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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Are you eligible for a Chase Sapphire welcome bonus? Here's how to check
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
June 25, 2026 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Several premium travel cards offer valuable introductory bonuses, but eligibility is subject to specific rules.
A key restriction is the 5/24 policy, which generally limits applicants who have opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months.
Applicants are typically ineligible for a welcome bonus if they have previously received one for the same product, though bonuses for different products may still be available.
Downgrading an existing card is not always required before applying for a new product, but may be considered based on personal preferences and benefits.
What to consider
Eligibility for introductory bonuses depends on your recent credit card history and whether you have previously earned a bonus for the same product.
Applicants should review their credit report to determine 5/24 status and check past statements to confirm bonus history.
Approval odds are generally higher for those with good to excellent credit, low credit utilization and strong payment history.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed walkthrough of eligibility checks, downgrade strategies and tips for maximizing approval chances for premium travel cards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Chase has several rules that can affect your eligibility for a Sapphire welcome bonus, including its 5/24 policy, restrictions on previously earning Sapphire bonuses and general approval requirements.
Current welcome bonus offers on Chase Sapphire cards
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$2,050
[applyLink pid="10965" overridetext="Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business" position="6"]
$795
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
$4,100
*Welcome offer value is an estimated value based on TPG's June 2026 valuations and is not provided by the issuer.
Are you under Chase's 5/24 rule?
The first major hurdle to clear for Sapphire applicants is Chase's well-known 5/24 rule.
In general, Chase may automatically deny your application if you've opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers within the past 24 months.
Most business cards do not count toward your 5/24 total, though authorized user accounts can sometimes appear on your credit report and affect your count. If that's the case, you'll want to call Chase to make sure they note those accounts so they don't impact your application.
If you are over 5/24, you'll want to wait to apply for a Sapphire card as you likely won't qualify for the welcome bonus, and Chase may still perform a hard inquiry on your credit report.
How to check your 5/24 status
The easiest way to calculate your 5/24 standing is by reviewing your credit report.
You can create a free Experian account or request free reports from each credit bureau to see which credit cards you've opened, when they were opened and whether they fall within the past 24 months.
EXPERIAN
If you've opened four or fewer cards within that time frame, you can move on to the next eligibility requirement.
However, earning a bonus on one Sapphire card does not necessarily prevent you from earning the bonus on 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 consumer Sapphire bonus may still be eligible for the Sapphire Reserve for Business bonus (if they otherwise qualify).
Chase may also display a pop-up message during the application process, confirming whether you're eligible for a Sapphire welcome bonus before performing a hard inquiry on your credit report. If you're not eligible, you'll typically have the option to withdraw your application before submitting it.
Before applying, it's worth reviewing your Chase account history or past statements to confirm whether you've previously received the bonus on that specific Sapphire card.
Think you're not eligible for another Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonus? TPG's editor-in-chief, Nick Ewen, thought the same, until he was approved. Here's what he did.
Before making any product change, compare the value of your current Sapphire benefits, annual fee and rewards structure against the card you're considering instead.
All three Sapphire cards are considered premium travel rewards cards, and approval odds are generally best for applicants with:
Good to excellent credit
Low credit utilization
Strong payment history
Manageable debt-to-income ratios
Based on crowdsourced approval data, the Sapphire Preferred often requires a credit score of around 670 or higher, and the Sapphire Reserve typically favors applicants with scores closer to 740 or above.
CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY
Because the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, approved applicants generally need to qualify for a credit line of at least $10,000.
If you have limited credit history, low income or a lower credit score, it may make sense to start with a more beginner-friendly card and build your credit profile before applying for a Sapphire card.
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 hard inquiry on your credit report and improve your chances of earning a valuable Sapphire welcome bonus.
