7 mistakes to avoid if you want the 125,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve offer
As of Jan. 22, the eligibility rules for Chase's personal Sapphire cards have changed. The information in this article may be out of date.
The best way to quickly secure a chunk of value from a new credit card is by earning its welcome bonus.
When it comes to the excellent offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you won't want to miss out.
That's because new Sapphire Reserve applicants can earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening. TPG's August 2025 valuations place this bonus at a value of $2,563 since Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents apiece.
This haul of Chase points could unlock incredible redemptions, either by leveraging one of its 14 transfer partners or using Points Boost to redeem points at a rate of up to 2 cents per point (depending on the redemption) through Chase Travel℠.
With an offer this lucrative, you won't want to make any mistakes that could put it in jeopardy. Luckily, we've got you covered. Here are seven mistakes to avoid if you want to secure this fantastic Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus.
Applying for the Sapphire Reserve with the Sapphire Preferred open
When the Sapphire Reserve was refreshed in June, Chase added the ability to hold the $795-annual-fee Sapphire Reserve and the $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) at the same time.
Before this, you couldn't hold both Sapphire cards at the same time.
This could be a positive change if you want to leverage the benefits of both cards. However, you won't be eligible for a new bonus on the Sapphire Reserve if you currently hold the Sapphire Preferred.
So, current Sapphire Preferred cardholders will need to downgrade or close their card before they apply. Before you pull the trigger on an application, however, make sure you're aware of the next welcome offer rule, too.
Related: Does it make sense to hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?
Applying for the Sapphire Reserve when you've earned the bonus before
You more than likely won't be able to receive the current Sapphire Reserve bonus if you've previously held the Sapphire Reserve and earned a bonus on that card.
So, even if you don't currently have the Sapphire Reserve, if you've previously held the card and earned its offer, you won't be able to get this one.
Related: 6 reasons to upgrade your Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve
Not checking your eligibility with Chase's card tool
Admittedly, these bonus eligibility rules can be a bit confusing.
The good news is Chase implemented a pop-up tool for Sapphire Reserve applicants that will alert them if they're eligible for a welcome bonus before proceeding with an application, with no impact to their credit score.
Even with knowledge of these restrictions, this is the best way to know, once and for all, if you're able to get the Sapphire Reserve's offer.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Neglecting your 5/24 status
Chase's infamous 5/24 rule is an unwritten rule that the issuer won't approve credit card applications for those who have opened five or more new cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
Some accounts, like business credit cards, may not count against your 5/24 standing. If you're denied and believe you're under 5/24, you can always call Chase's reconsideration line at 888-609-7805 and see if there was a mistake.
Sometimes, authorized user accounts count against your 5/24 status, but you could see if Chase would weigh those differently than if you were the primary account holder.
If you've over 5/24, you can almost guarantee that you won't be approved for the Sapphire Reserve, and you'll have to wait until enough time has passed (without applying for more cards).
Related: Want to open a new Chase card? Here's how to calculate your 5/24 standing
Not having enough credit history
While we recommend a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for the Sapphire Reserve, your credit score isn't the only factor Chase considers.
At times, those starting out in their credit journeys or people who have only had accounts in a partner's name can struggle to be approved for premium rewards cards.
Plus, since the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, you'll need to have at least a $10,000 credit limit, so you'll want to be sure your income level allows for that high of a credit line.
There isn't a quick fix for these factors, but building up your wallet with a couple more cards in your name could help.
Related: How to build credit
Missing the spending requirement for the bonus
Once you're approved and receive the Sapphire Reserve, it's time to start spending. You'll earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.
You won't earn these bonus points without meeting the offer's minimum spending requirement. If you neglect your statements or simply miscalculate your spending, you could make a critical error.
Keep in mind that you can monitor your progress toward a card's welcome bonus by checking out the spending tracker in the "Benefits & travel" section of your Chase online account. In the Chase app, you can select your card and then scroll down to see your progress.
Here's how:
- Select "Rewards"
- Select "Chase Sapphire Reserve"
- Scroll down
Remember a few key facts:
- Your annual fee doesn't count toward your minimum spending requirement
- You don't want to cut it too close (especially with online shopping, which can take a few days to charge to your card)
- Some peer-to-peer transactions, like payments made through Venmo, won't count toward your minimum spending requirement
Try to move most of your spending to your new card so you hit the requirement sooner rather than later.
Related: 10 ways to meet the spending requirements and earn the bonus on a new card
Forgetting to unfreeze your credit
Freezing your credit is an excellent way to keep your credit file secure and defend against fraudsters. However, you won't be able to get any credit card application approved if you don't remember to unfreeze your credit.
I'm guilty of occasionally forgetting to unfreeze my credit when an issuer needs to access it, so I can vouch for the importance of this one.
Related: What's the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?
Bottom line
The 125,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth paying attention to. You can get incredible value from such a wealth of points, so you don't want anything to get in the way of securing this bonus.
These common mistakes could trip you up, so remember them all when you're on your path to earning your points.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
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- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees