7 mistakes to avoid if you want the 125,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve offer
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
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.