Who Is Eligible for the New Sapphire Reserve Bonus?

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You may be eligible for the 100,000-point Sapphire Reserve bonus if:

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✅ You've never held the Sapphire Reserve before 

✅ You don't currently hold any Sapphire card

✅ You previously only had the Sapphire Preferred (and downgraded it) 

✅ You meet Chase's 5/24 rule (under 5 new cards in 24 months)

Who is NOT Eligible?

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You will likely not be eligible if:

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❌ You previously received a Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus (regardless of when) 

❌ You currently hold a Sapphire card (Reserve or Preferred) 

❌ You're over Chase's 5/24 limit

Real-World Examples from Chase Experts

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Example 1: Previous Reserve Holder

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Kudos’s Maria Schriber currently has the Sapphire Reserve and previously had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Even if she downgraded her Reserve, she would not be eligible for another Reserve bonus because she previously earned one.

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Example 2: Current Preferred Holder Who Never Had Reserve

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A current Sapphire Preferred holder who has never had the Reserve could apply for the Reserve, but would likely not be eligible for the bonus while holding the Preferred. However, if they downgraded the Preferred first, they might qualify for the Reserve bonus.

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Example 3: Former Cardholder Success Story

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Kudos’s Evan Li previously held the Reserve but downgraded to Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Since he no longer holds a Sapphire card and never received a Preferred bonus, he would likely be eligible for the Sapphire Preferred bonus (but not another Reserve bonus).

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How to Check Your Eligibility

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Chase has implemented a helpful pop-up tool during the application process that tells you if you're eligible for a welcome bonus before they run a hard credit check. This is the most reliable way to confirm your eligibility.

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Here's how it works:

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1. Start the Sapphire Reserve application
2. Fill out your information
3. Look for the eligibility pop-up before submitting
4. If you're not eligible for the bonus, you can still continue with the application‍
5. No hard credit inquiry until you decide to proceed

The New Sapphire Reserve: What You Get

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Even without the welcome bonus, the refreshed Sapphire Reserve offers significant value:

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Annual Fee: $795 (increased from $550)

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Statement Credits (Over $1,500 in annual value):

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• $500 annual credit for The Edit by Chase Travel luxury hotel stays

• $300 annual travel purchase credit

• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (every 4 years)

• $120 annual Lyft Pink membership + ride credits

• Up to $400 ZipRecruiter credit for business hiring

• Up to $300 DoorDash credits and DashPass membership

• Up to $200 Google Workspace credit

• Up to $100 Giftcards.com credit

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Premium Travel Benefits:

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• Airport lounge access (Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, Chase Sapphire Lounges)

• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status (Diamond after $120K spend)

• Southwest A-List Status (after $120K spend)

• Comprehensive travel protections

Earning Rates That Maximize Your Spend

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• 8X points on Chase Travel℠ purchases

• 5X points on Lyft rides (through September 2027)

• 4X points on flights and hotels booked directly

• 3X points on social media and search engine advertising (no cap)

• 1X points on all other purchases

Alternative Strategies for Previous Holders

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If you previously had the Sapphire Reserve and aren't eligible for the bonus, consider these options:

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1. Upgrade from a Lower-Tier Chase Card

• Upgrade from Chase Freedom Flex® or Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• No welcome bonus, but you keep your existing credit history with Chase

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2883", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Reward Seekers", "headerHint": "Quarterly Rotating Rewards"} ]]

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2. Consider the Business Version

• The new Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offers a 200,000-point bonus

• Business cards don't affect personal card eligibility

• Requires $30,000 spend in 6 months

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "18167", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High Travel and Reward Rates"} ]]

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3. Look at Competitive Premium Cards

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Up to 175,000 points (personalized offers)

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High Travel and Reward Rates"} ]]

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• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 miles welcome bonus

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Luxurious Travel Benefits"} ]]

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• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: 150,000 points + $500 statement credit

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Key Takeaways

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1. Chase's new lifetime bonus rules are stricter than the old 48-month policy
2. Previous Sapphire Reserve holders likely cannot get the new bonus
3. The eligibility pop-up tool is your best friend for confirming bonus eligibility
4. You can now hold both Sapphire cards simultaneously (if approved)
5. The card still offers excellent value even without the welcome bonus

Bottom Line

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While the new 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus is incredibly attractive, Chase's updated eligibility rules mean that previous Reserve holders are likely out of luck. However, the card's enhanced benefits and earning structure still make it a compelling option for premium travelers.

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Before applying, always use Chase's eligibility checker to confirm your bonus eligibility. If you're not eligible for the Reserve bonus but never had the Preferred, that might be worth considering instead.

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The credit card landscape is constantly evolving, and while Chase has tightened their Sapphire bonus rules, there are still plenty of excellent premium travel cards available for those seeking welcome bonuses and premium benefits.