Chase Sapphire June 2025 bonus eligibility changes: Here’s what to know
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 The information in this article may be out of date.
On June 17, Chase announced the addition of a brand-new business credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees), as well as a complete refresh of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), its popular premium travel card.
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.
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 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see 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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees