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Chase Sapphire Reserve Bonus Eligibility: Can Previous Holders Get the Welcome Offer?
July 1, 2025
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has undergone dramatic changes in 2025, and understanding the new bonus eligibility rules could mean the difference between earning 125,000 valuable points or walking away empty-handed. If you've held a Sapphire card before, you need to know exactly where you stand before applying.
Chase fundamentally overhauled their Sapphire bonus structure in June 2025, replacing the previous 48-month waiting period with stricter lifetime restrictions. This guide breaks down exactly who can—and can't—earn the current 125,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
What's the Current Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Offer?
As of October 2025, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers new eligible cardmembers 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on Chase Ultimate Rewards valuations of approximately 2 cents per point, this bonus is worth around $2,500 in travel value.
The card now carries a $795 annual fee (up from $550 before the June 2025 refresh), but includes over $2,700 in potential annual credits and benefits:
- $300 annual travel credit (automatically applied)
- Up to $300 in dining statement credits ($150 every six months)
- Priority Pass lounge access with two complimentary guests
- Up to $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fees every four years
Important disclosure: When discussing the Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel reward earning rates, note that points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on purchases in the travel category, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
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Understanding Chase's New Bonus Eligibility Rules (2025)
The Once-Per-Lifetime Rule
Here's what changed in June 2025: If you've ever received a welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you cannot earn it again—ever. This is Chase's new "once-per-lifetime" restriction that replaced the previous 48-month rule.
What this means:
- Previous Reserve bonus = Never eligible for Reserve bonus again
- Previous Preferred bonus = Never eligible for Preferred bonus again
- However: Having received one doesn't prevent you from earning the other
The "No Current Sapphire" Requirement
Even if you've never earned a Reserve bonus, you cannot be holding any Sapphire card at the time you apply if you want to receive the welcome bonus. This includes:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Any downgraded Sapphire products
Solution: You must close or downgrade your current Sapphire card before applying for a different one with a bonus.
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Chase's 5/24 Rule Still Applies
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains subject to Chase's restrictive 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more personal credit cards (across all banks) in the past 24 months, you'll likely be automatically denied—even if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Key insight: Business credit cards typically don't count toward your 5/24 status, though they do show up on your credit report if they report to personal bureaus.
Who IS Eligible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Bonus?
Let's break down specific scenarios using Chase's new framework:
✅ You CAN Get the Bonus If:
Scenario 1: You've only held the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and earned that bonus
- Status: Eligible for Reserve bonus
- Action needed: Close or downgrade your Preferred first, then apply for Reserve
Scenario 2: You currently have no Sapphire cards and have never earned any Sapphire bonus
- Status: Fully eligible (assuming you're under 5/24)
- Action needed: Apply directly
Scenario 3: You held a Chase Sapphire Reserve® but never earned the welcome bonus (e.g., you upgraded from another card)
- Status: Eligible for Reserve bonus
- Action needed: Close or downgrade current Reserve, then reapply
❌ You CANNOT Get the Bonus If:
Scenario 1: You previously earned the Chase Sapphire Reserve® welcome bonus (at any point in history)
- Status: Permanently ineligible for Reserve bonus
- Alternative: Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you've never earned that bonus
Scenario 2: You currently hold any Sapphire card (even if you've never earned a Reserve bonus)
- Status: Ineligible while holding the card
- Action needed: Must close/downgrade first
Scenario 3: You're over Chase's 5/24 limit
- Status: Likely to be denied for any Chase personal card
- Alternative: Focus on paying down existing cards or wait until you're under 5/24
Chase's Application Pop-Up Tool: Your Eligibility Confirmation
Chase now provides a built-in eligibility checker during the application process. Before Chase performs a hard credit inquiry, a pop-up will appear telling you whether you're eligible for the welcome bonus.
How to use it:
- Start the online application for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Fill in your basic information
- Watch for the eligibility pop-up before final submission
- If ineligible, you can cancel the application with no hard inquiry
This tool takes the guesswork out of bonus eligibility and protects your credit score from unnecessary hard pulls.
Can You Hold Multiple Sapphire Cards?
Yes—this is another major change from June 2025. You can now hold both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card simultaneously. However, the welcome bonus restriction still applies: you can only earn each card's bonus once in your lifetime.
Strategic consideration: Some cardholders choose to keep both cards for their different earning structures:
- Reserve: 8X on Chase travel portal, 4X on direct flights/hotels, 3X dining
- Preferred: 5X on travel booked through Chase, 3X dining and select streaming
What About the Sapphire Reserve for Business?
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is treated as a separate product with its own welcome offer (currently 200,000 points after $30,000 spend in six months). Importantly, earning the personal Reserve bonus does not disqualify you from the business card bonus.
Key differences:
- $795 annual fee (same as personal)
- Higher spend requirements for certain benefits
- No authorized user fees (vs. $195 per user on personal card)
- Authorized users don't receive lounge access
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "18167", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Annual Travel Credit" } ]]
Alternative Cards If You're Not Eligible
If you're locked out of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® bonus, consider these premium travel cards:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Welcome offer: 75,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months
- Annual fee: $95
- Best for: Those who earned a Reserve bonus but never a Preferred bonus
- Why consider: Lower fee, still earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome offer: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend
- Annual fee: $395
- Best for: Premium travel benefits without Chase restrictions
- Standout feature: $300 annual travel credit via Capital One Travel portal
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Luxurious Travel Benefits" } ]]
American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees)
- Welcome offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 spend in 6 months (offers vary)
- Annual fee: $695
- Best for: Frequent travelers who value lounge access and airline benefits
- Key benefits: Access to Centurion Lounges, $200 airline fee credit, hotel elite status
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Citi Strata Premier® Card (See Rates & Fees)
- Welcome offer: 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after $3,000 spend in 3 months
- Annual fee: $95 (waived first year)
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers seeking transferable points
- Earning structure: 3X on travel, gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7783", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Robust Rewards Program"} ]]
Bottom Line: Strategic Considerations
The Chase Sapphire Reserve's® new once-per-lifetime bonus rule fundamentally changes how you should approach your credit card strategy. Before you apply, confirm these three critical factors:
- Bonus history: Have you ever earned a Reserve bonus? If yes, you're permanently ineligible.
- Current holdings: Do you hold any Sapphire card right now? You'll need to close or downgrade it first.
- 5/24 status: Have you opened 5+ cards in 24 months? Focus on reducing your new account count before applying.
Pro tip: Use Chase's application pop-up tool to verify your eligibility before submitting. This prevents wasted hard inquiries and gives you certainty about bonus qualification.
The 125,000-point welcome offer represents substantial value—approximately $2,500 when redeemed strategically through Chase's travel partners. But earning it requires careful planning under Chase's stricter 2025 rules.
If you're locked out of the Reserve bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a more accessible alternative with the same Ultimate Rewards ecosystem and transfer partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus if I downgraded from it years ago?
It depends on whether you earned the welcome bonus when you originally opened the card. If you earned the bonus, you're permanently ineligible under the new lifetime restriction. If you upgraded from another Chase card without receiving a bonus, you may still be eligible—but you'll need to close your current card first and use Chase's eligibility tool to confirm.
How long do I need to wait after closing my Sapphire Preferred to apply for the Reserve bonus?
Chase doesn't specify an official waiting period, but most applicants wait 7-30 days after product changes or closures before applying for a new Sapphire card. The most important factor is that your old Sapphire card must be fully closed or downgraded, and you must have never earned a Reserve bonus previously.
Does the Sapphire Reserve for Business bonus count against the personal card bonus?
No, the business and personal versions are treated as separate products for bonus purposes. You can earn both bonuses if you're otherwise eligible, though they each have their own once-per-lifetime restrictions. However, the business card requires significantly higher spend ($30,000 in six months) for its 200,000-point bonus.
Will Chase match a higher bonus offer if one appears after I apply?
Chase rarely matches bonus offers, and with the new lifetime restriction making each bonus truly one-time-only, they've become even less flexible. The best strategy is to apply when you see a historically strong offer rather than hoping for a match later. The current 125,000-point offer is among the highest the Reserve has offered.
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