraded to the Freedom Unlimited and applied for the Sapphire Preferred, which she currently holds. If she reapplies for the Sapphire Reserve, she may be approved for the card, but would most likely not earn a bonus on it since she previously received a welcome offer on that specific card and currently holds the Preferred card.

Again, this new policy applies to all Sapphire consumer cards, excluding the new Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Check Sapphire eligibility with Chase’s card tool:

Following the changes to bonus offer eligibility, Chase has implemented a pop-up tool for card applications that will tell you if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus before you proceed, with no impact on your credit score. This is the best way to confirm your eligibility for a welcome bonus.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Bottom line

While these new bonus eligibility rules may not be favorable to some current Sapphire cardholders, if you do meet the eligibility requirements, you can earn a very lucrative bonus. The biggest takeaway is that if you have earned a Sapphire bonus previously, you most likely will not be eligible to earn another one for that particular Sapphire card.

However, it’s a nice addition that you can now hold both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred to really maximize your Ultimate Rewards points earnings and utilize the new perks on the Reserve.